Goodbye

[Buddy0329]

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[LSAT]

Your previous Sleepyhead charts indicate that your starting (Min) pressure should be upwards of 8-9. Would like to see charts of when you were using the F20. I also think you should turn off Ramp.

[Pugsy]

What does this mean? FFM needs even more pressure?

Yes

Really?

Yes, really.

I know I was mouth breathing with the F20.

Mouth breathing doesn't hurt a thing with a full face mask unless there is a big leak somewhere because if the mouth and nose are involved in the closed circuit the pressure is maintained no matter what is open.

The mouth breathing being a potential bad thing is only when the mouth isn't part of the circuit and if there is loss of therapy pressure out the open mouth which results in the pressure not being optimally maintained in the airway.

It's actually common to need more pressure with a full face mask than with nasal pillows. I know lots of people who have used both and report a significant difference in the results. I think it has something to do with the way the full face mask might move the lower jaw backwards a bit which could narrow the airway a bit.
Doesn't happen to everyone but it does seem to happen to quite a few people.
I know one guy who figured out he needs 3 cm more minimum pressure with a full face mask than with a nasal pillow mask to get the same results.

[Buddy0329]

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[Buddy0329]

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[Pugsy]

You need to understand what a 90/95% number means.
It just means that is where the machine was at OR BELOW for 90/95% of the night. That's all it means. It isn't a magic setting number. People tend to forget the "or below" part of the definition.

The fact that your 90/95% number is higher with a full face mask..all that means is you are spending more time AT OR BELOW that higher number for 90/95% of the night.
The average likely is higher too.

What it tells me is that you need more minimum pressure when using a full face mask. Pretty much what you were already told. Now how much more we don't know and can't tell just by a few "numbers" except that it's probably somewhere near the median average number. It is NOT the 90/95% number though.
90/95% numbers are just numbers that are easily skewed so they don't mean a whole lot unless you are taking a long term average...and long term means weeks and months..not just a few days.

[Buddy0329]

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[LSAT]

Personally, I think you should pick the mask that is most comfortable for you and wear it for a week. Then go in and see what your data looks like. One or two nights don't really tell much. You need longer data to determine anything.

[palerider]

I understand what the 95% #s mean. I thought that's what data was useful here.

all that the 95% number is good for is a 'max pressure' ignoring any short spikes.

it doesn't say if you spent 2 minutes or six hours at that pressure.

[Julie]

Don't sweat the mask right now... DO raise your min. pressure - as others have said. Stop arguing and try it. You might be surprised!

[Pugsy]

You need more minimum pressure when you use a full face mask.
You can get by with less minimum pressure with a nasal pillow mask.

Do you ever sleep on your back? That will also affect the pressure needs no matter which mask is used. On your back....more pressure is often needed. Not for everyone but for a good number of people.
Also REM stage sleep can affect pressure needs.

So there are many variables in trying to establish the optimal minimum pressure setting question.

You are also using Flex exhale relief which means that there is a drop in the pressure during exhale...it's not a huge drop but enough to maybe allow the airway to collapse if you are borderline in terms of keeping it held open with the minimum.

I don't understand what you want. It looks like you are one of those people who just needs more minimum pressure with a full face mask. It's fairly common and not unusual at all. You just have to decide which mask you want to use as your primary mask and adjust the pressure settings accordingly.
Pick the one you find most comfortable and get the best quality sleep with and quit worrying about the numbers so much.
The numbers are easily fixed once you decide which mask you want to use.

[Buddy0329]

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[Buddy0329]

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[Pugsy]

So what is your question that hasn't been answered to your satisfaction or clearly enough for you to understand?

If you want to use the F20 ...the high # of apneas is easy to fix...more minimum pressure.

[Julie]

I think I'd get rid of the ramp altogether, or at least lower the time by a lot.