First three weeks

[RayBee]

It looks as though you have a long ramp with a pressure of 4. For many people, a pressure that low makes it hard to breathe. Either raise the ramp pressure to 6 or turn the ramp off. Let us know if you notice a difference.

Also, you might try setting the machine up during the day so you can read or watch TV while using it. This can help your body adapt to the feel of the mask and the pressure.

Most importantly, your reactions are pretty normal, and with a little patience and some adjustments, your therapy truly will get better.

Keep us posted!

Early on I had my ramp pressure set to 3 or 4 and it drove me nuts. Didn't know why until I learned a lot of important things here on the forum.

Now I use a 5-minute ramp and pressure of 6.  That's kind of my lowest-pressure for a fairly neutral feel - not sucking into a vacuum and not getting blown up like a party balloon.  Lately, I have been turning the ramp "off" since I am getting more used to the whole hose-head way of life.

Whatever you do, don't give up.  If your mask/pillows/whatever gives you problems, (or eventually becomes problematic over time) there are numerous others to consider trying.

I think for most, this is a process to discover what combinations of things works best for you for both efficacy and comfort.  You should be able to obtain high levels of both with help from the ApneaBoard team.

[daBee]

Why claustrophobic?  Because it is.  People get claustrophobic as they get older, and this type of issue shows up in discussions about CPAP.  Claustrophobia isn't a comfort issue.  If your mind thinks it's going to be starved of air, it will panic.  It's a very real issue.  

I've never known why I need any kind of ramp.  If anything, my respiration rate is higher at the start, so ramping up is counter-productive.  I might just set it minimal and to 6 cm.  

I like your terms:  Hose head, party balloon.  I would rather deal with the unit inflating my head and dealing with the back-pressure, and adapting to the demand later on in the session.  

They gave me an ergo pillow and it's the same as the last ergo pillow I have.  That's not an issue.  The nasal mask, I'm still trying to fit the nose piece as I can use any three of them, narrow to wide.  I'm on the medium size now.  I think the only issue is pressure, and the house humidifier was turned off, so that's been a whole lot of fun in itself.  

Also, the unit boasts features of auto-this, auto-that.  For a lot of auto-settings, it really isn't doing very well.  I understand what's going on as I have three biology degrees and I design breweries.  So the science behind this is pretty straight forward.  It's the control design that's baffling, so I thought I'd come in here to see if people hack these things the way I want to.  And I'm getting some great advice and experience feedback.  

And your "Journey" signature: 100% correct about the "industry", and I'm in Ontario where's it's been re-packaged as "free".

I might ramp it up to 7 tonight and eliminate the ramp.  Exciting.  

Cheers

[daBee]

OK, 2024 and I'm back.  Haven't used the machine in ages, and had to break it out again.  Another try.

So I have the nasal mask and not the pillow mask.  I'm still finding it difficult to overcome claustrophobia.  I get < 2 AHI, but I can't seem to settle in overnight for a full sleep.  

Pressure is minimum 7 and I've turned off the exhale pressure monitor/reaction, and still, I get claustrophobic.  I tend to need more delivery but raising the pressure will blow my ears out.  

Any suggestions?

[OpalRose]

Ok, glad you came back!  That only means that you realize you need help.  

First off, please download the free OSCAR software and start using it.  Be sure you have an SD card in your Cpap while you're sleeping.  

After a night or two of data, upload it here.  Use the links in my signature line to guide you.  

We will need to see a Screenshot from the daily page in OSCAR.  Use the Attachment Feature as described in the links below.  

I understand claustrophobia is real.  I'm still like that after 10 years, but it can be controlled.  If you are wearing a mask that fits properly and your Cpap is set up to optimize your therapy, you will be fine.  Sometimes, just wearing the mask with pressure on for an hour or so before bed can help you acclimate to the feel of the pressure and the mask itself.  Set your machine up somewhere outside your bedroom and read or watch TV for an hour.  Move the Cpap back in your room when ready for bed.  Try this for a few days, and you would be surprised how natural it will feel once used to it.  

Note:  Don't move your Cpap back and forth, without first removing the humidifier tank and water.

Keep your minimum pressure set at 7cm untill we can see your data.  Please set EPR to 2 to start.  EPR will help with the claustrophobia by helping you to breathe out easier against the pressure.

[daBee]

Hi there. Not sure if any tweaking my unit will get me to like this thing. SD card was corrupt, but I've reformatted and will upload.

Minimum is 7, EPR is 'minimal'. That has 2 options, normal and minimal. I set the EPR recently and that seems to have helped. I felt it was jumpy before.

[daBee]

OK here is today's data, small but quick.

[OpalRose]

Is this a 1 hour nap?

For whatever reason, you are choosing not to use this therapy. Looking back at your charts from 2019, there is little difference as far as usage, about 1-2 hrs. A 0.00 AHI isn't impressive compared to the usage.

The one revealing thing is the leak rate... not all that high, but enough to see that you are mouth breathing. That may be keeping you from using your mask. Many here use mouth taping to help control this issue, or you can try a soft cervical collar that would help keep your jaw from dropping open. The alternative is to use a full face mask instead of the nasal mask.

Perhaps you should touch base with your doctor about the claustrophobia. It's been nearly 5 years, and if you're not able to overcome that on your own, ask your doctor for something to help with the anxiety so that you can relax and start to actually use your Cpap.

Whatever you do, don't give up. Sleep Apnea will only worsen over time with non use.

[daBee]

Hi there.  I'm on CPAP because my tests said I was severe.  I don't have my test results.  I hopefully get an appointment for review by another clinic today.

---

That was a nap to post these results.  I use tape already, so I should pick it up with the cpap.  Claustrophobia:  I won't take meds for that.  That meds route is very slippery and have been down that route.  I'm currently off all meds. Anxiety is coming from all angles these days.

[daBee]

Update: I get a review tomorrow. I don't have any faith in all this.

[daBee]

Well here is today's assessment. It seems my pressure is low at 7. I'm going to book an appointment for a titration to find the optimal pressure. I have RLS so I'm doing some iron bloodwork as well.

As for claustrophobia, I tend to find it maybe 10% of the time, then I sleep without the cpap for the rest of the night. I've not tried pillow masks. These ones fit just fine, the non-pillow nasal system.

I will be messing with the pressure tonight. I know the Resmed Airsense 10 says 7-15, so I'll have another look tonight. Hopefully that's the big win I'm looking for.

But more tests.