Switching masks

[jimmy christmas]

I have been using a Resperonics Easy Life Nasal mask for the last couple of years and have been using a CPAP machine for almost 20 years. I seem to get too many leaks with the mirage as I change sides when sleeping so I requested a nasal pillow mask at my last CPAP checkup. I just got an Airfit P10. I feel like the effort I am making when exhaling is much harder than it was with the Mirage. Is that common? Should I be looking to reduce my pressure just a little bit because the nasal pillows are a more concentrated pressure? Or do I just need to used it for a week and see how it goes? I know I am in my 30 day grace period for the pillows so I have some time and can always use my old mask if I'm not getting enough rest in the next week or so.

Jim
Kennesaw, GA

[Julie]

You should have a feature on your machine called EPR (exhalation pressure relief) which you can activate to whatever setting feels right for you. There may be a slight trade-off with AHI, so you need to find the right balance... a very slightly higher AHI is not necessarily terrible if you're more comfortable exhaling.

[Pugsy]

Actually...what pressure are you using now and what size nasal pillow on the P10 are you using?
Depending on pressure and if you are already using EPR...and nasal pillow size already...you have several options.
But yes...going from a nasal cushion mask after so many years to a nasal pillow mask might take just a bit of getting used to especially with this mask.

[Crist]

I had a similar experience using pillows at the start of my cpap journey and switched to a FFM thinking pillows wouldn't work for me. Then after lots of reading of forum posts, I decided to try again using some of the tips I'd seem mentioned. I moved to a larger pillow cushion than I was originally fitted with and increased my minimum pressure & it has helped me become a pillow convert other more experienced forum members might have some further advice, goodluck!

[jimmy christmas]

Thanks for the feedback. I have now used the P10 for a couple of nights and have slept well. It is just uncomfortable when I first put the mask on and start up. I am using a Med size mask and the pressure is set to 9.4. I have had ramp turned off for years so I have thought about turning ramp back on since if I understand it correctly the pressure starts out lower and then ramps up to the max pressure. I have never been aware of EPR, but when I went to look at the settings it says it is off. The machine also says AHI is 2.5. I had never even heard that term until I started reading this forum so I have no idea if that is good, bad or indifferent. I am going to see if I can figure out how to turn EPR on and ramp on. I'm a retired computer tech so I find it interesting what all can be done with these machines.