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+--- Thread: [CPAP] Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" (/Thread-CPAP-Feel-like-I-m-not-exhaling-fully-chest-aches)
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Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" - mary273175 - 06-12-2015
Hello everyone, this is my first post to this board, and my third night with my CPAP. Since my first evening, I've been noticing what I consider a light "ache" in my chest after using my CPAP, which is alleviated after removal. I checked the internet, which lead me to a thread on this site. I am having what I think is the same problem as the original poster in that thread- the ache from the "struggle" of breathing against the air pressure. Posters there mentioned that his/her machine would learn breathing patterns and reduce the pressure on exhaling, making that better. I'm not sure if my machine does this? I feel like it's just forcing me to Breathe!Breathe!Breathe! but I'm not really getting anything out.
My equipment
ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet
AirFit P10 Mask
Pressure: 5 to 18
RE: Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" - eseedhouse - 06-12-2015
Yes, the Airsense 10 Autoset provides exhalation pressure release. The range available is 1, 2, or 3 cm of water. From the normal menu the choice to turn it on or off is the fifth item down. If you want to set the level more finely you have to go into the "clinician" menu. Press the round button and the Home button together for about five seconds to get into that.
I like it on and set to three - your preferences may be different.
RE: Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" - DeepBreathing - 06-12-2015
Hi Mary, welcome to Apnea Board.
It's not uncommon for new users to experience a mild ache around the chest, especially if they are operating at high pressures like you are. Your machine has a feature called EPR (exhale pressure relief) which will reduce the pressure as you exhale. This can be set at 0, 1, 2 or 3 cm. I'd suggest you try this and see if it helps. Some users find it's better without EPR and others also see an increase in central apneas with its use. However, it is there to help breathe out against the pressure, so give it a go and see how it works for you.
RE: Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" - mary273175 - 06-13-2015
(06-12-2015, 10:39 PM)DeepBreathing Wrote: Your machine has a feature called EPR (exhale pressure relief) which will reduce the pressure as you exhale. This can be set at 0, 1, 2 or 3 cm. I'd suggest you try this and see if it helps.
I apologize if this question is silly, but could you tell me which setting is the least amount of resistance? I was thinking and could interpret it as "0 means no pressure/resistance" or as "0 means no reduction in pressure/resistance."
It looks like I also have the option to have this feature on only during the ramp time- do you have any thoughts on this? I was thinking since the only time I'm aware of the feeling is when I'm still awake, it would make the most sense to only have it on then.
I appreciate your replies so far, thank you!
RE: Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" - justMongo - 06-13-2015
(06-13-2015, 09:42 AM)mary273175 Wrote:(06-12-2015, 10:39 PM)DeepBreathing Wrote: Your machine has a feature called EPR (exhale pressure relief) which will reduce the pressure as you exhale. This can be set at 0, 1, 2 or 3 cm. I'd suggest you try this and see if it helps.
I apologize if this question is silly, but could you tell me which setting is the least amount of resistance? I was thinking and could interpret it as "0 means no pressure/resistance" or as "0 means no reduction in pressure/resistance."
It looks like I also have the option to have this feature on only during the ramp time- do you have any thoughts on this? I was thinking since the only time I'm aware of the feeling is when I'm still awake, it would make the most sense to only have it on then.
I appreciate your replies so far, thank you!
Zero means no pressure relief. Set to 3 means the exhale pressure relief will drop the pressure by 3 cm-H2O during exhale.
RE: Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" - trish6hundred - 06-13-2015
Hi mary273175,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Sometimes when you first start with CPAP, your chest may hurt just a bit 'till you get used to the therapy. Of course, if it persists, talk to your doc about it.
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you with your CPAP therapy.
RE: Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" - OpalRose - 06-13-2015
Hi mary273175,
I felt like that when I first started. I think we sometimes try too hard to breath with the mask on and over exert ourselves, if that makes any sense. Once I got used to the therapy, I started to relax and just breath normally.
The EPR is a great feature. I started at 3, and have since set it to 2 where I feel most comfortable.
RE: Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" - AshSF - 06-13-2015
There is a muscle called the thoracic diaphragm that actually expands and contracts to make your lungs inhale and exhale. That muscle is used to working against a set pressure for
Life so far without cpap.
On cpap, this muscle has to work against a different higher pressure to exhale all night. This is why it is tired in the morning. With time, it will adapt and get stronger. Then it won't be tired in the morning.
It's very much like working out in the gym first time and feeling sore 24-72 hrs later. But this feeling dissipates in a few cycles.
RE: Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" - vsheline - 06-13-2015
(06-13-2015, 09:42 AM)mary273175 Wrote: It looks like I also have the option to have this feature on only during the ramp time- do you have any thoughts on this? I was thinking since the only time I'm aware of the feeling is when I'm still awake, it would make the most sense to only have it on then.
Hi mary273175, welcome to Apnea Board.
In a week or two all breathing muscle soreness will be gone, as muscles gain strength.
To help reduce chest muscle tiredness in the meantime, I suggest setting EPR to Full Time (not only during the Ramp).
By the way, after a few days or weeks, most users prefer for the Start Pressure (for the Ramp) to be higher than 4. At 4 or 5 we sometimes feel like we are not getting enough air when inhaling.
So don't be shy about increasing the Start Pressure to 5 or 6 or higher, whatever is most comfortable.
Would be good for you to download SleepyHead or ResScan software and check the statistical data and let us know the Apnea Hypopneas Index (an index is an average per hour) and the Obstructive Apnea Index, Central Apnea Index, Hypopnea Index and RERA (if your machine reports RERA). RERA (Respiratory Effort Related Arousal) refers to (partial) arousal caused by breathing effort. The arousals are usually only partial and we don't remember having them.
Take care,
--- Vaughn
RE: Feel like I'm not exhaling fully- "chest aches" - Mosquitobait - 06-13-2015
(06-12-2015, 10:39 PM)DeepBreathing Wrote: Hi Mary, welcome to Apnea Board.
It's not uncommon for new users to experience a mild ache around the chest, especially if they are operating at high pressures like you are. Your machine has a feature called EPR (exhale pressure relief) which will reduce the pressure as you exhale. This can be set at 0, 1, 2 or 3 cm. I'd suggest you try this and see if it helps. Some users find it's better without EPR and others also see an increase in central apneas with its use. However, it is there to help breathe out against the pressure, so give it a go and see how it works for you.
Mary, I've been cpapping for 3 weeks and I agree with this. Others suggested that I set the EPR to 2 and that mild ache went away after a day or two and has not returned. I was actually having more problems the first couple of nights because I pulled that stupid muscle that runs along the rib cage and the cpap use aggravated it. Still, I was able to sleep on my back and breathe - just getting to sleep was a bit hard.