unsure about how to do this

[Rob82568]

I just got my Cpap and last night I tried to use it only to frustrated and took it off. I have a full face mask and when I put the mask on the air starts blowing and I feel like I just stuck my head out the window of a
moving car and I am trying to breath. I can breath in ok but when I try to exhale it feels like I am having to force myself. Is this normal or is the machine set to high.. I got the self adjusting cpap if that matters.

[Lucyhere]

In order to help we need to know what machine you are using, what mask you are using and your current pressure(s). That would be a good start. Someone else will pop in and tell you what more might be needed.

[kteague]

Hello and welcome. It would be helpful if you could go into your profile and add your equipment and settings etc. You'll be able to get more targeted replies. In general, what starts out feeling like a wind tunnel usually soon feels like no big deal. If that doesn't happen, some folks here can give you tips to see if there might be some tweaking of your settings that make it more comfortable. I won't try to go into any detail on that because your machine and settings will make a difference whether there is anything meaningful to say on that. Most times times this feeling wil self resolve or there are ways to manage it.

[Rob82568]

I have a RESmart auto CPAP machine with RESlex with heated Humidifier and a ZZZ-Mask full face CPAP mask with headgear as for my pressures I have not been told what my pressures are

[LSAT]

Most newer machines have an Exhale relief setting....If you tell us what machine you are using we can help you

[Rob82568]

I just added my machine to my profile. I guess the problem I am really having is exhaling. It is hard to exhale when the air is blowing in my face, and the fact I don't really know anything about this. I got my machine and my other items off line and I have not hard anybody show me how to set it up or use it and the instructions with the machine and the mask are not really user friendly.

[Julie]

Your doctor should have a prescription for you re what pressures to use. You need to take more control of your condition and learn what pressures you have.

[prodigyplace]

According to your equipment page your system has exhalation relief.
I assume a professional set your machine up initially for your prescription. You or they probably need to adjust the relief setting.

[Rob82568]

Thank you for all the answers. While I am still very new at this I was able to wear the mask a little longer last night. I did adjust the exhaust pressure so that I didn't feel like I was being chocked. I think now it is just a matter of getting over the trapped feeling with the mask on and getting used to no sleeping on my stomach. Thanks again.

[DoubleB65]

Newbie here too...tonight marks two weeks since I started on CPAP. The first night or two was the toughest but now I don't even use the ramp feature on my unit because I prefer feeling like it's actually doing something when I put it on. I have for as long as I can remember been a mouth breather and for the first ten days I had a full mask...but found myself breathing less and less with my mouth. Because of that and due to some perspiration around the mask that was driving me crazy, I switched to a nasal mask. You learn real quick with the nasal only that when you open your mouth you have a rush of air come out...LOL...there are actually times now I need to feel the vent on my mask to make sure the unit is even working because I barely notice it.

I haven't noticed any real differences yet in the quality or quantity of my sleep...my AHI's are fluctuating drastically from night to night...and I was told that my machine can only be set by a professional? My main problem other than that is that I can't get the air through the mask cool enough to suit me, even when the heat unit and humidifier off.

[ChicagoGranny]

I can breath in ok but when I try to exhale it feels like I am having to force myself. Is this normal

It's not normal, but it is common. It's almost always a "mental thing". You are thinking about every breath and the pressure from the machine. If you manage to fall asleep, you breathe gently and rhythmically and exhale easily against the pressure. Once you learn how to relax and breathe naturally, you will be OK.

I am a small, elderly lady, and I can easily exhale against the highest machine pressure (20 cm H2O). But, when I first started CPAP, it took a couple of nights to learn to relax and breathe gently when the machine first started up.

getting used to no sleeping on my stomach

If you prefer stomach sleeping, it's not so hard to do - http://www.uarsrelief.com/sleeppositions.html

I think now it is just a matter of getting over the trapped feeling with the mask on

Yup, sounds like you are on your way to success.

[ChicagoGranny]

I haven't noticed any real differences yet in the quality or quantity of my sleep...my AHI's are fluctuating drastically from night to night...and I was told that my machine can only be set by a professional?

Someone has told you some typical sleep industry BS. If you want more information/help, please start a new thread. Please fill out your equipment profile - https://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?i=prof ... pment_info

[DoubleB65]

Thanks....I did and have started trying to learn how to post my reports and so forth this evening. It's all a bit overwhelming to be honest...

[ChicagoGranny]

Thanks....I did and have started trying to learn how to post my reports and so forth this evening. It's all a bit overwhelming to be honest...

Yup, usually is. Take your time. Ask questions. If you start to get frustrated, lay it down and come back to it the next day. Eventually, you will wonder what seemed so hard.

[zonker]

Thanks....I did and have started trying to learn how to post my reports and so forth this evening. It's all a bit overwhelming to be honest...

Yup, usually is. Take your time. Ask questions. If you start to get frustrated, lay it down and come back to it the next day. Eventually, you will wonder what seemed so hard.

+1

i love going into a store where there is a new cashier being trained. i always tell them, in 2 months, you'll wonder why this all seemed so hard!