[Treatment] Removing mask at night

[Hydrangea]

Edited to say (after reading through the thread now):
Raising the pressure above 5 is paramount, in my non medical advice opinion. I had the same symptoms at a pressure of 5. Raising my pressure resolved this, and provided me adequate pressure to actually sleep well! Please do this before considering my original opinion below.

Original message:
You mention using the F30 and P10 masks. Those are 2 masks I've used at length. And I, too, have struggled with either removing them during the night of having a return of apnea symptoms. I've learned that (for me) these masks don't vent enough of my exhaled air, and then my body throws a temper tantrum ("I need cleaner/fresher air to breathe!") and then I either remove the mask in my sleep, or I have a resurgence of apnea symptoms. 

Finding a mask that vents enough of my exhaled air has been a journey of trial and error. 

And your post got my attention because I can very much relate.

[Hydrangea]

I don't understand the statement normal adults need pressure of 8.  I'm totally fine at 5 when I'm still awake.  My doc set my low to 5 and knows I'm an adult.  It's much easier for me to fall asleep at low pressure.

My dr prescribed me a pressure of 5.  He justified it by saying that during my sleep study, that was the lowest pressure at which I did not have apneas.  Well, that's nice, but if I'm not feeling like I'm getting enough air, then it makes sense to me to raise it a tad.

I took matters into my own hands and raised my pressure to 6. What a difference!  I slept SO much better!

So yeah, I think the pressure of 5 is just taking the easy way out by under-treating the patient.

[DaveL]

[quote='CorruptAlligator' pid='384835' dateline='1613823665']
I don't understand the statement normal adults need pressure of 8.  I'm totally fine at 5 when I'm still awake.  My doc set my low to 5 and knows I'm an adult.  It's much easier for me to fall asleep at low pressure.

My dr prescribed me a pressure of 5.  He justified it by saying that during my sleep study, that was the lowest pressure at which I did not have apneas.  Well, that's nice, but if I'm not feeling like I'm getting enough air, then it makes sense to me to raise it a tad.

I took matters into my own hands and raised my pressure to 6. What a difference!  I slept SO much better!

So yeah, I think the pressure of 5 is just taking the easy way out by under-treating the patient.






My new sleep doc is the only one that considered healing and sleep quality.
My prescription had been 11 for years.  10 years I thing.  I had a sleep study with my new (3rd) sleep doc.  He said 11 would be enough. However, I would have more curative sleep if he set 13--and prescription was for 13.  A year and a half later I got a prescription for a new cpap 


because I had too many hours on my S9E.  22,100+

That's when I took everyone's advice here and bought the S10 For Her because it is registered as a cpap in Ontario Canada.

Recommendations here have helped me so much.

[staceyburke]

I’m not trying to be snarky but do you realize the same machine is used for kids that have sleep apnea. The lowest setting is 4, 5 for most any adult is to low. How pressure is measured is as if you put a straw into water and blow Bubbles through a straw. 1 cm for each Centimeter the straw is in the water. Give it a try 5 centimeter and gently start blowing air. When you get enough pressure to get bubbles at a depth of 5 centimeter - that is the Cpap pressure of 5. 

Not much pressure is it?  Seems a lot more when you first hook up the machine but it it very gentle in actuality.

Corrected centimeters for inches

[sheepless]

it doesn't affect your good point but wouldn't it be 1cmw pressure per 1cm water? or 2.54 cm pressure per inch of water. 20cmw pressure in just under 8" of water.

[staceyburke]

You are right no inches but centimeters. Sorry to long doing inches and feet.

[Hydrangea]

I agree that 5cm is very likely too low. If you don't feel comfortable starting higher when you're falling asleep, then use Ramp. Set the Ramp for 5cm, and then it'll ramp up to the higher pressure gradually over whatever time your Ramp is set for, so you're asleep by the time it's at a better therapeutic pressure.