[CPAP] Something's gone wrong.

[Emmet]

I’ve been using CPAP since January, averaging 8.5 hours per night with no issues; quickly becoming so inured to the thing that at times I’ve forgotten that I have it on. I started feeling better almost immediately, and have gotten progressively better over time; my AHI's finally decreased below 5, and I look forward to sleeping with it.
In the past few days I’ve been awakening with air hunger and deep labored respiration, compelling me to breathe through my mouth, panting until I’ve caught my breath. The past couple of nights I’ve been able to resume therapy once I’ve relaxed and my breathing has returned to normal, but tonight I awoke after only an hour and a half, and just can’t breathe through the thing; after a few minutes my respirations become progressively labored, long and deep, as if I’m trying to breathe through a coffee stirrer, and I feel like I’m suffocating; yet if I pull off the mask, the thing's blowing a gale.
Everything’s clean, new filter 9 days ago, pressure unchanged at 10 cm H2O; nothing at all appears to be wrong with the set.
Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Queenslander]

I notice that you are using the Resmed Airfit P10 nasal pillows. I use this mask too and find I have to make sure the mask vents on the front of the mask are clear by scrubbing them gently with a toothbrush and whatever cleaning you use to wash your mask with. I use ordinary liquid hand wash and water and find this effective.

Hope this helps

[cate1898]

Hi Emmet, have you had a chance to download SleepyHead (link at the top of every page) install it and then using the SD card from your machine, load your nightly data into it? You will get advice from experienced users if you post screenshots of your data in SleepyHead. Here's lots of information about SleepyHead including how to post screenshots:

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...SleepyHead

Best of luck!

[MitchS]

I had the same problem when I first started using the P10. It turned out the mask vents were being blocked by moisture due to minor rainout. The moisture would evaporate a short time after I took the mask off. A combination of a heated hose and a hose cover resolved the problem.

[Emmet]

Thanks; I use a heated hose and hose cover, and just soaked the mask in vinegar and scrubbed the exhaust ports with a toothbrush yesterday.

[Queenslander]

Best next move is to follow cate1898's advice to download Sleepyhead and post the data, this will give experienced users on here the best opportunity to advise you.

Best of luck!

[Walla Walla]

Try replacing the machine filter and see if that helps.

[yankees123]

Just for information purposes I did not think you should use a hose cover with a heated hose.  Spoke to secondwindcpap and 1800 cpap and both didn’t recommend it.  They said the hose covers were for non heated hoses only.

[Sleeprider]

I have used hose covers with the heated hoses forever. I even had a heated hose before Resmed and Philips caught on and started selling them. I have never had a problem with covering a heated hose, and it seems to have the advantages of protecting the hose, making it quieter, more comfortable and more efficient.

[OpalRose]

Emmet,
Try using one size larger nasal pillow. It shouldn’t be inserted into nostril too much, but mostly rest below nostril. A larger size may help.

It would help us if you would post a screenshot or two of your daily page from #SleepyHead.

Use the links in my signature line to guide you.

Also, to echo SleepRider....I have been using a hose cover with my heated hose for over 3 years.
No problems at all.