auto?

[carojae]

I have tried to get my M-series bipap machine to calm down when I first go to bed. I do use the ramp button but soon it starts blowing air gaps in the nose piece when I inhale. I think my settings are at 11/14 - or suppose to be. My straps are tight. I have proof every morning that it is tight enough with indents on my cheek where the strap was. It agravating. So, I give up - I dunno.

How about a auto machine? Will it try to force too much air in me too? I am willing to try this if this may help. I am suppose to produce a data sheet anyway in the future to show proof of use and this machine will not do it. Any thoughts on what I am thinking?

Man, I woke up this morning and the nose piece was lodged up on the upper end of my nose/bridge and was blowing air into the corner of my eye......I didn't like that. Anyhow, it got me thinking maybe a auto would behave a little better.

Jim

[Breathe Jimbo]

I would change the mask before changing the machine. Have you tried the Swift LT Nasal Pillows?

[jmcanzo]

I have tried to get my M-series bipap machine to calm down when I first go to bed. I do use the ramp button but soon it starts blowing air gaps in the nose piece when I inhale. I think my settings are at 11/14 - or suppose to be. My straps are tight. I have proof every morning that it is tight enough with indents on my cheek where the strap was. It agravating. So, I give up - I dunno.


Jim

Straps being tight may be you problem. It sounds wrong but the mask functions much better with the straps looser. The mask is designed to fill with air pressure and sorta of float on your face. The seal needs space to expand

[NightMonkey]

Giving up is certainly an option you can choose.

But I feel obligated to say that thousands with higher pressures and more problems than you have educated themselves, persevered, and become successful in the fight to ward off bad health and premature aging.

Yes, a machine with compatible software can be a key part of success.

[carojae]

Giving up is certainly an option you can choose.

But I feel obligated to say that thousands with higher pressures and more problems than you have educated themselves, persevered, and become successful in the fight to ward off bad health and premature aging.

Yes, a machine with compatible software can be a key part of success.

Certainly. I think you got my giving up a little out of context though. Its a statement that says I am fed up with the leaking nose piece and not that I'm a quitter as you seem to imply.
I've tried different gear. I have a mouth/nose attachment that (also) seems to do a good job of plugging my ears with blow back or whatever you call it. I call it too much air coming my way. Its weird that it only leaks when I am inhaling and not exhaling. Seems like there would be more pressure to release when one exhales.
No, my question has to do with the machine. Will a "auto" adjust better to my breathing and not try to force too much air into my body, thats all. I know one thing for sure, the machine is delivering more air than I prefer. I have tried 4 different attachments and still I am snorting and farting out my face piece for most the night. My wife has to listen to this stuff too.
When it started blowing in my eye for the umpteenth time I thought I'd come here and ask. Are "auto's" better for something like this.

Jim

[carojae]

I would change the mask before changing the machine. Have you tried the Swift LT Nasal Pillows?

re: Swift LT Nasal Pillows

I will look into that. Thank you.

[katcw]

I have tried to get my M-series bipap machine to calm down when I first go to bed. I do use the ramp button but soon it starts blowing air gaps in the nose piece when I inhale. I think my settings are at 11/14 - or suppose to be. My straps are tight. I have proof every morning that it is tight enough with indents on my cheek where the strap was. It agravating. So, I give up - I dunno.


Jim

Straps being tight may be you problem. It sounds wrong but the mask functions much better with the straps looser. The mask is designed to fill with air pressure and sorta of float on your face. The seal needs space to expand

My RT encouraged me to tighten my mask straps a whole lot, and I get far fewer leaks now. Whether the mask is tight or loose may have to do with one's facial structure.

I believe you can get more data from your machine by getting a card reader and using either the Encore Viewer software or the online site that one of our members has created. With more data you might be able to see where the problem lies.

Also I believe you have the same machine I do, and if so, you can set it on Auto. Others can confirm or correct this notion.

Good luck!

[NightMonkey]

Are "auto's" better for something like this.

Jim

The answer is "No", but bear with me a moment.

Your lab titration produces an estimate of the pressure that will treat you well. This estimate could be spot on or it could be off by a couple of centimeters or worse case by many centimeters. There are many variables in that one night in-lab titration and one night is often just not enough to get the pressure optimized.

Your number one need is a data-capable machine with software. With the details report from the software you can see what is going on while you are sleeping on a nice time-line chart. You can see all breathing events, machine pressure, and mask leak. You can use this data over several nights or weeks to optimize your therapy, i.e., get the lowest pressure settings that prevent breathing events and adjust the mask for minimal unintentional leak.

Now back to the original question, if you accept that you need a data-capable machine, an auto is only slightly more expensive than a straight CPAP. Although an auto will not solve the problems you have now, it may provide some other benefits that could be well worth the money.

When you are considering the cost of a new machine, remember you are going to use it for five or more years, so think of that cost spread over the years and think how much more productive you can be if you get your therapy working well.

Do it!

[purple]

Might try to add mole skin at strategic points on face. Personally I think FFM seem to be designed more for women in mind as the head piece barely touches my forehead, and it would be helpful for it to be held slightly off the bridge to my nose.

Like the other poster said, sometimes the issue can be the straps can be too tight. I know sounds counter intuitive. The Mask has an air channel which needs to fill for the seal to work. After the air is flowing I lift up the mask and sit it back down to allow the air channel to inflate. Then I pull the mask slightly down towards my chin. Seems to seal better when lower on the bridge of my nose. plus the movement lets it settle in better.

In some ways the mask is like a teeter totter, if it leaks at the upper right, the strap to tighten is on the upper left or lower left. The mask must be slowly tightened down on all sides.

Might try to turn off ramp, if you can tolerate it, so you can get it adjusted at the higher pressure to begin with.

How old is your mask? What are you using to clean it. When I started I used soap every day. Cushion dried out, became stiff and did not seal very well.

[roster]

Are "auto's" better for something like this.

Jim

The answer is "No", but bear with me a moment.

Your lab titration produces an estimate of the pressure that will treat you well. This estimate could be spot on or it could be off by a couple of centimeters or worse case by many centimeters. There are many variables in that one night in-lab titration and one night is often just not enough to get the pressure optimized.

Your number one need is a data-capable machine with software. With the details report from the software you can see what is going on while you are sleeping on a nice time-line chart. You can see all breathing events, machine pressure, and mask leak. You can use this data over several nights or weeks to optimize your therapy, i.e., get the lowest pressure settings that prevent breathing events and adjust the mask for minimal unintentional leak.

Now back to the original question, if you accept that you need a data-capable machine, an auto is only slightly more expensive than a straight CPAP. Although an auto will not solve the problems you have now, it may provide some other benefits that could be well worth the money.

When you are considering the cost of a new machine, remember you are going to use it for five or more years, so think of that cost spread over the years and think how much more productive you can be if you get your therapy working well.

Do it!

Exactly!

[Sheriff Buford]

I had the straight cpap and I just bought S9 autoset. I found that when I have an apnea incident, and the machine kicks in (with higher pressure) to address the incident, my mask starts to leak in the same spot each night. I don't think switching machines will cure your mask leakage. As some have suggested, you may need to re-look at the mask issue. I never could get a full face mask to stop leaking from under my eyes. As you see, I use the total mask and have no leak problems or sore noses.

Sheriff

[bayourest]

I would also suggest contacting Karen at padacheek.com for equipment that might make your mask more comfortable...whatever mask you end up using. She has mask liners and strap liners and nose protectors and you name it. It's a very creative approach to adding some comfort

[zeeser]

If you've got your masked on tight and you are still getting "farting" my guess is that you've got the wrong size mask.

Good luck and hang in there because when you iron out all the bugs effective treatment of your sleep apnea will GREATLY improve the quality of your life.

[MiracleSue]

I would also suggest contacting Karen at padacheek.com for equipment that might make your mask more comfortable...whatever mask you end up using. She has mask liners and strap liners and nose protectors and you name it. It's a very creative approach to adding some comfort

Thank you for posting about padacheek.com, I am a fairly new user (2.5 months) and my biggest frustration is the permanent divot in my cheek from the mask. I always wanted dimples, but this isn't what I had in mind! I am excited to try her product and see if it helps.