Ok, so I have had my CPAP for about 2 months now.  the first month was horrible, using a nasal pillow, i only got about an hour or so of sleep each time I used it so i gave up until they gave me a full face mask.  Now i have this, the first day it was wonderful.  The second night not as great, but still slept good.  Third night, I'm not sure what happened, it kept leaking, i could barely breathe, even with it on, I still made myself use it.  fourth night worse than third, but I did get some sleep.  Now the next problem aside from this is I can't breathe during the daY!!!!

I find myself gasping for air, my nose stuffed, and my chest feels tight.  It feels like I need to use an inhaler.  I think it's because using my face mask with my cpap I'm having trouble where i can't exhale, the pressure is too strong on the highest setting.  but i do sleep through it for a while, during the ramp and the first hour or two.  But now when I don't have my mask on, i don't seem to get enough air.  i feel so stuffy, my chest mostly.  I see the doc tomorrow, but any ideas anyone?

you could need a chinstrap to stop your jaw opening wide and breaking the mask seal
some machines have CFLEX or similar that makes breathing out easier

maybe ask doc to check you for asthma

also try getting off to sleep without the ramp on full pressure, take deep slow relaxing breaths, avoid tense rapid shallow panting

think positive the CPAP will cause you to live longer


_________________
respironics comfort gell mask,resmed S6 lightweight CPAP, pressure 10 no humidifier
NO DOCTOR EVER ASKED ME IF I SNORED

kazinmich wrote:

I see the doc tomorrow, but any ideas anyone?

Yes...keep your appointment.  

...and let us know what he said!

I find myself gasping for air, my nose stuffed, and my chest feels tight.  It feels like I need to use an inhaler.  I think it's because using my face mask with my cpap I'm having trouble where i can't exhale, the pressure is too strong on the highest setting.  but i do sleep through it for a while, during the ramp and the first hour or two.  But now when I don't have my mask on, i don't seem to get enough air.  i feel so stuffy, my chest mostly.  I see the doc tomorrow, but any ideas anyone?[/quote]



I am curious to hear what your doc said. I had the same problem with my CPAP; almost exactly what you describe. The problem seems to be in the sinuses, and exhaling is made doubly tough with the CPAP. I was ofter able to fall asleep through exhaustion and determination, to wake in the morning with the mask on the floor.

My doc referred me to a specialist, who listened to what I had to say, ordered some kind of a 3-D scan of my sinuses, showed me the abnormalitites where my sinuses are constricted, and still prescribed the CPAP after another sleep study. I think he just took the recommendation of the sleep study rather than going back to the file and reviewing the sinus image. I'm as frustrated with the over-committed medical community  as I am with the CPAP. Meanwhile my CPCP sits in a box in the closet, my wife sleeps with earplugs, and I am dealing with elevated blood pressure (yes I understand they are related.)

Again, i'm curious to hear what your doc says. Maybe I'll be inspired to start again explaining the problem to my doc (who otherwise has been great.)

I had kinda the same trouble. Firstly, if your mask worked good and the seal became progressively worse as the nights progressed, maybe check to see if you are cleaning the cushion adequately. The silicone seems to 'grip' when it is clean.

I started with the nasal mask and switched to full face for the same reason. The full face didn't work for me due to issues with sealing... I spent 2 weeks trying different things. Ultimately, I opted to go back to the Mirage Activa, using a chin strap, and a humidifier. The humidifier helps greatly with nasal blockage...... It took a few nights to find a suitable setting. The chinstrap was easy to get used to as well.  I also turned on the EPR setting to #3...... which greatly helped with the exhalation difficulty issues.
When I did this, though, I checked the efficacy settings and the average pressure I was getting was down below where it's supposed to be. So I lowered the Epr setting to 2 and then check the efficacy again and it was closer to the pressure I needed.

I can say that using the EPR settings has greatly helped me to tolerate CPAP therapy and become fully compliant.

As a disclaimer, I recommend that you discuss any changes you make with your health care provider.
I am only relating my personal experience, and I am not a qualified practitioner.
You are responsible for the actions you take.

Good luck.


p.s.   As difficult as CPAP therapy can be to get used to, the benefits are worth finding a way to make it work.