snoring in my mask -- newbie question

[Lilmstrdseed]

I've only been using a cpap machine for a month and it's going pretty good. But last night my husband woke me and told me I was snoring. I mainly wear a nasal mask with a chin strap and find myself waking up either snoring or something wakes me and I find my mouth open. Last night I wore a full face mask. I didn't hear any beeping and didn't feel any leaks. So I don't understand why I was snoring. Doesn't the pressure work for both the nasal and full face mask to keep me quiet?

As you can see, I don't have a fully data capable machine -- yet! But that's another post. So I have no idea if I'm having apneas. Is this a mask problem or a pressure problem? I did lose some weight since I had the titration. I see the doctor for the first time next week. But still I'm wondering if snoring is normal wearing either a full face mask or nasal.

[SharkBait]

When I wear the FlexiFit HC-432 or the Mirage LIberty I definitely snore and my AHI's climb. When I wear the Swift LT with a chin strap (and was taping...), I register around 1 snores per hour.

[GumbyCT]

Generally speaking, snoring while on the hose indicates your pressure is too low. Make notes to ask your doc about it.

[sam1234]

I have occassionally snored lightly with the mask. That is usually at the beginning of the night when the machine is at the bottom of its range. Since I have an APAP machine, snoring tells my machine to increase the pressure. So I rarely snore more than once. Now that I think about it, I probably should increase the low end of my range.

[Lilmstrdseed]

I sure appreciate all the replies:) My thought on this was leaning towards the pressure being too low, too. On Tuesday I see the doctor for the first time since hooking up to cpap in February. I'm bringing my husband with me to confirm the snoring like a "buzz saw." I only used the ramp feature maybe a week and since then I've just let it blow at 10, which doesn't seem very strong to me. I would really like to trade in my Remstar Plus for an Apap. From what I'm reading, an Apap adjusts the pressure automatically while you're sleeping to snoring, etc? The dme I'm currently using says the doctors only prescribe Apaps under certain circumstances and I don't meet that criteria. I don't know what the criteria is, but having the pressure where it should be seems kind of important to me:)

[ww]

I sure appreciate all the replies:) My thought on this was leaning towards the pressure being too low, too. On Tuesday I see the doctor for the first time since hooking up to cpap in February. I'm bringing my husband with me to confirm the snoring like a "buzz saw." I only used the ramp feature maybe a week and since then I've just let it blow at 10, which doesn't seem very strong to me. I would really like to trade in my Remstar Plus for an Apap. From what I'm reading, an Apap adjusts the pressure automatically while you're sleeping to snoring, etc? The dme I'm currently using says the doctors only prescribe Apaps under certain circumstances and I don't meet that criteria. I don't know what the criteria is, but having the pressure where it should be seems kind of important to me:)

There is no criteria since the APAP can also be used as a CPAP if that mode is needed. The DME gets paid the same and the APAP costs a little more!

The Respironics auto machine also includes Aflex, which allows you to breathe easier against the machine pressure. It is an auto cpap that is data capable p/n DS510HS and includes humidifier and aflex. Private Pay price is $596.00. The Pro version is data capable but not auto and is the DS400HS with cflex, it is the same thing without the auto and private pay is $555, so is really a poor choice for either you or the doctor. The Plus (DS200HS) is NOT data capable (reports only hours used) and should not be taken under any circumstances! The private pay price is $485 and is a poor choice for you or the doctor as neither of you will ever know whether your therapy is working properly. And that about sums up the problem. Neither you or you doctor have the slightest idea if your machine is giving you the therapy you need and in return for that the DME made less than $100 more profit!!!!

Tell your Doctor you need a prescription for an Auto machine unless he can tell you how he can examine your card and see if your therapy is working for you. Do it now as there is still time to exchange your unit for an APAP, but after 2 to 3 months they won't do it. In that case save up the money and buy your own and use your old machine as a back up machine just in case. They won't refuse you now as your present machine still shows as a rental on their books.

You could also fix (or make better) any problems with snoring with an APAP.

[GumbyCT]

Have your doc write a prescription for a specific machine and your DME will have No Choice but to provide that machine. Respironics AFLEX is a excellent choice. If your doc isn't willing, be prepared to find another one. Hopefully it won't come to that.

[Lilmstrdseed]

Thanks for all the support! I've been really irritated by the fact I was given a very basic machine when there are better machines out there. My insurance pays 100 percent. So why do doctors and dme's play games like this? It's taken years to get to this point where I know I have sleep apnea and I don't ever want to wonder what's going on at night. It's not necessary. The fully data capable machines take that wonder away! Wish me luck on Tuesday. I'm taking my husband and hopefully we don't have to spend much time "convincing" the doctor I need an Apap with Aflex:) I'll let you know how things go.