Unusual Problem - Anyone else have this?

[richardg1978]

Hello, I am checking to see if anyone has recently run into this problem:

I have a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset, with heated tubing, and the Dreamweaver Anew soft mask. I've been using this exact setup with no deviation for a long time. Last Sunday (9/24/17), when I awoke I had the "frowny face" for mask seal, which never happens. I checked the MyAir app and it said I had a huge leak. This continued all week, despite my mask feeling normal, and I can promise you, it's not leaking. Like I said, I've been using CPAP a long time and know when somethings wrong. The machine actually thinks its leaking so bad during the night, that it will turn off. Using Smartstart, it turns back on again after a few breaths, but still. I assumed the machine was malfunctioning, so took it in and they replaced the machine with a new one. Same issue happened again. So, I know it's not the machine. I tested the tubing for leaks by running a mask fit test and placing my hand over the end of the tubing and it worked normally. I then ran a mask fit test using the actual mask and despite the mask not leaking, it says it is.

My only thought is that Resmed did a software update recently that somehow makes the Dreamweaver Anew mask not compliant with the Airsense 10. Has anyone else had this issue this week?

Thank you.

[knothead]

Never had this problem Richard. Is it possible that your water chamber seals may be leaking? check the o-rings where the tub stabs into and the seal around the tub. Kind of a troubleshooting type thing, U could always try another mask also. Or do as I do, I put a hanky over my machine so the light doesn't bother the other half, that way I never see a smiley or frown face...
Oh, I also use the same machine as u but use a resmed full face mask, no problems.

[WRX03]

If it's not a hose/mask/water chamber leak; the seals between the water chamber and CPAP can be leaking. People who use non-distilled water these seals can get brittle fast. Also if the sensors are out of calibration or damaged can cause this issue too.

[richardg1978]

Never had this problem Richard. Is it possible that your water chamber seals may be leaking? check the o-rings where the tub stabs into and the seal around the tub. Kind of a troubleshooting type thing, U could always try another mask also. Or do as I do, I put a hanky over my machine so the light doesn't bother the other half, that way I never see a smiley or frown face...
Oh, I also use the same machine as u but use a resmed full face mask, no problems.

I thought it could be the water seals as well, but the new machine came with a new water chamber, so that eliminated it as a suspect. I wouldn't even worry about it, except for the machine turning itself off in the middle of the night.

I spoke with both ResMed and the company that makes the Sleepweaver masks. ResMed was no help, essentially blaming the tubing/mask. The mask company was very concerned though, and are sending me a new mask, free of charge. I also got a slim line tubing to try and see if that fixes it. Process of elimination piece by piece at this point.

[WRX03]

It could have an internal leak but I doubt it. I had one once but it was dropped. What I would do is go visit your RT/DME with you full setup and have them help you find the leak. They can grab another CPAP, swab out parts, to troubleshoot the problem. Don't forget to take your full setup.

[ChicagoGranny]

the "frowny face" for mask seal, which never happens. I checked the MyAir app and it said I had a huge leak.

The machine display and the MyAir app only give minimal, basic leak information. To really understand what is going on with leak, Sleepyhead is the most popular tool used by the regulars here.

https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead
https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize
https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

[Pugsy]

Mr Frowny face for the overnight leak results means that for 30% or more of the night the leak was over 24 L/min.
It takes a lot of prolonged leak to get Mr Frowny to show up.

More importantly is the fact the Mr Frowny shows up even when doing the mask fit check and he won't go away.
If you can't start the night with an acceptable mask fit....the entire night's leak is going to be bad.
There's a bad leak in the circuit somewhere.

I am assuming that facial hair isn't involved????

If a new mask doesn't resolve the issue then you need to take the machine and your setup to your DME and start troubleshooting various combinations of equipment in an effort to isolate where the leak in the circuit is.
Even try a different mask just to make sure that it isn't a problem specific to the cloth mask.

[Duck]

It sounds like the flapper on the emergency port is wide open.