Dizziness
I just received my REsMed Airsense19 autoset this morning. The technician was very informative and showed me everything. He had the machine set at 6. I tried it for probably 3 minutes. I got very dizzy and he said to slow down my breathing. He left 1/2 hr ago and I am extremely dizzy. Feel like I can’t catch my breath. Svery scary. I do suffer from bad PVCs and now it seems like they got worse after using the APAP machine for only a few minutes. I’m so disgusted I thought this might be the answer to my prayer for the continued pvcs.
RE: Dizziness
This sounds like an anxiety or panic attack. 6-cm pressure is very low and you might be hyperventilating. Try to relax and let's review why you have a new CPAP machine. I assume you had a sleep study. Did you also have a titration study where you used CPAP and a technician adjusted pressure?
RE: Dizziness
Thanks for your response. My insurance wouldn’t pay for a in clinic sleep study so I had the at home which was ridiculous. I woke up with all red lights lit and the monitor was around my waist, and nose apparatus out. They said they got 2 hrs of data. Said I have mild apnea. I’ve been suffering with horrible pvcs. Went to ER. Every 6 seconds i would get pvc. They r thinking maybe the pvcs r from the apnea. They delivered the APAP machine and showed me everything. Was set at 6 and max was 15. I thought I was going to pass out. I only lasted a few minutes. He said I was having a panic attack. I had no other tests done to see how I would repond to different pressure. I actually changed the pressure down to 4 and 6 the max. Was this the wrong Move?
RE: Dizziness
Are you using EPR? If not I'd set your minimum to 7cm and set the EPR to 3. I know it may sound funny to increase the minimum pressure, but what it will do is allow you to use the EPR to full effect. By using 3 EPR it will allow you to exhale easier.
RE: Dizziness
G'day Lab718. Welcome to Apnea Board.
I used to get very bad PVCs but they completely cleared up once my apnea was treated.
I agree with the other guys that the dizziness you feel is a reaction to the CPAP and not a problem with the machine itself. It's not uncommon to feel a reaction, especially if you are claustrophobic. It's hard to accept a new way of breathing with a plastic alien strapped to your face blowing air up your nose from a compressor!
The trick is to just take things very slowly and get used to the feel of the mask. Use it while reading or watching TV, start a few minutes then gradually build up so that you can wear it continually. I agree with Walla Walla - increase the base pressure to 7 and set EPR (expiratory pressure relief) to 3. This will give you a comfortable pressure to inhale, then drop the pressure by three whole points as the machine senses you exhaling. It should make it much more comfortable for you.
Once you're feeling comfortable with the mask and machine, share your sleep study report and we might be able to suggest some further adjustments for you and your therapist to consider. It's also a good idea to download and install the #SleepyHead software, which gives a very detailed analysis of what's happening on a breath-by-breath basis.
