Does different mask affect AHI?

[edm_msu]

Previously, I was using the Swift FX nasal pillows. My typical AHI was 1 or less. Now I am using the Aloha nasal pillows. My typical AHI is 2 to 3. Do you think this is caused by the different mask or is this normal variation?

[growing]

The major variable would be the leak-level. I would into that. But, as is evident from my posts, my level of knowledge and experience on this subject has enormous scope to grow. In this Forum of nice people, I am growing.

[quietmorning]

Previously, I was using the Swift FX nasal pillows. My typical AHI was 1 or less. Now I am using the Aloha nasal pillows. My typical AHI is 2 to 3. Do you think this is caused by the different mask or is this normal variation?

I've never worn the Alahoa, but it seems to be a stiffer mask. Are the nasal pillows double layered like the swift fx? When I was using the Opus 360, a stiff mask, I was constantly battling leaks, so my ahi was higher.

From what the peeps at the sleep center have told me, the pressure is better with a nasal pillow mask than with a full face mask - so the difference in AHI will be higher with the full face if you've had the nasal pillows to compare, but from nasal pillow to nasal pillow? If there are no leaks, there shouldn't be that much difference - going by their reasoning (the full face has more space to fill with air than the nasal pillows do).

Do you have a program that shows leaks? You might want to check it, if you do. Do you feel air around mask when you put it on? Or can you hear it?

[edm_msu]

The charts are not in front of me now, so this is from memory. The leaks are about the same. They both have almost no leaks during the night, with short periods of leaks. I do not remember any correlation between leaks and events at the same time.

[quietmorning]

How long have you been using your new mask? Sometimes a change really shakes things up for a few days - and then everything settles back down.

[edm_msu]

Last night was my 10th night using the Aloha.

edm_msu wrote:
Previously, I was using the Swift FX nasal pillows. My typical AHI was 1 or less. Now I am using the Aloha nasal pillows. My typical AHI is 2 to 3. Do you think this is caused by the different mask or is this normal variation?

I've never worn the Alahoa, but it seems to be a stiffer mask. Are the nasal pillows double layered like the swift fx? When I was using the Opus 360, a stiff mask, I was constantly battling leaks, so my ahi was higher.

The Aloha does have stiffer "prongs". I would not consider them stiff though. The FX "prongs" are very flexible.

[quietmorning]

Last night was my 10th night using the Aloha.

edm_msu wrote:
Previously, I was using the Swift FX nasal pillows. My typical AHI was 1 or less. Now I am using the Aloha nasal pillows. My typical AHI is 2 to 3. Do you think this is caused by the different mask or is this normal variation?

I've never worn the Alahoa, but it seems to be a stiffer mask. Are the nasal pillows double layered like the swift fx? When I was using the Opus 360, a stiff mask, I was constantly battling leaks, so my ahi was higher.

The Aloha does have stiffer "prongs". I would not consider them stiff though. The FX "prongs" are very flexible.

Hmmm...yeah, you should have been long adjusted by now. I don't have any other thoughts. Weird. Hope you get it figured out.

[DreamStalker]

The thing to remember is that one night does not say much. We all have enough variability from night to night that such a comparison is meaningless.

If you want to find out if there really is a difference ... use one mask exclusively for a couple of weeks and average your AHI. Then use the other mask exclusively for a couple of weeks (without changing anything else) and average the AHI. Then you can do a meaningful comparison.

Edit: OK just noticed you have been using for several nights ... so maybe your question is answered.