Pressure Settings - Full Mask - Nose

[PurplePuppy]

I and pretty new to all of this. Some background and then a question...

When I went to pick up my machine a couple of weeks ago, the technician mistakingly gave me a mask just for the nose. He reviewed my prescription and confirmed that I was to get a nose device and not a full mask. I explained that at the sleep study, the nose device did not work for me and they tried a full mask, which worked really well. The technician ended up calling my doctor and confirmed that I was to get a full mask.

During the night I had the sleep study done, the full mask gave me excellent relief. I got four great hours of deep and wonderful sleep. Since picking up my own machine, I have not had any real success.

Here's my question...

Do you think it is possible that my machine's pressure was set for a nose device when it should have been reset for a full mask? This would mean that my machine was pre-set for a nose device and when I was switched to a full mask, the machine should have been reset. Does this make sense?

I bring this up because I have tried everything with my equipment and I simply cannot repeat what they were able to do at the sleep clinic.

Thanks...

-Paige

[Muse-Inc]

...During the night I had the sleep study done, the full mask gave me excellent relief. I got four great hours of deep and wonderful sleep. Since picking up my own machine, I have not had any real success.

While frustrating, this is often the case. Thus begins the hunt for the ideal mask for your particular face shape and then the chasing of leaks from the mask and if not a full face mask the issue of whether there is lip or mouth leaking. Welcome to the real world issues of xPAP users . Some have a much more challenging time adjusting than others.

...possible that my machine's pressure was set for a nose device when it should have been reset for a full mask?

Pressure is pressure regardless of the mask. Some have reported they have a 1 cmH2O difference between masks to achieve ideal overnight AHIs...waay too soon in your adventure to be concerned with.

...tried everything with my equipment and I simply cannot repeat what they were able to do at the sleep clinic.

Please post your pressure and whether this is the same mask as used in the study. This will help in making suggestions. Do you have mask leaks?

[PurplePuppy]

Thanks for your response. I'm beginning to realize that this whole CPAP thing is far more complex than I had previously thought. It seems that the smallest of adjustments can make a huge difference. This is why I'm a bit baffled that the mask they used at the sleep clinic worked the very first time it was tried. Apparently it gave me a false sense of confidence in the therapy. I assumed that because the device they used at the sleep clinic worked so well right off the bat, I would have the same success with my home machine.

I have also come to realize that "leaks" in the system (mask) is a critical factor in achieving success.

My pressure is preset at: 10.0. Is that considered a lot of pressure or not...or is it relative?

I can't thank you enough for your assistance.

-Paige

...During the night I had the sleep study done, the full mask gave me excellent relief. I got four great hours of deep and wonderful sleep. Since picking up my own machine, I have not had any real success.

While frustrating, this is often the case. Thus begins the hunt for the ideal mask for your particular face shape and then the chasing of leaks from the mask and if not a full face mask the issue of whether there is lip or mouth leaking. Welcome to the real world issues of xPAP users . Some have a much more challenging time adjusting than others.

...possible that my machine's pressure was set for a nose device when it should have been reset for a full mask?

Pressure is pressure regardless of the mask. Some have reported they have a 1 cmH2O difference between masks to achieve ideal overnight AHIs...waay too soon in your adventure to be concerned with.

...tried everything with my equipment and I simply cannot repeat what they were able to do at the sleep clinic.

Please post your pressure and whether this is the same mask as used in the study. This will help in making suggestions. Do you have mask leaks?

[LinkC]

Yes, mask leaks ARE critical. The primary reason is they often wake you up, interrupting your sleep. If they are large leaks, the machine can't keep up with them and pressure drops, impacting good therapy.

The sleep study techs get pretty good at adjusting masks. If anything, they probably had it on the tight side. (Enough to kill the leaks, but too tight for comfort night after night.) You'll have to "tune" it over several nights. As if that isn't confusing enough, your headgear will stretch some when it's new, so the optimum adjustment will change, requiring you to tighten it slightly over the first month or so. Also, full face masks in general are more sensitive to proper adjustments than nasals. (Boy, I'm just full of bad news today, huh? )

The seal skirts on most masks need room to flex as your face contour changes and you move around at night. So tighter isn't always better. The mask should "float" on your face. You should feel it move in and out slightly as you breathe. If you can't feel it move, it's probably too tight. And when you get it "just right", it'll be time for a new mask and you can start all over! Hint, use your old headgear as long as possible...it's already adjusted and the initial stretch is gone.

Most sources put "average" pressure at 8-12. Some say 10-12. The full range for CPAP is 4-20*.

*There are people who need pressures above 20, but that requires a different technology, usually BiPAP.

[Bison William]

Take your machine back to your DME and have them check the pressure, (in front of you).