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+--- Thread: Lanners - Therapy Help (/Thread-Lanners-Therapy-Help)
RE: Lanners - Therapy Help - TechieHippie - 03-29-2024
I think it takes a while for the comfort to come. One thing I heard recently, is that at first you're afraid to sleep with CPAP, and then later you're afraid NOT to sleep with it. I'm in that transition now. I sleep a lot better with it, but I still have to make myself put it on after I get up to go to the bathroom. But then I actually go back to sleep really quickly which I don't without it. On the other hand, instead of waking up three times a night, I'm waking up only once or twice. I hope you can turn it into something that is comforting instead of claustrophobic. Maybe it helps knowing that there is a time when that mask becomes comforting because it's clearly helping. It takes a while though.
I suggest you increase EPR to 3 for your daytime testing and see how it feels. EPR is pressure relief, so going to 3 will give you a bigger differential between inhale and exhale, which for me makes a big difference in the feeling of claustrophobia. I don't like breathing against much pressure. Also, somewhere it mentioned in another thread, you can put on ramp at your REGULAR low pressure for an hour or so so that the auto set algorithm will never raise the pressure during the ramp. Just make sure the ramp pressure is sufficient for what you need for therapy.
One step at a time.
Lisa
If you wear the new mask without the machine make sure there isn't restriction of air. That feels claustrophobic to me too.
While you are still getting used to the mask, even with the holding it, whatever breathing exercises help will be useful. One easy one I particularly like is a few rounds of square breathing: breathe in for four, hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four, repeat, or, breathe in for eight, hold for four, breathe out for four, and then inhale with no pause. That's a little complicated for me sometimes though another favorite is counting exhales up to 10, repeat. You don't count the inhales. If you lose your place, just start over, the number is not important. It's just the anchor.
When you do wear the mask with the machine, you'll want to really relax your breathing. Remind yourself, you can take it off as many times as you need to when you're just getting accustomed to it. You might want it in CPAP mode so that you don't have any pressure changes to worry about. Also, that way you can change your pressure on the fly, and use CPAP mode for testing while you use auto set for your regular use.
RE: Lanners - Therapy Help - Sleeprider - 03-29-2024
Lanners I missed your previous question about flow limitations. We have a wiki that explains it well. https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Flow_limitation
Wanted to remind you to look at the Resmed Airfit F40 mask as possible full-face solution.
RE: Lanners - Therapy Help - Lanners - 03-29-2024
Thank you- will check both out.
Since the dreamwear is in the mail already, I need to try it before requesting something else. But it is super helpful to know I have one that might be better in the wings.
Last month you suggested some pressure changes. I hesitate to change anything right after my dr adjusted, but now it has been a month.
I notice flow limitations are higher when pressure is running at 13 or higher, so was thinking of dropping max a bit. Currently at 10-14. Lower than 9 I feel like I can't breath. Would trying 10 to 12 be a good first adjustment? Or drop bottom to 9 also?
Suggestions?
Thanks in advance
RE: Lanners - Therapy Help - Sleeprider - 03-29-2024
Your recent charts at 10-14 EPR 2 don't show obstructive events, so lower pressure is probably fine. Are those the settings your doctor set?
RE: Lanners - Therapy Help - Lanners - 03-29-2024
Yes. But he set them the 2nd time he saw me (first time was just a consultation) so there hasn't been a ton of monitoring and adjusting. Titration attempt was called off as a fail, so I am feeling ok making some adjustments and bringing some data to the next appointment.