Auto-CPAP settings - bad?

[Lindy]

Oh thanks. Rather embarrassing when people at work say. .., ' Your nose looks so sore.' Makeup does only so much. I tried lotions but that doesn't work. Thank you though. I have the humidity on too. The pressure seems high and to exhale , I have to make myself relax. Can settings be set to exhale easier?

[RonWessels]

Yes, that is the AFlex or CFlex/CFlex+ setting. The setting can be off, 1, 2, or 3. The numeric value indicates the reduction in pressure (in cmH2O) for exhale. Enabling/disabling the AFlex setting is done in the clinician's menu. If AFlex is enabled and the AFlex setting is not locked in the clinician's menu, it is settable in the user menus. In fact, it has it's own top-level menu. It is the top-right box in your main menu.

[bwexler]

I had a similar problem with nasal pillows.
My solution was a Sleepwever Élan mask. You can check it out at Supplier #1.

Oh thanks. Rather embarrassing when people at work say. .., ' Your nose looks so sore.' Makeup does only so much. I tried lotions but that doesn't work. Thank you though. I have the humidity on too. The pressure seems high and to exhale , I have to make myself relax. Can settings be set to exhale easier?

[Lindy]

Is it usual to keep waking up about every 1to 2 hours when you have a cpap pressure changed? That 's what happens to me. I am exhausted to go to sleep and falling asleep is no issue but then I keep waking up.

[trish6hundred]

Hi Lindy,
Your body is trying to get used to the new pressure settings. It should get better over time.
By the way, if you want to keep using your pillows mask, get some HPA Lanolin, (found in the baby isle of most stores,) and swav a "LITTLE" bit in your nostriles with a Q-Tip and that should help with the irritation and it just might give you a better seal as well. I hope this helps.

[Lindy]

My AHI level is down to 8 on my new settings. Doing better. Might not have to do a bipap. I heard that is somewhat difficult to adjust?

[Lindy]

Does anyone recommend taking a sleeping pill or Zeequil by Nyquil to help you stay asleep? I have been getting about 3 hours of rest a night. I wake up refreshed but feel exhausted later.

[RonWessels]

Any kind of sleep medication is going to affect your treatment pressures. Typically, when "sedated", the soft palate will relax even more and therefore require even higher pressures to properly treat.

[Lindy]

Oh OK. Won't want to make it worse. I just have to try harder to sleep. Thanks for the advice.

[Tez62]

Does anyone recommend taking a sleeping pill or Zeequil by Nyquil to help you stay asleep? I have been getting about 3 hours of rest a night. I wake up refreshed but feel exhausted later.

Lindy, it's good your feeling refreshed but you also need 8 hours sleep, I hate recommending sleed meds to anyone, but try them for a couple of weeks till you get used to your CPAP then come off them, don't stay on them for more than a month.
After that if you need something try some over the counter sleep meds like valerian which is a herb. You probably need something to calm you while you are getting used to CPAP and changing pressures during the night.