New Padacheek liner - “bad fit”! Why?

[beautifuldreamer]

A suggestion is to contact Karen from Pad-a-Cheek, she is so helpful, and may have idea that would help you . . .

[ChicagoGranny]

A suggestion is to contact Karen from Pad-a-Cheek, she is so helpful, and may have idea that would help you . . .

My thought was the exact opposite - don't waste Karen's time. The problem has yet to be defined. Continue working with forum members to define the problem.

In any case, the OP reported:

I used the liner and slept great last night, feel great this morning, and even had dreams.

He also reported not being able to feel any leaks when placing his hand around the mask.

Forum members can help better with the diagnosis of the problem at this point.

[Viraj3474]

Okay Pugsy. I believe I have the clinical manual as I did find the "essentials" you talked about and changed it to "plus".
Then I went into the Sleep Report and went down to what use to be the end of the sleep report and found "More Information". Under that I found how long I've been using the machine, the pressure, and other stats. I found "Leak" and it showed a figure of 26. BUT . . . all this data looks like it's averages for the whole duration of my month's use, even though it's under today's ( Wednesday the 4th) sleep report. Can you clarify?

I believe you are looking for information other than leaks. I probably won't get back with you before tomorrow, Thursday, as it's getting late here. Let me know what you want me to look for and I will report back Thursday morning. For tonight I will run the Mask Fit. I'd love to have the details for Wednesday, September 4. I still feel like I had a great night's sleep regardless of any red mask! Thanks for your patience!

[Pugsy]

You can change the reporting period from 30 days to 1 day.
The default is for 30 days.
From the LCD screen for leak I only want the 95% number which is what is shown.
It means you were AT OR BELOW that leak for 95 % of the night. It is not an average and it is not where you spent 95% of the night.
That is really all I can glean about the leak from the machine's LCD screen.
For the details I need the detailed software report.

[bristolman]

I had the red face twice when using a mask liner, not padacheek, ( slobber ) and another time the green one . when I was trying to figure out why I tried the mask fit setting it was green on inhale and red on the exhale . still not sure but I like the liner so I'm going to see if I can resolve . this was with f20 ffm.
mike

[Viraj3474]

You can change the reporting period from 30 days to 1 day.
The default is for 30 days.
From the LCD screen for leak I only want the 95% number which is what is shown.
It means you were AT OR BELOW that leak for 95 % of the night. It is not an average and it is not where you spent 95% of the night.
That is really all I can glean about the leak from the machine's LCD screen.
For the details I need the detailed software report.

I'm not sure how to change the reporting period, but will check deeper. I'm assuming this is only changed when looking at a specific day and is a one-time change in the reporting period setting. I don't want to make any permanent changes since I am still in the three-month period critical to my therapy being covered by my insurance. I don't want to do anything to put that at risk.

The "95% of the night" leak number is confusing. This is my understanding of what you said:
1. It shows a leak number that is AT or BELOW where I spent 95% of my sleep.
2. However . . . it's not necessarily the number that I WAS ACTUALLY AT 95% of the time during my sleep. Why don't they put in the actual number!!!
3. Therefore . . . the actual number can only be found on the detailed software report.

After last night's super night with the mask and liner, I believe we can stop trying to figure out the 4th of September sleep report. I used Mask Fit when applying the mask last night and got the familiar "pop" of a sealed mask. I had no problems with the seal during the night and slept seven and three quarter hours, with one sleep apnea and little adjusting. I feel rested. I couldn't ask for more. I don't think pursuing what happened earlier is necessary now. At this point the most important issue I need to address is fitting the PadACheek liner to the bridge of my nose which had redness this A.M. I'm guessing it was too tight.

You've helped broaden my knowledge about the RESMED Air Sense For Her, have noticed all your work that's available on the forum, and I have the manual and where to get more. Thanks so much for all that and really appreciate your patience walking me through most of this.

[ChicagoGranny]

I don't want to make any permanent changes since I am still in the three-month period critical to my therapy being covered by my insurance. I don't want to do anything to put that at risk.

The compliance report for insurance will always be there no matter what changes you make. Even my doofus brother-in-law, Broadus, couldn't screw it up.

[Viraj3474]

I don't want to make any permanent changes since I am still in the three-month period critical to my therapy being covered by my insurance. I don't want to do anything to put that at risk.

The compliance report for insurance will always be there no matter what changes you make. Even my doofus brother-in-law, Broadus, couldn't screw it up.

Well that’s good to know. Thanks for your input.

[palerider]

I don't want to make any permanent changes since I am still in the three-month period critical to my therapy being covered by my insurance. I don't want to do anything to put that at risk.

The only "permanent change" you can make is if you select to erase the data, and say 'yes' to are you sure.

Your insurance company doesn't give a crap about anything at all other than 'did patient use the machine", they couldn't possibly care less if it actually is effective for you.

So, it's in your best interests to adjust it to make it as effective as possible, which will mean you're more likely to *use* it... which is all the insurance cares about.

[Viraj3474]

Pale Rider:
I guess that answer hits the nail on the head. Any questions anyone? . A desire for clarification perhaps?? No?

[Pugsy]

If you are happy and content then so am I.
I do suggest that you get yourself familiar with your machine and how it reports the data and what the data means just in case you have another bad night or worse...have several bad nights in a row and you really do need to sort out what is going on.

[Viraj3474]

If you are happy and content then so am I.
I do suggest that you get yourself familiar with your machine and how it reports the data and what the data means just in case you have another bad night or worse...have several bad nights in a row and you really do need to sort out what is going on.

Thanks for that Pugsy. I understand the wisdom of your statement and will check around the Oscar software and other things you suggested. It takes a little while just to gain some confidence in using the machine. Right now I’m grateful for feeling like a human being again. Good forums are always the best places to gain solid and useful knowledge. Thanks again.

[JayDee]

At this point the most important issue I need to address is fitting the PadACheek liner to the bridge of my nose which had redness this A.M. I'm guessing it was too tight.

Everyone's face can be different and liners are made to allow a bit of trimming. I've trimmed liner openings to fit my nose & mouth better (I use sharp cuticle scissors). You just want to be sure you don't trim off too much. You can always trim a sliver more off, but it's stinkin' hard to trim some back *on*. Trim where needed, but not so much that you defeat the purpose of the liner.

As far as padacheek liners go, I think you would be hard pressed to find better. As long as the liner lays between the sealing surfaces of the mask and your face, it's going to do its job. You may need to adjust the straps with a liner. Also, don't forget that as nights go by, your headgear straps can stretch and loosen. I haven't had headgear yet that was "set & forget" - they have all required on-going adjustment from time to time and a trip through the washer & dryer about once a month to re-shrink them.

Regarding compliance, you could strap your mask to a mannequin, run it at least 4 hours a night, and your insurance company and DME vendor would compliment you on your "continued use".

So be bold with your therapy! Don't be afraid to make those mid-course corrections to keep you on the path you need to take. If in doubt, ask and the good folks here will help you figure it out. Before long, this is all going to be boringly routine for you.

Good luck!
-JD

[Viraj3474]

JayDee,

“Regarding compliance, you could strap your mask to a mannequin, run it at least 4 hours a night, and your insurance company and DME vendor would compliment you on your "continued use".”

The comment that you made above seems to be the prevailing opinion of most everyone using paps. I don’t disagree about DMEs as I already have had problems with the one I have.

I did make three snips into the liner at the bridge and now the top of the liner opens wider across my nose. It seemed to work fine last night. There still is a pink area on my nose from the night before. I guess it will go away with time. Thanks for the encouraging thoughts. I appreciated reading them.

[ChicagoGranny]

you could strap your mask to a mannequin, run it at least 4 hours a night

#OneApneaNight