Introduction and a Couple Questions

Hi everyone. I've been lurking here for a few weeks, and figured I should go ahead and join up.

A little bit about myself...
I'm a 26 year old male from Milwaukee, WI with a full beard. I had my sleep study at The Sleep Wellness Institute, and I've been to the CPAP2GO store a few times. So, if anyone has any questions about those places, I can try and help. I had my first sleep study on February 21st and my titration study on March 14th.

Machines:
I picked up my Resmed Escape 2 on March 19th. After reading this forum, I immediately called back and requested the Elite 2, so that I could have data capability. CPAP2GO was very helpful and ordered me an Elite 2 right away. I picked that up and used it for the first time on March 31st. My machine is set on a straight CPAP pressure of 10 with a 3 exhale relief.

Masks:
I am a mouth breather, and originally chose a Mirage Quatro. The first day after use, I had some redness and tenderness on my face. The second day I had an open sore on the bridge of my nose. I immediately called back and they exchanged the Quatro for a Mirage Liberty. Again, very helpful. The Liberty worked for awhile, but I had a lot of trouble keeping the nasal pillows in place. I tried all three sizes at one point or another. I would go to bed with them sealed nicely, but they would come out in the middle of the night and be almost impossible to get back in place. So, I switched to the ComfortGel Full Face Mask. I've used that one night so far.

Compliance:
So far, I've worn my mask all night every night EXCEPT for last night (my first night on the ComfortGel). I don't remember removing the mask, but I woke up without it on. I did notice when I was getting ready for bed that it was a bit uncomfortable and I felt like I had to make it pretty tight to keep it from leaking. I checked my machine this morning, and it said it had 4.26 hours of usage.

One night results:
I've only had the Elite for one night, so this is the first time I've seen any results.
Usage: 4.26 hours
Leak: 0.66 L/s
AHI: 5.1
AI: 0
HI: 5.1

Questions:
-How are my numbers? What is a good leak rate for my mask and machine?
-What mask setting should I enter on my machine? My choices are: Standard, Mirage, Swift, Activa, Mir Full, Ultra. I'm not sure what type the ComfortGel corresponds to.
-Any suggestions on how to keep the ComfortGel Full Face Mask from leaking without strapping it down so hard?

Thanks to everyone for all the great information available here. I was pretty nervous when I started this whole process, but reading this forum has really helped.

Your numbers are very good. I think the leak rate may be a little high but I will leave that to the people who use Resmed machines to comment on. My experience is with Respironics.

You had no apneas (AI: 0) - Great! Your HI (Hypoapneas) 5.1 is a little high but you are still adjusting and Resmed machines are prone to report more HIs.

As for you mask, making a mask too tight can make it leak as much as, if not more than having it too loose.

I have not used that mask. I can't answer your question about what mask to enter in your machine( again- my lack of knowledge of Resmeds).

Others, with experience with Resmeds will be along to answer the questions that I can't answer but I hope I helped a little in answering some of your questions about the data.

Welcome and good luck!

Usage: 4.26 hours -- Of course we're shooting for all night. You'll get there.
Leak: 0.66 L/s - If this is accurate this is too high. Could be messing with what the rest of the numbers really are
AHI: 5.1 - see below
AI: 0 - Excellent!!!
HI: 5.1 -- Not a worry at all at this level.

I think you're off to a GREAT start here. Do what you can to convince your subconscious to get on board with this. One way to do that is to make real darn sure your conscious is committed to making this a go. Some say to learn to love your machine. I'm there...

Welcome to the forum! You want to select "Standard" for your mask setting. If you had something other than that selected it might explain your high leak rate. Standard is not an exact match for anything, so don't fret much if your leak rate isn't perfect. The Elite will adjust the displayed leak rate for your mask's designed leak rate. And with your other numbers looking good I wouldn't worry anyway. Sometimes wearing the mask loosely actually allows it to fill with air and provide a better seal. Too tight and you will get a sore across your nose. Also be sure to wash your face each night before bed, that helps improve your seal too. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the responses and encouragement.

I had the mask setting set on Standard for the first night and Mir Full last night, so I'm not sure how reliable these leak numbers are. I'll set it back to Standard from now on.

2nd night results:
Usage: 7.33 hrs
Leak: 0.28 L/s
AHI: 12.1
AI: 0.7
HI: 11.4

I definitely have a sore bridge of the nose today. I still got pretty bad leaks last night until I tightened the mask pretty tight. Will this get better with time (like developing a callus on the nose)? Or, is this a sign that the mask isn't the right size?

Thanks again.

You might want to try taping the bridge of your nose. I do that off and on and it really seems to help. I use a paper tape that comes off easily. I bend down both ends so it looks kind of like this...

............__________________
.........../.........................\
........../...........................\
........./_____________________\

(Ignore all the dots--I had to do that to make it work. Imagine the basic shape w/o the dots.)

Just make sure that the tape is smooth with no creases. I've also tried the RemZzzz product which is a soft cotton like fabric that is a barrier and helps reduce redness. Sometimes if the bridge of my nose feels tender I'll do both the tape and the RemZzzz.

Could be wrong size... could be misadjusted. Or it could be your nose just wasn't built for a mask. Mine apparently isn't.

Before I gave up on FF masks, I stuck a strip of moleskin on the mask skirt where it contacted my sore nose. It helped and usually lasted a week or so. DON'T stick it on your nose unless you WANT to open up the wound!!! That stuff is STICKY.

Thanks for the suggestions. I just picked up some moleskin and will give that a try tonight.