CPAP Questions? We’re Ready to Help

February 7, 2008 in Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, CPAP, Sleep Apnea, Sleep disorders

Do you ever feel frustrated when you can’t get answers to your questions about continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) rapidly and in plain everyday language? If so, please feel free to contact our CPAP specialists via email at cpap@sleepwell.org.

And you can also join our online CPAP forum and join others in discussing your CPAP experiences. Just visit www.sleepwellandlive.com/forum.

We’ll be happy to help you find answers to your questions. The forum is available at all times … the email is checked daily Monday through Friday.

Cody Glorioso, PSG T, DME Director

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29 comments

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February 14, 2008 at 9:09 am

etta radford

i have sleeping with cpap for about one year. within the past few weeks i have been unable to sleep underthe mask. my nose gets a burning tingling,and i haveto remove it. i really need my cpap. ihave followed the care ofall parts. i sneeze and my nose runs constantly. do you think its related to the machine.or allergies?

February 14, 2008 at 3:13 pm

sleepwellandlive

Etta: Try turning the heat up on the humidifier. If you do and you get water in the tube, insulate the tube. You can make your own (a fleece liner) or buy one (snugglehose and ResMed’s TubingWrap).

Please visit http://www.sleepwellandlive.com/forum to view/post/learn about CPAP and related issues.

Cody

March 4, 2008 at 9:38 pm

Ray

I have been sleeping with a CPAP for about two weeks, the first two days were great but after that I find myself yanking the mask off every night. I only realize that the mask is off when I wake up in the morning. Any suggestions?

March 4, 2008 at 10:11 pm

sleepwellandlive

Thanks for your question, Ray. I suggest that you try adjusting your humdifier or call your CPAP company to see if a chin strap or a full face mask would help.

Cody

August 14, 2008 at 7:49 am

Georgia

Hello,
I have noticed the last few nights that I have been awakened because my cpap machine was spluttering and making terrible backfiring noises as well as water drops spraying from my hose. This has never happened before. I don’t have a heater on my cpap machine and my room is air-conditioned. Do you have any suggestions for me please? I am desperate as I cannot sleep without using my cpap machine–but now with all this spluttering–I can’t seem to sleep well with it either. Please help?

Georgia

August 14, 2008 at 4:18 pm

Cody Glorioso

Hello, Georgia:

I suggest that you try insulating your tubing. You can buy a tube cover (tube wrap, snuggle hose, tube buddy) or make your own. Simply buy fabric and sew it, or cut up an old sweatshirt and rubber band it around the tubing.

Cody

August 15, 2008 at 11:10 am

Georgia

Thank you Cody. I’ll try that and let you know the results.

August 19, 2008 at 11:52 am

Georgia

Cody,

Your suggestion to insulate my tubing worked like a charm! I made my own tube cover from an old sweatshirt that I cut to size then velcro-ed together.

Thank you for your help.

Georgia

August 19, 2008 at 1:26 pm

sleepwellandlive

Any time, Georgia. We’re happy to help!

Cody

September 8, 2008 at 8:56 am

phyllis

I have been on cpap for almost 2 weeks. I prefer my nasa mask and I am using a chin strap. I find that I am so anxious about whether there will be leaks or if I can sleep all night or if my position changes will cause leaks. Thus, I seem to be very tense in my neck and shoulders and that does not promote comfortable sleep…when I take the mask off, then I feel more comfortable and my neck strain melts away…help…

September 9, 2008 at 4:27 pm

robin

I am taking care of a patient that is allergic to silicone masks and seems to better with the fullface mask. Any suggestions on what is out there for her? I know the respironics has a profile lite that is polyurethane gel which is an option but not familiar with any other.
Thanks for your input!
Robin

September 12, 2008 at 2:01 pm

sleepwellandlive

Phyllis: Most machines now adjust for leaks. The only leaks you really need to avoid are around the eyes. You may also want to look into a pillow designed for CPAP that has grooves cut out so you can turn from side to side and the mask won’t hit the pillow and start leaking.

Cody

January 18, 2009 at 12:04 am

Dodi

I have a Resmed Tubing Wrap and I’m still having rainout. If I could solve this problem, I think I can finally get some sleep! I’m looking for opinions on whether it’s worth buying a Snuggle Hose Cover – might it provide better insulation than the Resmed tubing wrap that I’m already using? My room is about 67 degrees at night and I’ve tried various settings on my heated humidifier. Any other suggestions? I”m using a flexifit 406 mask, which I like better than the nose pillows, except for the dripping water on my face. Thank you!

January 22, 2009 at 10:25 pm

Tom

I need some help understanding what is being recommended. My nose runs constantly with clear fluid, I sneeze non-stop, my eyes water, and all of this started a couple months into using my CPAP. I don’t understand how increasing the temperature of the water or putting a wrap on the outside of the tube will change anything.

Thanks for educating me.

January 23, 2009 at 4:37 pm

sleepwellandlive

Tom: Turning the heat up will increase the humidity. The reason your nose is running and you are sneezing is because your nasal passage is getting dry. Contrary to what you might think, if your nose is dry, it runs more to try and moisten the nasal passages. The wrap is for if you turn the humidity up too far and you get water in the tubing. The wrap helps to insulate it, so you don’t get the water in the tubing.

I hope this helps!

Cody Glorioso
DME Director
The Sleep Wellness Institute

February 3, 2009 at 9:27 pm

Lindsey

I am just getting over a head cold and my nose is clear now and now my throut is getting really dry even befor i go to sleep and i start coffing with dry throut. i have had this cpap machine now for two years and this is the first problem i have had with it. i have the water with mine and i turn up the water and it still happens. can u please help me.

SLEEPLESS IN ARKANSAS

February 4, 2009 at 2:36 pm

sleepwellandlive

It is sometimes recommended that you do a thorough cleaning after a cold, or even replacing all supplies. You may also want to turn up the humidifier a little higher.

July 7, 2009 at 4:20 pm

Mike

I have been using a CPAP machine for the past 6 months and occasionally I wake up with a lot of gas in my stomach. I have stomach pains and when I burp I feel better. I think I have been swallowing a lot of air. Any suggestions that would prevent me from swallowing air? Thanks

July 8, 2009 at 5:02 pm

sleepwellandlive

Mike: You could try a full face mask, and maybe try sleeping on your side. But you should also speak with your sleep physician or CPAP provider and let them know about this problem.

August 9, 2009 at 2:23 am

linda

i dont have a commemt but i do have a question about my nasil cpap do they have any side effects on your health in any way?

August 10, 2009 at 4:31 pm

sleepwellandlive

Linda: CPAP side effects will vary depending on each individual person and his or her body and lifestyle. In general, the side effects are more related to sleep interruptions. If you have concerns specific to your health (i.e., lungs or heart), you should contact your physician. These, however, are not generally considered side effects of CPAP.

September 2, 2009 at 4:05 pm

sleepwellandlive

Only a CPAP professional should adjust the RAMP if your doctor recommends it.

The machine is made to keep you breathing, not function when you stop. It doesn’t sound defective. You won’t stop breathing while your CPAP machine is running because it will not permit that to happen. That is its purpose.

Hang in there, Bob. It can be frustrating at times, but definitely worth hanging in there.

November 10, 2009 at 5:27 pm

Ron

Occasionally while using my CPAP, I am awaken by the sound of the air pressure in my ear canals–sometimes changing my mouth position will “fix” the problem only to return…..any advice?

Thanks for your help!! 11.10.09

November 11, 2009 at 8:58 pm

sleepwellandlive

Ron: This could be as simple as a mask fit problem. By moving your mouth around, you may affect how mask sits on your face. I suggest you see your CPAP supplier and have them look over mask fit issues. If that doesn’t help, you might try seeing your prescribing physician and see if CPAP pressures can be lowered.

November 11, 2009 at 9:16 pm

Jean Jackson

My humidifyer does not get warm. I wake up in the morning with dry mouth and ice cold nose and face. Is it broken? I have it turned to
4 most nights. What am I doing wrong?

November 11, 2009 at 9:51 pm

sleepwellandlive

Jean: It sounds like the humidifier unit is broken. You should probably take it to your CPAP provider to have it looked at.

December 19, 2009 at 6:21 am

Georgia Sue