Lower AHI on Nasal Pillow than Full Face Mask.

[DougVK]

I used the Swift FX for 2 nights so far and got the lowest AHI ever on both these nights. My AHI was around 1.5 and 1.7 on the swift fx versus 4.5 to 5 every night on the full face mask. I wonder what could be the reason this. Average unintentional leak is about the same on both mask except for 1 or 2 blowouts a night on the fullface mask. The blowouts only lasted a few minutes so they can't be the reason. The pressure needed was the same as the nights with the face mask too, the same 90% and average pressure. Possible reasons I can think of are:

1. Mouth breathing with fullface mask vs nasal breathing on Swift FX
2. Lower vent rate in Swift Fx, the Swift Fx vent rate is nearly half of the Quattro FX vent rate.
3. The two nights were a fluke.


On a side note, why do some people need to tape their mouth shut? When your lips are closed shouldn't nothing leak out? If there is a gap in your lips when your mouth is closed shouldn't you fixed that instead of using tape or chin straps? Just wondering.

[Lizistired]

... On a side note, why do some people need to tape their mouth shut?
When your lips are closed shouldn't nothing leak out?
If there is a gap in your lips when your mouth is closed shouldn't you fixed that instead of using tape or chin straps?
Just wondering.

Because it happens when we are asleep. I assume in very deep sleep, the kind that I don't want to be interupted.

[DougVK]

... On a side note, why do some people need to tape their mouth shut?
When your lips are closed shouldn't nothing leak out?
If there is a gap in your lips when your mouth is closed shouldn't you fixed that instead of using tape or chin straps?
Just wondering.

Because it happens when we are asleep. I assume in very deep sleep, the kind that I don't want to be interupted.

Many people have no mouth leaks even at high pressures without the need for taping and straps. There is a reason why they don't leak and others do. The reason should be used to stop leaks in those who do need to tape and such.

[chunkyfrog]

It would probably require surgery, as it seems, at least in my case, to be related to the anatomy of my head/jaw, etc.
I also tend to belt anyone who messes with my face when I'm asleep--of course I have no memory of it.

[Bandnuts]

I used the Swift FX for 2 nights so far and got the lowest AHI ever on both these nights.......

I'm kind of new to this whole CPAP/VPAP system, but I'm totally engaged in the improvement process. Since starting on March 6th, I've managed to obtain 2 different full face masks, 2 different nasal mask systems, and 3 different nasal pillow systems. There's no doubt, I get better results from a nasal pillow system. And, I got better results from the Swift set-ups than with the Breeze. I think that was because there was less discomfort and a better fit.

Either way, I'm getting the same results as you... Better with a pillow system and best with the Swift.