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Right when I knock out to sleep machine stops me from breathing out

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sleepnodder70 +0 points · over 5 years ago Original Poster

During sleep study with machine I was unsuccessful, but they gave me one anyway. When I finally start nodding off to sleep my breathing slows down calmly as it usually does, but at thay very moment when I nod off the machine won't let me breathe out because it's trying to force air in, and the force is more powerful coming in than my breathing coming out, so I suddenly wake up. I absolutely can't get to sleep, not one bit. Does anyone else have this problem or any other recommendations. what do you think?

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Biguglygremlin +0 points · over 5 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

Hi sleepnodder70

Others can better advise you on machine settings and operation but they would probably be more helpful if they had more info.

What type of machine is it?

How long have you been using the machine?

What is the current pressure setting?

What is the current ramp setting?

That's it. My job is done. :)

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Sierra +0 points · over 5 years ago Sleep Patron

It may be your machine, or machine set up. What type of machine do you have? Are you using EPR or Flex?

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sleepnodder70 +0 points · over 5 years ago Original Poster

The CPAP machine I have is the Dreamstation. It's set on Flex. The machine pressure is set at 9 on the screen, but I can use the ramp starting at 4. The machine is set to go from 9 to I think 18 for pressure but I notice it averages around 11. I can only use the CPAP for about an hour and a half before I finally give up. During that hour and a half, I can probably nod off to sleep about four to five times, but as I say my breathing wants to go out and the machine hold my breath at idle halfway through my exhaling cycle. when I put to sleep for this very few seconds my breath is very softy so I can understand that, but what do I do. I already told this to the doctor but not really hearing any feedback when I'm in the office other than "try this mask on instead" doesn't matter it's about the pressure not the mask for me. I Just filled this type of sleep remedy is not made for everyone

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Sierra +0 points · over 5 years ago Sleep Patron

Two thoughts on the issue. First with the DreamStation Flex system it reduces pressure some on exhale and increases it on inhale. A three setting reduces it more than a 1 setting. This is somewhat similar to the ResMed EPR system. There is a difference though. The ResMed triggers the switch from inhale to exhale mode based on the effort/flow of the user. You can breathe at the rate you want to. The Flex system tries to time the switch. If the timing is off, it can seem like the machine is fighting you. The simplest thing to try would be to turn the Flex setting down if it is on 3, or even turn it off. Another more involved solution would be to convince them to let you try a ResMed A10 AutoSet instead of the DreamStation. The ResMed has the added feature that it lets you use EPR while you are going to sleep, and then it turns off after you go to sleep. The ResMed also has an Auto Ramp feature that turns the ramp off when it detects you are asleep. If you can wangle a change, I think the ResMed is the better of the two.

And the second thought is the mask, if it is a nasal pillow type. If they are put on too tight, or don't fit you well (too small usually), then they can kind of crush and act like a check valve. It lets you breathe in, but not out. My wife had that issue with a F&P Brevida that was too small. Using the bigger insert solved the problem.

Hope that helps some,

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