Problems with airflow for Resmed P10

[Mr Nosey]

I have successfully used CPAP for 15 years. I currently own an Auto Intellipap and a Resmed Airsense 10 and a couple of pillow masks that I alternate if having any nose soreness. My "go to" masks include the Aloha, the Resmed Swift FX, Pilaro Q (not my favorite), Swift LT and now the p10. The Aloha, Swift LT and p10 are my favorites. The p10 particularly impressive as it has less leak issues than the others (frequently no leaks/night).

Using AUTO CPAP machines, I find that my pressure is usually 9-10cm/night. I have set up my machines so that my minimum pressure is 8cm, high pressure =20cm with a 5 minute ramp. Although the p10 has worked great for a few months, I now find that I'm having problems getting enough air, especially noticeable after stopping CPAP briefly for a nighttime bathroom break. I'm able to resume CPAP without problems using one of my other masks. However, the p10 is problematic and no machine-dependent (have the same problem with the Airsense and the Intellipap).

I'd like to continue to include the p10 as one of my treatment options. The fit is good and there are little/no leaks. Maybe the air diffuser has gotten clogged (though it does behave the same re the amount of air expelled from the front of the mask). Turning off the ramp so that the machine starts at 8cm has not helped. I just don't get enough air to comfortably fall back asleep..and need to switch masks. The odd thing is that I can usually (but not always) start off with the p10 when I first go to bed.

[palerider]

Maybe the air diffuser has gotten clogged (though it does behave the same re the amount of air expelled from the front of the mask).

Give it a good scrubbing with some hot water, dishwashing soap, and a toothbrush.

[Mr Nosey]

Palerider,

MUCH thanks for your suggestion. I scrubbed the diffuser with a toothbrush, soap and warm water and set it aside for one day to dry. Tried the mask last night..didn't have any issues. I was not struggling to get air. Seems like the problem is solved and will post again soon if I still have the issue.

I did think the problem strange as I'd used the mask for 4 months without a problem. Was quite useful to know the problem was mask-specific and not machine-specific. One thing I should note is that one difference the past month (when the problem first arose) was the use of a new, more efficient humidifier in the bedroom (we now keep the humidity at 55%). Regardless of my hose and machine humidifier settings, I had found some water in the tube that on occasion was such that I could hear a gurgling noise coming from the hose due to water accumulation. Maybe there was some residue build up in the diffuser from so much water (though I do use distilled water)? Overall, I don't know the issue but have a tentative solution..and hope this post useful for anyone else who might some day encounter the issue. Really sucks to put on a mask that does not provide enough air and leaves you gasping for breath!
Best,
Richard

[palerider]

Palerider,

MUCH thanks for your suggestion. I scrubbed the diffuser with a toothbrush, soap and warm water and set it aside for one day to dry. Tried the mask last night..didn't have any issues. I was not struggling to get air. Seems like the problem is solved and will post again soon if I still have the issue.

I did think the problem strange as I'd used the mask for 4 months without a problem. Was quite useful to know the problem was mask-specific and not machine-specific. One thing I should note is that one difference the past month (when the problem first arose) was the use of a new, more efficient humidifier in the bedroom (we now keep the humidity at 55%). Regardless of my hose and machine humidifier settings, I had found some water in the tube that on occasion was such that I could hear a gurgling noise coming from the hose due to water accumulation. Maybe there was some residue build up in the diffuser from so much water (though I do use distilled water)? Overall, I don't know the issue but have a tentative solution..and hope this post useful for anyone else who might some day encounter the issue. Really sucks to put on a mask that does not provide enough air and leaves you gasping for breath!
Best,
Richard

Make it a regular habit to give it a scrub every week or so, and you shouldn't have problems...

I think most of the crud that piles up there comes out of us, not the water. Whether you use distilled water or not, all that comes off the humidifier is pure water vapor. Basically, the first step in condensation.

[Mr Nosey]

Palerider,

MUCH thanks for your suggestion. I scrubbed the diffuser with a toothbrush, soap and warm water and set it aside for one day to dry. Tried the mask last night..didn't have any issues. I was not struggling to get air. Seems like the problem is solved and will post again soon if I still have the issue.

I did think the problem strange as I'd used the mask for 4 months without a problem. Was quite useful to know the problem was mask-specific and not machine-specific. One thing I should note is that one difference the past month (when the problem first arose) was the use of a new, more efficient humidifier in the bedroom (we now keep the humidity at 55%). Regardless of my hose and machine humidifier settings, I had found some water in the tube that on occasion was such that I could hear a gurgling noise coming from the hose due to water accumulation. Maybe there was some residue build up in the diffuser from so much water (though I do use distilled water)? Overall, I don't know the issue but have a tentative solution..and hope this post useful for anyone else who might some day encounter the issue. Really sucks to put on a mask that does not provide enough air and leaves you gasping for breath!
Best,
Richard

Make it a regular habit to give it a scrub every week or so, and you shouldn't have problems...

I think most of the crud that piles up there comes out of us, not the water. Whether you use distilled water or not, all that comes off the humidifier is pure water vapor. Basically, the first step in condensation.

I do reasonably frequently soak my masks in water containing an antimicrobial agent but had never scrubbed the P10 with a brush. Go figure. Somewhat counterintuitive that a clogged diffuser would have such an impact. The good news is that the P10 seals better than any of my other pillow masks. Great to have it back in rotation.

[palerider]

I do reasonably frequently soak my masks in water containing an antimicrobial agent but had never scrubbed the P10 with a brush. Go figure.

Scrubbing, .... necessary, antimicrobial soak? not necessary. It's only your own germs that's on there, if it makes you feel better, go ahead, but soap and water is all that's needed.

Just like the recommendation has swung against having triclosan in everything, and going back to soap and water, or plain toothpaste.

Somewhat counterintuitive that a clogged diffuser would have such an impact.

Well, you were having a buildup of co2 because the clogged vent wasn't venting enough to flush it all out.

[Mr Nosey]

I do reasonably frequently soak my masks in water containing an antimicrobial agent but had never scrubbed the P10 with a brush. Go figure.

Scrubbing, .... necessary, antimicrobial soak? not necessary. It's only your own germs that's on there, if it makes you feel better, go ahead, but soap and water is all that's needed.

Just like the recommendation has swung against having triclosan in everything, and going back to soap and water, or plain toothpaste.

Somewhat counterintuitive that a clogged diffuser would have such an impact.

Well, you were having a buildup of co2 because the clogged vent wasn't venting enough to flush it all out.

Well, as I have a strong backgroung in microbiology and virology, Im most comfortable and sticking to occasional anti-microbial soaks.

Re the diffuser and your comment about CO2 build up, does Resmed highlight this as a potential problem with the P20 mask (maybe a trouble shooting section in the literature provided with the mask). Will admit that I no longer read those booklets..
Cheers and happy New Year.

[palerider]

Resmed highlight this as a potential problem with the P20 mask

You'll do better looking for the proper name... P10

cleaning the mesh is mentioned as part of the normal cleaning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MylY6a6KXMY

[Mr Nosey]

Resmed highlight this as a potential problem with the P20 mask

You'll do better looking for the proper name... P10

cleaning the mesh is mentioned as part of the normal cleaning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MylY6a6KXMY

Thanks for correcting me re the mask being P10, not P20...had it correct in the body of the post but not the subject title (which I've corrected so it might hopefully come up in searches).

The mesh cleaning mention in a Youtube video is a joke..is it standard to use Youtube for official product info, especially given the issue? Resmed should explicitly state the issue so it's prominent and a known, potentially serious issue.

[Dog Slobber]

is it standard to use Youtube for official product info, especially given the issue?

Yes it is. A lot of companies use YouTube for official, promotional and information videos.

[Mr Nosey]

is it standard to use Youtube for official product info, especially given the issue?

Yes it is. A lot of companies use YouTube for official, promotional and information videos.

I am not questioning whether companies use Youtube for promotion or providing information. The question is whether a company (in this case, Resmed) would use it as the SOLE method of providing information. I strongly assume you agree that not everyone is internet savvy andbofvthose that are, only a subset views Youtube?

On additional bit of information. I checked with my supplies provider. The P10 mask does not come with printed information highlighting the potential for there being clogged mask filter issues (though note there is an insert that mentions the importance of cleaning their machine filters). I am only suggesting something proactive on Resmed's part (provided with their product) that undoubtedly may have value to some.

[jnk...]

All it takes is a little condensation in the mask for the venting to become worthless for that night. So I agree that there is a real problem for some when they can't figure out why they suddenly seem starved for air in the middle of the night and aren't knowledgeable enough to recognize it as CO2 buildup caused by water in that mask.

I agree that any mask in which simple moisture renders the vent completely ineffective is a mask that needs a bold warning somewhere for legal and ethical reasons.

I do not recommend that anyone else do what I do to that mask, but I actually punch extra holes in the vents, myself. It makes the mask much louder and increases the intentional leak beyond what the mask was designed to provide, but waking up from CO2 buildup is not a pleasant experience for me, and I don't always get my humidification perfect for preventing condensation in the mask.

[palerider]

The mesh cleaning mention in a Youtube video is a joke..is it standard to use Youtube for official product info, especially given the issue? Resmed should explicitly state the issue so it's prominent and a known, potentially serious issue.

You know that manual, the one you

Resmed highlight this as a potential problem with the P20 mask (maybe a trouble shooting section in the literature provided with the mask). Will admit that I no longer read those booklets..

Didn't bother to read? It's in there.

What do you want them to do, put a plastic flag on the mask itself? like you find on electrical cords?

When was the last time you read one of those? The last Christmas lights I bought had *THREE* flags... I didn't read those either.

[realshelby]

I have a P10. What I don't understand is the problem with airflow? Block the vent....and you get the same or higher actual airflow. This isn't a Carbon Dioxide issue, putting it on after a bathroom break won't allow enough build up to matter for a while at least. I too seem to need to take a few deep breaths after getting up for a bathroom break in the middle of the night to get back to a normal breath intake. But that applies to all the masks I use. I have been using a Nuance Pro lately and it has a very open vent....same breathing with it.

I am thinking this may be more of a nasal passage restriction of some sort that is beginning to effect airflow?

[palerider]

I have a P10. What I don't understand is the problem with airflow? Block the vent....and you get the same or higher actual airflow. This isn't a Carbon Dioxide issue, putting it on after a bathroom break won't allow enough build up to matter for a while at least. I too seem to need to take a few deep breaths after getting up for a bathroom break in the middle of the night to get back to a normal breath intake. But that applies to all the masks I use. I have been using a Nuance Pro lately and it has a very open vent....same breathing with it.

I am thinking this may be more of a nasal passage restriction of some sort that is beginning to effect airflow?

Your thinking is flawed.

Block the vent, and you get *no* airflow (unless you've got gills or something else weird that gives the air sowhere to go).

Block the vent on any mask and co2 will immediately start to build up.