New mask, lower AHI

[araminta]

I started experimenting with using the Swift LT the other night. My AHI was much lower with the Swift LT than with the Flexifit 407. Instead of an average AHI of 2.8 with the FF407, AHI is 2.0

is this becuase I'm getting better treatment results from the new mask?
Or is the lower # just a difference in the kind of #'s to expect from the 2 different masks?

I like the pillows, but do see that my nasal passage is a little sore.

Why is it always a trade off.....

[sierragail]

Reading your post made me realize that in addition to tracking my AHIs daily, I should also have been noting which mask I was using in order to better evaluate them. I have the Zest nasal mask and the Opus360 nasal pillow mask. Hmm, now I wonder which one gives me the lower AHI. The nasal pillows are more comfortable, but I get a nose bleed the next morning. The nasal mask, to me, is not as comfortable but I don't get the nose bleed. I wish I could shed light on your issue; hopefully others will.

[grandmma]

I don't get it either. I love the Swift II, but despite the leak rate and compliance etc being equal, cannot get the same AHI and sleep therapy that I get from the Mirage Activa. I get 2 or so AHI with the Swift, quite often 0 with the Activa. Plus I have a lot more disturbed sleep with the Swift - could that be it?

I don't the Activa as much, as it is heavier and hotter - at my age, heat is not your friend! (As with gravity, and so many other things..... )

But.... you are right, it is a trade off.

[DreamOn]

I don't get it either. I love the Swift II, but despite the leak rate and compliance etc being equal, cannot get the same AHI and sleep therapy that I get from the Mirage Activa. I get 2 or so AHI with the Swift, quite often 0 with the Activa. Plus I have a lot more disturbed sleep with the Swift - could that be it?

I don't the Activa as much, as it is heavier and hotter - at my age, heat is not your friend! (As with gravity, and so many other things..... )

But.... you are right, it is a trade off.

Hi grandmma,

Yes, gravity....

You may want to try the Mirage Activa LT if you get the chance sometime. I understand that it's lighter than the original Activa, although I haven't tried both myself. From cpap.com's description of the Activa LT at https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html:

"The overall design is streamlined to be a smaller, quieter and better performing nasal mask than the original Activa."

The venting is diffused. Right now I'm alternating between the Activa LT nasal mask and AEIOMed Headrest nasal pillows. The Headrest is my favorite so far, as I love that it vents upward rather than outward. It's comfortable and it stays put. I use Lansinoh lanolin cream outside the nostrils, which helps with the seal, and Ayr Saline Nasal Gel inside to prevent any drying.

~ DreamOn

[scamp]

I'm a newbie. And I've was wondering the same thing. So I'm curious to hear from the techies on this forum about the difference in masks and AHI.

Anyone out there who can help with this??

[GaryG]

Could be if a mask fits better than another one, you are more relaxed, and perhaps you get better CPAP treatment. How's that for a medical explanation?

[araminta]

hey garyg, i think your notion of a technical explanation is a fun one.
i like thinking about the human aspect more than reading the equipment's manual.