Question

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
karessamom
Posts: 259
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Utah

Question

Post by karessamom » Sat Dec 20, 2014 7:59 am

I haven't been here in a while but i'm doing great. as a refresher and for those that don't know, my husband and I both have cpaps. After much convincing I finally got my husband to have another sleep study because he's been snoring a lot more and having other issues. Last night he had that study and although we won't get the results for a while, what we do know is that he's probably going to need a higher pressure setting than what he's been using--Autoset with 10-15 pressure. The problem is that with any of the masks they tried last night at the higher pressure settings (apparently she was talking 17 and above) the masks would leak like a sieve! Are they're any suggestions out there that we could possibly do?? or what works when you have pressures that high?? Would bipap work in this situation?? (of course that would have to come from dr. and results of the study) but just curious as to what people out there do that have to have really high pressures. Thanks

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: HumidAire H4i™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: back up mask--Ultra Mirage FF, Husband Resmed AUTOset8 w/H3i Heated Humidifier and ComfortGel FF mask

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Sheriff Buford
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Location: Kingwood, Texas

Re: Question

Post by Sheriff Buford » Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:11 am

Bipaps will "achieve" higher pressures, but will not make any difference in leakage. Only the mask will. The problem is that some people (with or without higher pressures) can successfully get certain masks to "not leak" at higher pressures. The problem is that you may use the same mask and get bunches of leaks. Our facial structures are different. I'm thinking that a "cushion-type" mask will conform to a particular facial structure and offer the best chance of getting a good seal.

Sorry I couldn't answer your question...

Sheriff

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Bill44133
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Location: North Royalton, OH

Re: Question

Post by Bill44133 » Sat Dec 20, 2014 9:06 am

I have high pressure settings of 23/19 on Bi-Pap. I use the Zzz-Mask Full Face CPAP Mask by Probasics. I like that it does not have the forehead support, and more then anything else I like the price. Compared the price to Resmed masks this mask is half price, and the replacement cushions are about half also. The mask works well for me, but every one is different.

Have you had your husband try the mask liners from like pad a cheeck or the remZZZ. Liners help with leaks.
There is a nice lady on this forum: Becky at RemZzzs who would probably send you a free samples of the liners they offer, just send her a private message.
I used the RemZZZ's and they make wearing the mask so much more comfortable.

I wish you well...

_________________
Machine: DreamStation BiPAP® Auto Machine
Mask: Zzz-Mask Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Settings are IPap 23 EPap 19

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Ogeo
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Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 5:12 pm
Location: Idaho

Re: Question

Post by Ogeo » Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:03 am

I started out with inhalation pressure starting at 21 and going up to 25 on the AutoSV. Finding a mask that wouldn't leak was the hardest part. I had no trouble getting use to the air at all. I tried 4 FFM and 4 pillow mask before settling on the AirFit P10. For me, it works like a dream at my pressure. I found that the FFM would raise off my face with loud farting noise keeping both me and my hubby awake all night. Either that or they leaked consistantly blowing air into my eyes. My backup is the Nuance Pro Pillow mask. I love the softness of it but I found that after 3 weeks of wearing it, one side did not fit as well and kept coming out of my nose. The Pilairo Q mask was great too and I would have kept that one but after a few weeks, the cushion kept popping out and would not stay in place. That might have been due to my high pressure but then I read that someone else had the same problem. Hope that gives you some ideas.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  Max PS - 11; Max EPAP - 18; min PS - 7; Min EPAP - 14; rate auto; rise x2; pressure averages between 21 and 24.9
Hubby's equipment: PR System One REMstar Auto A-Flex model 560P. Doctor's orders left it open 5-20. We changed it to 8-20 after a couple nights. Start Date was 1/30/15. Oh, mask is the new nasal pico.

Discovering the world one geocache at a time!

karessamom
Posts: 259
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Utah

Re: Question

Post by karessamom » Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:00 pm

Just to fill you in a little more--Right now he uses the REsmed comfort gel mask and has mostly used that mask for the entire 6 years that he's been dxed. (not the same mask just the same type and brand.) it seems to work the best for him however when the pressure gets above 13-15 it leaks up top to his eyes and wakes him up. They tried some other different masks last night don't know which ones but they all leaked above 17 and apparently he needed to be above that. It was an awful night for him because he hardly slept at all. I don't know when we'll get the results back and what they're going to recommend.

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: HumidAire H4i™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: back up mask--Ultra Mirage FF, Husband Resmed AUTOset8 w/H3i Heated Humidifier and ComfortGel FF mask

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Wulfman...
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Re: Question

Post by Wulfman... » Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:12 pm

When using auto or variable pressures, the mask (strap tension) needs to be adjusted to the maximum pressure it may encounter. If the mask is adjusted for a pressure of 10 cm.......and then gets to 15 cm........there's going to be some serious leaking.


Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

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Ogeo
Posts: 186
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Location: Idaho

Re: Question

Post by Ogeo » Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:08 pm

Wulfman... wrote:When using auto or variable pressures, the mask (strap tension) needs to be adjusted to the maximum pressure it may encounter. If the mask is adjusted for a pressure of 10 cm.......and then gets to 15 cm........there's going to be some serious leaking.
.
With my pressure, no amount of adjusting the strap would help. If you had it on tight enough to not leak at the upper pressure of 25, then it was so tight it would hurt and cause marks on my face. If I loosened it even a little, it leaked to high heaven. So I know what he is going through. That is why when I found that I could actually use a pillow mask with the high pressure, and even though some say they are only for 4-20 cm h2o, they worked much better for me than a FFM. There is so much less area that can leak as long as I keep my mouth closed. LOL.

Each person is different so keep trying different mask until you find the one that works for your pressure.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  Max PS - 11; Max EPAP - 18; min PS - 7; Min EPAP - 14; rate auto; rise x2; pressure averages between 21 and 24.9
Hubby's equipment: PR System One REMstar Auto A-Flex model 560P. Doctor's orders left it open 5-20. We changed it to 8-20 after a couple nights. Start Date was 1/30/15. Oh, mask is the new nasal pico.

Discovering the world one geocache at a time!

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M'ohms
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Location: Georgetown, Indiana

Re: Question

Post by M'ohms » Sun Dec 21, 2014 3:57 pm

If you otherwise like your mask, consider changing the headgear. With my pressures at 25 I have found this headgear to be a game changer:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/softca ... onics.html

The headgear that goes with my mask stretchs out too much when I tighten it up enough to overcome leaking at high pressures. This headgear holds the mask firmly in place, without over-tightening, for a much more comfortable and successful night. Now I can sleep through the air attacks...

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Supplemental oxygen at 2.5 lpm
AutoSV 960 with heated hose. Settings: EPAP Min-12, EPAP Max-17, PS Min-5.5, PS Max-13, Max Pressure-25, Rate-Auto, Rise Time 1. Use Sleepyhead and Encore Pro.

herefishy
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Re: Question

Post by herefishy » Sun Dec 21, 2014 4:15 pm

Seems like, long ago, someone suggested taking a strip of the silicone from the swimmers nose plugs and rolling it out till you could fit it around the places on your face where the leaks take place. Can't remember if that worked for me, but it's something cheap to try.

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Mask: Mirage Activa™ LT Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: pressure 10-12

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chunkyfrog
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Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: Question

Post by chunkyfrog » Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:00 pm

When I used the Respironics Comfortgel full face mask, sometimes I got a much better seal
with a thin stripe of Lansinoh all around the contact area of the "shield" part.
In the morning, I had really silky skin where the mask had touched.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

karessamom
Posts: 259
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Utah

Re: Question

Post by karessamom » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:08 pm

Update on husband. Dr just called today saying that his AHI with the CPAP is at 84. Wanted to get him a CPAP machine until he realized that WAS WITH the CPAP!! Now waiting for appt with ENT to see if somehow they can open him up so he can breathe!! He said he could try to raise pressures but didn't know if it would do any good until they could find out what the real underlying problem is.

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: HumidAire H4i™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: back up mask--Ultra Mirage FF, Husband Resmed AUTOset8 w/H3i Heated Humidifier and ComfortGel FF mask

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Wulfman...
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Re: Question

Post by Wulfman... » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:18 pm

karessamom wrote:Update on husband. Dr just called today saying that his AHI with the CPAP is at 84. Wanted to get him a CPAP machine until he realized that WAS WITH the CPAP!! Now waiting for appt with ENT to see if somehow they can open him up so he can breathe!! He said he could try to raise pressures but didn't know if it would do any good until they could find out what the real underlying problem is.
Don't know what you mean, but do NOT let them do a UPPP on him.
If he has enlarged turbinates or deviated septum that's one thing, but the UPPP is not something that will help.

One question though.......how would they think/know that his AHI was 84 WITH CPAP but then didn't know he was already using one?


Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

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Julie
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Re: Question

Post by Julie » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:20 pm

Just be very careful of the ENT wanting to certain surgical procedures as some are not only fairly extensive and traumatic, but in fact do not help OSA in that the results reverse themselves within a year so that Cpap is again needed, but the surgery, by changing anatomy, has made Cpap less effective in future. Check with us after he sees the doctor and let us know if surgery was suggested (some, i.e. nasal turbinate and other nasal ones are fine, not a problem).

DEN - Could they have meant the Cpap used during titration, not realizing he'd already been on a machine?

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Wulfman...
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Re: Question

Post by Wulfman... » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:28 pm

Julie wrote:Just be very careful of the ENT wanting to certain surgical procedures as some are not only fairly extensive and traumatic, but in fact do not help OSA in that the results reverse themselves within a year so that Cpap is again needed, but the surgery, by changing anatomy, has made Cpap less effective in future. Check with us after he sees the doctor and let us know if surgery was suggested (some, i.e. nasal turbinate and other nasal ones are fine, not a problem).

DEN - Could they have meant the Cpap used during titration, not realizing he'd already been on a machine?
Darned if I know. That's why I raised the question. Seemed contradictory to me. But, during a titration, they would/should have come up with a pressure setting that got the AHI (at least) below 5.0.


Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

karessamom
Posts: 259
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Utah

Re: Question

Post by karessamom » Tue Dec 30, 2014 7:30 am

He's been on CPAP for 6 years now already. We finally convinced him to go have another study because he was having so many issues. I think when the dr. read the results and saw the 84 he probably thought that was without the CPAP before my husband explained to him (or rather reminded him) that he was already on CPAP. (during the study they tried to re-titrate him to see what pressures would work and couldn't find a setting high enough because when they got the pressures over 17 the mask would leak and every other one they tried leaked also) I don't think you usually see those high numbers when you are using CPAP. Obviously something's up as to why he's getting such high AHI's USING cpap. and no he doesn't take the mask off! I don't know what if any surgery we're talking about. he's already had his terbinates and nose redone several years ago. He does have a history of Asthma and on Symbacort for that and still having some issues. it may be all part of the problem. be he really believes its congestion in his head and sinuses although he's had cat scans that don't show anything. He constantly takes Sudafed sometimes 2 12 hr capsules a day sometimes just 1 at night. he's also on symbacort and uses a rescue inhaler.

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: HumidAire H4i™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: back up mask--Ultra Mirage FF, Husband Resmed AUTOset8 w/H3i Heated Humidifier and ComfortGel FF mask