new in the forum need some insight:)

[carlingaw]

good day

i have been diagnosed with sleep apnea 2 years ago and just started to use a bipap a month ago, an ongoing issue for me is mask fitting, as of right now i have 3 different masks the comfort gel full face mask, the quattro fx and the nasal zest mask, i am having trouble which mask to use and it is annoying because i have to pullout the mask because of irritation. just wondering if there are any tips on how to fit these mask properly as i am a stomach and side sleeper,

Thanks

[Pugsy]

What kind of irritation from the mask?
Have you tried any mask liners?

For stomach or side sleeping issues...perhaps a different pillow that allows for the mask not to be pushing on the pillow and thus back against the face...have you experimented with different bed pillows?

Welcome to the forum. I see you have a PR S1 BiPap Auto. Do you know about your software options?
Check my signature for links about your options as well as to SleepyHead which is a super easy software to use with your machine and offers an easy way to monitor your own therapy if you are into that sort of thing.

[RipVW]

Hello & Welcome, carlingaw! Glad you found this forum—SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help! Sorry it took two years before you found cpaptalk--took me about a year, but I've learned so much that I needed to know to get my CPAP therapy working smoothly. Like most of us, getting the right mask and getting it adjusted is a normal challenge. I know for many of us we tend to overtighten the straps, which can be very uncomfortable, when the goal of a good fit is a bit looser adjustment that lets the cushions "float" somewhat to maintain the seal. Also, as a side and stomach sleeper myself, I found that bed pillows made for CPAP'ers work well for me, letting my turn my head to the side on the pillow without disturbing my Full Face Mask. Good luck!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[carlingaw]

HI

thanks for the replies, i will definitely try out these suggestion, i also downloaded the sleepy head software, since im more in the self therapy for the moment because i used to live in canada when i was diagnosed and now i live here in the philippines, having this forum is great for someone like me not having some official therapist for the moment.

another question for me is about the sleepy head software, and what are the important areas and definitions that im supposed to lookout for AHI, RERA? and i tried from my sleep last night there was one unknown event that showed up just wondering what that is???

Thanks!

[carlingaw]

also things like pressure pulse and vibs snore on newbie terms

[Pugsy]

Check the link in my signature for the SleepyHead Glossary. It will explain the definitions of the terms you see on the reports.

The actual "numbers" and their importance will vary.
Pressure pulses are just the machine sending out little puffs of air to help it determine if what it is sensing is central or obstructive in nature. You can completely disregard those "numbers".
Unknown event just means the machine couldn't make its mind up what to call it. No big deal we all have them from time to time.
AHI we like to see below 5.
RERA..we aren't ever given a number to go with as a guideline but generally we just look to see if they seem excessive. If the index is less than 2 or 3..probably just fine unless you remember repeatedly waking often during the night..then the RERA along with other things might need to be evaluated.
Snores...the same way as RERAs.. we aren't given a set number as acceptable but if snores are excessive then perhaps pressure is not quite where it needs to be. Snores are minor flow reductions.

If you are using Auto mode...Respironics machines will respond to snores and flow limitations with increased pressure if it senses that the flow reduction meets obstructive criteria. If it doesn't sense the criteria...it won't. Sometimes "snores" are hose nose or something else and not real snores. In my case...I have a little pug dog that snores...when he sleeps up by my head I get a truckload of snores shown ...machine didn't increase pressure. Thank goodness..