Human balloon :( ?

I tried using my bipap machine a few months ago, that was a step down from the CPAP that I could not use because the pressure was too much. They said I am at the lowest setting (think its a 14)

Here is what happens. Each night I would wake up and the pressure was more than I can take, I would be choking.. I would pace it back down and keep doing that and eventually give up so I could get some sleep. The thing makes me breathe so much more than I am used too. But I would have horrid little sores on my ear and under my nose from the mask because my face would swell up and the straps would dig in. I was only wearing a nasal tube.

I tried putting the straps on pretty loose, but the same thing happened. So I put tissues under the straps. I was still waking up and I was getting lots of gas and was becoming terribly constipated. I developed this horrible pain in my chest and shoulder on the side that is up (sleeping on my right side but my left side is in agony now) that settled in my left arm and shoulder, seemed like it was gas but 3 months later I still have it.

I saw an ENT for an alternative device, he said nothing would work for me.. (my breathing tube is the size of a drinking straw and I have tmj) almost 3 months later and even with trips to the chiropractor and acupuncturist my shoulder still hurts badly. I read that there are muscles called the scalenes that can be affected like this from labored breathing. So, in all this machine is really hurting me, but my respiration therapist said to just keep doing it and that my face can't swell up like a balloon.... (even though that's exactly what its doing).

Any advice?

What does it say on the top of your machine? Need to know exactly which machine you've got, which mask and what the settings are.

Sorry.. I can't read the machine but when someone is around to do so I will post it. I use the nasal pillows though.

which nasal pillow system? There are a lot of different ones...

try looking at the pictures on cpap.com and see if you can identify your equipment.

Good morning Keggy.

I can only address one issue, TMJ. There are nightguards (dental appliances) out there that you can use:
* That work to promote better breathing
* That work in conjunction with your cpap
* That are flexible enough for the sake of the TMJ

Mine is called Silent Nite and I've provided you with the link: http://www.ihatecpap.com/oral_appliance.html
You may want to take to your dentist about it.

I realize you have other issues that others on the forum may be better qualified to address than I. I'm just addressing one issue.

Starlette