r/CPAP

Have been using CPAP now for about six years. Was browsing this forum today, and after reading folks' suggestions on drying the tubing, I thought I'd chime in with a suggestion that might be helpful.

After a couple years' frustration trying to get the tubing to dry quickly via many of the suggested modalities in the forums, I tried using a small 4" USB stand fan, easy to find on Amazon (or elsewhere) for between $6 to $10. Once the tubing is cleaned, I prop one end up on a folded washcloth or other clean fabric placed in front of the fan then extend the tubing along the kitchen countertop or other surface. Drying time is usually about an hour or less. (It also works well even if the tubing needs to be bent because counter space is limited.) Use it to dry cushions, masks, etc. also.

We travel frequently, and this can easily be done in a hotel room on a flat surface (desk especially with outlets nearby). Since we often stay at lodgings that provide breakfast, I set the fan and tubing up before leaving the room to eat, and the tubing is almost always dry and ready to pack up. The fan takes up minimal space in luggage. Since it's USB, it also works overseas with correct electrical conversion.

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I'm using an F-40 mask, which felt comfortable in the doctor's office, but last night it was digging into the bottom of my nose. I briefly drifted off to sleep, but then woke up - sudden pressure change. Should I use a chin strap as well? I had a minor panic attack and had to rip the thing off, and sit up for awhile until I calmed down. I have mild apnea. 12-20 AHI. Much worse when I shift to my back (20). I prefer side sleep, but I always roll over at some point.

I feel like my sleep is compromised because I have an awareness of my mask at all times. everytime I move or turn to one side I am very aware of it and even if I don’t move I wake up frequently because of feeling the mask. my mask is fairly comfortable so I am. it in pain. But I really want to get to the point where I barely notice it unless I have a big old air leak. just wondered if anyone has had the same issue and how long did it take you to get over that ever present mask awareness?

I’m hoping there’s some hope for me.😅 I did my sleep study and found out I have 63 events per hour. And I’m really hoping my CPAP will help me. And hopefully help me lose weight.

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Anybody knows if this flow rate from OSCAR app is normal or not?

It keeps this graph form all thoughout the sleep.

My main symptom is waking up like hit by a bus, since 10 years now.

Thanks .

I'm writing as a CPAP user of 15 years to point out something that many of you may have not realized, and maybe get the ball rolling to see if manufacturers start addressing this: your dry eyes may be the product of bad mask design.

For many years I suffered from dry eye on and off, some years it got really bad, then I realized what was happening: the exhaust ports of the mask I was using were at eye level, and no matter how forward facing the stream of air was it ended up bouncing against the bed or pillow and desiccating my eyes for hours straight.

To test my hypothesis I plugged the exhaust ports with some epoxy resin and opened new ports on the bottom of the mask, the problem was solved, no more dry eye, no need for expensive eye drops anymore.

But now I have a new problem: my current provider only carries masks that have a ring shaped exhaust around the part where the tubing is attached to the mask, and so the dry eye is back, there's no way to fix this type of mask.

It seems like manufacturers and providers are not aware of this issue, perhaps if we start pointing it out they will improve their designs or provide some alternatives. In the mean time if you are a CPAP user with dry eyes and your mask has exhausts at eye level changing it might make a huge difference.

I asked for a new sleep study because I hate cpap and wanted to get a double jaw surgery to push my jaw forward. I’m 44 female 5’6 150 lb. I have a recessed jaw and a very high palate. My AHI in 2020 was at 21 an hour all obstructive, and my oxygen was dropping down to the mid 80’s. My new in lab sleep study I just had my AHI at 10 and my oxygen didn’t drop at all. I am no longer a candidate for surgery and the doctor told me if I wanted I could stop using the cpap and just see how I feel. He said I no longer carry the cardiovascular risks. I still snore so loud my throat hurts.

This machine use to work so well for me. The mask fit perfectly. Idk what happened but the past few months its been bipolar. Half the nights the mask pulsates and keep me awake. Half the nights it feels like its blowing too much air and blowing the mask away from my face. Then there are nights where it feels like its not blowing enough air to keep me breathing. The cushion will inflate like a balloon then collapse against my face before exhale which keeps me awake.

But then theres the random 50% of nights that it helps me sleep SO well.

i just dont get it. I know there will be nights that I still don't sleep well but 50% seeems too high. Ive been a cpap user for 10 years and am randomly having way too many issues and its destroying my life.

Follow up post to: https://www.reddit.com/r/CPAP/comments/1ri68xb/more_tired_when_using_cpap_than_not_low_ahi_doc/ after switching from CPAP to BiPAP

After getting into pulling my data into OSCAR it's apparent that I have mixed apneas. I was able to get my doc to switch me from CPAP to BiPAP to try to get some relief after my previous post.

Still feel awful, unfortunately, and I'm posting here to try to get some suggestions on what to do next. I have a follow-up for BiPAP switch in 2 weeks and anticipate making the case for ASV to try to treat the mixed apneas.

Let me know if anything stands out from this data..the first daily summary is from when I began BiPAP treatment and the second daily summary is from last night with my current settings. I've done tweaks here and there to the settings to try to get my AHI down but can't get below ~2.5. Even then, 2.5 is my BEST and I range between that and 4 AHI on my current settings. My guess is BiPAP isn't the right treatment for my presentation but I'm not a professional.

Current theory is that I have microarousals that are causing me to still feel exhausted even though I'm below the 5 AHI clinical threshold, but any other theories from the data would be appreciated!

Overall stats

First night on BiPAP, initial settings

Last night on BiPAP, current settings

I have mental health challenges which became more acute over the past 6 months or so. I developed extreme anxiety when it comes to sleep including using my CPAP. I have had my CPAP for years and have little problems using it. Now the thought of wearing my mask really freaks me out. I'm currently sleeping without my CPAP and it isn't good. I have severe sleep apnea . I have been prescribed multiple medications to help with anxiety and it doesn't seem to make a big difference. My CPAP is getting replaced but I have to wait for approval from my insurance. Anyone else suddenly develop extreme anxiety around their CPAP after using it for awhile?

Hey y'all

So I've used the Phillips Dreamwisp since it came out, and got the news in January that they discontinued it. Since then I've been in hell trying other masks with very little success.

So far here's where I am:

I hate the Redmed N20. The front hose attachment and frame take me back to what I hated about the OG Phillips Wisp and loved aboit Dream wisp. The cushion sizing is wierd to...I've ways been a large with Phillips masks but the large Resmed masks leak to much, but the mediums feel like they're rubbing on the edges of my nose annoyingly.

N30i: tiny bit of success. when I can get the cushion to seal and not leak (only the small wide will seal at all which again is weird sizing to me). but at times it leaks like an SOB. the original headgear was a no go,so I have the 'Phillips Drea.wesr arms' hack on there and it works OK, but still slips up the back of my head when I turn over so I wake up from leaks.

I have also tried the P30i cushions on the n30i frame..nasal pillows are a 100% NO GO. I cannot stand how it feels like it's pushing up on the cartilage of my nose because I have to get it that tight to stop leaks..just not comfortable at all.

My DME let me try the new F&P Nova Nasal, headgear is amazingly comfortable, but the clip system. hiding it together is stupid, there's no quick disconnect, it connects at the front which is annoying, the clip system to take the hose up top snags my hair painfully, and cushion sizing for F&P is worse than Resmed.. the medium rubs my nose on the sides, and the large leaks like a sieve unless I pull the straps so tight the hard plastic of the cushion is starting to apply pressure...

I've heard the F&P Brevida is a better and less invasive nasal pillow mask, but don't k ow that my current DME offers it...Tbh from what I've seen they mostly push Resmed...

suggestions welome!

I've been a CPAP/APAP user for more than 15 years. Husband and I travel a lot, and I have a small Devilbiss CPAP for travel and a regular ResMed Airsense 10 for home use. I use a nasal mask (not pillows). Hubby is also a CPAP user (full face mask).

I recently got the ResMed Air Mini. My husband has had one for about a year and loves it. I tried his AirMini for a few nights with a new mask/frame and a new hydration disc. It a little noisy but fine -- so I bought it. I've been using it at home to make sure it works correctly before I travel with it.

Here's the thing -- I've come to realize that the air noise is so loud compared to my other CPAP machines that it really does bother me! At first I thought something wasn't connected correctly but it is, including the hydration disc. I suppose I could get used to it after a while, or just wear ear plugs (which I sometimes need to do anyway on the road). But I was wondering whether anyone has come up with work-arounds for the AirMini's noise?

Been using a F20 however it always wakes me up 5-6 times a night because I get tickles around my nose, it requires me to take my mask off and scratch it. I don't have that issue with nose masks, nasal pillows or F40 so I guess it has to do with the nose area being covered.

I'm using it because my F40 caused a sore under the nose and I'm wearing the F20 to let it heal.

Anyone has an idea to solve it?