[Pressure] Is my pressure suddenly wrong? Or is my machine broken?

[obliquered]

Hi there,

I've been using CPAP very successfully since 2013. First I had a RedMed Airsense 9 and last year I switched to the AirSense 10, which I've really liked.

Two nights ago I started waking up multiple times in the night, not feeling able to breathe, and finding I had taken the mask off (which I have never done previously.) When I put it back on and turn on the machine, it feels noticeably different from how it usually feels. It's kind of hard to describe but basically, I felt like when I inhaled I wasn't getting enough air, and when I exhaled it was extremely hard to push the air out.

I tried Googling but most of what I found is for people trying to adjust initially - I couldn't find anything for people who had been fine for years and then it was different.

The unit hasn't been dropped or exposed to any power surges that I know of. I haven't changed any of the settings.

Has anyone had this happen? Should I try to take the unit in to the doctor next week and get them to see if it's malfunctioning? Is there anything I could tweak on the settings to make it better?

I went into the settings menu and looked up how the machine is currently set up:

My Options:
Ramp Time: Auto
Climate Ctrl: Manual
Tube Temp: 81F
Humidity Level: 4
Pressure Relief: On
SmartStart: On
Mask: Nasal

Sleep Report:
Pressure: 12.9
Leak: 38 L/min
AHI: 4.6
Total AI: 4.4
Central AI: 0.2

Settings:
Therapy:
Mode: AutoSet For Her
Max Pressure: 20.0
Min Pressure: 12.0

Comfort:
Ramp Time: Auto
Start Pressure: 6.0
EPR: On
EPR Type: Full Time
EPR Level: 1

Thanks much for anyone that can help me.

[Gideon]

Check your filter . If you haven't changed it recently just change it. If the problem still oersists post your daily charts and we can see if anything shows

[OpalRose]

Hi obliquered,
If you are only using MyAir, then download the OSCAR software.  Be sure you have an SD card in your machine.  

Use the tutorials in my signature line to organize the charts and then use the attachment feature to post your data here.

Have you tried the Auto mode instead of the For Her Mode?

Really, the only way to see what’s going on is to look at the data.  We can better advise then.

[ajack]

I would also raise your EPR to 2 or 3. That will help with breathing out feeling. Once the charts are up you will get more opinions from the forum.
I'd also increase the start pressure from 6cm, by adding 1cm a night till you are around your min pressure.

[obliquered]

Hi all, thank you so much. I am amazed by how much data I can see in OSCAR compared to the MyAir app!!

So here is some data to hopefully narrow things down. I have included the data from Tuesday and Wednesday, which were normal days, and then from Thursday and Friday, where I started having the trouble. Apparently I pulled the mask off pretty early in the night on Friday.

I welcome any insight anyone has as to what is going on! Thanks so much!

[obliquered]

Also, to answer questions - I haven't been dissatisfied with this machine since I got it last spring and have never adjusted any of the settings before. I have changed my hose, cushions, and filter.

[ajack]

I think your main issue is mouth breathing. Do a search, there is a lot about it, mouth taping and such. If you have available, a mask FFM that covers your mouth as well, that would also fix it.

Get the setup manual from the top of the page, for your machine and how to adjust it.
You could reduce the max pressure to 15. To stop the unneeded high pressure run away. You are well treated below that and I would keep the min pressure on 12 for now, it is working well for you.

[mesenteria]

If your machine is essentially resetting itself, or adjusting to the extreme flow when you remove your mask, it may be engaging the ramp feature.  The gurus here, and eventually all users tend to come around, is to ditch the ramp...you don't really need it by now.  Ramp will reduce the flow immediately when it is initiated.