Hi all - I've been alternating between a nasal pillow (Swift LT) and a full face mask (ResMed Quattro FFM) - I prefer the Quattro, frankly, but I consistently get higher AHIs with it (8-12 range) than with the Swift (3-5 range). Leakage is not a problem with either. I'm only at a pressure of 7, but am definitely more "aware" of the pressure with the Swift than the Quattro, especially on exhaling, even though I've got my EPR set to 2.
Any thoughts on whether a higher pressure setting would be called for with a FFM?
Different pressures for different types of masks?
Different pressures for different types of masks?
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Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: also using Swift LT nasal pillow mask; humidifier actually H4i |
- wasColette
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:59 pm
Re: Different pressures for different types of masks?
Do you change the settings on your machine to reflect the different masks?
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Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: (really Humidaire H4i) |
Re: Different pressures for different types of masks?
I have not changed the pressure - I'm wondering if anyone else has run into this situation, and, if so, whether they did try a different pressure setting for each type of mask.
_________________
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: also using Swift LT nasal pillow mask; humidifier actually H4i |
- wasColette
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:59 pm
Re: Different pressures for different types of masks?
I'm not talking about your pressure settings.
I'm not sure, but believe with the ResMed S8 Elite II you can go into the settings menu (press down and hold for 3 seconds the right and left buttons) and change your mask type. I'm saying this just off the top of my head, as I'm at work and can't see the machine, but on my machine I can change my mask type that way. Under settings, and then mask, there are different choices. For the Quattro you would choose Mir Full. I believe there is also a choice of Swift. If you use a mask that is not a ResMed mask you would choose Standard.
The reason this is important is because the machine has different leak allowances for different masks.
If the machine won't allow you to change it that way you can change it by going into the clinicians menu (press down and hold for 3 seconds the right and down buttons).
I'm not sure, but believe with the ResMed S8 Elite II you can go into the settings menu (press down and hold for 3 seconds the right and left buttons) and change your mask type. I'm saying this just off the top of my head, as I'm at work and can't see the machine, but on my machine I can change my mask type that way. Under settings, and then mask, there are different choices. For the Quattro you would choose Mir Full. I believe there is also a choice of Swift. If you use a mask that is not a ResMed mask you would choose Standard.
The reason this is important is because the machine has different leak allowances for different masks.
If the machine won't allow you to change it that way you can change it by going into the clinicians menu (press down and hold for 3 seconds the right and down buttons).
_________________
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: (really Humidaire H4i) |
Re: Different pressures for different types of masks?
Data has been presented on this forum, suggesting that different masks and/or different mask types produce different results and different pressure / response patterns, when used at the same therapy settings.
It is unclear why this should be so, or what it means, or how or whether an individual should attempt to respond to this situation.
I would encourage you to continue to collect data, for yourself, for you clinician, and for the benefit of everyone here.
It is unclear why this should be so, or what it means, or how or whether an individual should attempt to respond to this situation.
I would encourage you to continue to collect data, for yourself, for you clinician, and for the benefit of everyone here.
- Sleepy Boy
- Posts: 241
- Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:55 am
- Location: South Branch Michigan
Re: Different pressures for different types of masks?
Is there a way to change the type of mask on my machine? I've never changed it, and I'm on my 3rd. mask, all different. Thanks, Larry..
Sleepy Boy
Re: Different pressures for different types of masks?
Sleepy Boy: no, there is no mask specification setting on Respironics machines. When Respironics machines report "leak" the number includes both the "normal venting" for the mask (each mask should come with literature that specifies the expected flow rate at different pressures; this venting clears your exhaled breath from the mask) plus the "leakage" from the mask-skin interface imperfections or (for other than full-face masks) from the mouth. Respironics users need to subtract the expected venting rate from the "overall leak" rate to obtain the "controllable leak" which should ideally be minimized.
Billybee: for ResMed machines, the "menu" should allow you to select among several different ResMed masks (or a "standard" other mask). This allows the machine to do the work of subtracting the "normal venting" from the "overall leak" and the number provided to you by the machine's LCD screen is the "leak" resulting from mask-skin interface imperfections and from the mouth. (More technically, what you see on the LCD screen is the 95th centile leak: the "best" leak for the "worst" 5% of the night. If this number is BELOW 0.40 l/s, then you know that you were within machine specifications for AT LEAST 95% of the night. Ideally you want this number to be as close to zero as possible.) Setting the mask type simply makes the "leak math" simpler; there's no indication that the machine mask choice setting has any affect upon pressures or results.
It would be much easier if a consistent vocabulary were used: "venting" for normal expected mask flow-through, and "leak" for the stuff you want to try to minimize, but since almost no one does this, you always have to be aware if what numbers you're looking at, and how the different machines present the numbers.
Regards, Velbor
Billybee: for ResMed machines, the "menu" should allow you to select among several different ResMed masks (or a "standard" other mask). This allows the machine to do the work of subtracting the "normal venting" from the "overall leak" and the number provided to you by the machine's LCD screen is the "leak" resulting from mask-skin interface imperfections and from the mouth. (More technically, what you see on the LCD screen is the 95th centile leak: the "best" leak for the "worst" 5% of the night. If this number is BELOW 0.40 l/s, then you know that you were within machine specifications for AT LEAST 95% of the night. Ideally you want this number to be as close to zero as possible.) Setting the mask type simply makes the "leak math" simpler; there's no indication that the machine mask choice setting has any affect upon pressures or results.
It would be much easier if a consistent vocabulary were used: "venting" for normal expected mask flow-through, and "leak" for the stuff you want to try to minimize, but since almost no one does this, you always have to be aware if what numbers you're looking at, and how the different machines present the numbers.
Regards, Velbor
Re: Different pressures for different types of masks?
OK - thanks again for the further comments. And yes, I have changed the machine settings for mask type each time I've changed masks. I will continue to experiment, collect data, try to get some insight from my clinician, and report back when and if I come up with something definitive.
_________________
Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: also using Swift LT nasal pillow mask; humidifier actually H4i |