Hello, New User/First Post....Insights/Mask question

Hello, I am Todd, a new user. I was diagnosed with OSA in September after a sleep study that concluded an AHI of 114. I currently am using a Philips Respironics Dreamstation Bipap with humidifier, heated hose, and amara view full mask. My settings are I=14 and E=10. My AHI has dropped to average of about 8 most nights. I do feel better. Initially I was having some severe pain, right under the xyphoid process, or the base of the sternum right through my back between my shoulder blades. My pulmonologist/sleep doc said it may be aerophagia, but I am not too sure about that. The pain would start about four to five hours of use, a twitch would start at the base of the sternum then the pain like a bowie knife right through me. It would last about 30 minutes then stop altogether. I have had some good nights recently without this phenomenon, and thought I would share maybe why...I stopped taking a daily dose of Prilosec 40mg. Not sure if this is the reason why, but find it odd. I know Prilosec depletes Magnesium in the body and Magnesium is related to muscle function. Maybe this was causing a spasm? Not sure, like I said. I just hope that pain stays AWAY! Anyway, I just thought I would share that. I also had a question about the amara view mask, it seems to leak some air even if I tighten it down with the headgear straps. Should I try another mask, and how can I get a different kind? Is the Amara View a pretty reliable/popular mask? Also I still cannot tolerate but about 7 hours on the machine, is that normal? Thanks.

Here is a thread with some suggestions for fitting the Amara View mask to minimize leaking:

viewtopic/t115016/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1 ... w#p1112873

You will probably find others discussions if you search for "Amara View" in the search bar. And other users may chime in here...

I'm not a doctor, but have you been checked for gallstones? What you describe sounds like a gallbladder attack. They can do an ultrasound to determine that.

I know when I started my chest muscles were sore from breathing so deeply, tho it sounds like you had a diff problem, you were working those muscles.

toddrn2006 wrote:Should I try another mask, and how can I get a different kind?

You should have several masks until you find one that works for you, then stock up on that model as the mfg will just stop making it.

fwiw - most sleep center will do a "mask fitting" where you can try on several diff masks. They do this cuz it can be billed to your insurance - I think it is called either mask desensitization or cpap acclimation. But the point is you get to try on a mask in your sleeping position at your pressure. If you can't lay down or don't have a cpap at your pressure - leave and find another DME or sleep lab.

Some will give you the mask you tried to take home.

Where do you feel the mask is leaking? There are the normal vent holes that leak air that sometimes people think are bad leak.
All masks will leak air through some sort of vent holes. Is it possible that you are feeling the air venting from those holes?

Are the leaks waking you up or disturbing your sleep?

Are you using the software available to see what that AHI is made up of?
If so, what is the leak rate shown?