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Cpap and getting better sleep: What's your experience?

Sleep Health | Last Active: Sep 15, 2022 | Replies (356)
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@cece55

Hi, it's the newbie here adjusting. I have a question that I hope someone can answer. I keep switching back and forth from small to medium on my nasal pillows using Swift FX for Her. I am now using my small size again because I kept adjusting the medium until I could find that "sweet spot" which felt the most comfortable. When I use the small, I just adjust occasionally so I feel that is probably telling me small is my size. Two things are happening. First, when I awake in the morning, I feel like the machine is not on. I am breathing normally, as if I am not connected to anything and not having to have the same breathing pattern I use when I first put it on at night. I am not pushing air out and am taking regular, even somewhat limited air in. Then I open my mouth and air escapes and I realize it is on. Am I losing my mind or just adjusting? Has this happened to anyone else?

Secondly, when I get up in the morning the hose is pulling the nasal pillows out of my nose when I stand up, almost like the straps have stretched. Because I am not actually using the CPAP, I am not concerned but wondering if the straps are just dislocated or actually stretch during the night. Has anyone experienced this?

Thank you for answers...just trying to understand. CeCe55

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Replies to "Hi, it's the newbie here adjusting. I have a question that I hope someone can answer...."
jjspokane61 | @jjspokane61 | Jan 15, 2019

Hello @cece55

I'm pretty new at this too... about a month+ in. I started out with a full face mask (pillows under nose but also covered my mouth). That worked 'pretty well' but I decided to switch to the pillow style where the mouth isn't covered. I too experience what you are talking about when you open your mouth the air rushes out... very strange sensation... basically your mouth has become part of the whole pressurized system... so opening your mouth becomes a 'leak'.

I like the nasal pillows much more than the full face. Do you use the type that has the tubes that insert into your nose a bit? I haven't tried those - but I'm thinking about it. I really like the Respironics brand of masks because they allow you to switch out the mask type while keeping all the same head gear (almost all the same)... maybe other brands do that too, but it seems great for new users because you can easily try the other types of masks and find what works best for you. Also... the swivel on the top of the head works great - I have no troubles with the hose at all.

I'm a little confused about the nasal pillows pulling out when you stand up... I always take the mask off while I'm still in the bed. Not sure why you would standup while still connected? As long as the pillow isn't pulled off while your in bed I wouldn't worry about it. I do find that during the night I sometimes adjust the straps... usually just by pulling is down in the back which tightens things back up... I don't adjust the velcro - just pull the strap back down into position. I did find that my hair was making me crazy with all the straps etc. Finally decided to just pull into a short little pony tail - keeps most of it up out of the way and keeping straps tight seems to be working better!!

Hope that helps... JJ

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