Taking mask off at night...

[epark300]

Have a question. I heard somewhere that a person taking there mask off at night might not be getting enought air pressure during sleep therefore causing person to take mask off to breath. Could this happen. My pressure is 8. Mask comes off every night without me knowing it.
Also I am interested in getting my numbers off my machine and tracking and learning numbers. I have the Resmed S8. The smartcard reader came with my machine but have never used it. Don't have the software but would like to know where to get it.
Thanks for any input. Just want to learn how to make this stuff work to make my sleep better.

[Pugsy]

The ResMed 8 needs a special card reader or special computer connecting cables to interface with the ResScan software.
Software is easily found. The card reader or cables are not. Since ResMed discontinued the S8 series they also discontinued the card reader. You can get nightly detailed numbers off the screen though? Do you know how to do this?

This is the card reader that is needed for your machine to transfer data off the card to the computer. Saw one on Ebay a while back but that is the only place I have seen it offered. I am not familiar with possible special cable use, someone else will have to explain that optin.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -cpap.html

How to get numbers off the machine? If clinician menu not turned on this link has instructions on how to turn it on. Also has link for getting the clinician manual.
http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

How long have you been on therapy? Not long? How come you got the older discontinued model? The S9 is the latest and comes with SD card that doesn't need the special card reader.

Taking mask off is common when starting out on therapy. We have all done it and related more to the foreign thing on our face than it is to pressure being too low or not getting enough air. Some people add a bit of tape to face and mask so that the removal of the mask creates discomfort and/or wakes them up so that they can stop removing it. Some might use mittens or socks on hands to stop removal. Usually this goes away as the brain becomes more used to having this stuff on our face.

[epark300]

I have been on therapy since June 2009. I know how to get the clinical menu up but not sure of what to look at. That was the machine offered at the time and I didn't know any better.

[Pugsy]

I don't use your type of machine so I can't tell exactly which steps to take to get to daily data but I am sure someone will know and offer. May need to be turned on in the clinician menu so you can get the daily details.

Things to look for
AHI and the breakdown for the AHI (Apneas, Hyponeas per hour)
Leak number ( I forget if that is a 95% number or straight average on that machine) but with ResMed reported number is all excess leak because it subtracts mask vent rate before reporting.
May be something else but it eludes me at this time. Average pressure maybe because the use of EPR affects overall pressure average even if using straight cpap.
Do you use EPR? If so at what setting?

[epark300]

Will look at the machine when I get home and put some numbers on here and see if any of it makes sense. Not sure about EPR.

[epark300]

Here is what I pulled of the results screen.

Leak .38
AHI 3.0
AI 0.1
HI 2.9

EPR fulltime, Level 2, EPR Inhale Med, EPR Access on

Hope this is something to look at to help me out.

Thanks

[Pugsy]

Leak .38
AHI 3.0
AI 0.1
HI 2.9

EPR fulltime, Level 2, EPR Inhale Med, EPR Access on

Hope this is something to look at to help me out.

With the exception of the leak, your numbers are pretty darn good. Acceptable is less than 5 AHI.

The S8 machine will report leaks in L/ sec instead of L/min which is what the new S9 machines use as well as other brands. To convert to L/min just multiply by 60 sec.

ResMed says that 24L/min is the upper limit of where it can compensate for leaks without impacting therapy and data. You are pretty much there. .38 L/sec X 60 = 22.8 L/min. Without software we can't see the overall picture but in general you are having significant leak (ResMed subtracts intentional mask vent/leak before reporting leak) and with an overall number of 22.8 likely have some above and below that line. So its possible the AHI numbers reported are less than truthful. Though to be honest most of the time if leak is affecting therapy there will be a increase in AHI numbers. Regardless, it would be better to try to get that leak number down to say at least .15 L/sec on your machine. Below .10 would be better still. It can be done.

Using nasal pillow mask? Most common leak issue for leaks the size you are having is mouth opening and letting pressure to escape. This could also be causing you to take the mask off during the night and not know it. Lots of remedies for mouth breathing. Tape, chin strap or even full face mask. Is it possible you are mouth breathing? Anyone reporting any snores? Dry mouth? Sore throat?

How are you feeling in general? I know with taking the mask off and not knowing it you are likely not getting many hours of therapy so may be a moot question because not enough hours of sleep with therapy to expect much.

What to work on? Leak...from whatever cause. And keep the mask on longer (all night)

[epark300]

I went back to my old mask last night. Resperonics optilife nasal pillow. It does have a chin strap. Actually last night was one of the best nights I have slept in awhile. I kept the mask on all night.

Most of the time I wake up with dry mouth and occasional sore throat which tells me I am mouth breathing. I just got the Swift LT 2 weeks ago and not sure if I like it. My nose was getting real sore and no chin strap to help with mouth breathing.

Going to try this method for a week then call the therapist and return the new mask.

I appreciate the help with numbers. Always wondered what the meant and I see why they are important now. I'll post tomorrow what happens tonight.