CPAP Pressure

I am a new CPAP user and I have been using CPAP for about one month. My problem is when I am ready to sleep I put the mask on and even at the lower pressure my machine uses, 4 I think, it is hard to fall asleep. Is there any way for there to be no pressure at all when I ramp up so it would be easier to fall asleep.

Guppy wrote:I am a new CPAP user and I have been using CPAP for about one month. My problem is when I am ready to sleep I put the mask on and even at the lower pressure my machine uses, 4 I think, it is hard to fall asleep. Is there any way for there to be no pressure at all when I ramp up so it would be easier to fall asleep.

most people dont get enuff air at 4 to sleep.
could it be that is your problem, not enuff air?
if you are using a ramp try it without
if not 6 to 8 cm might feel better

my issue is that it is hard to go to sleep with any pressure at all, but my machine starts at a low of 4. i do have the ramp feature

Guppy, if you have no pressure at all it will feel like there is a power failure on your blower, which for most people will wake them if it occurs during the night. It will also feel like you are not getting enough air (true!). Is that how it feels at 4? If so, you do actually need a higher starting pressure so that you get enough air. I found I was not getting enough even at 6, so removed the ramp entirely so that I started at my prescribed pressure of 10. Don't be afraid to change the ramp settings - that is a comfort feature that the patient is supposed to be able to adjust. Have you tried wearing the mask, with the machine turned on, but not trying to sleep? Watching TV or reading? That will allow you to work out what is really going on, and get a better idea of what pressures are going to work for you. When you are falling asleep, by definition, you are not going to be thinking clearly so watching TV/reading is the best way to get adjusted to the new features of the breathing system you now have to get used to.

There won't be a ramp pressure available below 4 as that's the default low machine setting... you just need to forget the ramp, maybe hold your breath for a couple of seconds when the blowing starts and settle down (I presume your mask will already have been put on and straps closed - if not the blowing air will make it difficult to put it on), allow the machine to do what it should.

Guppy

What mask are you trying?

May want to see if the pressure is strong enough. It took me about a month to get used to falling asleep with a mask covering my face.