DanM

Hi @ToughCeruleanElephantseal6828. Many CPAP have adjustments, some that can be made by the patient and others by the home care company, that control the amount of pressure relief. If you are on CPAP, it may be as simple as adjusting the exhalation feature (often referred to as the EPR or Flex setting). If you have been changed to APAP or BiPAP, then the process may be a bit different. I encourage you to contact your equipment provider and tell them what you are experiencing to see if they can check the machine and make adjustments. To answer your question about similar experience, I did have the same experience with a new machine several years ago. The pressure relief setting was at the highest level, and I was able to turn that off. I also experienced the noise of the variable speed from the unit, and my home care company exchanged the machine for a new one. Hope this helps!

@FaithfulCoffeeWildcat3239, have you considered speaking with your physician about other options for treating your sleep apnea? Depending on the severity of your diagnosis, you may be a candidate for an oral appliance, for example.

Hi @FaithfulCoffeeWildcat3239. Mask fit is, by far, the most difficult problem to solve for many CPAP users. Have tried using mask liners? They can usually be obtained from your home care provider or ordered online. You can also make them by cutting moleskin to fit your mask. This often improves mask leak and comfort for many users. Air blowing in your eyes can lead to other problems, so I encourage you to contact your equipment provider and ask them to work with you to find a mask with the best possible fit. There are many, many masks out there, so hopefully you can find something that works for you. Best wishes!

Hi @IndependentLavenderMoney3724. I cannot say if there is a problem with purified water versus distilled water. Both are basically water that has been treated in one manner or the other to remove impurities. We generally recommend distilled water because CPAP manufacturers make the recommendation for distilled water in their documentation. In the absence of distilled water, I have seen recommendations for purified bottled water.

You are most welcome. I think they are likely very similar. Please let us know how it works!

Hello @AmicableRoselbex7856. I'm not sure there is a definite timeframe within which you should expect sleepiness to go away. There are many things that can contribute to feelings of fatigue and sleepiness--like other noise in your environment, pets disturbing sleep, or even a bed that is not quite as comfortable as you'd like. The hope is that treating the sleep apnea will help. It sounds as though your have position sleep apnea the occurs only when you are on your back. The tennis ball approach may be helpful, and there are devices such as the Zzoma that can help keep you from rolling on your back. CPAP and other treatments may take time to adjust to, but hopefully you will start to notice some improvement in your sleep soon. Please keep us posted on your progress!

Thanks for sharing, @IntellectualTanArmadillo1349. Anyone else out there have experience with the SoClean device they are willing to share?

Hi @PowerfulRubyGrasshopper4202. Some patients do find that it takes time to adjust to wearing CPAP, and others report feeling better almost immediately. I suggest tracking your level of fatigue over the next couple of weeks to see if it improves. Also, there are other things that can contribute to feeling tired, such as medication or other sleep disturbances (noise, pets, etc.). If you continue to use your CPAP consistently and do not feel your level of tiredness improving, I encourage you to speak to your home care company to make sure the machine setting or correct, and/or speak to your physician about other things that may be contributing to how you feel. Best wishes!

Hi @FriendlyLavenderAardvard3719. I'm sorry to hear you are having a hard time getting a sleep study done. Has your doctor told you why this is so difficult? Oxygen is helpful for keeping your O2 at better levels, but treatment for sleep apnea may help you get better sleep. Best wishes!

Hi @wiredgeorge. A hypopnea is a decrease in airflow, and an obstructive apnea is an obstruction that results in no airflow. In both instances, there is continued respiratory effort as the patient tries to breathe. The "clear apnea" term is something I have only seen used with this specific system, meaning a pressure pulse of air from the machine meets no resistance. An example of an apnea type that might be a clear apnea is a central apnea. The machine does not detect breathing, so it sends a pulse of air through the tubing and mask. If the air pressure meets no resistance, then the device assumes the airway is open or clear. Since PAP devices do not actually measure respiratory effort via movement of the chest/abdominal wall, they cannot truly detect central apnea.