Just started CPAP but major problems

[ghce]

Hi new to the board, unfortunately not new to Sleep Apnea. After a long journey and many sleep studies I was finally diagnosed as Severe with 48 events per hour, at one point in the hospital (not the sleep unit) one nurse timed my not breathing at around 58 seconds at a time and the current sleep study at that time said I was only suffering from moderate sleep apnea 

Anyway long story short, got my ResMed 10 Elite machine 3 days ago and was set up on 11kpa.

First night was sort of ok felt fairly tired in the morning after 8 hours sleep, more tired than when I use my TSD AHI around 10.8

2nd night after 8 hours felt much more tired in the morning. AHI around 10.8

3rd night I had to stop using the machine after 1.5 hours as I was experiencing great difficulty in breathing, very hard work to inhale for each breath and each inhalation was taking more than 6 to 7 seconds. When I removed the FF mask I found that my nostrils were very constricted and that it was almost impossible to draw air in thru them. Waited a while, turned the hose heating to off and reduced the humidity then tried again, after another 3 hours woke unable to breathe and removed the mask same problem, have gone back to the TSD for now as at least I wont suffocate in my sleep and die. AHI was around 9.7 after that 4 and a bit hour stint.

I have always had an extremely restrictive sinus and upper airway and have always breathed thru my nose, definitely not a mouth breather. Its genetic, my sister has the same and my mother had many operations to improve breathing in her younger days. When I swam competitively or trained I had to force myself to breathe thru the mouth to get the air I needed.

Where to from here ? any suggestions on how to get the CPAP machine to work for me?

[Sleeprider]

We can help. Your machine is compatible with #Sleepyhead, and we can tell a lot about the AHI, type of events and length of events using the software. Directions for organizing and posting charts are in my signature. We have a lot of tools we can use with your Elite CPAP including EPR, but considering the severity of your problem, I'm a bit disappointed you don't' have an Autoset or even Aircurve bilevel unit.

Let's take a look at what is going on and get you off the sleep test carousel, and into some better sleep. One major question, have you ever tried nasal therapy or nasal pillows. If you are able to use the therapy without the air escaping from your mouth it can usually resolve the nasal air restriction due to directly applied pressure.

[ghce]

We can help. Your machine is compatible with Sleepyhead, and we can tell a lot about the AHI, type of events and length of events  using the software. Directions for organizing and posting charts are in my signature.  We have a lot of tools we can use with your Elite CPAP including EPR, but considering the severity of your problem, I'm a bit disappointed you don't' have an Autoset or even Aircurve bilevel unit.

Let's take a look at what is going on and get you off the sleep test carousel, and into some better sleep.  One major question, have you ever tried nasal therapy or nasal pillows.  If you are able to use the therapy without the air escaping from your mouth it can usually resolve the nasal air restriction due to directly applied pressure.

Yes I was thinking that a nasal mask or pillows might be the next step though the soft tissues in my nose are very easily excited! and even in normal use my nasal breathing is quite noticeable. I found using the mask that heated air and humidity were not my friends as they induced the nasal passages to swell to un-usability.

Have downloaded the ResScan 5.9 software to my computer and have all the clinical manuals for both machine and software courtesy of this wonderful resource of the Apnea Board, but I guess I can download the sleepy head software as well.

[Sleeprider]

We use the free #sleepyhead because we can, and it's better than ResScan. A lot better when trying to troubleshoot issues. It's easier to use, easier to grab screenshots (F12) and easier to zoom into the issues.  I have no problem if you track your data on Resscan for reporting to your doctor, but if you really want to get a grip on this, use #Sleepyhead.

With that lecture out of the way, go get a retail pack of Resmed Airfit P10 nasal pillows.  It includes the mask, headgear and all 3 sizes of nasal pillows. If your nose has "apnea" or flow limits, it will open it up.  I can use the P10 even with allergies or a severe cold.  I have never used anything but nasal pillows.  Many people assume that because they have chronic congestion or nasal restriction that nasal therapy won't work.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Many of us with our deviated septum, allergies, congestion and even a drooler I know of have found our nirvana with nasal pillows.

[ghce]

We use the free SH because we can, and it's better than ResScan. A lot better when trying to troubleshoot issues. It's easier to use, easier to grab screenshots (F12) and easier to zoom into the issues.  I have no problem if you track your data on Resscan for reporting to your doctor, but if you really want to get a grip on this, use SH.

With that lecture out of the way, go get a retail pack of Resmed Airfit P10 nasal pillows.  It includes the mask, headgear and all 3 sizes of nasal pillows. If your nose has "apnea" or flow limits, it will open it up.  I can use the P10 even with allergies or a severe cold.  I have never used anything but nasal pillows.  Many people assume that because they have chronic congestion or nasal restriction that nasal therapy won't work.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Many of us with our deviated septum, allergies, congestion and even a drooler I know of have found our nirvana with nasal pillows.

Well that answered my next question  re SleepyHead vs ResScan lol and then you followed up with the answer to the question that I was going to ask after that 

Will look at ResMed Airfit P10 maybe the hospital can supply to me as the CPAP is supplied from them.

Sounds encouraging that it may work for me as I have had 25 years worth of problems with allergies getting up and then disabling my nose and sinuses.



Edit WOHOO 4 posts up now I can post links!!  

[Gideon]

Edit WOHOO 4 posts up now I can post links!!  

Forget quotes, use attachments

[trish6hundred]

Hi ghce,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck with CPAP therapy and getting used to the machine.
I hope you find a mask that will work well for you.

[Ockrocket]

I have some nasal issues as well, and was going to offer some input... but Sleeprider has covered the bulk of it to get you on your path to happiness. 

At present I use a Fisher & Paykel Eson nose mask, but I may have to change due to now having my mouth come open with the air pressure once I'm in deep sleep and my jaw muscles fully relax. 

With regard to the congestion and nose blocking up.. I have turned off both my humidity and heated hose and find my nose builds up far less mucous without all the moisture from the humidifier. 

In the past I tried going the other route to solve it, bumping the humidity up only made my problem worse, even when fully maxed out it didn't flush my nasal passages to clear the blockages.

Other people have found the opposite with adding more humidity, so it is a bit of a "try it and see" kind of thing to get it working best for you. 

After being tested on auto my specialist opted for fixed pressure set at 7, but after a few months I found there where times when I felt starved for air, so I bumped it up to 8 myself.. this has helped with both the air starvation and in clearing my nostrils more effectively while sleeping. 

You have started a journey that can take many months to fine tune before you get on the correct long term path.. so persevere with the alterations, and listen to the advice offered by those on here who are far more knowledgeable than I am, and you will find the right setup for you. 

[ghce]

I have some nasal issues as well, and was going to offer some input... but Sleeprider has covered the bulk of it to get you on your path to happiness. 

At present I use a Fisher & Paykel Eson nose mask, but I may have to change due to now having my mouth come open with the air pressure once I'm in deep sleep and my jaw muscles fully relax. 

With regard to the congestion and nose blocking up.. I have turned off both my humidity and heated hose and find my nose builds up far less mucous without all the moisture from the humidifier. 

In the past I tried going the other route to solve it, bumping the humidity up only made my problem worse, even when fully maxed out it didn't flush my nasal passages to clear the blockages.

Other people have found the opposite with adding more humidity, so it is a bit of a "try it and see" kind of thing to get it working best for you. 

After being tested on auto my specialist opted for fixed pressure set at 7, but after a few months I found there where times when I felt starved for air, so I bumped it up to 8 myself.. this has helped with both the air starvation and in clearing my nostrils more effectively while sleeping. 

You have started a journey that can take many months to fine tune before you get on the correct long term path.. so persevere with the alterations, and listen to the advice offered by those on here who are far more knowledgeable than I am, and you will find the right setup for you. 


Many thanks on your reply and input, yes turned off the heating and humidity after the first night it was causing a lot of soft tissue swelling.

Am certainly expecting this to take a while to get dialled in but hadn't counted on the narrowed airway passages being an issue.
Will be getting a nasal headset ASAP after I have had words with the consultant at the hospital on Monday and opt for the AirFit P10 nasal Pillow mask though I may need to find a reasonably priced supplier as here in NZ they at very predatory prices (NZ$360.00) compared to US$99.00 form the states or Canada which translates to about NZ$130.00 tops.

[Ockrocket]

Am certainly expecting this to take a while to get dialled in but hadn't counted on the narrowed airway passages being an issue.
Will be getting a nasal headset ASAP after I have had words with the consultant at the hospital on Monday and opt for the AirFit P10 nasal Pillow mask though I may need to find a reasonably priced supplier as here in NZ they at very predatory prices (NZ$360.00) compared to US$99.00 form the states or Canada which translates to about NZ$130.00 tops.

How do the prices over there compare to here in Australia?

Everything is cheaper in the US.