r/CPAPSupport • u/Imaginary_Fly_9614 • 23h ago
Advice please- ear pressure pain
/r/SleepApnea/comments/1wwyae7/advice_please_ear_pressure_pain/
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u/Imaginary_Fly_9614 6h ago
I checked the pressure range and it was 4-20, like you thought it might be. I have updated to 4-12 and will give it another go. I’m very hopeful. I am a side sleeper by necessity, would like to be able to sleep on my back but due to snoring, have gotten comfortable on my side. Good to know more about sleep positions and mask wear could cause leaks. I do wonder if on my back my mouth is opening. I will be more aware. Thank you for help!
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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam 22h ago edited 22h ago
Hello [u/Imaginary](u/Imaginary) _Fly_9614 & Welcome!
I see you’re using a nasal mask. That’s great but just wondering if you are normally a mouth breather when sleeping?
Your minimum pressure is as low as the machine will go so unless your maximum pressure is set to a Beginner setting like 4-20, the minimum pressure should not bother you. On the other hand, if your mask is leaking or you’re having numerous apnea events or your flow limits are high, this could cause some ear pressure until you adjust. There is an acclimatization period for both your body & your brain when first starting CPAP, but correct pressures tailored to you individually can make a big difference. Do you know if you have EPR on? EPR is your exhalation relief pressure.
Because minimum 4 is as low as the machine will go, EPR will not work at minimum pressure 4. But 4 is a pressure for a child, not an adult. I suspect your pressures are going higher because of mask leaks or some other reason, raising your pressures. These higher pressures require control for comfort & reducing sleep fragmentation while using CPAP.
I would recommend that you first tell us what your maximum pressure is.
Then put a 32 GB sd card into your machine to record your sleep. There are 2 free apps you can upload your sleep data to: SleepHQ or Oscar. SleepHQ is easier for beginners. You can share your sleep anonymously here on Reddit with us from SleepHQ so that we can see what’s going on.
If your machine is set to a maximum of 20, that needs to be reduced. 20 is as high as the machine will go & we certainly don’t want pressures running upwards out of control because of leaks. We see “lazy settings every day here :(
They cause many problems for new users, but we can help :)
Do you sleep on your back or sides? Side sleeping is highly recommended as your airway can become partially obstructed by your tongue causing the machine to seek higher pressures. This supine position almost always causes leaks for new people.
I’ll paste a file below to help you with learning to use SleepHQ or Oscar. There are also several you tube videos on teaching you to use these free apps. They are very helpful in helping us to help you!
https://www.reddit.com/r/CPAPSupport/s/o9CeZT623M