switching from FFM to Nasal Mask, does it require less pressure?

[ChicagoGranny]

I very MUCH prefer the nasal pillow over the FFM's.

It shouldn't be a matter of preference. It should be a matter of effectiveness and restful sleep.

[David R]

I was just browsing sources for used equipment. I don't know why the ResMed Elite is so expensive if it has no advanced features.

There's a website called sleepapnea.org which will give you a donated unit without a humidifier for a donation to their site of at least $100. That will work, I can afford that but 1. You don't know what you will get and 2. They don't mention how they disinfect the units. Also, I guess you could get something that is at the end of its life cycle. But if it works for a year it's worth it to me.

[Pugsy]

The equipment menu in your profile used to have the S9 Elite.
I didn't realize that it was now off the list also. The equipment list is tied to products that cpap.com (who host this forum) sells. It used to include past products even if discontinued but apparently not the case now. Not sure why but they still have a few S9 AutoSets offered but no S9 Elite models which is probably why the S9 AutoSet is still on the menu as a choice. Once those are sold out then the S9 AutoSet will be off the choices.
Looks like once a product moves to "reference only" then it moves off the equipment menu as a choice.

About all we can do is suggest adding the machine to the comments section.

Oh....to answer your question about pressure needs when changing mask types....yes, sometimes less pressure is needed when using a nasal mask over a full face mask.
This applies to some people and not all people but enough people that we consider it fairly common. I think it is because of how full face masks and that lower strap sometimes will alter the chin and jaw position just a little so that the airway closes up and little more and thus causes a need for more pressure. I know lots of people who need 2 to 3 cm more pressure with a full face mask than with a nasal mask.

It's not the end of the world that you don't have an AutoSet. You may or may not have varying pressure needs and you may or may not even like varying pressure needs.
Watch the forum...often members will have some good deals to offer on gently used machines and sometimes apaps are among them.

[ChicagoGranny]

But if it works for a year it's worth it to me.

I wouldn't get ahead of things. Check your AHI on the display daily. I would turn the pressure down to 8.0. You might get good results.

Do you know how to check the display for a One Day (Last Night) report?

[David R]

I don't know how to check the display for anything. I didn't even know you could get a nightly report. All I know how to do is change the pressure and change the humidity level/temp.

And regarding changing the humidity level, many nights my reservoir runs dry then the hot metallic smelling air from running through an empty reservoir wakes me up. I haven't yet figured out a temp setting that will let the water evaporate slower.

[ChicagoGranny]

And regarding changing the humidity level, many nights my reservoir runs dry then the hot metallic smelling air from running through an empty reservoir wakes me up. I haven't yet figured out a temp setting that will let the water evaporate slower.

If your nose isn't getting dry, turn the humidifier down. It's best to use the lowest setting that prevents nasal dryness.

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I don't know how to check the display for anything.

Instructions are here - https://www.apneaboard.com/resmed-s9-cpap-setup

It's good to check the AHI and mask leak every day. Set the period to Last Night.

[David R]

thanks for the info on how to adjust pressure and see daily reports on sleep quality.

Last night I lowered pressure to 8, did a mask fit for the nasal mask, and tried to sleep but I just found the nasal mask (wisp) to be too uncomfortable. Then I switched to pressure back and wore the FFM which is ripped at the bottom so I can't get a good seal. Ended up with AHI of 3.0 and it said bad mask fit. I'm going to try and get a new mask asap and keep playing with the nasal mask to see if I can make it work.

[Pugsy]

Do you have insurance for your cpap supplies or are you self pay?

If your cushion is torn and have insurance...insurance will allow a new cushion for the full face mask once per month.
If you don't have insurance and have to pay for a new cushion yourself....Amazon or Ebay is often a good fairly cheap source.

[David R]

I have insurance but since I just ordered the nasal mask, I wasn't eligible for another mask yet. However, I called them to see if I could just buy the lining since my old one ripped and the nasal mask wasn't working for me. They told me that they could do a one-time free mask replacement and send a new one out at no charge. So I'm quite pleased. My initial goal of the nasal mask was a less bulky possibly more comfortable mask (though I'm not claustrophobic and I don't have a problem with the Quattro FFM) and most importantly to see if I could get better airflow through my narrow nasal passageways.

With insurance, masks are not free, but they're not exorbitantly expensive. I'm going to try out some different masks moth to month as I get the allowance for a different mask. Maybe one new style every couple of months and a new Quattro every other month. At least, that's the current plan.

[D.H.]

Ideally, if you had an automatic, you could set the min pressure lower and the max pressure to your existing setting or higher.

Since you don't, you'll need to experiment.

[nanwilson]

My backup machine is a "brick" set at a fixed rate of 11, my primary is an auto, so I set it at 10 to 15 and use a nasal pillow mask 99% of the time and a full face when I have a cold or travel. That way I don't have to be bothered changing pressure or mask each time no matter which machine I'm using. Why don't you do the same thing, keep your fixed machine and full face mask for travel or when needed and use your new auto for regular use.
Welcome to the forum.

Cheers
Nan