+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Hard time breathing out (/Thread-Hard-time-breathing-out)
Hard time breathing out - tpearl - 06-07-2015
I have had the same machine for about 5 years (Remstar M-Series). I use an AirFit F10. I have had this particular mask for about 2 month now. My issue is that when I exhale it feels constricted. I have a hard time breathing and I have to lift the mask off to breathe. I have cleaned the mask several times (the mesh). Nothing is working.
Does anyone think its the mask or my machine? Sleeping on my side makes it harder to breath now.
For what its worth, I dont use the humidifier. Never really needed to.
RE: Hard time breathing out - AlanE - 06-07-2015
With the machine on and mask in place, do you feel air escaping out the vents around where the hose connects to the mask? Looking at the pic of it, it has a circular diffused vent. If you don't feel more than a modicum amount of air coming out, you may need to check that part carefully.
RE: Hard time breathing out - OpalRose - 06-07-2015
(06-07-2015, 05:09 PM)tpearl Wrote: I have had the same machine for about 5 years (Remstar M-Series). I use an AirFit F10. I have had this particular mask for about 2 month now. My issue is that when I exhale it feels constricted. I have a hard time breathing and I have to lift the mask off to breathe. I have cleaned the mask several times (the mesh). Nothing is working.
Does anyone think its the mask or my machine? Sleeping on my side makes it harder to breath now.
For what its worth, I dont use the humidifier. Never really needed to.
Could you clarify what mask you are using? Your profile says nasal pillows, but you state an F10 above. Do you mean P10?
If you are using the P10 mask, some feel that is harder to breath out.
If your machine has an exhalation relief setting, are you using it?
You can also try using a size larger nasal pillow and see if that helps.
RE: Hard time breathing out - vsheline - 06-07-2015
(06-07-2015, 05:09 PM)tpearl Wrote: I have had the same machine for about 5 years (Remstar M-Series). I use an AirFit F10. I have had this particular mask for about 2 month now. My issue is that when I exhale it feels constricted. I have a hard time breathing and I have to lift the mask off to breathe. I have cleaned the mask several times (the mesh). Nothing is working.
Does anyone think its the mask or my machine? Sleeping on my side makes it harder to breath now.
Hi tpearl, welcome to Apnea Board.
If you still have your old mask I suggest using the machine while watching TV or something, and switching back and forth between masks. This should be able to tell you if the mask is the problem.
I use the F10 Full Face Mask, and when wearing the mask it is easy to feel the air rushing out the vent holes if the vent holes are working correctly. I've never had a problem with the F10, other than the high pressure I need (up to 25 cmH2O) means that I need to wear a mask liner with it in order to reduce leaking.
If, instead, you are using the P10: as OpalRose has suggested, try the larger-size pillow.
If the mask seems to be working correctly, I suggest it may be time to upgrade your machine. If you happen to not have private medical insurance or Medicare, there are good used machines available from on-line suppliers like Supplier #2. (A link to the Supplier List is given at top of each forum page.) For example, a "Gently Used DS560 REMstar Auto AFLEX Machine without Heated Humidifier" including power supply is US$359. This is a fully data-capable machine which uses a standard SD card and is supported by the free SleepyHead sleep data display program.
Take care,
---Vaughn
RE: Hard time breathing out - trish6hundred - 06-07-2015
Hi tpearl,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
The airFit P10 has two mesh vents, which is where the air is diffused, (thus making it a very quiet mask,) and you shouldn't feel much air going out those vents if you have it on correctly.
Hang in there for more suggestions and much success to you with your CPAP therapy.
RE: Hard time breathing out - AlanE - 06-10-2015
tpearl - How are you doing with the mask?