We use cookies and other tools to enhance your experience on our website and to analyze our web traffic.
For more information about these cookies and the data collected, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Having trouble breathing through the tube

9 posts
Was this reply useful? Learn more...
   
[-]
cosmasad +0 points · almost 6 years ago Original Poster

This may seem basic but I have been having trouble getting enough air in to my lungs through the tube on my ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset device. I use a Swift Fx Nasal Pillow system. My ramp is set to off and the range is 6-10. Nothing's changed in the last few days but for some reason the last two nights when I put it on and try to breathe I'm just not getting enough air as if I'm breathing through a straw... I end up taking it off and not using it all night.

Wondering if anyone else has had an experience like this and if there's any solution?

Thanking you in advance...

3,259 posts
bio
Was this reply useful? Learn more...
   
[-]
Sierra +0 points · almost 6 years ago Sleep Patron

Yes, this is probably quite easy to fix if you are prepared to go into the Clinical Menu and change some Comfort settings. This assumes there is nothing physically wrong with the mask and the tubing such as being kinked or plugged. That is highly unlikely. You should also make sure you don't have the mask adjusted too tight so those nose cone things are not crushed.

Here is a video on how to get into the Clinical Menu.

Once there here is how I would change your Comfort settings to reduce the breathing effort. Scroll down to them and set them as follow. This should be in order of how they appear on the menu.

  • Ramp Time: Auto
  • Start Pressure: 6 cm
  • EPR: On
  • EPR Type: Ramp Only
  • EPR Level: 3

While you are there, it would be helpful to also scroll down to near the bottom to Options and set one more parameter there. It will allow you a bit more control from the User Menu, and give you a better Sleep Report

  • Essentials: Plus

That should improve the breathing effort while going to sleep.

9 posts
Was this reply useful? Learn more...
   
[-]
cosmasad +0 points · almost 6 years ago Original Poster

Wow-- Thank you, Sierra. That really helped!. I was able to follow the instructions and actually used the system last night. Excellent!

3,259 posts
bio
Was this reply useful? Learn more...
   
[-]
Sierra +0 points · almost 6 years ago Sleep Patron

You are welcome. If you download SleepyHead and view the results there, you may have an opportunity to further refine your settings. You might gain further comfort by increasing your minimum pressure to 7-8 cm, and the start pressure to the same pressure. It would be kind of shooting in the dark though without seeing the where your pressure is going and where the apnea events (if any) are occurring. If you want help with SleepyHead and how to post results here, just ask.

If you have set the Essentials to Plus, you can scroll down on the User Menu and view the more detailed Sleep Report. Set it for various time periods and post back what your Pressure is. It represents what the 95 percentile pressure is. That will give some idea without using SleepyHead, where your pressures are running to, and whether or not there may be some room/benefit in increasing the minimum pressure.

Please be advised that these posts may contain sensitive material or unsolicited medical advice. MyApnea does not endorse the content of these posts. The information provided on this site is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for advice from a health care professional who has evaluated you.