Breathing

[Jon in Thailand]

Hello All......I am using a nose-only CPAP machine, photo attached.

I also have a full unit which covers the mouth and the nose, but have only used it for a few moments in the DR office.

When I am lying down and trying to fall asleep, how am I supposed to be breathing? Through my nose, with my mouth shut.....in which case my exhaling is difficult as I am fighting the incoming air, or through my mouth and not using my nose at all?

Also, if I switch to the full mask which covers my nose and my mouth, how would I go about breathing at all? I tried it in the DR office for about a minute and exhaling seemed literally impossible.

Thanks all - Jon

[PaulaO2]

Just in case you don't know, the machine is not a 'nose only'. It is the mask that is nose only. The same machine (whatever antique thing that is) can be used with any mask.

Breathe through your nose. Does your machine have a ramp feature? As in it starts out at a lower pressure then slowly increases over a set amount of time. If it does, use that until you get used to it.

Do you breathe through your mouth at night? If you do, then you need either a chin strap or a full face mask.

[Jon in Thailand]

yes, it has a ramp feature......it starts out low and then increases over time.

as mentioned in the introduction thread the photo shown is just to show what the face mask I am using looks like.....the actual CPAP machine on my bedstand is quite small. I just found a better photo and have attached it below, and my machine and mask are identical; the mouth stays uncovered.

when I breathe in and out through my nose I get a headache......it seems like exhaling back into the mask is a major chore and my brain is kind of telling me to use my mouth instead?

[PaulaO2]

It would really help to have the name of the machine as well as the name of the mask. So many masks look similar.

With the make and model of your machine, we can help you find out if it has any kind of exhale pressure relief. Many of them do.

[zonk]

...the actual CPAP machine on my bedstand is quite small. I just found a better photo and have attached it below, and my machine and mask are identical;

Its Fisher & Paykel Icon. There are 3 models, Novo is basic entry machine with no efficacy data just compliance reporting and play music while Auto and Premo data capable machines with efficacy data. look at the youtube video to find if your mask comes from F&P as well.
The Auto have a SensAwake feature and all three models got the heated hose which protect against rainout.
http://www.youtube.com/user/fphealthcare

This Vimeo video from cpaplibrary take you through the Icon setup which is the same for all models
http://vimeo.com/20560260

Also you may ask for the manual from here - scroll down to section three
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pr...tup-manual