Mask on/off question

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
mirakaja
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 4:36 pm

Mask on/off question

Post by mirakaja » Sat May 20, 2017 3:12 pm

When I get up during the night, I turn my machine off to use the bathroom. When I get back in bed, I turn the machine on. Does that count toward my mask on/off data? Or is it only if I take the mask off and the machine is running? If I take the mask off and leave the machine running, will that count as mask leaks data? What do others do? I find that when I get up and turn the machine off and then on again, the pressure is back down to 4, and I seem to be starting all over again.

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The Choker
Posts: 485
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 12:53 pm

Re: Mask on/off question

Post by The Choker » Sat May 20, 2017 4:23 pm

You need to be turning your machine off when you get up during the night.
mirakaja wrote:I find that when I get up and turn the machine off and then on again, the pressure is back down to 4, and I seem to be starting all over again.
What are your pressure settings? Ramp pressure? Ramp time? The ramp restarts anytime you restart the machine.

Many of us don't use the ramp.
T.C.

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Julie
Posts: 20051
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: Mask on/off question

Post by Julie » Sat May 20, 2017 4:38 pm

Turn the ramp off altogether (for good) as most of us have, unless you really, really need it.

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Pugsy
Posts: 65207
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Mask on/off question

Post by Pugsy » Sat May 20, 2017 4:46 pm

mirakaja wrote:When I get up during the night, I turn my machine off to use the bathroom. When I get back in bed, I turn the machine on. Does that count toward my mask on/off data? Or is it only if I take the mask off and the machine is running?
It will count as mask off/on because it is mask off/on but who cares? I know that affects the score a person gets at the MyAir ResMed or the DreamMapper Respironics website but again...who cares?
mirakaja wrote: If I take the mask off and leave the machine running, will that count as mask leaks data?
It will likely register as a large leak so it could impact the overall leak average number.
Now how much it might impact things...depends on how long it lasts.
mirakaja wrote:What do others do?
I turn the machine off but then my mask is super easy to fit and take off and put back on. Some of the other masks aren't so easy and fitting for leak prevention is more work so some people prefer to just leave the mask on and disconnect from the long hose.
Personal choice really. Do what works best for you.
mirakaja wrote:when I get up and turn the machine off and then on again, the pressure is back down to 4, and I seem to be starting all over again.
If that starting at 4 is a problem you can start higher or if that is the ramp being used again you can either turn the ramp off so it starts at your regular pressure setting or you can set the ramp so that it starts higher than 4 cm. Easy to do.
So it depends on what you want or need to be comfortable if you aren't comfortable.

Now if you aren't using the ramp and are using the auto adjusting pressure machine and the starting pressure is 4 cm...you can still start a little higher if you are having problems with feeling like you are suffocating at 4 cm (most people find that they feel like there's not enough air moving at 4 cm and while they won't suffocate at 4 cm...it sure feels like it).

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