Not sleeping as well as I used to

[db238]

I have been using my cpap machine/mask since November(7 months). I was sleeping so good for the first few months and now I'm not anymore. I wake up tired and groggy, almost like I used to before I purchased my machine/mask. My fiance and I don't know what is going on with it? It seems to be working fine. Nothing has changed. There doesn't seem to be any air leaking out anywhere, either from the mask or the hose. The settings are the same. I don't know what's going on? Has anyone else experienced this as well? Is there anything I can do? Do I need to replace parts of my mask or get a new hose? What could the problem/soluton be? Like I said, I was sleeping so good up until the last 6 weeks or so.

I have a fisher & paykel sleepstyle 238 with built in heated humidifier and I use a resmed mirage quattro full face mask.

I hope someone out there can help me.

[silver123]

Do you have any data to share with us? this machine is compatible with Performance Maximizer software, using F & P's Compliance Download Cable to transfer data between machine and computer according to cpap.com. That could give you an idea of what is happening with your leaks, AHI etc. Adjustments and corrections can be made based on what your data tells you.Does your display tell you your AHI minimally?

Did something change 6 weeks ago? Have you swapped out a new hose, change the seal of your mask changed your humidifier settings?

Perhaps some other F&P users will chime in here.

[Nord]

If you believe that the pressure is correct for your Titration results...
Then usual culprit is mask leaks. You can only tell if its really leaking when you are awake or you will need a Data type machine.

It's pretty simple... air pressure stays the same and CPAP works unless something else changes.
Perhaps something else has changed... the proof of results of CPAP is in your AHI and Blood-Ox levels.
Maybe your pressure needs have changed... for any reasonable diagnosis... both you and us need to know more.

Nord

[Hawthorne]

It's been 7 months with the same mask cushion then, is that correct?

You may need to buy just a new mask cushion after that amount of time. Sometimes the cushions last quite a long time and other times not. It's good to have a spare cushion aroudn anyway.

Do you wash the cushion in mild soap and water every day? I use Ivory Classic Dishwashing
Liquid. Washing every day really helps keep the seal better. It just takes a couple of minutes and I let it air dry. Drying doesn't take long either. Also, make sure your face is clean when you put it on.

So 2 things - try washing it daily (maybe you already do) and buy a new cushion - just the cushion for your mask.

Those are the things I would try first.

[LSAT]

I found that my Quattro cushion needs to be replaced at about 3 months max. The cushion seems to get softer as time goes on and it's harder for me to maintain a seal. I'm trying pad a cheeks new anti leak strap for Quattro.

[db238]

Do you have any data to share with us? this machine is compatible with Performance Maximizer software, using F & P's Compliance Download Cable to transfer data between machine and computer according to cpap.com. That could give you an idea of what is happening with your leaks, AHI etc. Adjustments and corrections can be made based on what your data tells you.Does your display tell you your AHI minimally?

Did something change 6 weeks ago? Have you swapped out a new hose, change the seal of your mask changed your humidifier settings?

Perhaps some other F&P users will chime in here.

No, unfortnately I don't have any data to share. I don't have the Performance Maximizer software. Perhaps I should get it? The only thing I can tell you is that when I turn it on and press the 'mode' button it tell me the average hours of sleep I get per night (7.7 hrs/night), the checksum(whatever that is) is 94, and my pressure setting, which is 10 cmH20. The only thing that changed 6 weeks ago was that I had to replace the elbow piece. I still have the same hose and mask and the only settings I've changed are for the humidity because there was too much moisture buildup in the hose during the night(I had to turn it down from 4 to 3.5 or 3.0)

[db238]

If you believe that the pressure is correct for your Titration results...
Then usual culprit is mask leaks. You can only tell if its really leaking when you are awake or you will need a Data type machine.

It's pretty simple... air pressure stays the same and CPAP works unless something else changes.
Perhaps something else has changed... the proof of results of CPAP is in your AHI and Blood-Ox levels.
Maybe your pressure needs have changed... for any reasonable diagnosis... both you and us need to know more.

Nord

How do I find the results of the AHI and blood/ox levels? Do I need to take it in somewhere, or can I do it myself? I know my machine has a plug-in at the back, I think to hook up to a computer? I hope my pressure needs haven't changed. How often should I be doing a sleep test? Once a year or so?

[db238]

It's been 7 months with the same mask cushion then, is that correct?

You may need to buy just a new mask cushion after that amount of time. Sometimes the cushions last quite a long time and other times not. It's good to have a spare cushion aroudn anyway.

Do you wash the cushion in mild soap and water every day? I use Ivory Classic Dishwashing
Liquid. Washing every day really helps keep the seal better. It just takes a couple of minutes and I let it air dry. Drying doesn't take long either. Also, make sure your face is clean when you put it on.

So 2 things - try washing it daily (maybe you already do) and buy a new cushion - just the cushion for your mask.

Those are the things I would try first.

I've had the same cushion for 7 months, yes. I think I'm going to order a new one tomorrow. Maybe 2, so I have one for backup as you say. I rinse my mask out everyday and wipe the cushion down with a wet cloth and then I shake the remaining water out and air dry it. Why do you suggest I clean my face before I put it on(not that I don't, just wondering what effect it would have if I didn't)?

[db238]

I found that my Quattro cushion needs to be replaced at about 3 months max. The cushion seems to get softer as time goes on and it's harder for me to maintain a seal. I'm trying pad a cheeks new anti leak strap for Quattro.

Every 3 months max?? That seems like a lot. And what is this "pad a cheeks new anti leak strap for Quattro"? Can you provide a link please? We use the same mask and similar machines, too. I use the sleepstyle 238.

[Spirit]

Anti-leak strap link: http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_AntiLeak_Strap.html

[montana user]

How about weight gain or loss? some people lose weight after PAP therapy and then the pressure is too high. Or if you gain weight, then the current pressure is too low and not keeping the airway open any longer. Any weight changes?

[Hawthorne]

Washing your face can make a difference (better seal) because sometimes the natural oils in your skin can affect the seal.

I don't believe the software you mentioned will give you any more data with your machine. I think it only works with the 254 model of F & P machines.

[Nord]

If you believe that the pressure is correct for your Titration results...
Then usual culprit is mask leaks. You can only tell if its really leaking when you are awake or you will need a Data type machine.

It's pretty simple... air pressure stays the same and CPAP works unless something else changes.
Perhaps something else has changed... the proof of results of CPAP is in your AHI and Blood-Ox levels.
Maybe your pressure needs have changed... for any reasonable diagnosis... both you and us need to know more.

Nord

How do I find the results of the AHI and blood/ox levels? Do I need to take it in somewhere, or can I do it myself? I know my machine has a plug-in at the back, I think to hook up to a computer? I hope my pressure needs haven't changed. How often should I be doing a sleep test? Once a year or so?

Hi db...

I don't know your machine very well at all...
I believe the software you mention will only give you compliance data (hrs used etc)

Unfortunately, unless you have a data capable machine, you will have to rely on...
1. Sleep studies, 2. how you feel day to day, and 3. faith in your Dr...
For me, only 1 and 2 really work out very well.

You mention for yourself that you were put on CPAP 7 months ago... presumably after a Sleep Study.
You need to know what was in the sleep study to compare where you are now.
You are entitled to 2 Sleep Studies per year by date... It will give you data about AHI... complications, Blood/ox levels, Positions etc
They also determine a good pressure level for "that" night... which is an indicator of your direction for CPAP.

Since it was working well for you for several months...
You probably had a good pressure level for what was occurring then.
Many times the mask can stop working well... as has been suggested. Leaks will alter your success.
Sometimes other elements of you health change... you may need more pressure
because of weight change... diet change... alcohol... position... stress and many many others...

that and others can change your blood/ox levels which also affects how well you feel.
It is one indicator of problems and the need for immediate attention.
Oximeters is how you can monitor your levels if you need to. There are many threads.

I believe you should address any mask issues and schedule another Sleep Study where you understand/ ask
about your own health.
The machine doesn't have to be Auto Level or even Data Capable...
but you will have to do more work to deal with any issues and monitor how you feel when changes happen.

Nord

[db238]

Anti-leak strap link: http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_AntiLeak_Strap.html

Thank you.

Have you tried it? Does it work?

[db238]

How about weight gain or loss? some people lose weight after PAP therapy and then the pressure is too high. Or if you gain weight, then the current pressure is too low and not keeping the airway open any longer. Any weight changes?

I didn't think so, but I weighed myself and I have actually gained 10 pounds since I started using my CPAP machine. Do you think that's significant enough? Looks like I'll be losing some weight.