I just got mine a couple of weeks ago. Like Black, I have that P10 thing. It chafes my nostrils. I really have not noticed any improvement in my sleep (I never had any complaints in the first place) but my wife says I am not snoring at all now.

Turned my tube heat down to 74* from 82* I think.

Can’t seem to find the EPR setting.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Turned my tube heat down to 74* from 82* I think.

Can’t seem to find the EPR setting.

YouTube is actually a good resource for CPAP stuff:




Also, if you breathe through your mouth at all during sleep, even a little bit, a nasal mask is never going to work. You may need to try a full face. I used CPAP.com to try out several masks before settling on the AirFit F20, I just purchased out of pocket using my HSA:


ResMed AirFit F20

Black, I found the EPR setting but it only seems to be on or off. I think it may be where you have to contact the provider to adjust it where the exhale pressure is less. I will be checking tomorrow as this is my main complaint, the exhalation. It’s like I have to fight to exhale and that just winds me up and I take the friggin thing off and go to sleep.

Push both large touch screen buttons at the same time to get into the clinical menu. You'll find the EPR adjustment, and pressure settings in there. I'm happy to assist if you want help.

I've been using BiPap for 15 years now. BiPap has 2 pressure levels. One for inhale, one for exhale. I couldn't use a cpap, which only has one pressure. I was always fighting to exhale. You might insist on a BiPap. My results have been outstanding.

quote:

Originally posted by markand:
I've been using BiPap for 15 years now. BiPap has 2 pressure levels. One for inhale, one for exhale. I couldn't use a cpap, which only has one pressure. I was always fighting to exhale. You might insist on a BiPap. My results have been outstanding.

The new machines have EPR (every manufacture calls it something different, EPR is Resmed for expiratory pressure relief) which lowers the exhale pressure 1, 2, or 3 cwp from the inhale pressure. It makes it much easier to exhale.

I feel ya, had mine for abut 3 years now. It took several weeks to get fully accustomed , i DO NOT use the heater or any of that and use ZERO water in mine. the water was the worst. It just takes time, but i will say it has changed my life for real. A game changer

I’ll try the EPR again tonight.
Last night I fell asleep with much more ease than the prior two nights.
But I wake up about 2 hours in and feel like I have been punched in the nose.
I think the cushions are pushing to hard on the cartridge of my nose.
I loosened up the strap a little but am afraid if I go any looser I will lose my seal.
I don’t seem to have any issues breathing just from my nose but not sure the constant pressure on my nose cartilage will just become normal and not cause pain.
I have 30 days to try different masks so I was going to give this 2 weeks and if not better try another type.

quote:

Originally posted by golddot:
and use ZERO water in mine. the water was the worst.

Why? Were you using way too much humidity and getting condensation water in your mask?

Properly done, the humidity is great. Keeps you from having dried out sinus passages and a dry, raw throat. All that air being blown into you is dry dry dry usually

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
I’ll try the EPR again tonight.
Last night I fell asleep with much more ease than the prior two nights.
But I wake up about 2 hours in and feel like I have been punched in the nose.
I think the cushions are pushing to hard on the cartridge of my nose.
I loosened up the strap a little but am afraid if I go any looser I will lose my seal.

It’s a common beginners mistake to think you have to CRANK that mask down on your face super tight. A too tight mask causes pain and actually leaks more believe it or not.

Try adjusting the straps; nothing should be painful or uncomfortable here. They do make pads that go over the straps to help with pressure points.

Sounds like you are doing well. if you wear it for two hours great. It will eventually get easier and easier and you will sleep through the night and feel well rested.

I keep the humidifier on the lowest setting. And I know people who don't use the humidifier at all.

I'm sure your wife wont complain about the lack of snoring

yeah don't turn off the humidifier, you'll dry up everything, not good, just set it at 3 to 5 see what works, and fill it up every other day. Keep a gallon bottle of distilled water close by.

EPR was set to 3 dropped it down to 2.

It sure sucks when the power goes off!

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
EPR was set to 3 dropped it down to 2.

If you are feeling like you can’t exhale against the pressure, you want that EPR at its highest setting, in that case 3

I think it’s just a matter of getting used to it to be honest, once you give it a good week or two and let the machine determine what pressure is needed, you’ll be fine.

And there is nothing wrong with working your way up to six, seven, eight hours a night. A few hours each night is better than giving up early, just keep in mind that you have to do 4 hours per night for something like 20 days out of 30 for most health insurance plans “compliance”.

I opted to get off of that BS and I bought all my own gear and am not subject to some bean counter worrying about how many hours a night I use the dammed thing.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
EPR was set to 3 dropped it down to 2.

3 is the highest setting with the most exhale relief. 2 will make it harder to exhale than 3. I use 1 EPR but that's due to other issues I have.

So I got 3.5 hours with it last night. Seems pretty good for night 4.
Still awoke with that feeling I had been punched in the nose. I loosened the strap quite a bit. I might be able to just a touch more.

I still feel like I have to force myself to breathe both inhaling and exhaling for 10 minutes or so when I first put it on.

quote:

Originally posted by TBH:
It sure sucks when the power goes off!

I have been meaning to get a Jackery for other reasons but your comment adds a much more important reason.
https://www.jackery.com/pages/portable-power-stations

Well, with LBTRS’ help I adjusted my EPR to 1. I also switched to the nasal think without the pillows.

I got an ok nights sleep, 5 1/2 hours, felt like it was much easier to exhale. Now I read this mornings comments. I’ll put the EPR up to 3 and try that tonight.

I eliminated ramp up time completely and set the auto stop to on. It did not seem to auto stop this morning so I just hit the off button.

Appreciate all the operating tips.

I don't use the humidifier at all. I disconnected it completely from the cpap years ago and put it away. My sinuses are not dry in the Morning. YMMV but it is something to consider.

I switched from nasal pillows to a nasal mask. I like that it doesn’t sit directly on my nose.

I also changed my ramp uo from the 45 minute ramp up they had it set at down to 5 minutes. I like the reduced pressure while I am getting settled in to bed but I don't notice the cpap as much when it is running at fuul pressure so I fall asleep faster.