Exhale Pressure

[eaudejoy]

Hi. I thought this had posted earlier but I must not have hit the right buttons. I am using a Remstar Pro CPAP with a full face mask. I want to switch to a nasal pillow but the pressure is too strong. I also found this to be the case with the nasal mask I had been using, which is why I had to switch to full face mask. Does anyone know if it's common to have to switch pressure settings when changing masks? Should I consider switching to another type of machine? Thanks for any help.

[jnk...]

[Is it ] common to have to switch pressure settings when changing masks?

No.

[MaxINTJ]

Hi. I thought this had posted earlier but I must not have hit the right buttons. I am using a Remstar Pro CPAP with a full face mask. I want to switch to a nasal pillow but the pressure is too strong. I also found this to be the case with the nasal mask I had been using, which is why I had to switch to full face mask. Does anyone know if it's common to have to switch pressure settings when changing masks? Should I consider switching to another type of machine? Thanks for any help.

In what way is the pressure too strong? The air pressure will be the same with either mask. If it seems too much being forced directly into your nose, perhaps you just need to get used to it?

[Wulfman...]

Hi. I thought this had posted earlier but I must not have hit the right buttons. I am using a Remstar Pro CPAP with a full face mask. I want to switch to a nasal pillow but the pressure is too strong. I also found this to be the case with the nasal mask I had been using, which is why I had to switch to full face mask. Does anyone know if it's common to have to switch pressure settings when changing masks? Should I consider switching to another type of machine? Thanks for any help.

Are you using "C-Flex"? (exhale relief) If so, what setting?


Den

.

[loggerhead12]

I want to switch to a nasal pillow but the pressure is too strong.

If this is something you experienced for yourself, fine. If it's something someone told you, don't believe it until you've tried it. I use nasal pillows at a pressure of 23.

This industry is replete with old wives' tales.

[TedVPAP]

Hi. I thought this had posted earlier but I must not have hit the right buttons. I am using a Remstar Pro CPAP with a full face mask. I want to switch to a nasal pillow but the pressure is too strong. I also found this to be the case with the nasal mask I had been using, which is why I had to switch to full face mask. Does anyone know if it's common to have to switch pressure settings when changing masks? Should I consider switching to another type of machine? Thanks for any help.

I have successfully used a nasal pillow up to a pressure of 20. Mouth leaking is more likely as pressure increases so I have to manage that.

[eaudejoy]

Thanks to all who wrote to me. I'm still trying to navigate the site, so I'll have to address your (much appreciated) answers together. I had my CFlex setting at 1, so I'm going to increase setting to 2, or 3 if needed. I was confused about what the settings meant, but I understand now. My pressure is set at 11.5, which, according to readouts on CPAP delivers enough pressure to reduce AHI to 1 or 2. If I find I can fix the exhale problem I may see about increasing to 12 or 13. One of the replies indicated it might just take some time to get used to nasal pillow, but (for me) there is a real difference in being able to exhale across mask types. Frustrating but I'm sure I'll get there. Does anyone know of any doctors who are really good at helping to diagnose these kinds of problems ( in the Washington DC - Raleigh NC corridor)?. Thanks all.

[Pugsy]

If your AHI is just 1 or 2 there's no urgent need to increase the pressure.

Often people who go from a full face mask to a nasal mask end up being able to use less pressure and still get good results.
Not everyone gets lucky in that regard but sounds like you might be one of the lucky ones.