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Using CPAP machine hurts... Can anyone help?

I am a 32 year old male diagnosed with sleep apnea, so I was given an auto-pressure CPAP machine.  Just as soon as I started using the machine it felt like I was struggling to exhale.  The sleep company representitive said that the machine starts out using the lowest possible pressure, so I shouldn't be having a problem.

I tried to use the machine for a couple of hours and I had the sensation that I had to take off the machine and struggle for breath, as I can't seem to exhale.  I took the machine off and went to sleep, but it was difficult because I felt that my chest hurt after struggling to exhale against the CPAPs pressure.  I also have asthma, but I have been taking my medication, and my problem seemed to only occur after using the CPAP, not before.

Has anyone ever heard of this?  I am very dissapointed and scared, as I thought a CPAP machine would finally start to lessen some of the serious health problems I have been having, and my only diagnosis after a large number of tests is sleep apnea.
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Avatar universal
You said you were "diagnosed" with sleep apnea. Did you do a follow-up sleep test (polysomnography with titration)? Or, did they actually put a CPAP mask on you during your test(s) at the laboratory? If not, you may need to see your sleep physician again and have a PSGT (Polysomnography with titration). If your problem is not "simple" obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP/BiPAP/AutoPAP, etc. may not meet your needs. There are "rare" times that the application of positive pressure (PAP) can cause you to actually stop breathing without obstruction. The AutoPAP cannot address this type problem - if you had a PSGT, then see your doctor about Bilevel therapy - if not - be sure to follow with your physician to have another observed test - you could have a form of complex sleep apnea that needs further diagnosis and different treatment.
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Avatar universal
You didn't say if your machine also had EPR (Exhale Pressure Relief).  I believe most Auto-Cpaps have some version of this.

I have had my M-Series Auto w/A-Flex for almost a year and still rely on the A-Flex (this machines version of EPR).
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Certain CPAP machines have setting the lower the pressure automatically during exhalation. Talk to your sleep doctor or DME vendor and they should be able to help you with these issues.
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