after years of CPAP success...big problems

[JenniferJuniper]

I have used CPAP every single night for 8+ years because I love it. I have always used nasal pillows, and have AirSense10 For Her. Now, for the past several months, I am waking up in the night and unable to get back to sleep, have congestion, horrible dry mouth, etc. I've tried Xyilamelts and taping my mouth--both of those work OK, but they don't treat the source of the issue. I switched to a F20 Full Face mask, and that seemed slightly better, but I hate the "elephant trunk" thing. I ordered an F30i Full Face and am waiting for that as we speak. For the first time ever, I am waking up in the night and taking the mask off because I feel like I can't breath well. Why would this suddenly start happening? I have lost a significant amount of weight recently, but I don't see how that could make things worse? And my understanding that the AirSense10 will automatically adjust? Why would things go from great--for years and years--to horrible this way? I will try to upload from OSCAR--I don't have a slot for the card in my new computer, so I have to figure that out.

[OpalRose]

"I don't have a slot for the card in my new computer, so I have to figure that out."

You can purchase a card reader from any big box store or Amazon. They're inexpensive.

When you're ready, please post a screenshot so we can see what might be going on.

[Dormeo]

You mention congestion. If that's new, it may be what accounts for the new problems with dryness and awakening. When your nose is congested, you want to breathe through your mouth. Mouth-breathing causes dryness, and the the dryness plus the original congestion can cause wake-ups.

If you haven't already, try to address the congestion. Many people have good luck with Flonase spray; be aware that you need to use it for a week or two before it starts having any effect. I'd suggest using it an hour or so before you go to bed. And a a doctor could prescribe other meds that might help. I use Azelastine spray in addition to Flonase, and I take a Singulair pill every night before bed.

[JenniferJuniper]

But why would the CPAP be causing congestion all of the sudden? I have never been a mouth breather, but I know that's happening because of the dry mouth, etc. Just can't figure out why this would happen out of nowhere...

[Dormeo]

I wasn't thinking of CPAP as the cause of the congestion. Your congestion may simply be getting more problematic for reasons that have nothing to do with CPAP. But then the worsening congestion causes mouth breathing, dry mouth, and awakenings.

I'm just theorizing here, and I may be off track. But there is no harm in trying to relieve your congestion at least some, and I think it'd be worth experimenting with e.g. Flonase. Another thing my allergist recommended was sinus rinses, which wash out allergens and other irritants from the nose and sinuses. NeilMed is the rinse the allergist recommended.

One other piece of theorizing. Have you tried changing the level of humidity that your machine delivers? Oddly enough, for some people less humidity helps congestion; for others, more. And I suppose that's something that could change for one individual over time. Again, no harm in experimenting, and wouldn't it be nice if you solved the problem!

[JenniferJuniper]

I don't have congestion except while using CPAP, and then I would say it's a minor part of the issue. Once I remove the CPAP in the morning, the congestion disappears. 

I woke up again last night at 3am feeling unable to breathe, and ended up having to remove the mask. I was awake the rest of the night because I haven't slept w/o a CPAP in years and years--it was like my body didn't know how to sleep w/o the machine. Until recently, I had never--even when I first started on CPAP--taken my mask off in the night! I have always loved the CPAP and never, ever slept w/o it. So I'm really baffled.

The humidity on my machine is set to auto, but adjusting that might be something I'll try. Over the past couple of months, since these issues began, I've tried a different pillow, different masks, different CPAP settings, mouth taping, etc. I'm just baffled. I ordered the card reader from Amazon and it should arrive today. I'll get data from OSCAR and maybe we can see what's going on.

[OpalRose]

It sounds like you have a couple things going on. Waking up with a feeling like you can't breathe could be you're simply not getting enough air and the setting may need adjusted.

The congestion (while using Cpap) suggests you are getting too much humidity.
Try the manual settings instead of auto.

Other things: Change the air filter in your machine. Be sure your mask is clean and nothing is blocking the mask exhaust vents.

We'll know more once we can see a chart.

[Sleeprider]

Jennifer, have you ever tried the next size larger nasal pillow? Larger flows better and distributes the pressure on your nose.

For humidifier settings, try manual at setting 4, tube temperature 80*F. If you need more humidity, the setting 5 will also work well in our climate without condensation.

[JenniferJuniper]

For humidifier settings, try manual at setting 4, tube temperature 80*F.  If you need more humidity, the setting 5 will also work well in our climate without condensation.

OK, I just switched to manual with these settings--we'll see how it goes tonight. I've tried larger pillows before but haven't been able to get a good seal. I also have the nasal cushions, which are kind of like open pillows. I used that last night to no avail. 

Thanks so much for all your help!

[JenniferJuniper]

Here are the charts from the last two nights. Please let me know what you think. 
[attachment=39385][attachment=39384]