New to board plus question about cpap

[RonWessels]

I was originally titrated with a pressure of 13 cmH2O, and had a fixed-pressure CPAP unit. My ramp button got a good workout those first few months. After a few weeks, I would actually wake up in the morning and wonder if the machine was still on. I'd still use the ramp when first going to bed, but I eventually found that I felt like I wasn't getting _enough_ air. So I increased the starting ramp pressure, and eventually started going without the ramp at all.

Nowadays, using the auto-start feature of the machine, I find that the timing is such that most of the time the airflow starts right as I am breathing out. But I hardly even notice, as less than a second later, the machine and I have "reached an agreement". And the ramp button hasn't been touched in many months.

It has also gotten to the point where I can even speak (I use a nasal mask) with the machine running without any issue.

You'll get there too. Just keep at it.

[JimZZZ]

The only thing I find disturbing is when I initially put the mask on & the machine turns on I feel like I'm fighting with the machine just to breath.

You just need to ask your doc to increase the starting pressure a bit.

I agree with retired_guy. My initial prescription was for straight CPAP (autoset disabled) at a pressure of 4 and it gave me the same "fighting for breath" feeling. After a few months and a lot of help from this forum, I have autoset enabled with a pressure range of 8/14 and no ramp. I'm breathing easy now and hopefully you soon will too!

[annebee]

My machine was doing the same thing. I discovered that the ramp was set for 30 minutes but did not come on unless I pressed the ramp button on the top of my machine. Once I discovered that, the pressure drops down to a comfortable start point.

[trish6hundred]

My machine was doing the same thing. I discovered that the ramp was set for 30 minutes but did not come on unless I pressed the ramp button on the top of my machine. Once I discovered that, the pressure drops down to a comfortable start point.

Hi annebee,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Best of luck to you with your CPAP therapy.