Help and advice changing pressure setting

[zonk]

Hi Cabut and welcome to the board
I agree with others stick with your titrated pressure and turn ramp off if you don,t feel getting enough air.
Make sure the mask vents holes which are designed to flush the exhaled air are not blocked by the bed covers.
As you get used to the treatment the air doesn't seem to be much and at times I have to put my hand in front of vent holes or lift the mask away my face just to check the machine is working.
Flex is comfort feature whatever you find comfortable some use it and others don,t.
Mask choice is important, try several types at home and utilize the 30 days return and if you find the mask used at the sleep study is comfortable than start with this one.
Experiment with humidifier setting and set to your preference and comfort. If your nose feel congested or stuffy see your doctor and may be referred to ENT specialist as should have a zero tolerance to nasal congestion, most find saline spray or sinus rinse is all they need.
Lastly the Auto IQ is not proper APAP machine unlike PR System One Auto A Flex which you ought to have in the first place.
CPAP is overwhelming experience but once you figure it out, It can be rewarding..... Good luck

[Sleepster]

The Cpap supplier recommended a nasal pillow, so I gave it a try.
Having bad plant allergies and a stuffy nose I opted for the mask after trying the nasal pillow(large) for two nights without success. My problem is this: The mask seals well, but I don't feel like I'm getting enough air. When I breath I can feel the mask sucking in against my face. I haven't been able to wear it for more than an hour.

Hi Cabut,

Yes, what you're experiencing is normal, and I have had the same experience. The feeling that you're not getting enough air is just that, a feeling. It's not reality. The machine is providing more air than you'd get without it, because it's raising the pressure and it's NOT limiting the flow. Once you relax and get used to the machine you will no longer feel the mask collapsing.

If you still have the nasal pillows, try them again. As long as you're not opening your mouth while asleep, which would allow the pressurized air to escape, you should be ok.

The machine should also help with your allergies as you're getting your own private supply of filtered, humidified, air.

[iSnooze]

I am assuming that for the study they use a setting in the middle of the scale to evaluate, but I'm not sure.

I can't answer your question about not getting enough air, but I can tell you what my sleep study technician told me how they do the titration test. They adjust the pressure throughout the night to see at which pressure your body sleeps best. I don't know where they start but with all the wires hooked up to you, there is a lot of data to read. My guy told me that getting my AHI's down to zero - if possible - and eliminate my snoring were the two areas he would work on and find a pressure that gave me the best results.

Your pressure setting of 7 is on the low side but the must have been the highest pressure needed to get you the optimal results. If you feel that you aren't getting enough air, talk to your doctor about it. Two days is a very short amount of time to get used to the device but if you are waking up gasping for air, call your doctor.

If you can try thinking of something else besides your breathing while you are falling asleep. Think of anything else sleep related (your comfy pajamas, the way the pillow feels, the comfortable position, the release of tension from your muscles, etc.) while you are falling asleep. If you focus on your breathing, you will be distracted and won't sleep. It sounds odd but it's like having a sore toe. If you think about it, it hurts. If you stop thinking about it when you're sitting, it stops hurting.

[zonk]

I am assuming that for the study they use a setting in the middle of the scale to evaluate, but I'm not sure.

This thread might help
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...-Titration

[Surly]

Does your CPAP machine have settings for different mask types? If so, perhaps you need to change this setting to match your preferred mask type - assuming it's still set to 'Pillows' or similar.

When I updated from my old Resmed Autoset Spirit to the S9 recently, it had an incorrect mask type set that I had to change myself.

[zonk]

Does your CPAP machine have settings for different mask types? If so, perhaps you need to change this setting to match your preferred mask type - assuming it's still set to 'Pillows' or similar.

When I updated from my old Resmed Autoset Spirit to the S9 recently, it had an incorrect mask type set that I had to change myself.

Hi Surly
You,re correct about selecting the mask types as the S9 need to know what type of mask so it can work out the unintentional leak while the System One gives total leak and mask type is for "System One Resistance"

[Cabut]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I would have answered sooner but new people are limited to 7 replies per 24 hours.

I reset my machine back to 7 as you all have suggested and changed the ramp setting from 45 minutes to 15.
My machine does not appear to have settings for different masks.

Last night I started out with the nose pillow and did manage to fall asleep, however my nose was irritated and stuffed up after about an hour and a half. I then donned my mask with the preposterous name ("ResMed Mirage Quartro") and was able to log another hour's sleep but woke up again in some discomfort from the mask. I'll keep trying. I do not use sleep medication and don't want to which may be the only reason I slept comfortably during my sleep study. I know I can't be the only one who felt exceedingly uncomfortable, but I will persist.
My sleep doc did say that I could probably do with sleeping on my side, but due to mild arthritis in my cervical spine I do find that uncomfortable. Thanks for the tips. Knowing that others have overcome similar problems does help.

Cabut

[zonk]

Hi Cabut
I've never knew that got a deviated septum till started CPAP therapy and went so ENT specialist and told me left nostril is blocked and going to have it corrected soon.
You can try experiment with the humidifier setting as everyone is different some can get congested with higher setting and vice versa .
I use Neilmed squeeze bottle sinus rinse and it does help.

[Sleepster]

Last night I started out with the nose pillow and did manage to fall asleep, however my nose was irritated and stuffed up after about an hour and a half. I then donned my mask with the preposterous name ("ResMed Mirage Quartro") and was able to log another hour's sleep but woke up again in some discomfort from the mask. I'll keep trying.

Do keep trying, that's the important thing. Don't sleep without your mask. It's important that you let your body and your mind get acclimated to the therapy.

What you're going through is very normal. But persistence will pay off.

Lanolin is good for the sore nostrils. Try benadryl as a sleep aid.

[PaulaO2]

Do you have the humidifier on? That might account for the stuffiness.

You're doing good! Keep at it!