switching from FFM to Nasal Mask, does it require less pressure?

[David R]

I'm switching from FFM to NM and upon the first try, it seemed like my normal pressure of 11 was excessive. Do people typically use less pressure on NM than on FFM? I have a ResMed S9, I do mouth taping for a month now. My nasal passage is narrow. My reason for wanting to switch is to see if I can get better flow through my nose. I use a plastic nasal dilator to help with the airflow through the nose or I'd never be able to stop mouth breathing.

Hello, I'm a new member. I recently learned that breathing through your nose can decrease your stress state and give you a more restful nights sleep. I'm a mouth breather with a slightly constricted airway, I could never breathe solely through my nose. But I purchased some 1. SleepRight Intra-Nasal Breathe Aids – Nasal Dilator and 2. 3M Micropore Paper Tape - White, 1" (links below). And was able to breathe through my nose most of the time. I did have a few times where I still couldn't breath well through the nose and it caused me anxiety (I have a fear of suffocation, probably from years of waking up gasping for breath before I got CPAP) but for the most part, it worked OK.

The next step I wanted to try was a nasal mask, and yesterday I got a WISP nasal mask. I tried it out, with mouth taped, and it seemed like the pressure (my ResMed 6 is set at 11) was a lot stronger with the nasal mask than the FFM. exhaling was a little more difficult than with the FFM. After 10 minutes I switched back to the FFM. I'd like to try it again and was thinking to reduce the CPAP pressure. What do you think?

I don't have any software to interpret the chip results from my CPAP, I just found out that such a thing existed today when I found this forum. Also, once I get the software, it looks like the results are hard to read/complicated but I can learn.

here's the nasal dilator and tape I'm using:

1. Dilator - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075K ... UTF8&psc=1

2. Tape - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003T ... =UTF8&th=1

[ChicagoGranny]

I have a resmed 6

Your equipment profile shows a ResMed S9 AutoSet.

my normal pressure of 11 was excessive

If you have an AutoSet machine, you can set it in AutoMode with a lower minimum. The pressure will stay low unless it needs to go higher to prevent breathing events.

Confirm your exact machine model and we can make some recommendations on pressure.

Have you read "Sticky: Newbies PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING " and just above that the Sleepyhead tutorial?

[greatunclebill]

what is a resmed 6 ?

[ChicagoGranny]

what is a resmed 6 ?

A typo.

[chunkyfrog]

Or an antique.
If so, time to retire that dinosaur.

[David R]

Yes, the ResMed 6 was a typo, i corrected it. I have a ResMed S9.

Also, I have the humidifier that attaches to it, I had selected the wrong one in my profile. Corrected.

I will be looking over the sleepyhead faq/tip, and downloading that software tonight.

I will double check that I do have an autoset device. There are 2 types of ResMed S9

[chunkyfrog]

Actually more than 2--but as long as you did NOT get stuck with an Escape, you got good equipment.
As for the mask change, you might need to change the mask setting on the machine.

[David R]

I'm now worried as to what machine I have lol. I'm not aware of a mask setting or any settings other than pressure, ramp time and temperature for the heated hose.

[chunkyfrog]

The name of the machine will be in silver letters on top of the blower unit,
right "above" the power button.

[zonker]

I'm now worried as to what machine I have lol. I'm not aware of a mask setting or any settings other than pressure, ramp time and temperature for the heated hose.

welcome to the zoo!

don't worry, just follow the frog's advice to see which machine you have.

the reason you are unaware of any changeable settings is, "they" don't want you to know. once the fine folk here have you exact model, they can get you connected with the CLINICIAN'S manual, where you can find all kinds of ways to adjust your settings.

good luck!

[David R]

I have a ResMed Elite. Hopefully it's as good as it sounds.

[ChicagoGranny]

I have a Rested Elite. Hopefully it's as good as it sounds.

That's a good machine, but it is a single-pressure machine. Auto machines have more functionality and are preferred by most advanced users. Pressure needs vary throughout the night and from night to night. Single-pressure machines will not change the pressure to match varying needs.

Any chance of switching the machine for a ResMed AutoSet? Where did you get the machine? If it is an S9, it is a discontinued model.

Please correct your equipment profile.

[David R]

I tried to correct my equipment in my profile but I didnt see ResMed elite or S9 Elite on the list.

My insurance won't cover a new machine until next year so I'm out of luck on that front. But I'm going to call them again today to see if I can get a different answer or find out exactly when I'm eligible. If I recall correctly, they dont cover new equipment unless your old one is over 5 years old and I think mine is 4 years old. But I need to confirm that. I cannot afford even a few hundred dollars on a used machine right now. We are of very modest means.

I didn't get a chance to download the software last night. We only have one computer in the house which we share with 3 kids doing homework so it might not be until Saturday that I get some time on it.

So with my machine being a single pressure machine, I'm not sure of my options. It feels to me as if the pressure is higher with the nasal mask. My thought is to lower the pressure to about 8 (from 11) when I use the nasal mask. I seem to sleep through the night better when mouth taping and nose breathing and the added pressure right at my nose I think will help keep my sinuses clear and keep plenty of air flowing through my nose.

But too much pressure makes it hard to exhale against the pressure of the machine. Plus I dont want to have so much pressure that my body is not stimulated to breath (I heard that was a thing).

Is it normal to use a lower pressure when using a nasal mask (Wisp brand) than when using a FFM?

[realshelby]

FFM vs Nasal vs Nasal pillow.....

I very MUCH prefer the nasal pillow over the FFM's. I was told I was a mouth breather and that these would not work for me. I tried the nasal and nasal pillows on my own and am very glad I did.

One thing about the question you originaly posted that might help. I have the N20 nasal mask. Very comfortable. Wish I could use it. But, for whatever reasons, after a few hours my nasal passages constrict enough I feel like I cannot breathe through it! So, beware of that with your Wisp. These style nasal masks have pressure outside nasal passages, and I think that may push in the nose and constrict breathing a bit.

The nasal pillows style masks don't do that! They push air into the nostril area, which actually acts a bit like your nasal dilators or Breathe Right strips. This pressure expands the passages somewhat just like it does your other airways. Something to consider trying. Especially if you master not breathing through your mouth.

[ChicagoGranny]

My thought is to lower the pressure to about 8 (from 11) when I use the nasal mask. I seem to sleep through the night better when mouth taping and nose breathing and the added pressure right at my nose I think will help keep my sinuses clear and keep plenty of air flowing through my nose.

If this were me, I would lower it to 8.0 cm pressure. But, you need to check your daily AHI on the machine's display every day. This is to see if your AHI shoots up at a lower pressure. (Check the leak level also.)

If you find a pressure that is comfortable and gives you a low AHI and good sleep, an Auto machine might not be much advantage.