I am able to identify a difference in mental alertness

[College3girls]

I had posted a thread stating the importance of persistence in making CPAP work. I believe Robysue is looking at Mom's BIPAP data to determine if we can disregard "Mr Brown Frown", since Mom's AHI is at least sometimes good, and certainly consistently better than the 20-40 range she was getting.

Since going back to her BPAP over the past couple of weeks, after no use for at least 6 months, the entire family is noticing a vast improvement in Mom's ability to stay awake and function daily.

Last night she had a very bloody nose, about an hour before bed. We mutually decided she should not try to use her mask, and therefore, no therapy last night. The nose bleed, if it reoccurred would have been very difficult for Mom to deal with, if she had been using her mask. She has had to have her nose cauterized in the past, and if this type of nose bleed starts to be frequent again, that will be the next step. Hopefully it was just an isolated "bad" one.

This morning, Mom was definitely just not with it, or perky at all. This seems to confirm, that despite the machine registering a major leak problem, her therapy is at least effective enough to make a difference in her mental status and daytime fogginess. She should be able to use her BIPAP tonight, and I'll be there again in the morning to help her with her dressing and breakfast, so I'll be able to judge again any difference in alertness.

In the meantime, I have ordered her a new heated hose, to see if any leaks could be to her old, stretched, looking hose. Robysue, I will try to post Sleepyhead data if that helps you decipher the leaks vs AHI to determine how big a concern the leaks should be. When using her mask, Mom falls asleep quickly, stays asleep all night, and is very disappointed to see Mr Brown Frown, no matter what the AHI, in the morning. At least the leaks are not disrupting her sleep.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I had posted a thread stating the importance of persistence in making CPAP work. I believe Robysue is looking at Mom's BIPAP data to determine if we can disregard "Mr Brown Frown", since Mom's AHI is at least sometimes good, and certainly consistently better than the 20-40 range she was getting.

Since going back to her BPAP over the past couple of weeks, after no use for at least 6 months, the entire family is noticing a vast improvement in Mom's ability to stay awake and function daily.

Last night she had a very bloody nose, about an hour before bed. We mutually decided she should not try to use her mask, and therefore, no therapy last night. The nose bleed, if it reoccurred would have been very difficult for Mom to deal with, if she had been using her mask. She has had to have her nose cauterized in the past, and if this type of nose bleed starts to be frequent again, that will be the next step. Hopefully it was just an isolated "bad" one.

This morning, Mom was definitely just not with it, or perky at all. This seems to confirm, that despite the machine registering a major leak problem, her therapy is at least effective enough to make a difference in her mental status and daytime fogginess. She should be able to use her BIPAP tonight, and I'll be there again in the morning to help her with her dressing and breakfast, so I'll be able to judge again any difference in alertness.

In the meantime, I have ordered her a new heated hose, to see if any leaks could be to her old, stretched, looking hose. Robysue, I will try to post Sleepyhead data if that helps you decipher the leaks vs AHI to determine how big a concern the leaks should be. When using her mask, Mom falls asleep quickly, stays asleep all night, and is very disappointed to see Mr Brown Frown, no matter what the AHI, in the morning. At least the leaks are not disrupting her sleep.

I'm not familiar with your backstory, but until Robysue gets here, is a full face mask out of the question for your mother? My case is unusual but I got a lot of nasal problems with nasal pillows, so that's why I'm asking.

[chunkyfrog]

I agree that nasal pillows can be somewhat irritating to tender nose tissues.
I have awakened several times with minor pain where my P10 pillow touches.
Luckily, it has gone away within a few minutes, but I can imagine delicate skin in that predicament.
Softening a tiny bit of Lansinoh, then smoothing it on the tender area might help.
A cold tea bag compress may also help.

[College3girls]

Mom is trying an Amaraha View FF mask. It would be impossible for her to use a nasal pillow of any type. She did try a nasal mask one night, with a chin strap, but wasn't able to use it. She still opened her mouth, and the resulting rush of air woke her. She didn't like the sensation of the air either. She is extremely claustrophobic, so taping her mouth closed is not a possibility either. Given her claustrophobia, I'm amazed she tolerates a full face mask.

The nose bleed Tuesday night had nothing to do with her BIPAP, but it happened so close to her bedtime, she and I decided it better to not mask up. She has problems with dexterity, and the View is a little difficult for her to clip on and off. She would have panicked if she got another bloody nose with the mask on.
She has not been able to control leaks or get a decent AHI with:
Airfitf10
Simplus
quattro air
Quattro FX
AirfitN10
and others that I can't remember the names.

All of the above, with the exception of the nasal mask, have been tried in multiple sizes, and with mask liners as well.

Since she is still getting Mr. Brown Frown, I'm not sure the Amahara View is going to work either, but it is the one that has been giving the lowest AHI. The problem being the AHI may not be as good as it appears to be, because of the leaks.

All we know at the moment is she goes to sleep with the mask on, wakes with the mask on, and would swear she had no leaks. Other masks she has been aware of her mouth dropping out of the mask (simplus), so I don't think this is happening with the view.

I have thought of attempting to pull an "all nighter", and try to video/watch/listen in on what is happening during the night, but I would have a 40 mile drive on no sleep, and my second job keeping me up to 9pm. Not an appealing scenario.

If anyone has another mask suggestion to try, as long as it is a FF, let me know. I'm still hoping the View works out.