I've had my cpap for 3 weeks, using a Swift Mirage mask with nasal pillows, and getting mixed results. A few nights of good sleep, but the last few nights I just can't fall asleep. I seem to have trouble breathing, exhaling actually. Is this common? Will this feeling and discomfort go away over time? Thanks.

Jormatz wrote:I've had my cpap for 3 weeks, using a Swift Mirage mask with nasal pillows, and getting mixed results. A few nights of good sleep, but the last few nights I just can't fall asleep. I seem to have trouble breathing, exhaling actually. Is this common? Will this feeling and discomfort go away over time? Thanks.

Hi Jormatz,

It's typical to have problems adjusting at first, even when everything is going right.
But be watchful of how you cope with this. There could be problems with either your machine or mask, or both.

Let us know what make and model of machine you have, and your mask too. That helps us help you.
Do you know if your machine has c-flex? I'm told that helps in exhaling, by reducing the pressure for exhale. Bipap machines do that too.
If you're having trouble breathing, than something isn't quite right. Let us know what you have, and maybe we can suggest something.

Also, you might consider registering as a member. It's easy, free and private. There are advantages. You can make use of the private message (PM) feature which enables you to ask specific people questions. And you are notified by email of receipt of responses or private messages. And you can post to the other categories of forums if you wish. There are some other handy features too. You needn't, of course, and you can still view all of the comments. But it's a suggestion.

Let us know more about your equipment, so we can help.


Linda

Jormatz wrote:I've had my cpap for 3 weeks, using a Swift Mirage mask with nasal pillows, and getting mixed results. A few nights of good sleep, but the last few nights I just can't fall asleep. I seem to have trouble breathing, exhaling actually. Is this common? Will this feeling and discomfort go away over time? Thanks.

Interesting enough, I did really well the first four weeks, now I seem to have all kinds of problems ?!?!?!?! My nose is getting stuffed up, the mask(s) are starting to leak -- I make adjustments as the masks wear, I'm a tweaker, yet still have these tiny problems from time to time.

I don't want a full face cause I have facial hair, looked into a mouth mask, but wouldn't that leak thru ones nose?

I guess what I'm saying is some people may never get used to it, like myself I take it day by day -- and I gotta tell ya, I'm not afraid to goto sleep at night -- prior to cpap I start getting depressed as darkness fell knowing I'd have to try and sleep. Do I have some problems, sure, but at least I know I have a good chance at some decent sleep.

Over time I've been able to tolerate the pressure just fine...I'm at 18-15 (this week, remember, I'm a tweaker).

My machine has the C-flex and it makes all the difference in the world. The model I used at the hospital didn't and I felt like I was drowning in air that night. I couldn't exhale. My technician adjusted my machine at home for easy exhalation and it's been smooth sailing ever since.

Steve

Thank you to those that replied to my question. Called my doctor's office today, and they had prescribed a REM/Star Pro (I think that's the name) with C-Flex. My HMO, which insists on delivering equipment, gave me a REM Star Plus which doesn't have C-Flex. Staff at the doctors, called the insurance company, and I should have a C-FLex machine in a couple days. Thanks again.

I have a question about the cpap mask? I am closterphobic, as I am sure many others are. Do these masks cause additional stress on someone with this problem. What if we have a lot of trouble breathing and choking, is the mask essential enough to help in this situation? I am new to all this, and Linda and I have communicated earlier today about sleep apnea, but honestly I am scared of it all, and am usually a real strong woman both physically and emotionally, but this issue has me stressed out more so than ever before. I have been diagnosed with COPD recently as well and have an infiltration on my right lung that is being checked out and tested, but I do not find that half as scary as this stuff. Maybe if I knew more about what takes place at the sleep study, or initial testing (over night stay), it just might ease my worries. Any information to help me out here, would be deeply appreciated. Thanks!!!!!!!

What exactly is C-Flex, and why is it better to have it verses not having it?

C-Flex is when the pressure is less when you breath out, using a CPAP machine. I use a RemStarPlusLX that I got 5 years ago, but I used it only for a few weeks, because it would dry my mouth and it was intolerable. However, after I started getting heart pains, my doctor insisted that I use it again. The face mask kept leaking when I rolled on my side, so I swithed to nasal pillows, but those leaked, too, until I found the right size that fit. I use a water soluable lubricate on the nasal pillows, so it won't irritate my skin. My CPAP doesn't have C-Flex. It's a constant air pressure, but it is much more tolerable, since I had the top pressure lowered from 11 to 9, and the ramp time increased from 5 minutes to 30 minutes, so I'm asleep by the time it's at the top pressure of 9. I use a chin strap that covers my chin and lips and is secured by the velcro on the straps that hold the tube that goes over my forehead. It also improved when I bought a specially made heating plate that goes under the humidifier, to keep the air moist enough so my mouth doesn't get dry. However, if I turn the temperature up above 2, then I get water in my nose and wake up. I set it between 1 and 2 and it's perfect. I also use a special 3M tan skin tape on my lips to keep them closed, which I discovered works well for me. I've been using it this way for about 4 months now. Instead of needing 9-10 hours of sleep, and still feeling tired, I can get 7-8 hours of sleep and feel great! Also, I haven't had any heart pains since using the CPAP. Also, my husband no longer has to keep waking me up when I stop breathing, or be disturbed by loud snoring, so we both can sleep more soundly. However, tomorrow I'm planning to get pillar implants and have a nasal somnoplasty, so I can travel to Europe without the CPAP, hopefully. Am I wasting my money on these procedures? My HMO doesn't do or pay for these procedures. Would a mouthpiece also to help cure sleep apnea and snoring?

Maria K. wrote: ..... However, tomorrow I'm planning to get pillar implants and have a nasal somnoplasty, so I can travel to Europe without the CPAP, hopefully. Am I wasting my money on these procedures? My HMO doesn't do or pay for these procedures. Would a mouthpiece also to help cure sleep apnea and snoring?

Hi Maria,

I don't know all that much about pillar implants. But you might want to read some of these links on the subject.
The following link is to information provided in our "Interesting Links" forum. If you haven't already, you might want to look into this.
Just click on the following link. Then click onto any of the links which describe some discussion on this topic.

Click here for link

It's important that you understand everything you can about surgery, that you know the pros and cons so that you can make a comfortable decision.

Take care, and let us know how it goes.


Linda

MariaK....you mentioned 3M tape to keep your lips closed. Where do you find this? I would love to not use the full face mask because it is kind of cumbersome. The "nose only" mask I have looks so nice and comfy with it's gel cushion. Maybe using tape along with a chin strap would keep my mouth closed at night.

tape from any pharmacy, some find sticking plaster more comfortable

just got my cpap a week ago and have problems falling asleep, have a full mask and it seems to fit fine, may be alittle on the tight side but most of the time it does not leak. i had problems falling asleep and staying asleep even before the cpap but no matter how hard i try i cannot fall asleep with the cpap on my face. really do not think it is the mask i think it is me. put it on every night until i see i cannot fall asleep with it on so i take it off and about 3 am i finally fall asleep, so if i cannpt sleep with it on what good is it doing me ? thought about taking to the sleep lab and let the tech check it out to see if there is anything he can pick up on to help.
anyone got any suggestions on how to get used to the cpap ? done the putting it on for a hour at a time during the day thing.

I'm brand new to c-pap. Last night was first night trying. Have small mask w/nasal pillows and I, too, am having a great deal of difficulty with exhaling. I'm also so conscious of my breathing that I'm becoming short of breath -- which happens whenever I become overly conscious of my breathing. I went to bed w/mask at 10 p.m. could not get to sleep. At 2:30 I gave up, removed mask and eventually drifted off as fitfully as usual. The nasal pillows are comfortable, but the small hard plastic just above it presses into the tip of my nose and hurts. I think this was the worst of it. I hope there is some help for these problems for both of us.