Nasal mask prohibits breathing through the nose

I just got my new Cpap from the VA yesterday and was looking forward to finally getting a good nights sleep, but when I put my nasal mask on it made it where I couldn’t breathe through my nose. Is this normal? Seems counterproductive to have to breathe through my mouth which in my opinion is part of the bigger issue. Thanks in advance for your insight!

What is the brand and model of your mask? Did they do any kind of fit test with you? A nasal mask where you can't breath through your nose is a no-go. If the mask insert size does not fit your nose, or the mask straps are too tight the nasal pillow part can collapse and not let you breathe.

Hi buckvegas.

What type of mask is it? Is it a nose mask or nasal pillows? What brand is it? If it is a nasal pillows mask did it come with different sized pillows? Have you tried using the larger sizes? Were you given a chinstrap? Do you have congestion or allergies? Sometimes I use nasal sprays or antihistamines before I go to bed.

Sorry Sierra I didn't realise you were responding. :)

It is a Resmed nasal mask. As soon as the mask hits my face I lose all ability to breathe through my nose. Pull it off and I can breathe again

Also I do have a chin strap but afraid to use it if I can’t breathe through my nose. This was the first night with the system and the VA did a thorough class but nothing like this was mentioned

Where are you up to in your day? How far are you from the people who sent you home with this gear? I doubt that tweaking a few settings is going to get you to where you need to be.

If you do return to the specialists I would suggest you take some control of the process and have a fair idea of what you want them to do for you.

The above statement may not be entirely correct. Have you tried turning the ramp off altogether?

For me the effect you describe is how it feels when the ramp is on. Different machine and different gear and presumably different settings but still might be worth a try for diagnostic purposes.

Believe it was preset to automatically adjust while you sleep. I put it on again this morning for a few minutes and I was laboring to inhale with it on

It totally relies upon your machine and your cover you are using.

When I initially begun it, I despised it. I had this Fisher and Paykel straight cpap machine, and I was given a poo fisher and paykel nasal veil.

I battled my rear end off with the cover. I wound up getting bruises all over from the damn cover while attempting to get a decent seal.

In the wake of doing some examination and perusing gatherings, I purchased a Respironics REMStar Auto M Series with humidifer machine, and I purchased a Respironics Comfortgel cover - all straightforwardly from SSEM.