I have been on cpap for about two months. I use a full face mask and fortunately haven't had any problems with it. My problem is that after about 2 hours I wake up coughing so hard I have to yank the mask off my face. My throat feels very dry and irritated. I am so frustrated because I really want to use my machine but it is just too stressful . Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Beverly62 wrote:

I have been on cpap for about two months. I use a full face mask and fortunately haven't had any problems with it. My problem is that after about 2 hours I wake up coughing so hard I have to yank the mask off my face. My throat feels very dry and irritated. I am so frustrated because I really want to use my machine but it is just too stressful . Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Bev, and welcome!   Do you have a humidifier on your CPAP machine?

Thank you for your response. I do have a humidifier on my machine and have tried every setting. I have COPD but don't believe that is an issue.

Have you kept up with changing the filters?  Could also be that you may need a BiLevel...it is 'sometimes' cripted for those that have COPD.


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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Mrs Rip Van Winkle wrote:

Have you kept up with changing the filters?  Could also be that you may need a BiLevel...it is 'sometimes' cripted for those that have COPD.

   Yeah ,I have changed my filters. My sister was put from cpap to bipap I haven't thought of that as this is new to me. My father was also on cpap before he passed away from cancer. Thanks for your reply it means alot as I feel so alone in this.

Well...you have found the best site around that will help you through it!  We all work well together here in trying to figure things out.  Most of us are here because the support form the medical community is about nil'

My dentist just told me about a group of products that help keep the mouth moisturized...Gahd if I could only remember what it was!


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Beverly62 Have you talked to your Doctor about this coughing, I think Mrs.RVW just might be on to something. Also when you use your humidifier and you set it at max do you use most of the water up in a night or just a little? Is it a heated humidifier? I was just wondering if it was working properly? With  you having COPD I think it would really be wise to check with your Doctor, CPAP might not be the right thing for you, and possibly BiPAP might be better, but only your doctor can make that determination. But you definitely do need to do something, if you are coughing and not being able to use your CPAP then it is not helping you! Good Luck to you I hope you can get this resolved soon.  White Beard

Mrs Rip Van Winkle wrote:

Well...you have found the best site around that will help you through it!  We all work well together here in trying to figure things out.  Most of us are here because the support form the medical community is about nil'

My dentist just told me about a group of products that help keep the mouth moisturized...Gahd if I could only remember what it was!

 Thanks, it seems as if my humidifier isn't working but the water level is down in the mornings. I have coughing spells during the day but not nearly as bad as with cpap. I have noticed that as I relax my mouth does tend to open. Maybe I should tape it shut, I'm sure hubby wouldn't mind. LOL! I agree about the medical community, once they get you on it they stop caring. So sad. If they lived with this they would be different I'm sure.

If you are using a nasal mask...then yes, you most likely are either mouth brething or having the lip flutters.  CrohnieToo always mentions using poli-grip says it seals the lips good, safe for the mouth since it is made for the mouth and easy to open your lips if needed.  

BTW, My DH doesn't like it when I seal my mouth shut....then that means he has to try to read my sign language and have the light on!....by the time I get done and really frustratd with him not understanding my signing...I usually give him the one sign he DOES understand!


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

White Beard wrote:

Beverly62 Have you talked to your Doctor about this coughing, I think Mrs.RVW just might be on to something. Also when you use your humidifier and you set it at max do you use most of the water up in a night or just a little? Is it a heated humidifier? I was just wondering if it was working properly? With  you having COPD I think it would really be wise to check with your Doctor, CPAP might not be the right thing for you, and possibly BiPAP might be better, but only your doctor can make that determination. But you definitely do need to do something, if you are coughing and not being able to use your CPAP then it is not helping you! Good Luck to you I hope you can get this resolved soon.  White Beard

 It is a heated humidifier but less than half of the water is used, probably because I get frustrated and take off my mask. I see my doctor next week and will talk to her. I just want a good nights sleep. Hubby gets upset when I stay up late but I have to wait until I am exhausted just to get a couple hours out of it.

Mrs Rip Van Winkle wrote:

If you are using a nasal mask...then yes, you most likely are either mouth brething or having the lip flutters.  CrohnieToo always mentions using poli-grip says it seals the lips good, safe for the mouth since it is made for the mouth and easy to open your lips if needed.  

BTW, My DH doesn't like it when I seal my mouth shut....then that means he has to try to read my sign language and have the light on!....by the time I get done and really frustratd with him not understanding my signing...I usually give him the one sign he DOES understand!

ROFLMAO!! My DH doesn't sleep with me my cat does. He adjusted better than I did. I think he feels sorry for me! I use a full face mask that believe it or not gives me no problems except trying to choke me to death.

Well, if it is only choking you than NO PROBLEM!  LOL.  My Cat (bless his little soul) use to put his little paw in front of the aire exhaust of the mask...moving his paw in and out, back and forth so delicately..changing the sound of the wind...as if playing an instrument.

Moist air is good for asthma and COPD...at least that is when we would add humidity to the O2 when I was a medic.  If you are losing water than you are using water...try turning it up a little and keeping it at that setting for a few days.  I know you said you tried different levels...but try for more than one night.

Also, maybe the sputum is draining down your throat...try sleeping with your shoulders propped up on pillows...not just the head since that will/can worsen the apnea.  Also try misting the sinuses with nasal saline several times a day.  I found that if I take my Advair just prior to bed that it bothers me.

Time for me to try and sleep....though trying is not usually hard for me since I also have Hypersomnia!  My sleep scedule has been messed up for the last week or so....lots on my mind.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Mrs Rip Van Winkle wrote:

Well, if it is only choking you than NO PROBLEM!  LOL.  My Cat (bless his little soul) use to put his little paw in front of the aire exhaust of the mask...moving his paw in and out, back and forth so delicately..changing the sound of the wind...as if playing an instrument.

Moist air is good for asthma and COPD...at least that is when we would add humidity to the O2 when I was a medic.  If you are losing water than you are using water...try turning it up a little and keeping it at that setting for a few days.  I know you said you tried different levels...but try for more than one night.

Also, maybe the sputum is draining down your throat...try sleeping with your shoulders propped up on pillows...not just the head since that will/can worsen the apnea.  Also try misting the sinuses with nasal saline several times a day.  I found that if I take my Advair just prior to bed that it bothers me.

Time for me to try and sleep....though trying is not usually hard for me since I also have Hypersomnia!  My sleep scedule has been messed up for the last w
eek or so....lots on my mind.

 Funny, that,s what my cat does!. I will try propping my shoulders instead of my head. I have an adjustable bed and tried raising the head. Hope you sleep well!

BTW My sinuses drain almost constantly, I can never be without tissues.

You wouldn't per chance be taking Lisinopril?

http://tinyurl.com/6j4c4v

onewaypockets wrote:

You wouldn't per chance be taking Lisinopril?

http://tinyurl.com/6j4c4v

Wow! I sure am! Could that be it? I started taking it just before my sleep test.