Carbon Dioxide in full face mask????????
HI everyone. ANd thanks for all of your help so far. I had posted a problem about waking up too tired after using my nasal pillows with chin strap. after reading the replies, I AM lip breathing the air is leaking our of my lips when I sleep. SO, that being said the reason that the Doc got me nasal pillows is because he thought since I am a mouth breather, the full face mask (which fits great by the way). ANyway shice I am a mouth breather the docs said that I am getting too much c02 staying in the mask and that's why I am waking up tired. DOes anyone have any input on this? I am waithin for a call back from tha maker of the mask it's a Resmed Ultra Mirage. Maybe I'll just drill a hole in the side of it so the co2 gets out!!! hahah

The CO2 isn't leaking in from the outside of your mask.  It is coming from your lungs.   FF masks aren't as efficient in removing respired CO2 as nasal masks.   Remember biology from high school...  ... animals (including humans) breath in oxygen (O2) and the waste gas is carbon dioxide (CO2).  Plants are just the opposite...  the require the CO2 and their waste gas is oxygen.


_________________
mesocosm

OSA / PLMD / Atrial Fibrillation

mesocosm wrote:

The CO2 isn't leaking in from the outside of your mask.  It is coming from your lungs.   FF masks aren't as efficient in removing respired CO2 as nasal masks.   Remember biology from high school...  ... animals (including humans) breath in oxygen (O2) and the waste gas is carbon dioxide (CO2).  Plants are just the opposite...  the require the CO2 and their waste gas is oxygen.

Yeah no kidding.... Maybe you mis understood my question. I am looking for suggestions that would correct this problem of the co2 coming from my lungs. Got it?

Sorry, my mistake...  I got it.    I goofed.

I use the Fisher and Paykel FlexiFit HC431 Full Face mask and I don't have that problem (as far as I know).  

How long have you been on CPAP?  How long with the FF mask?  You may be just catching up on your sleep deficit...  you may want to give it another couple of weeks.


_________________
mesocosm

OSA / PLMD / Atrial Fibrillation

YEah I got it maybe not enough time. Been about 2 weeks this time. I got so fed up a few months ago I just gave up. I have a resmed Ultra mirage. Fits good no leaks.

Carbon Dioxide in full face mask????????
HI everyone. ANd thanks for all of your help so far. I had posted a problem about waking up too tired after using my nasal pillows with chin strap. after reading the replies, I AM lip breathing the air is leaking our of my lips when I sleep. SO, that being said the reason that the Doc got me nasal pillows is because he thought since I am a mouth breather, the full face mask (which fits great by the way). ANyway shice I am a mouth breather the docs said that I am getting too much c02 staying in the mask and that's why I am waking up tired. DOes anyone have any input on this? I am waithin for a call back from tha maker of the mask it's a Resmed Ultra Mirage. Maybe I'll just drill a hole in the side of it so the co2 gets out!!! hahah

Sorry, I edited this post because I can't figure out how to quote someone on this thing!  I try to quote and it includes my post in it!  Good Grief!  Anyway, here's my reply.

Hello there!  From the information that I am aware of, the full face masks are all equiped with an exhalation valve that allows for the escape of the CO2.  On your mask, this vent is located by the bridge of the nose (the little rubber piece with 4 or 5 holes in it).  There should always be air coming out of this vent and you should never block it.  The air flowing through the mask should be able to flush this gas out rather quickly, without allowing a substantial amount to build up in your mask.  Hopes this helps!

As was said above If you are getting at least 6cm pressure the ammount of air just flowing into and out of your mask makes the "rebreathing" of exhaled air impossible.

Somebody is judt not able to figure out what your problem is and usimg that hogwash as a  "COVER"

Either your sleep study wasn't done right, your machine is nit the type you need or isn't set up right or your fatigue isn't from Apnea in the first place. .... There ARE other diseases

Ken Angel wrote:

Somebody is judt not able to figure out what your problem is and usimg that hogwash as a  "COVER"

Agreed.

If your exhaust ports are not blocked, the idea that CO2 is staying in your mask is bunk.  BTW, FF masks all have an anti-asphyxiation value so that if the power goes out, you cannot rebreath your CO2 if your mask stays on your face.

Remember, you have had OSA months or years and your health has been deteriorating all of that time.  It really does take awhile to get your health back.  My sleep doc. does a follow up at 2 weeks and one month after beginning CPAP to make sure patients are starting to have positive results.

Try to pay attention to the little things, for example, not waking up with a headache if you have had them, being able to not feel so sleepy at 4 PM, just examples, you probably know what I mean.

Vicki


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

Thanks everyone for your input.  I have an Ultra Mirage FF that I have been using for a week and I had the same thought that I may be rebreathing.  I'm set at a 6.  I really appreciate the input!!!!!!  Please keep it coming.

wayne wrote:

mesocosm wrote:

The CO2 isn't leaking in from the outside of your mask.  It is coming from your lungs.   FF masks aren't as efficient in removing respired CO2 as nasal masks.   Remember biology from high school...  ... animals (including humans) breath in oxygen (O2) and the waste gas is carbon dioxide (CO2).  Plants are just the opposite...  the require the CO2 and their waste gas is oxygen.

Yeah no kidding.... Maybe you mis understood my question. I am looking for suggestions that would correct this problem of the co2 coming from my lungs. Got it?

CO2 coming from your lungs is not a problem... if there was no CO2 that really would be a problem.

Check your mask to ensure the exhaust ports are open and perhaps compare to another mask the same to see if the exhaust port configuration is the same. Who knows... perhaps your mask slipped through quality control with a manufacturing defect.

Make sure that you are not inadvertently blocking those exhaust ports while you sleep? ...do you cover your head with the blankies?  

What is your pressure set at?

Vicki is right pay attention to the little things first, like not having to go to the bathroom every hour or two, not having night sweats, sleeping longer, those type of things, they all happened pretty quickly! But  my Doc told me it would be about 3 months or so before I  would notice  the fatigue going away and not feeling  quite so tired  and he was just about right! Patients and Persistence and you will get there! Good Luck


_________________
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