Does This Make Sense To You ??

[Slinky]

Last night:

With the Quattro I get a lower leak rate and HIGHER apnea and hypopneas.

With the Simplicity I get a somewhat higher leak rate but lower apneas and hypopneas.

For instance:

4 hours w/the Simplicity, all hypopneas under 30 seconds and 2 apneas under 30 seconds.

3 1/2 hours w/the Quattro, all hypopneas just over 30 seconds and 12 apneas under or just above 30 seconds.

Pressure the same at 8 cms; no ramp, no EPR. Keep in mind I'm having some lung congestion. The Quattro use was the first half of the night and the Simplicity use the second half of the night.

Sunday night with just the Simplicity (and the lung congestion) for 5 1/2 hours, all hypopneas 15 seconds or under and 4 apneas under 15 seconds.

Saturday night with just the Quattro (and lung congestion) for 3 1/2 hours, all hypopneas at or under 15 seconds, but 7 apneas under 30 seconds and the 8th apnea 45 seconds when I woke up feeling like I was being suffocated.

Interesting too that I noticed my mouth would fill w/air with the Quattro and I'd have to let the air escape thru my lips. I wouldn't have expected THAT w/a full face mask!!

[DreamStalker]

First of all, spending a few hours on each is not a valid method for comaprison ... complicate that with congestion and you have a recipie for spurious observations.

I would just use which ever mask you are able to tolerate best to get over your congestion and then do a long term trial of each mask at a later date to make a valid comparison.

Good luck with your congestion.

[Slinky]

Thanks, DreamStalker. At this point I'm still not able to use the Quattro a full 6-8 hours a night. I haven't quite mastered the weight and the bridge of the nose thingie. I will tho, given time.

One of my mistakes was not trying the Quattro EVERY night when I first got it. I'm starting to do that now. I figure I just have to keep using it as long as I can each night until I can make it thru the full night w/it. I've managed to find the "fit" or adjustment so that it doesn't make my nose sore or produce a bruised feeling. I'm beginning to think its just a matter of ANYTHING at the bridge of my nose is going to cause some discomfort.

I think that is why I do so well w/the Simplicity because the simple cushion fits lower than the bridge of my nose. That was what I liked about the simple cushion on the CL2 as well. I just find the direct air pressure from nasal pillows not so comfortable altho I used the CL2 nasal pillows for quite some time before switching to its simple nasal cushion. Once I used the CL2's nasal cushion I knew that nasal pillows just were NOT for me.

[MikeRobert]

Slinky,
I think the ultimate comparison/ result is how you feel the next morning. I have been shuffling between 4 different masks over the last 11 months. My numbers seem to be all over the place. With a Hybrid, I had alot of hypopneas and more apneas, than I have currently been having using a Resmed Activa, and mouth tape. But I don't nessesarily feel any better on any consistent basis. I can go 5 nights or so doing ok, using any particular mask, then for no reason, its like I have never had it on before. Feels foreign, and I have a bad time, so I switch to something else.
Good luck, hope your congestion clears up.

[Guest]

If a higher leak rate means lower AHI, doesn't that mean you should learn to love the higher leak rate?

Or am I missing something?
Babs