Sleep Apnea...

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Woogieman

The CPAP pressure makes it hard to exhale, which makes it feel like your being smothered and that is the #1 reason people don't remain on CPAP. BiPAP has a sensor that reduces pressure during exhale. More $, of course...

It might be the mask. I used to use a Swift FX NP, which had a vent in the front for exhaling. It had a high air flow so it was easy to breathe with but it also would blow air back in your face if on your side and the pillow wasn't adjusted just right. I woke up with some seriously chapped lips a few time before I figured out what was happening.

I have a new mask now (a P20, I think?) and it exhausts through a fine mesh in the front. That diffuses the air so it doesn't blow back at you but it also creates a lot more back pressure. It also clogs easily which can really hinder exhaling. I've had a few nights where I've had to scrub the screen with a toothbrush in the middle of the night because I could barely breathe through it.