New to cpap

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Patches
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:57 pm

Re: New to cpap

Post by Patches » Fri Dec 17, 2010 12:39 pm

My other question is. I seem to be struggling breathing. It seems that it's labored. Is that normal as well.

cflame1
Posts: 3312
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:55 am
Location: expat Canadian in Kentucky

Re: New to cpap

Post by cflame1 » Fri Dec 17, 2010 12:45 pm

Patches wrote:Hello again. My pressure setting is at 6 and i removed the cflex setting. I upped my humidifier to 4 . Used an earplug and still had 4 hours of use. I cant get comfortable with the mask cushion going up and down as i breath as well as hearing myself breath. Is this normal with all masks available? The breathing sounds? I have a small window to replace my mask but if all masks are the same i would just stick to this one since it has not leaked on me. Are nasal pillows just as loud?
No not all masks act like the Activa... sometimes it gets called a "love-sick octopus". It is a very comfortable mask however... but if it bothers you, you should try something else.

jweeks
Posts: 1474
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:32 pm
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Contact:

Re: New to cpap

Post by jweeks » Fri Dec 17, 2010 8:27 pm

Patches wrote:My other question is. I seem to be struggling breathing. It seems that it's labored. Is that normal as well.
Patches,

I suspect that 2 things will greatly help you:

1) change to a nasal pillow mask. That style mask will not go up and down like you describe.

2) increase your pressure to 9 or 10. You say you are set on 6, and that is too low for most people to be able to get enough air. 8 is the normally the lowest that you want to go, though everyone is different.

As always, check with your doctor or RT before making any significant changes to your treatment.

-john-