mask exhaust vents

[Catnapper]

So what happens when the exhaust vents on the mask are blocked? How does that affect the body?

For over 5 years I have used the Headrest mask which vents over the forehead. This works for me as I am a stomach sleeper, and probably frequently have my face down against the pillow. Recently I tried a SwiftFX and realized I had totally blocked the exhaust when I noticed the sound and feel of the exhaust had stopped. Fortunately I was awake enough to change to the old faithful Headrest mask and go back to sleep.

I have been using the FX for about 3 weeks, blissfully unaware of that problem until it happened just as I was going to sleep and it woke me up with a start. During those weeks, I had an oximetry test that showed a couple places where the O2 saturation dipped below 90 for a few seconds. Could that have been the mask or is that a separate problem? The report went to the Doc so I will be able to ask him when I have a visit with him. In the meanwhile, I wanted to ask people here who have COPD or other breathing problems for their knowledge.

Today I ordered an oxygen monitor so I can check on a regular basis.

How worried should I be?

Catnapper - Joanie

[Julie]

You end up re-breathing the CO2 that the vents allow to escape... not a good idea!

[archangle]

In theory, you could suffocate and die. It's sort of like breathing in and out into a closed bag.

However, any of the following will reduce the effects:

Leaks around the mask.

Reflex may make you open your mouth.

Reflex may disturb you enough to make you move and unblock the vents.

You may (or may not) wake up. In theory, the low O2 can have an anesthetic effect that keeps you from waking up.

I think the odds of actually suffocating are low, but you need to figure out how to fix it. Even if you don't die, you'll get sleep disturbance or low O2. It's a whole lot like having your apnea come back, and it won't show up on your CPAP data.

I suspect you could easily get below 90% due to blocked vents.

[CrazyOldCatLady]

Yikes, catnapper!
I use the Swift FX for Her (Medium size pillows)
I can't imagine what it would be like to bloc the exhaust vents.
My two cents is Swift FX is not the solution for you.
I have enough challenges keeping the flow clear of kitties, sheets, comforter.
The simple fact is that anything interrupting the air flow makes noises that drive me nuts.

Now, for those cat folks who are reading this....anybody else got a kitty that LOVES to be in the exaust air flow path (unless it goes into her ears?).
Yes,folks, I have a kitty who LOVES basking in the exhaust breeze.

[VikingGnome]

My cat also loves my mask exhaust. She also liked to lay on my old SULLIVAN V CPAP (big footprint). It was her "vibrating bed". She's 15 years old now and had slept it most of her life. When I got my new S9 ELITE in February she was pretty perturbed that her vibrating "bed" was gone.