Can't feel air from CPAP??

Hi-
I have had my CPAP machine for several weeks now. The first two nights were fine. The third night I fell asleep without putting it on. Then the next night when I put it on I really didn't feel any air blowing on my nose. I feel what feels like a lot of air rushing out of the otherside of the mask, over where my nose is and possibly where the tubing connects to the mask. Most concerning is that I can open my mouth and no air rushes out, and I can breathe out of my mouth pretty much normally. I have adjusted the various straps over and over, and I even took the mask back to the supplier and was told everything was fine, I must have merely gotten used to it that's why I don't feel any air when I put it on. I feel like I can't breathe when I have it on- if I do manage to fall asleep with the mask on I wake up in the middle of the night feeling like I can't breath and take it off.

The first two nights I had the mask were great, I slept all night and woke up feeling more refreshed than I had in forever- I want that back! Does anyone have any suggestions??? I find it highly unlikely I just got used to the mask after 2 nights and magically no longer feel any air, even when I first put it on. But my machine is saying my AHI is around 5, and the leak 10L/min.

hi Keskt,

Can you start by filling out the equipment profile so we can hazard some guesses based on your mask and machine. Is there a chance your mask has a pillow and it is not on the nozzle properly? How about a cut in the hose? Any chance in your sleepy fog you pulled your mask off and also separated the silicon seal from the mask?

Just idle questions for now....

-tino

When the hose is disconnected from the mask...can you feel air rushing out? If so...the unit is working and you are just getting used to CPAP. It would be nice to know what CPAP and mask you are using...please fill in your profile. If you are using a full face mask you might be covering the exhaust holes.

sorry, I have edited my profile. When the hose is disconnected from the mask, I can feel air rushing out of the hose yes. I guess my biggest confusion is how come I can open my mouth and leave it open/breathe out of my mouth normally? During my sleep study and the first few nights with the mask if I opened my mouth air would rush out. Now no air comes out. I know there is a vent but it seems like an awful lot is rushing out of the top of the mask over where my nose is. I guess the only answer is to keep trying- I see the sleep doctor for a followup in a week and a half and will ask him to look more closely at the mask too.

There's a part of your throat that will block off air going through your nose while you open your mouth. It's the same thing that lets you swallow food without it going into your lungs. You can learn to open that on purpose, but no need: to check for air, feel over the vents on your mask, or pull it off your face for a second. I bet you feel air then!

As you get used to therapy, you stop feeling the pressure much (or at all). it's pretty normal.

keskt wrote:sorry, I have edited my profile. When the hose is disconnected from the mask, I can feel air rushing out of the hose yes. I guess my biggest confusion is how come I can open my mouth and leave it open/breathe out of my mouth normally? During my sleep study and the first few nights with the mask if I opened my mouth air would rush out. Now no air comes out. I know there is a vent but it seems like an awful lot is rushing out of the top of the mask over where my nose is. I guess the only answer is to keep trying- I see the sleep doctor for a followup in a week and a half and will ask him to look more closely at the mask too.

If your 'dme didn't find a problem it's unlikely your doctor will. Did your dme show you how to check for leaks? Basically cup your hands around the sides of the mask - kind of like when you are shading your eyes - and feel for any air coming from the side of the mask and your skin. There shouldn't be any air coming out anywhere but from the vent holes.

I'm guessing you've just adjusted. I couldn't open my mouth the first few days without air rushing out. Now it's not a problem at all. I do however feel the air when I first put the mask on although later in the night I don't feel it and I have to stick my hand in front of the vent holes to know it's still working. I wonder if that's related to pressure. Mine is 14. What is yours?

Yes, there's a valve at the back of your nose that can block air off. Try putting your lips together and blowing air in your mouth to puff out your cheeks like you're blowing up a balloon. Notice that there's no air coming out your nose? That's because the valve is closed. We tend to unconsciously open or close this valve as needed.

Try putting on the mask, consciously breathing through your nose and trying to slowly open your lips and mouth while still consciously breathing through your nose. See if you can get the air to gush out.

If that doesn't work, try lifting up the edge of your mask with a finger and seeing if air gushes out.

When you feel you can't breathe, don't turn the machine off, and try not to take the mask off. Look over at your CPAP and read the pressure. You may need to click the right knob to get it to light up. Without changing the mask, deliberately inhale and exhale deeply through your nose. Pay attention to the air rushing in and out of your nose to convince yourself. If necessary, lift up the mask from your face without undoing the straps and feel the air gushing out and breathe deeply.

We need to know your pressure settings on your CPAP machine. In particular, what is the minimum and maximum pressure and do you have the ramp function turned on? Unfortunately, the medical mafia likes to keep you in the dark, so they make it hard to figure this out.

Did you have a sleep study, and did you get the results?

Thank you everyone for the information and tips- archangle I will try this tonight. My pressure is 5 min 11 max, not sure about ramp up? Last night I did keep the mask on all night- AHI 13, leaks was 7L/minute, and pressure 11 so I am wondering if maybe I need a machine with a higher max pressure. I am an unrelenting mouth breather (I have a chin strap to wear at night) so I imagine that's what's causing a lot of my difficulties- have sinus issues and narrow nasal airways so just simply not used to breathing out of my nose only! Thanks again everyone for the input!

archangle- I don;t have a full copy of my sleep study results, but I know my AHI was 75, desaturations as low as 83%, tachyarrhythmia- not a pretty picture at all. That's really all I know, don't have a copy of the titration sleep study either.

Another thing that might be influencing your not being able to breath ---

Your machine has some version of auto-relief (similar to C-Flex on PR machines). I assume that this feature has various settings. You may have it set for TOO high of a relief. Try different settings.

keskt wrote:...have sinus issues and narrow nasal airways ...

Do you use a heated humidifier? Start there.

I've been diagnosed with very narrow airways. When I first started on CPAP in '96, the results were immediate and awesome. By the 2nd week, however, the results became quite inconsistent. I kept stating that the air from the mask wasn't reaching my throat. Sound familiar? With narrow airways, the slightest irritation will start closing off the flow of air. The dry air from the CPAP was enough irritation to start shutting me down and it was like trying to suck a milkshake through a straw. The higher the pressure - the worse the collapse. It took me 2 months to learn the heated humidifier lesson. It took me 2 years to learn that taking allergy meds would open the airways enough to get consistent results from my CPAP.

Best of luck to you!

If your average pressure or 95% pressure was 11...I would change the pressure range from 5/11 to 8/14. Also..you should try a full face mask.

LSAT wrote:If your average pressure or 95% pressure was 11...I would change the pressure range from 5/11 to 8/14. Also..you should try a full face mask.

Or a hybrid mask

If you're still in the 30 day grace window, ask to try a hybrid and only then go to a full face. Too many DMEs give out full-face masks out of reflex because they're relatively foolproof. Of course, if you have a weirdly shaped face, wear glasses, or don't fit the "regular" headgear, then you're SOL.