questions from a CPAP noob

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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RiverDave
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Re: questions from a CPAP noob

Post by RiverDave » Tue May 05, 2009 8:18 pm

The ultra setting is closest, but the standard isn't very far off, either

wandererrob
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Re: questions from a CPAP noob

Post by wandererrob » Wed May 06, 2009 7:50 am

Next question: Does the leak rate my machine lists include the expected leak rate for the mask?

At 20cm pressure, it looks like my mask should have a leak rate of ~47L/min. Doing the conversion, since my machine gives it in L/s, the leak rate with the large seal was 80.4L/min. I used the medium seal last night and it dropped to 49.2L/min. The question is wether or not that 47L/min is included in that number.

Thanks for your patience and answers everybody!

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OutaSync
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Re: questions from a CPAP noob

Post by OutaSync » Wed May 06, 2009 7:35 pm

On the Resmeds, the leak shown is the leak rate after the expected leak rate is subtracted. It is the rate that is over and above the exhaust rate. It should be as close to zero as you can get it.
Diagnosed 9/4/07
Sleep Study Titrated to 19 cm H2O
Rotating between Activa and Softgel
11/2/07 RemStar M Series Auto with AFlex 14-17
10/17/08 BiPAP Auto SV 13/13-23, BPM Auto, AHI avg <1

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GuyK
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Re: questions from a CPAP noob

Post by GuyK » Thu May 07, 2009 8:27 am

Do you still have the mask cranked down tightly?

BTW, and I'm not sure if this was correct or not, but when I was first using the F&P FFM, the DME had set the mask setting to "MIR Full".

Guy

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Additional Comments: ResScan 3.5 and card reader
Ready to fight the forces of evil, right after I finish this nap...

wandererrob
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Re: questions from a CPAP noob

Post by wandererrob » Thu May 07, 2009 12:32 pm

GuyK wrote:Do you still have the mask cranked down tightly?
Not as tightly, but still rather tight.

Anyway, the new mask finally arrived yesterday. It's a Mirage Activa nasal mask, however they forgot the chin strap which is now on the way.

The pros:

- MUCH more comfortable. It's not only not cranked down on my face, but it allows me to sleep in my normal stomach position! VERY happy about this!
- Good solid seal. Leak rate last night was only 0.02L/s, a huge decrease from the FF mask.

The cons: (and my next round of questions for the collective)

- Since I normally sleep with my chin resting on either my wrist or the pillow, I wasn't too worried about the lacking chin strap for now. While I don't think I'm opening my mouth, I did notice last night while awake but resting quietly, air would periodically build up in my mouth and escape past my closed lips. Is this to be expected with a nasal mask? Can it be prevented? I think this was waking me up last night.

- While my AI remained at 0.0, my HI went up to 7.0 from the previous 1.1-1.5 range. Same questions as above and should I be concerned about this?

Of course, bing in a new mask I need to readjust to sleeping with it again so last night wasn't exactly restful. But I think in the long run this mask may work out much better for me.

wandererrob
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Re: questions from a CPAP noob

Post by wandererrob » Fri May 08, 2009 10:07 pm

bump to see if there are any fresh insights.

And to follow up on my last post, second night with the nasal mask I decided to drop my pressure from 18 (min)/20(max) to 16/18. Leak rate was a little higher at .04L/s, but HI dropped to 2.5, AI remains 0.0, and I made it through the night with apparently fewer mouth leaks.