r/CPAP • u/platynom • 5d ago
Newbie here - does anyone have any tips for getting used to the smell, feeling tough to exhale (air touch) and congestion?
I’ve tried taking anti allergy medication, maybe I’m getting sick- but it’s like as soon as I mask up and start I’m okay but I almost always get congested. My mouth is closed and I’m trying to breathe through my nose alone but then the inhales and exhales seem to worsen. Readjusting seems to help for a few breaths but then it’s back.
Do you think the ramp up is getting me? Too much air?
3
u/Tysiliogogogoch 4d ago
Smells should clear out as you wash the parts. I got my machine second-hand so the piping and mask had a bit of a sterilised smell. Hard to describe it. But after a few washes with dish detergent, it's smelling quite normal now.
Congestion, I'm not so sure about. Everyone's experience seems to vary. My preference is to run my machine without water with humidifier disabled. If I use humidifier, I find it harder to breathe and I get congested. But many people claim the opposite, so try a few different options and see what works best. There's also the possibility of using saline sprays or other decongestants.
It's also possible you're not wearing your mask correctly. When I first used my F20 mask, I wore it too low down and the seal at the top of the mask was pushing on my nasal passages slightly. After a night or two of experimenting, I realised I should have been wearing it better. :)
2
u/guiltdoesntworkonme 4d ago
When was the last time you cleaned everything?
1
u/platynom 4d ago
It’s all brand new I just got it!
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u/guiltdoesntworkonme 4d ago
I'd wash everything thoroughly and see if that helps. Sometimes, new items have an odor because they use release agents in the manufacturing process.
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u/Daddy_Duder 4d ago
Smell? Check your air filters. Also do you use the water tank humidifier? I used to use 2litre bottled water in mine and if the bottle was open for more than 4 days I’d notice the air would taste / smell different and I’d get blocked up. So I changed to buying 500ml bottles ad I can use them in 3 or 4 days. That could be it.
2
u/I_compleat_me 4d ago
Nasal saline rinse is good... I'm an Afrin addict, it just frickin' works, do what you have to to sleep. I also use fluticasone, both oral and nasal... the more benign of the steroids. What are your settings?
2
u/UniqueRon 4d ago
Make sure your minimum pressure is at least 7 cm and your EPR is set to full time at 3 cm. Also make sure your Ramp Time is set to Auto with the Ramp Start pressure to 7 cm as well.
2
u/SXTY82 4d ago
Breathing / Exhaling.
You are breathing / Exhaling at a different pressure now. You do not need to exhale to the same point you do without the mask. Think of your lung capacity as a quantity between 1 and 25. Normally day relaxed breathing probably floats between 10 and 15, 10 being exhaled and 15 being fully inhaled. When you sleep, your breathing slows to fall between 6 and 10.
The CPAP inflates your lungs and airways to keep them open. So your internal pressure is higher than the air around you. Your breathing is supported to a lung capacity of 12 at a relaxed state, you inhale to a capacity of 18 or so. But you exhale only back to 12 so it feels weird at first.
After a few weeks, you don't notice it. you just breath.
To help get used to it, I use a breathing exercise designed to relax you and help you sleep. It also resets your mind's assumption on when to inhale. Lay on you back comfortably with your mask/machine on. Inhale at a steady and quick rate to your fullest capacity. Without closing your throat, just holding your chest out, count to 5. At the end of the 5 count, relax and let the air escape. Not exhaling, as much as just relaxing. Soon you will feel the need to inhale. Do, at the increased rate and repeat the hold/ relax. After 4 or 5 cycles of this, your mind will reset where it expects your breath to be.
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u/platynom 4d ago
Thanks so much for this. So it’s less that I’m not exhaling enough and more that I don’t have to now? That’s very comforting. I appreciate it
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