I have a pressure of 18. I'm having a titration study tomorrow night; I hope it goes down, because I'm getting sick and tired of the leaking mask! I use the Mirage Activa, which supposedly is the best for controling leaks. At first it worked fine, but after about 2 mos of using it, it leaks when the pressure goes to the max. I want to try the Swift nasal pillows, but I'm afraid that with such a high pressure, they won't work.
Anyone else with high pressures that want to share their secrets? What systems do you use?
*ATTENTION...ALL HIGH PRESSURE PEOPLE*
*ATTENTION...ALL HIGH PRESSURE PEOPLE*
I also have a pressure of 18 and have had lots of wonderful problems keeping a seal. I am currently alternating between my Ultra Mirage FF which leaks into my eyes unless I have the straps extra tight and the Breeze nasal mask which I have no problems leaking but I mouth breathe and no straps or mouth taping or combination of each can keep me from doing what I did up until my nasal and throat surgery last year - mouth breathe!
I have a slightly receeding jaw and lose most of my seals in that area so I have taken to pulling my chinstrap off of my chin and onto the lower portion of my Mirage and that helps a lot to prevent those leaks.
I am on straight CPAP so I have a constant pressure but in a week or two I hope my new oral appliance arrives that a dentist is having made for me. I can not recall the brand name but it has my bite impressions both upper and lower and it also has a mechanism that can be adjusted to bring my lower jaw further out by a few millimeters. The dentist thinks this will open my airway enough that I can have my pressure reduced. After receiving this I am scheduling a new sleep study with my doctor to have my pressure reset hopefully to a much lower level.
Dale92
I have a slightly receeding jaw and lose most of my seals in that area so I have taken to pulling my chinstrap off of my chin and onto the lower portion of my Mirage and that helps a lot to prevent those leaks.
I am on straight CPAP so I have a constant pressure but in a week or two I hope my new oral appliance arrives that a dentist is having made for me. I can not recall the brand name but it has my bite impressions both upper and lower and it also has a mechanism that can be adjusted to bring my lower jaw further out by a few millimeters. The dentist thinks this will open my airway enough that I can have my pressure reduced. After receiving this I am scheduling a new sleep study with my doctor to have my pressure reset hopefully to a much lower level.
Dale92
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I have the 18 pressure also. (Wow, didn't realize there were so many of us!)
I use the bipap, and started a year ago this month. It was a real problem for me, I could not handle the wind tunnel blowing on me after it ramped up to full blast! I used a nose mask, not a full face mask. After it reached full tilt, that mask would sing and whistle and everything!! I could not sleep with it for more than a couple of hours without ramping again and again. It was awful, and I complained to my sleep doctor a couple of months into it.
Now, I don't have the greatest of confidence in this pulmonary doc, but it turns out he was right on one count. He told me it could take me months to get used to it but eventually I would. I did not believe him. When I first met with him, before getting my equipment, I asked about the nasal pillows, and he said the pressure would be too high and using the nasal pillows would be worse. I couldn't see how. I was getting relief from my apneas, but just had sooo much trouble getting used to the pressure.
After about 4 or 5 months into this, I managed to get the straps tightened just right and there were far less leaks. I found that if I tightened the bottom ones but loosened the top ones, it was much better. But it was still real bad.
Finally at about month 6 or 7, I was doing just fine. I still needed the ramp (still do), but I didn't have the leaks or that awful feeling of wind tunnel I used to have. Drat it all, maybe he was right!! Personally, I would have liked it better if they had just gradually increased the high pressure over time, even if it meant some apneas. But who knows.
It might not have been the right course of action, but eventually I got used to it. And that boggles my mind!!
Linda
I use the bipap, and started a year ago this month. It was a real problem for me, I could not handle the wind tunnel blowing on me after it ramped up to full blast! I used a nose mask, not a full face mask. After it reached full tilt, that mask would sing and whistle and everything!! I could not sleep with it for more than a couple of hours without ramping again and again. It was awful, and I complained to my sleep doctor a couple of months into it.
Now, I don't have the greatest of confidence in this pulmonary doc, but it turns out he was right on one count. He told me it could take me months to get used to it but eventually I would. I did not believe him. When I first met with him, before getting my equipment, I asked about the nasal pillows, and he said the pressure would be too high and using the nasal pillows would be worse. I couldn't see how. I was getting relief from my apneas, but just had sooo much trouble getting used to the pressure.
After about 4 or 5 months into this, I managed to get the straps tightened just right and there were far less leaks. I found that if I tightened the bottom ones but loosened the top ones, it was much better. But it was still real bad.
Finally at about month 6 or 7, I was doing just fine. I still needed the ramp (still do), but I didn't have the leaks or that awful feeling of wind tunnel I used to have. Drat it all, maybe he was right!! Personally, I would have liked it better if they had just gradually increased the high pressure over time, even if it meant some apneas. But who knows.
It might not have been the right course of action, but eventually I got used to it. And that boggles my mind!!
Linda
I have some questions for you "high pressure people".....if I may ask.
Is the pressure you're using the one that the doctor originally prescribed for you?
Have you tried lower pressures?
Are you monitoring your therapy with software? (to know how well you're doing)
In other words, are you doing well at that pressure?
Now, the REASON I'm asking is that my sleep doc originally prescribed me with a pressure of 18. The first day I set up my CPAP, I came to the realization that it was WAY too much pressure for me to be comfortable with. (Plus, I had no confidence that my sleep doc knew what he was doing) Consequently, I proptly re-set my machine to a pressure of 10 and have been doing GREAT! I have seen a steady decline in all of my indexes. And, after nearly 7 months, I'm not sure how much lower they can go. I haven't felt this good in quite a few years......and, I wonder how well I'd be doing if I'd left my pressure at 18.
Thanks and best wishes,
Den
Is the pressure you're using the one that the doctor originally prescribed for you?
Have you tried lower pressures?
Are you monitoring your therapy with software? (to know how well you're doing)
In other words, are you doing well at that pressure?
Now, the REASON I'm asking is that my sleep doc originally prescribed me with a pressure of 18. The first day I set up my CPAP, I came to the realization that it was WAY too much pressure for me to be comfortable with. (Plus, I had no confidence that my sleep doc knew what he was doing) Consequently, I proptly re-set my machine to a pressure of 10 and have been doing GREAT! I have seen a steady decline in all of my indexes. And, after nearly 7 months, I'm not sure how much lower they can go. I haven't felt this good in quite a few years......and, I wonder how well I'd be doing if I'd left my pressure at 18.
Thanks and best wishes,
Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
[quote="Wulfman"]I have some questions for you "high pressure people".....if I may ask.
Is the pressure you're using the one that the doctor originally prescribed for you?
Have you tried lower pressures?
Are you monitoring your therapy with software? (to know how well you're doing)
In other words, are you doing well at that pressure?
Now, the REASON I'm asking is that my sleep doc originally prescribed me with a pressure of 18. The first day I set up my CPAP, I came to the realization that it was WAY too much pressure for me to be comfortable with. (Plus, I had no confidence that my sleep doc knew what he was doing) Consequently, I proptly re-set my machine to a pressure of 10 and have been doing GREAT! I have seen a steady decline in all of my indexes. And, after nearly 7 months, I'm not sure how much lower they can go. I haven't felt this good in quite a few years......and, I wonder how well I'd be doing if I'd left my pressure at 18.
Thanks and best wishes,
Den
Is the pressure you're using the one that the doctor originally prescribed for you?
Have you tried lower pressures?
Are you monitoring your therapy with software? (to know how well you're doing)
In other words, are you doing well at that pressure?
Now, the REASON I'm asking is that my sleep doc originally prescribed me with a pressure of 18. The first day I set up my CPAP, I came to the realization that it was WAY too much pressure for me to be comfortable with. (Plus, I had no confidence that my sleep doc knew what he was doing) Consequently, I proptly re-set my machine to a pressure of 10 and have been doing GREAT! I have seen a steady decline in all of my indexes. And, after nearly 7 months, I'm not sure how much lower they can go. I haven't felt this good in quite a few years......and, I wonder how well I'd be doing if I'd left my pressure at 18.
Thanks and best wishes,
Den
High Pressure
My sleep doc prescribed a pressure of 17. I have my S8 Vantage set on 17 with the EPR set on 3. I used the Ultra Mirage full face mask until the pain became unbearable. The mask irritated the bridge of my nose and I started using the swift with a chin strap. I have used the swift for about a week. I do not have the software, yet. I track my results using the data the machine provides. I write it down every morning.
With the FF mask my AHI varied from 10-23. I tried using the autoset feature with a range from 12-17 and the numbers were even worse. For what its worth, my AHI has ranged from 4-7 with the swift. I am a side sleeper and the swift has worked much better than the FF. The pressure does seem a little higher and it may be a little louder but it is much easier to control leaks. Now that my nose has healed I may rotate the FF and the Swift.
With the FF mask my AHI varied from 10-23. I tried using the autoset feature with a range from 12-17 and the numbers were even worse. For what its worth, my AHI has ranged from 4-7 with the swift. I am a side sleeper and the swift has worked much better than the FF. The pressure does seem a little higher and it may be a little louder but it is much easier to control leaks. Now that my nose has healed I may rotate the FF and the Swift.
HeidiHose,
Thanks for the reply. WOW!....."simple procedure", huh? You have my sympathies.
I hope they CAN lower your pressure. I know what 18 feels like.
One thing I've wondered about is the many people who give up on this therapy after a short time......was THEIR pressure more than they could stand? (along with not having a humidifier and a mask that works for them)
Good luck,
Den
Thanks for the reply. WOW!....."simple procedure", huh? You have my sympathies.
I hope they CAN lower your pressure. I know what 18 feels like.
One thing I've wondered about is the many people who give up on this therapy after a short time......was THEIR pressure more than they could stand? (along with not having a humidifier and a mask that works for them)
Good luck,
Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
-
Cameo Anne
Hi Heidi,
My BiPap is set at 17/13 and I use a Breeze with nasal pillows with it. It is the only interface I have been successful with-- I also have several masks, etc. and each of them leak too much to be comfortable.
On the other hand, my Breeze continues to work well as long as the pillows are periodically replaced. (The pillows tend to firm up a little after awhile.) I like the Breeze because it is lightweight, I can move around with it, it is easy to put on and take off, is relatively quiet, and it is pretty much leak free. It has never made my nose sore either, like the Adams Circuit did. I also tried the Swift nasal pillows briefly but I didn't like it.
Bottom line is that I can live with the Breeze, maybe even live longer because of the Breeze. Yet, I am still envious of those people who can successfully use the Aura-- that sounds pretty nice but it really doesn't work well with high pressures.
I would suggest that you give the Breeze a try, if possible, if you get a chance tomorrow night.
Good luck tomorrow night.
Anne
My BiPap is set at 17/13 and I use a Breeze with nasal pillows with it. It is the only interface I have been successful with-- I also have several masks, etc. and each of them leak too much to be comfortable.
On the other hand, my Breeze continues to work well as long as the pillows are periodically replaced. (The pillows tend to firm up a little after awhile.) I like the Breeze because it is lightweight, I can move around with it, it is easy to put on and take off, is relatively quiet, and it is pretty much leak free. It has never made my nose sore either, like the Adams Circuit did. I also tried the Swift nasal pillows briefly but I didn't like it.
Bottom line is that I can live with the Breeze, maybe even live longer because of the Breeze. Yet, I am still envious of those people who can successfully use the Aura-- that sounds pretty nice but it really doesn't work well with high pressures.
I would suggest that you give the Breeze a try, if possible, if you get a chance tomorrow night.
Good luck tomorrow night.
Anne
Re: High Pressure
[quote="Jimmy"]My sleep doc prescribed a pressure of 17. I have my S8 Vantage set on 17 with the EPR set on 3. I used the Ultra Mirage full face mask until the pain became unbearable. The mask irritated the bridge of my nose and I started using the swift with a chin strap. I have used the swift for about a week. I do not have the software, yet. I track my results using the data the machine provides. I write it down every morning.
With the FF mask my AHI varied from 10-23. I tried using the autoset feature with a range from 12-17 and the numbers were even worse. For what its worth, my AHI has ranged from 4-7 with the swift. I am a side sleeper and the swift has worked much better than the FF. The pressure does seem a little higher and it may be a little louder but it is much easier to control leaks. Now that my nose has healed I may rotate the FF and the Swift.
With the FF mask my AHI varied from 10-23. I tried using the autoset feature with a range from 12-17 and the numbers were even worse. For what its worth, my AHI has ranged from 4-7 with the swift. I am a side sleeper and the swift has worked much better than the FF. The pressure does seem a little higher and it may be a little louder but it is much easier to control leaks. Now that my nose has healed I may rotate the FF and the Swift.
[quote="Wulfman"]HeidiHose,
Thanks for the reply. WOW!....."simple procedure", huh? You have my sympathies.
I hope they CAN lower your pressure. I know what 18 feels like.
One thing I've wondered about is the many people who give up on this therapy after a short time......was THEIR pressure more than they could stand? (along with not having a humidifier and a mask that works for them)
Good luck,
Den
Thanks for the reply. WOW!....."simple procedure", huh? You have my sympathies.
I hope they CAN lower your pressure. I know what 18 feels like.
One thing I've wondered about is the many people who give up on this therapy after a short time......was THEIR pressure more than they could stand? (along with not having a humidifier and a mask that works for them)
Good luck,
Den
[quote="Cameo Anne"]Hi Heidi,
My BiPap is set at 17/13 and I use a Breeze with nasal pillows with it. It is the only interface I have been successful with-- I also have several masks, etc. and each of them leak too much to be comfortable.
On the other hand, my Breeze continues to work well as long as the pillows are periodically replaced. (The pillows tend to firm up a little after awhile.) I like the Breeze because it is lightweight, I can move around with it, it is easy to put on and take off, is relatively quiet, and it is pretty much leak free. It has never made my nose sore either, like the Adams Circuit did. I also tried the Swift nasal pillows briefly but I didn't like it.
Bottom line is that I can live with the Breeze, maybe even live longer because of the Breeze. Yet, I am still envious of those people who can successfully use the Aura-- that sounds pretty nice but it really doesn't work well with high pressures.
I would suggest that you give the Breeze a try, if possible, if you get a chance tomorrow night.
Good luck tomorrow night.
Anne
My BiPap is set at 17/13 and I use a Breeze with nasal pillows with it. It is the only interface I have been successful with-- I also have several masks, etc. and each of them leak too much to be comfortable.
On the other hand, my Breeze continues to work well as long as the pillows are periodically replaced. (The pillows tend to firm up a little after awhile.) I like the Breeze because it is lightweight, I can move around with it, it is easy to put on and take off, is relatively quiet, and it is pretty much leak free. It has never made my nose sore either, like the Adams Circuit did. I also tried the Swift nasal pillows briefly but I didn't like it.
Bottom line is that I can live with the Breeze, maybe even live longer because of the Breeze. Yet, I am still envious of those people who can successfully use the Aura-- that sounds pretty nice but it really doesn't work well with high pressures.
I would suggest that you give the Breeze a try, if possible, if you get a chance tomorrow night.
Good luck tomorrow night.
Anne
Heidi,I use the Remstar with C-Flex; it starts out at 5 and will ramp up to 18. Mine doesn't have any software; maybe I'll ask for a machine that does.
I tried a FF mask; didn't like it because my chin would drop and break the seal. I've tried every chinstrap available; nothing works 100%. So I use a headband and the Mirage Activa; it's a decent but imperfect setup.
I was thinking of asking the sleep study people to let me try the swift nasal pillows tomorrow night at the titration...
I have the HC431 FF mask and it cups under the chin, so that I don't have to worry about "chin-drop". It works pretty well for me, but I do have leaks because I too am at 18. The leaks for me though, I think, are from the shape of my face. I get leaks around my cheeks and as long as I let the pressure puff out my cheeks, I am fine.
I just started using a ComfortCurve on monday night and I like it pretty well so far, but have alot of sinus issues, so I will likely have to alternate between it and the HC431.
Good luck!
cybergoon wrote:Heidi,I use the Remstar with C-Flex; it starts out at 5 and will ramp up to 18. Mine doesn't have any software; maybe I'll ask for a machine that does.
I tried a FF mask; didn't like it because my chin would drop and break the seal. I've tried every chinstrap available; nothing works 100%. So I use a headband and the Mirage Activa; it's a decent but imperfect setup.
I was thinking of asking the sleep study people to let me try the swift nasal pillows tomorrow night at the titration...
I have the HC431 FF mask and it cups under the chin, so that I don't have to worry about "chin-drop". It works pretty well for me, but I do have leaks because I too am at 18. The leaks for me though, I think, are from the shape of my face. I get leaks around my cheeks and as long as I let the pressure puff out my cheeks, I am fine.
I just started using a ComfortCurve on monday night and I like it pretty well so far, but have alot of sinus issues, so I will likely have to alternate between it and the HC431.
Good luck!