Leon S Loc: Minnesota

I am one of those people who use a sleep apnea machine. About two years ago, I got a new by-pap machine and couldn't keep the machine from causing air to blow past the mask. If you use one, you know what I'm talking about. I continually would ask medical providers to turn down the pressure so that I wouldn't be woke up several time throughout the night by my face getting slapped due to the mask vibrating on my face. Several times I had to get eye drops because of wind burns to my eyes. Still no help from the medical providers I saw. I eventually went to a newly recommended sleep specialist (Pulmonary Specialist). He prescribed a new self diagnostic c-pap machine to determine what setting would be appropriate. After about four weeks of usage, the morning came to see him again for his determination of new settings.
That same morning I woke up with significant blood coming out of my right ear, I latter learned that both ears had bleeding problems. The bleeding stopped so I decided to address the problem when I saw the pulmonary doctor that day. When the doctor saw me he immediately ordered the settings changed. The settings went from 16/12 cen. H2O of pressure to 13/9 13 cen. H2O. A considerable change. He also advised me to go to a urgent care center for diagnosis and treatment as to why my ears were bleeding.
I'm sure he knew the answer but wasn't sharing with me. At the urgent care center, I was diagnosed with Otic barotrauma. Which is a result of air being forced in through the skin in the inner ear and causing ruptures to occur. This hearing specialist stated it was not unusual for people using sleep apnea machines which were set too high. This can and often happens in the throat area too. Both can be very serious. I was given antibiotics and sent home and told to get my ears checked in two weeks. Although my hearing has been affected negatively, I am hoping it gets better in time.
Resetting the pressure on a sleep apnea (c-pap, or by-pap) machine is not so easy as turning a dial. They are coded to prevent patients from making these adjustment themselves. I now know, however, that the internet does have sites to tell you how to adjust the machine you are using. My new settings seem to be working well and I now am getting more undisturbed sleep and my ears have not shown any more sights of bleeding.
The purpose of my post is to warn others using sleep apnea machines of the dangers of too high of pressure on their machines. I hope post this might help others

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

As a bi-pap user, I appreciate the information. I am one of those who had to track down how to set my own machine because the initial settings were way too high. I was warned NOT to mess with it, but to call the office, and let them do it. But I must have done well ..... the last time they checked, my sleep apneas were down to something like 0.72, when anything below 7.0 is considered excellent (and yes, I was very careful to place my decimal points in the correct place).

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

That's interesting, mine is 5 and under. That was the magic number these doc's up here seem to think is the goal. Makes me think that a lot of this is hocus pocus. I also was told not to touch the machine, but when I asked them to turn it down, they wouldn't do it without another expensive sleep study. I didn't need a sleep study to know when air pressure was too high when the mask blows off my face. Hopefully others will also learn from this post. Thanks.

dljen Loc: Central PA

Thank you for posting this, not because I have this condition now but in the future, I hope to be of aid to any friends or relatives with it. I'm glad you're feeling better now and hope you get all of your hearing back. Again thank you for posting.

venturer9 Loc: Newton, Il.

Thanks for the info...I have used a cpap for about 10/12 years now and have never had any trouble that way.... I have very Oily skin which reacts on the "Silicone??" of the full nose/mouth mask which enables it to squeek and blubber (lol) around 4 hours after I go to sleep... I finally got tired of that and went to the Nasal Mask only... No problem and I have been using that for at least 5 years...

Mike

dragonswing Loc: Pa

Wow! I hope your hearing improves. The dr wanted me to have a sleep study done but I refused because I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep with the noise of the contraption. I can't even stand the noise of a fan or air filter.

Spindrift62 Loc: Dorset, England. U.K.

I'll lay odds that within two nights you won't know the machine is on and will be sleeping like a baby. Trouble is the machine becomes addictive and I for one can't sleep with out it.
Having just re read the above, what a stupid saying 'sleeping like a baby' is. They wake up at the slightest noise and certainly every couple of hours to be
fed and changed.

Ka2azman Loc: Tucson, Az

Thanks for the heads up on this problem!

Gen Mac Loc: San Antonio, TX

I have been using both C-Pap and Bi-Pap machines for over 25 years... Just last month I received my newest machine. I will NOT ACCEPT a machine from a therapist without instructions on how to adjust pressures... My suggestion to you, however, is try using "Nasal Pillows" instead of either a full face mask or nasal mask. They take a few nights to accomodate to. (You can use a bit of Vicks in your nostrils to lubricate for comfort), but you will soon get used the pillows and find that they do NOT LEAK like masks and are much more comfortable... A true blessing!!!

Gen Mac Loc: San Antonio, TX

I have been using both C-Pap and Bi-Pap machines for over 25 years... Just last month I received my newest machine. I will NOT ACCEPT a machine from a therapist without instructions on how to adjust pressures... My suggestion to you, however, is try using "Nasal Pillows" instead of either a full face mask or nasal mask. They take a few nights to accomodate to. (You can use a bit of Vicks in your nostrils to lubricate for comfort), but you will soon get used the pillows and find that they do NOT LEAK like masks and are much more comfortable... A true blessing!!!

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

I found a video on youtube that tells how to adjust my machine. Do a Google search for your model and I'm sure you'll find a video. Also, you should try nose pillows instead of a mask.

venturer9 Loc: Newton, Il.

SO very true Gen Mac..... I have only found one Full Face?? mask that gave me a good fit and it was a test mask from philip Co. that I liked real well, but when the test was over (6 months) I had to return the mask... I wrote a letter and told them that I wanted it back......they didn't answer..hahaha..

But, I have really had no problems with the Nasal Pillows other than it took about 3 or 4 days to quit being sore in the nostrils...but now no problems... and if they do get a little "Side Goggled" just a wiggle of the nose brings them right back into alignment..

Mike

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Machines have gotten much quieter in the last few years but not quiet enough for my wife. No matter how quiet they become, she will never think they are quiet enough. Her hearing is hyper and mine is minimal.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Your welcome. It surprised me also.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

I tried a nasal pillow type but couldn't use it because it dried my nose out too much with the pressure set at what it was. Now that the pressure is down at a reasonable level, they might work. I gave mine to a friend of mine. maybe I could get it back if he hasn't used it.