Newbie: Feels like not getting enough air

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
rcgrissom

Newbie: Feels like not getting enough air

Post by rcgrissom » Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:18 pm

Just completed third night with my first cpap machine. It is a autoadjust cpap series by devilbiss. The problem is I feel like I'm not getting enough air when I first put the mask on. Is there a way to increase a setting to alleviate this problem...or perhaps another suggestion? It's bad enough I start feeling like I'm going to have an anxiety attack. Thanks for any input anyone can provide!

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fadedgirl
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Re: Newbie: Feels like not getting enough air

Post by fadedgirl » Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:34 pm

If your machine has the "ramp" feature, try turning it off and see if that helps you any. Let us know!!

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Sleeprider
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Re: Newbie: Feels like not getting enough air

Post by Sleeprider » Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:54 pm

I use no ramp and use a minimum pressure of 9 cm-H2O and top pressure of 14.5. Using an APAP in wide-open mode doesn't work for most of us. You need a minimum amount of air to open the throat, and your need for ramp will go away after you get used to the equipment. Don't wait around waiting for more air or an apnea event, increase your minimum pressure and reduce the ramp time or turn it off. As a general rule, you need at least 6 cm-H20 to not feel air-starved.

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Re: Newbie: Feels like not getting enough air

Post by GumbyCT » Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:22 pm

Sleeprider wrote: Don't wait around waiting for more air or an apnea event, increase your minimum pressure and reduce the ramp time or turn it off.
I could be wrong but I think that is what he was asking - How?

I don't know how but am willing to bet if you were to search this forum you would find what you need.

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Re: Newbie: Feels like not getting enough air

Post by DreamOn » Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:29 pm

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