I can breathe with the mask, but stop breathing when I drift off to sleep. Why?

I can breathe with the mask, but stop breathing when I drift off to sleep. Why? - Printable Version

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I can breathe with the mask, but stop breathing when I drift off to sleep. Why? - NoddingHacker - 07-10-2021

For some reason, I have to "manually" breathe with the mask on (full face, i breathe with the nose). I can't just stop "managing" my breath. On multiple occasions when I was drifting off, I could feel myself stop breathing. Half a second later I would wake up (can't breathe).

I already managed to fall asleep with a machine before many times. For the last 1-2 years I couldnt fall asleep with the machine so I stopped, but now I want to return to using it. Now I can fall asleep, but not automatically breathe. Wtf brain? Why?

RE: I can breathe with the mask, but stop breathing when I drift off to sleep. Why? - SarcasticDave94 - 07-10-2021

I'm only making a guess, it's possible that either since you've now resumed PAP therapy you've begun to have Central Apnea (as in treatment emergent Centrals) or you had pre-existing CA beforehand. Without any data it's hard to be specific. Saying you stop breathing sounds more like Central Apneas.

RE: I can breathe with the mask, but stop breathing when I drift off to sleep. Why? - OpalRose - 07-10-2021

Your profile states that you are using a nasal mask, whereas in your post, you state you are using a full face mask. Can you confirm which?

Either way, a pressure of 4cm is too low, especially with a full face mask. You are probably feeling "air-starved."
Raise your pressure to at least 7cm and use your mask with machine on for at least an hour before bed... sitting up reading or watching TV. This will help you get used to the feel of the pressure.

Also, if your Cpap has exhale pressure relief, set it to 3. This helps breathe out against the pressure.

These suggestions are for comfort, as we can't see data.

RE: I can breathe with the mask, but stop breathing when I drift off to sleep. Why? - NoddingHacker - 07-10-2021

(07-10-2021, 02:24 AM)SarcasticDave94 Wrote: I'm only making a guess, it's possible that either since you've now resumed PAP therapy you've begun to have Central Apnea (as in treatment emergent Centrals) or you had pre-existing CA beforehand. Without any data it's hard to be specific. Saying you stop breathing sounds more like Central Apneas.

I have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Is it possible to develop an additional kind of apnea with time?

I have a weinmann, prisma smart machine. Will you be able to understand it's data?

(07-10-2021, 06:21 AM)OpalRose Wrote: Your profile states that you are using a nasal mask, whereas in your post, you state you are using a full face mask. Can you confirm which?

Either way, a pressure of 4cm is too low, especially with a full face mask. You are probably feeling "air-starved."
Raise your pressure to at least 7cm and use your mask with machine on for at least an hour before bed... sitting up reading or watching TV. This will help you get used to the feel of the pressure.

Also, if your Cpap has exhale pressure relief, set it to 3. This helps breathe out against the pressure.

These suggestions are for comfort, as we can't see data.

I Have been using nasal mask when I started, but now I am trying full face. I will try upping the pressure.

Will people here understand prisma smart/weinmann data? OSCAR can't read those machines.

RE: I can breathe with the mask, but stop breathing when I drift off to sleep. Why? - OpalRose - 07-10-2021

If you are using the Weinmann/Prisma software and have recent data to upload, someone will take a look.

Also, if you have a copy of your sleep study, post it here redacting personal information.

RE: I can breathe with the mask, but stop breathing when I drift off to sleep. Why? - SarcasticDave94 - 07-10-2021

To the question, can you develop other Apnea like Central Apnea? Yes. I'm thinking specifically of treatment emergent CA. What can happen is your machine can disrupt the currently normal to your body CO2 levels. There's less of the signal to breathe and there's where you get a Central Apnea. This type will eventually diminish once your body gets used to therapy.

Again I'm only making a guess that treatment emergent Central Apnea had happened. But if it did, this would be a reason why.

RE: I can breathe with the mask, but stop breathing when I drift off to sleep. Why? - CorruptAlligator - 07-11-2021

nm. I meant to recommend full face over nasal.

RE: I can breathe with the mask, but stop breathing when I drift off to sleep. Why? - staceyburke - 07-11-2021

As opal said your min is to low. 4 is the absolute lowest a pap machine can go. These machines are used for children and 4 with their small lungs is OK but you are an adult and need more oxygen. The higher the min number is the more oxygen you are receiving when in inhale. I need at least 9 or I am pulling off my mask to get a large enough amount of air. 7 would be the lowest I would suggest the setting. If you still have the same problem don't hesitate to go to 8 or 9.