Lungs Too Full

[vailgal]

Hello All!

I have had two overnight ($4,000) sleep studies and neither one of them qualified me for CPAP, so I bought my own machine on Amazon (yes, you can do that without a prescription). I'm tired of being tired all day due to my oxygen levels dropping to 45-60 while I sleep, and the oxygen supplementation only helps so much. Because the doctors are all in kahoots with the insurance companies now, they will not write me a prescription for a machine without having so many episodes of apnea a night, so apparently my hypoxia has to kill me first before they'll give me one. I believe that a positive pressure will help my problems, by forcing me to breathe in the oxygen throughout the night. (My studies do show that I stop breathing several times an hour, but not enough for a prescription...go figure.

Well, I tried to sleep with my Dreamwear mask and APAP machine last night, but after a few hours I gave up and went back to my oxygen cannula only. Even with my settings set at 4 min/12 max, I feel like I can't exhale enough to empty my lungs without really pushing. Is this a normal feeling? Am I concentrating too much on my breathing? I feel like I can inhale just fine, but when I exhale I really have to push to empty my lungs. NOTE: I'm VERY claustrophic, so even wearing this unobtrusive mask is a stretch for me. At times I feel like I'm going to suffocate with the mask on, so I'm afraid to fall asleep and never wake up!

Do you think it's the mask that's giving me trouble? I paid $109 for it and hate to have to buy another one out of pocket.

Please help me! I have nowhere else to turn, as I feel the "Specialists" I've spent thousands of dollars seeing, Pulmonologist, Cardiologist, etc. have deserted me. Thank you!!!!

[DeepBreathing]

G'day Vailgal.

It's not uncommon for it to be hard to exhale at first, even against a low pressure. It's a feeling I describe as "drowning in air". You will very quickly get used to it and it won't be a problem - it's just a matter of your body accommodating itself to this new way of breathing.

I don't know if your machine has some form of EPR (exhale pressure relief) or Flex, but you should try that if it's available. Basically it lowers the pressure a little as you exhale, making breathing easier.

By the way, you don't empty your lungs when you exhale, just a small volume of air (referred to as tidal volume). For most people this is between 300 and 600 mL each breath - 300 mL is a little over a cupful.

[vailgal]

Thank you! Love your photo, by the way...lol

[Sleeprider]

I'm not very familiar with the Apex machine or its software, but it would be good to know what pressure is being used when you feel uncomfortable. You might want to limit the maximum pressure to 9 and see if that helps. If you can post data from the machine or Apex software, that would help. You can read the last sessions information about AHI and pressures by holding the up and down arrows at the same time when the machine is in standby mode. See what your average pressure is.

You can now see more complete information from your machine using the Apex Easy Compliance software available from the forum here: http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...-Available
Download and install so you can help us find a solution for your comfort.

[SarcasticDave94]

Difficulty getting used to breathing against a machine is quite common. I had to deal with it for about 2 months while trying to tell my pulmonary doctor I couldn't get used to it. Mine was set to 18 of 20 with no Flex or other built-in exhale relief on that original CPAP I had. The CPAP was returned when I failed compliance. Time passed, and I had to get back to xPapa therapy; the same doc listened this time and we agreed on a Bilevel machine. Then that wasn't the answer either; but with the exhale pressure being less, it became far easier the handle it. I am waiting on the big machine called ASV now, but at least I'm sure what to expect on inhalation and exhalation aspects.

BTW I exchange lesser amounts than some others do thru the lungs as I also have COPD. I'm still learning this hindrance, but to me it seems I breathe very shallowly all the time now FWIW.

Just let breathing come naturally; I must make myself think on other things via listening to audio stories or Old Radio shows, or I'll focus on the flawed natural breathing process. Yes, I do that even when trying to fall asleep. If I have a silent room, I hear too much tinnitus/ear ringing which will keep me awake.

PS your Apex machine should have a PVA setting. It sounds very similar to Flex on another machine brand.

From Apex
"PVA Pressure Variation Algorithm
The PVA Pressure Variation Algorithm is a technology designed to provide relief to patients who experience CPAP pressure discomfort by reducing pressure at the start of exhalation and return to the prescribed pressure at the commencement of inhalation. Pressure can be reduced by three different level settings, allowing the delivery of prescribed pressure at a time when the patient needs it most without compromising comfort and compliance. The PVA technology is available on CPAP and APAP modes." Maybe you can adjust that setting to help.

[vailgal]

Hi Dave. Thanks for all the info. Yes, my machine does have a PVA setting, and at first it was off, then I turned it on to "1" and I'm still having the problem.

I know I just need to relax, but I'm a problem sleeper anyway, and this is making me worse. I'll keep trying though.

[SarcasticDave94]

That's fine; allow me to pass a lesson I learned. Win by not quitting. Best to ya on success.

[vailgal]

[Gary1of2]

Try wearingvwhile watching tv or reading a book before you go to sleep to help get used to it.

[Chicago]

I do get same sensation, but the more I think about it the more I feel it. It is probably anxiety related.