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[Equipment] New to CPAP - have a question - Printable Version

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New to CPAP - have a question - pmartire - 12-22-2013

Hi, I just started CPAP a few days back and have what is a probably pretty stupid question. I have a Philips Respironics and am using nasal pillows and also have a nasal mask they gave me from the test. They both have vent holes near where the tubing connects. When the machine is on a lot of air comes through the vents, which I assume is normal. The thing is, when I am sleeping I hear the air venting and think the mask is leaking or all the air is coming out of the vent and it freaks me out. I keep on re-adjusting the mask but it is probably fine. It wakes me up several times a night with a panic feeling like I am forgetting to breath and the air is leaking so the CPAP is not working. Can anyone tell me its normal and not to worry about it? Thanks!!

- Paul


RE: New to CPAP - have a question - zonk - 12-22-2013

Hi pmartire, welcome aboard
Leak through the vents holes is normal so exhaled air is flushed out and not re-breathed
You might want practice during the day with the machine on while watching tv/reading or/and take a nap so you get use to it during the night


RE: New to CPAP - have a question - courtney123 - 12-22-2013

(12-22-2013, 12:47 AM)pmartire Wrote: Hi, I just started CPAP a few days back and have what is a probably pretty stupid question. I have a Philips Respironics and am using nasal pillows and also have a nasal mask they gave me from the test. They both have vent holes near where the tubing connects. When the machine is on a lot of air comes through the vents, which I assume is normal. The thing is, when I am sleeping I hear the air venting and think the mask is leaking or all the air is coming out of the vent and it freaks me out. I keep on re-adjusting the mask but it is probably fine. It wakes me up several times a night with a panic feeling like I am forgetting to breath and the air is leaking so the CPAP is not working. Can anyone tell me its normal and not to worry about it? Thanks!!

- Paul

It's normal and don't worry. You're correct those holes are vents and air will always come out.
If your mask is leaking you'll generally feel it on your face or your eyes.
If you have nasal pillows like me, just lift it about a 1/2 inch off your face and let the pillows settle back down. That usually fixes any small leak.
Give it some time and you'll get used to all the noises and stuff :-)



RE: New to CPAP - have a question - SuperSleeper - 12-22-2013

Hi Paul - welcome to Apnea Board!

Air coming out of the vent holes is completely normal. Those holes are necessary to allow you to breathe out carbon dioxide. The continuous positive pressure coming through the hose pushes out the carbon dioxide so there is no build-up in your mask.

A certain amount of "noise" is normal - you should hear a gentle hissing sound coming from the holes. Some masks are more noisy than others, others may not seal well to your facial structure. There is no one perfect mask for everyone - several folks have had to try numerous masks before the found the right one for them.

Make sure your mask is fitting properly, also. Here's a thread that discusses mask-fit:

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-How-to-How-to-achieve-the-perfect-mask-fit-GUARANTEED

If the mask they gave you keeps waking you up, you might ask for another brand/make/type of mask that might be quieter. Perhaps a standard nasal mask rather than a nasal pillows system.

But don't let a small amount of air hissing noise bother you - it is normal.




RE: New to CPAP - have a question - pmartire - 12-22-2013

Thanks for getting back so fast Zonk, that is really great of you. OK, so it is normal for air to vent all the time even when I am not exhaling right? By the way your Matrix avatar is awesome.


RE: New to CPAP - have a question - SuperSleeper - 12-22-2013

(12-22-2013, 01:08 AM)pmartire Wrote: OK, so it is normal for air to vent all the time even when I am not exhaling right?

Yep, completely normal to vent all the time, not just on exhale. Coffee


RE: New to CPAP - have a question - ImaSurvivor - 12-22-2013

Welcome to the forum ... no question is dumb with us ... ask away any time. We have all been where you are at.

The air is normal. Sometimes it is louder than others depending on what position you are in. Also, if you are concerned of leaks you can check the data read out on your machine to see what the leak rate is. Under 24L/ min is acceptable. You can sometimes hear your inhale and exhale. It took me some time to get used to that.

Good luck with your therapy!


RE: New to CPAP - have a question - trish6hundred - 12-22-2013

Hi pmartire,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Sometimes, when I sleep on my side, the air from the vent holes on my mask will make noise if it is too close to my pillow. I just move my mask a bit and that takes care of it.
Best of luck to you with your CPAP therapy and feel free to ask any questions you have to help you understand it.


RE: New to CPAP - have a question - Peter_C - 12-22-2013

Welcome hosehead Smile

All is well, in fact, use the sound as a reassurance that all *is* well. It's when you lose the sound that you need to worry !!