New machine and mask

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 10:29 am

My worst night with a Hybrid was better than my best day with a Resmed mask.

I agree 100%. However, for me the chin-flap did nothing except 40% more weight for the mouthpiece, and much greater heat rise on my face..

I think most are seeing improvements, when using the Hybrid is because of its very high CO2 'wash-out', the monster sized pillow manifold, and the 125 cm dead-space.

maskjkie · Post by **maskjkie** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:00 am

Issac again wrote:Pat, I do not understand the difference between CFLEX and Bi-PAP because I'm still stuck with the auto cpap Vantage from Resmed, which is not a bad machine, it's just not for me.

Isaac and Pat,
The EPR feature on the Resmed S8 Vantage is similar to the C-Flex feature on the REMstar Auto but the Remstar Auto has the advantage in that the C-Flex feature can be used in auto mode while the ERP feature in the S8 can't. With the S8 Vantage, you can use the auto mode to find your best pressure with the machine and then switch over to CPAP EPR mode at that pressure. The most important thing with an auto cpap is to use the limit pressures and don't run the machine wide open from 4-20 cm.

I agree with Oldgearhead, the biggest contributors to lower AHIs and pressures with the Hybrid is the volume of air the mask delivers "directly" into the nares and mouth and the generous vent flow rate that flushes out CO2.

ladytonya · Post by **ladytonya** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:11 pm

I love the large vents on the Hybrid! I always felt like I was "rebreathing" air with any mask I tried. I own three masks - ComfortGel, ComfortLite2, and Hybrid. I have also been able to try out the UMFF and the Swift, both of which were immediately returned to the sleep center. Of all these masks I have tried out, the Hybrid is the only one that I don't feel like I'm rebreathing air. This is also the first time I don't feel like I'm suffocating, but that could have more to do with utilizing EPR than anything else.

ladytonya · Post by **ladytonya** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:40 am

Okay, last night was night number 3. The first night, I kept the mask on for 5 and a half hours which was a record for me. Night number two, it came off after 3 and a half hours and then last night I was back it ripping it off after an hour and a half. This is so frustrating! After night number 1, I thought I had the answer. Now I'm right back where I started.

One thing that I do notice is that when I use the mask fit function on my S8, the pressure bumps up the 10 and I can breathe much easier. I've never tried raising my pressure but maybe I should? Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!!

patbringer · Post by **patbringer** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 7:13 pm

Ladytonya,

Not that I'm any kind of expert on this, but I get the impression that you are panicking. Just take deep breath and give it another try! If you think you find it easier to breathe at higher pressure, give that a try.

Pat

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:08 pm

ladytonya wrote:Okay, last night was night number 3. The first night, I kept the mask on for 5 and a half hours which was a record for me. Night number two, it came off after 3 and a half hours and then last night I was back it ripping it off after an hour and a half. This is so frustrating! After night number 1, I thought I had the answer. Now I'm right back where I started.

One thing that I do notice is that when I use the mask fit function on my S8, the pressure bumps up the 10 and I can breathe much easier. I've never tried raising my pressure but maybe I should? Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!!

The mask fit feature uses your last session 90% pressure or 10cm whichever is less.

Sounds to me you may be starving for air using your machine (can leave you with headaches, feeling stuffy, incoming air warmer than usual. This can be from having the Min. pressure set too low. You might try increasing the Low pressure if it is still on default 4cm setting. Increasing your Max. pressure probably wouldn't help.