I started cpap originally this spring and had some adjustment problems, but had worked up to about 4 hours per nite by taping my lips and using aromatherapy. Seemed like I was on the right track. Then my allergies hit, and have been unusally bad this year. (massive flood last year)  I have been on a steroid inhaler and an albuterol. Originally my sleep doc told me not to bother with CPAP if having asthma issues.  Even the 2 inhalers didn't totallycontrol the asthma. Then when I saw him in Sept I told him that each time I did try to use CPAP, I would wake up after about an hour feeling like I couldn't draw breath.  I inhale as hard as I can and it feels like sucking air thru a coffee stirrer. He then told me that asthma does NOT contraindicate CPAP use. (acted like i was using it as an excuse not to comply)  He said maybe my pressure need to be higher, but since allergy seaon ending soon, would not be worth another titration study.  So, I have been trying a few things like shortening ramp time, upped the ramp pressure from 4 to 5 and upped my top pressure from 11 to 11.5. My machine is not data capable but they accidentally left provider instructions in the bag.  I am still waking up after about an hour or so. I usually start dreaming about not being able to breathe or being unable to get my lipa unsealed, or drowning, etc... then I wake up and have to take my mask off.  I AM SO TIRED!!!! Does anyone have similar issues? Should I up my pressure more?  I've got a couple weeks yet before it will be consistently below freezing at night. Don't know if I can make it. I am really at my wits end.  (and my dexedrine barely keeps me concious anymore) I am about to go beg my family doc for some Xyrem! (GHB) Sorry this is so long but I am SO frustrated!!!

iggygirl wrote:

I started cpap originally this spring and had some adjustment problems, but had worked up to about 4 hours per nite by taping my lips and using aromatherapy. Seemed like I was on the right track. Then my allergies hit, and have been unusally bad this year. (massive flood last year)  I have been on a steroid inhaler and an albuterol. Originally my sleep doc told me not to bother with CPAP if having asthma issues.  Even the 2 inhalers didn't totallycontrol the asthma. Then when I saw him in Sept I told him that each time I did try to use CPAP, I would wake up after about an hour feeling like I couldn't draw breath.  I inhale as hard as I can and it feels like sucking air thru a coffee stirrer. He then told me that asthma does NOT contraindicate CPAP use. (acted like i was using it as an excuse not to comply)  He said maybe my pressure need to be higher, but since allergy seaon ending soon, would not be worth another titration study.  So, I have been trying a few things like shortening ramp time, upped the ramp pressure from 4 to 5 and upped my top pressure from 11 to 11.5. My machine is not data capable but they accidentally left provider instructions in the bag.  I am still waking up after about an hour or so. I usually start dreaming about not being able to breathe or being unable to get my lipa unsealed, or drowning, etc... then I wake up and have to take my mask off.  I AM SO TIRED!!!! Does anyone have similar issues? Should I up my pressure more?  I've got a couple weeks yet before it will be consistently below freezing at night. Don't know if I can make it. I am really at my wits end.  (and my dexedrine barely keeps me concious anymore) I am about to go beg my family doc for some Xyrem! (GHB) Sorry this is so long but I am SO frustrated!!!

You are not alone. i have been having issues keeping my CPAP on because of asthma\allergies.  The nurse at the sleep center told me not to worry its happening to a lot of people.(I think she said millions.)  I miss my CPAP. Before this happened i could put my mask on at 10:00pm and wake up at 5:00am during the week 7:00am on the weekend.  It was great.  Now i can keep it on for about an hour to an hour and 45 min.  We had a lot of rain here which pushed the mold count up. (Mold is not my friend.)  We haven't had a cold snap yet.  I was wondering if things will get better with the colder weather.  

Cat J


_________________
Resmed S8 Elite II w/H4i humidifier
Mirage Quattro
Pressure 12
Started CPAP - July 2009

Iggygirl,

Those dreams are classic apnea dreams.  But  rather than randomly upping your pressure, you need a new titration and perhaps a new sleep doc.  .  Raising pressures higher than what is required can have two effects, it can cause arousals and it can cause central apneas.  Since you say you tape your lips ,are you having nasal congestion that is making it harder to breathe?  Can you not use a Full Faced mask or a less intrusive mask like the "Hybrid" or "Liberty" that covers your mouth and also has nasal pillows?

Call your doc. and insist on another sleep study or find another sleep doc. near you by contacting the folks at www.abms.org.

A lot of us have allergies and congestion and get great relief from nasal irrigation.  See how by reading the "Sinus Irrigation How To" thread in the stickies at the top of the "Sleep Apnea Help" forum.  It is many pages long, so be sure to start with the first post where I explain how to do it.

Vicki


_________________
Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
Marilyn Von Savant

That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

The only reason that I tape my lips is that the pressure seems to blow my lips apart once I fall asleep and then I wake up with a really dry throat. (even with my jaw tightly clamped).  I didn't really think about the implications of raising my pressure on my own. I guess I figured that they were mostly trying to keep people from turning the darn things down!   I do irrigate my sinuses and when I wake up all is clear and breathing thru my nose is unobstructed. Just can't seem to get enough in me!  I see that another person posted that they are having the same problems w/mold allergies. Mine seems to be mold related as well, since it has been 10x worse since last summers flood.  Does anyone know if taking oral allergy meds for "indoor" allergies  helps allergic asthma???   Just an inhaler doesn't quite seem to do the trick.
Anyway thanx for your responses, looks like I may just have to pray that it just hurries up and freezes for good already.

I have allergies, mild asthma and mild apnea.  I initially felt like my head was going to explode at a 16 pressure, so the doctor lowered me to 14, and then 12.  At 12 and 14, I felt like I was suffocating after 2 hours and always had to take off the mask to breathe.

Thanks to the nice folks on this board (and ditching my old doctor) here is what helped me:

(1) Exhalation Relief - in my case EPR on a Resmed, there's also C-Flex, A-Flex, etc. on other machines
(2) Auto-pressure - only get the pressure I need and no more.  Not ideal for treatment, but much better for compliance.

Also, it sounds like you are using a nasal mask.  If your nose is plugged, you need to be able to breathe through your mouth, and that ain't gonna work with a nasal mask.  Try a full-face.

iggygirl you know Vicki is right though those dreams are typical sleep apnea type dreams, you are not getting enough air or oxygen.  Maybe it is the mold and or allergies, but you should be able to be treated for it. But from what you have wrote I think you still need to have another sleep titration study done!  Can you use a full face mask? so you won't have to worry about the air blowing out your mouth. Vicki mentioned the Hybrid and Liberty mask they are both very good masks and not very claustrophobic. I have used both of them and like them both allot! Now I use the Respironics FitLife mask and I really like it allot, it covers the entire face but the mask is fully transparent so when your looking out it is like you do even notice the mask is there! And it is extremely comfortable! Anyway allergies or asthma makes no difference you need to get a good nights sleep and your body needs the sleep and the oxygen, and to get that you need to use your CPAP! If your Doctor does not think that is important then you also need a new Doctor who does know how important it is! Please believe me I am talking from experience! Don't wait till it get cold and the allergy season is over,  that is not the answer to the problem! I do wish you well and hope you get this resolved soon! Good Luck to You  White Beard


_________________
White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0, FitLife Mask

iggygirl wrote:

The only reason that I tape my lips is that the pressure seems to blow my lips apart once I fall asleep and then I wake up with a really dry throat. (even with my jaw tightly clamped).  I didn't really think about the implications of raising my pressure on my own. I guess I figured that they were mostly trying to keep people from turning the darn things down!   I do irrigate my sinuses and when I wake up all is clear and breathing thru my nose is unobstructed. Just can't seem to get enough in me!  I see that another person posted that they are having the same problems w/mold allergies. Mine seems to be mold related as well, since it has been 10x worse since last summers flood.  Does anyone know if taking oral allergy meds for "indoor" allergies  helps allergic asthma???   Just an inhaler doesn't quite seem to do the trick.
Anyway thanx for your responses, looks like I may just have to pray that it just hurries up and freezes for good already.

You'll have to check with your doctor about the allergy meds.  In my case I take the following daily:  flonase, astelin, zyrtec and singular because i have allergy induced asthma.  I had and antibiotic(i had a sinus infection or something just before this started) and prednisone to try to get me going again.  Its helped but I'm not 100% yet.  I also do the sinus rinse and everything is clear there.  Just want to check if we have the same issue.  Your lungs aren't functioning at their best and once you have your mask on it feels like you can't breathe.  

I've read some posts from Daniel (i think) about people with asthma needing a higher level machine than a CPAP like i have.  If this issue doesn't resolve soon I will have to check with my sleep doctor about that.


_________________
Resmed S8 Elite II w/H4i humidifier
Mirage Quattro
Pressure 12
Started CPAP - July 2009

I have severe allergies and my is greatest to mold.  I also have mild asthma.  My allergist took me off oral antihistamines and put me on a 2x/day inhaler instead.  I also use a prescription non-steroidal topical nose spray.  I used to take oral decongestants which didn't seem to help much and nasal steroidal nose sprays.  I've had my sinuses roto-routed so my new allergist felt the steroidal nasal spray was not appropriate for me.  If I have an exacerbation of non-asthma allergy symptomes (hives, sneezing, etc.) then I take Alavert.

I also irrigate my sinuses at least once a day.  Because they was severely roto-routed, they do not function well as air filters.  That is one reason my allergist thinks I might have developed mild asthma, my nose doesn't block allergens from going on down into my lungs.

Vicki


_________________
Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
Marilyn Von Savant

That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

thanks again for everyone's input.  I currently use OptLife mask with nasal cusions. Its the only thing that I can wear semi-comfortably. I appreciate the mask recommendations, I just don't see how changing the mask will help since the problem is in my lungs and not my sinuses or nasal passages. I had to discontinue my steroid inhaler that controls the inflammation in the bronchial tubes as I am currently undergoing prolotherapy for a back injury and cannot be on any anti-inflammatory agents.  I think I am going to see if I can find another sleep doc though. Might be kinda hard in my area, but the neurologist I see now swings between genuine concern and total apathy. (i guess depending what kind of day he is having). I just saw on our forcast that we are going to be warming even more around here with overnite lows in the mid to high 40"s, *sigh*  I don't think I have ever wanted winter to come as badly as I do this year!

iggygirl wrote:

thanks again for everyone's input.  I currently use OptLife mask with nasal cusions. Its the only thing that I can wear semi-comfortably. I appreciate the mask recommendations, I just don't see how changing the mask will help since the problem is in my lungs and not my sinuses or nasal passages. I had to discontinue my steroid inhaler that controls the inflammation in the bronchial tubes as I am currently undergoing prolotherapy for a back injury and cannot be on any anti-inflammatory agents.  I think I am going to see if I can find another sleep doc though. Might be kinda hard in my area, but the neurologist I see now swings between genuine concern and total apathy. (i guess depending what kind of day he is having). I just saw on our forcast that we are going to be warming even more around here with overnite lows in the mid to high 40"s, *sigh*  I don't think I have ever wanted winter to come as badly as I do this year!

You don't know how happy i am to see another post from you.  Thought that asthma may have put you in the hospital.

Cat J


_________________
Resmed S8 Elite II w/H4i humidifier
Mirage Quattro
Pressure 12
Started CPAP - July 2009

I couldn't get that lucky! Too much to do at work, the hospital sounds like a vacation. Maybe they would even hook me up w/some propophyl