Switched masks, numbers not as good..any ideas?

[Geminidream]

Hi all,

I had posted before the end of the year that I was going to try to get another mask from the DME. I learned that the manufacturer allows for an exchange within the first 30 days from this forum....the DME admitted this at my visit and did not take my other mask back. I wanted to try the Resmed Swift LT. It is a lot less cumbersome feeling and I can sleep on my side more, but my numbers have gone up some....AHI of 2.4 with no leaks.....was averaging 1 or lower with the Comfort Gel. Got the mask Wednesday so I really have not had much time to adjust to it, but I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and what I might try. My pressure is set at 6....would it perhaps need to be a little higher for seemingly small nasal pillow holes?

Thanks

[PhilinOK]

This may sound like a dumb question, but did you wash it with warm soapy water before the firtst or subsequent uses? A couple of years back I had a similar experience with my AHI and leak rate, then once I washed it those numbers both went down. I think they put a micro-fine powder on the masks. I apologize if that seems like an insulting post, but I made the mistake, LOL.

[Rebecca R]

Did you change the mask setting on the machine?

r

[Geminidream]

This may sound like a dumb question, but did you wash it with warm soapy water before the firtst or subsequent uses? A couple of years back I had a similar experience with my AHI and leak rate, then once I washed it those numbers both went down. I think they put a micro-fine powder on the masks. I apologize if that seems like an insulting post, but I made the mistake, LOL.

Not insultinng at all. Washed and ready to go. There is very little or no leak rate, just higher AHI than I had.

[Geminidream]

Did you change the mask setting on the machine?

r

No I didn't.....I had not thought of that and the DME did not mention it either....I will do that before using it tonight.

[Rebecca R]

I hear it can make a difference if you don't change it. 2.4 is a pretty good number in my opinion.

r

[rosacer]

Hi Geminidream

What happened with your readings after having changed the mask type in your machine? How was you feeling?

[Geminidream]

Hi Geminidream

What happened with your readings after having changed the mask type in your machine? How was you feeling?

My AHI went from 1 or lower to 2.2-2.4, which is not bad, but as good as before and I want it to be the optimum number. I did not feel quite as rested, but not bad either.

I put my settings on the correct mask type last night....result: AHI 2.2, leak rate .16....so not really bad. I can always switch back to the comfort gel mask here and there if I want.

[KatieW]

Geminidream, when I started cpap therapy, I was obsessed with the daily numbers. The patient and kind people here have taught me to back off from that, look at trends over a period of time, and trust how I feel.

Since your AHI is the sum of your apneas and hypopneas, the AI is the number I focus on, to see if there is a trend going up or down. And it's always validating to compare that with your sleep study, to realize how much you've improved.

I little game I've been playing is to think about how I feel in the morning--well rested or need more sleep, groggy or alert, etc. Then I look at the numbers. During the day, am I energetic, interested, social, creative? Do I feel a need for carbs, coffee or a nap?

Here's an interesting poll on AHI:

viewtopic/t48216/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44 ... ll#p435869

[Komodo]

Hi all,

I had posted before the end of the year that I was going to try to get another mask from the DME. I learned that the manufacturer allows for an exchange within the first 30 days from this forum....the DME admitted this at my visit and did not take my other mask back. I wanted to try the Resmed Swift LT. It is a lot less cumbersome feeling and I can sleep on my side more, but my numbers have gone up some....AHI of 2.4 with no leaks.....was averaging 1 or lower with the Comfort Gel. Got the mask Wednesday so I really have not had much time to adjust to it, but I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and what I might try. My pressure is set at 6....would it perhaps need to be a little higher for seemingly small nasal pillow holes?

Thanks

I switched masks, and had a problem as well viewtopic/t48162/Different-Masks-WAY-di ... sults.html

I have absolutely no proof of this, but I think that since we are all unique indivduals, we all react differently to the different style masks. In my case (and apparently yours too) the Comfortgel Nasal works best. Why is that? I have NO idea! If you like the Comfortgel, stick with it. If not, then try another brand of nasal mask and hopefully, your numbers will stay the same.

[Geminidream]

Geminidream, when I started cpap therapy, I was obsessed with the daily numbers. The patient and kind people here have taught me to back off from that, look at trends over a period of time, and trust how I feel.

Since your AHI is the sum of your apneas and hypopneas, the AI is the number I focus on, to see if there is a trend going up or down. And it's always validating to compare that with your sleep study, to realize how much you've improved.

I little game I've been playing is to think about how I feel in the morning--well rested or need more sleep, groggy or alert, etc. Then I look at the numbers. During the day, am I energetic, interested, social, creative? Do I feel a need for carbs, coffee or a nap?

Here's an interesting poll on AHI:

viewtopic/t48216/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44 ... ll#p435869

Thanks for the advice.....I check those numbers when I first wake up, mainly because it resets after noon and I am not home from work before that. I have been feeling very good lately so I guess I should guage how I feel more than the numbers. I will cmpare these numbers with the study and focus on the fact that I felt like a zombie before cpap.