Soft palate dropping help. Suggestions?

[Jstalez]

I deal with insomnia as it is but now my soft palate relaxes and drops on to the back of my tongue as soon as I start to fall asleep. The noise it makes alone keeps me up and creates much anxiety knowing that I can’t relax or the noise will happen. I bought a Resmed 10, have it set to 7 but feel like it’s hard to breathe, especially when I wake in the middle of the night, feels like my chest is tight and can’t get enough air. I tried setting it to auto but the fluctuations made it harder for me and I feel the higher the pressure the more air I swallow. Been using it for about 2 weeks and struggling. Has anyone had this palate issue, have CPAP recommendations or tried the MAD jaw device ? Thanks

[HalfAsleep]

That "finding it hard to breathe" happens to me when my settings are too low. However, I'm not a settings person, and setting them randomly without skill is a non-starter. No doubt someone will be right along. But don't fiddle with them yourself until you get input!

In the meantime, check (or get) an SD card for your machine. You will use it to record your sleep every night. The free Oscar software reads that data. Follow the board directions exactly for posting Oscars, and post a few nights.

Our breathing apparatus can go weird in the night, but let's see if the Oscars give some clarity. Sometimes, something as minor as a different pillow can change the dynamic.

[Deborah K.]

What exactly are your settings?  If you are using 7-7 it could well be that you need to switch to apap to have a range of pressure.  Do download and post from Oscar, but in the meantime try setting 7-11.  That setting is pretty narrow, so unlikely to cause you discomfort.  Please give it a try.

Also, try to relax. You are still early in your pap use. It's common to feel uncomfortable with a foreign object strapped to your face and air blowing up your nose. Things will get better, and eventually sleeping with your machine helping your breathing will feel perfectly normal.

[Phaleronic]

Are you using EPR with cpap set at 7cm, this would be too low of a pressure if it's set to EPR 3 but in my own usage of cpap mode I need higher pressure so I'd raise it from 7cm to 9cm keep EPR or non EPR where it's at and try it for a few nights, it should help with keeping your airway open if you're not chin tucking.