New APAP user without sleep study looking for advice

[ChicagoGranny]

If you are looking to find a good mask to use either now or in the future, try downloading MaskFit AR on the App Store. IT's a free app that helps suggest the best mask for you from all makes and models. Truly an objective and unbiased system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8c-BIT4TjA&t=1s

"... suggests hundreds of masks (that fit the scan) ..."

Wow! That really narrows it down.

[gadgetmaniah]

If you are looking to find a good mask to use either now or in the future, try downloading MaskFit AR on the App Store. IT's a free app that helps suggest the best mask for you from all makes and models. Truly an objective and unbiased system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8c-BIT4TjA&t=1s

"... suggests hundreds of mask (that fit the scan) ..."

Wow! That really narrows it down.

Haha. I actually tried the app right now; doesn't seem too bad. Now I know that I need a large size mask.

[ChicagoGranny]

Haha. I actually tried the app right now; doesn't seem too bad. Now I know that I need a large size mask.

Most of the masks on cpap.com show a fitting guide provided by the mask manufacturer. I don't know whether the fitting guide or the app is the better tool.

[gadgetmaniah]

Haha. I actually tried the app right now; doesn't seem too bad. Now I know that I need a large size mask.

Most of the masks on cpap.com show a fitting guide provided by the mask manufacturer. I don't know whether the fitting guide or the app is the better tool.

Oh right, I was just taking a look at Resmed's fitting guide on their website. Seems simpler.

[ChicagoGranny]

Seems simpler.

Narrows it down to dozens?

[gadgetmaniah]

Seems simpler.

Narrows it down to dozens?

Lol!

[Pugsy]

If you are looking to find a good mask to use either now or in the future, try downloading MaskFit AR on the App Store. IT's a free app that helps suggest the best mask for you from all makes and models. Truly an objective and unbiased system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8c-BIT4TjA&t=1s

"... suggests hundreds of masks (that fit the scan) ..."

Wow! That really narrows it down.

I bet somewhere out there there is an app for how to effectively pick your nose. or wipe your butt....and people will think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[zonker]

I bet somewhere out there there is an app for how to effectively pick your nose. or wipe your butt....and people will think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

where can i get me that sliced bread app?

[gadgetmaniah]

I have a question. Even with my replacement machine (Resmed Auto), I'm experiencing large leaks throughout my sleep. Could this have something to do with having washed my mask? I washed it for the first time before using it with the Resmed machine that I ordered. In addition, I'm experiencing some rough/fluttering type of noise when inhaling.

Does this sound like an issue with the mask or the machine? I doubt that it's with the machine as I'm experiencing the issue on two different machines that I've tried that I received from the supplier.

Also, my mask is a cheap mask by an obscure company called Galemed, so that's why I haven't mentioned its name.

[Pugsy]

Mask movement during the night as we change position or facial oils/sweat accumulate and mess with the seal is very common.
When the mask moves from whatever reason....leaks happen.

I once woke up with one of my nasal pillows blowing air into my ear and the other one was blowing air into my eyeball.
Had a big leak show up on the reports when that happened.

[gadgetmaniah]

Mask movement during the night as we change position or facial oils/sweat accumulate and mess with the seal is very common.
When the mask moves from whatever reason....leaks happen.

I once woke up with one of my nasal pillows blowing air into my ear and the other one was blowing air into my eyeball.
Had a big leak show up on the reports when that happened.

Right, thank you!

Also, I wanted to ask, why is my humidifer status showing as 'On' on OSCAR even though I'm not using a humidifier? Is this normal?

[Pugsy]

why is my humidifer status showing as 'On' on OSCAR even though I'm not using a humidifier? Is this normal?

It's a bug in the OSCAR software. Thought they had fixed that little problem.
Ignore it. Nothing you can do about it. Sometimes the actual settings OSCAR doesn't get right due to the little bug in the software.

[gadgetmaniah]

why is my humidifer status showing as 'On' on OSCAR even though I'm not using a humidifier? Is this normal?

It's a bug in the OSCAR software. Thought they had fixed that little problem.
Ignore it. Nothing you can do about it. Sometimes the actual settings OSCAR doesn't get right due to the little bug in the software.

Oh, I see. Thank you.

[gadgetmaniah]

I have a question about my machine settings. I've heard that an EPR of 3 is optimal. So, if I normally have my minimum at 6 cm, would I need to increase the minimum pressure if I set EPR to 3? If so, what should I increase pressure to? As a guess I've set it at 7 cm right now.

[ChicagoGranny]

I've heard that an EPR of 3 is optimal. So, if I normally have my minimum at 6 cm, would I need to increase the minimum pressure if I set EPR to 3?

Each patient is an individual case. There is no optimal EPR for the patient population, and there is no formula for assigning an EPR. The optimal EPR/Min/Max setting is the one that is effective for the user and doesn't interrupt the user's sleep. For example, some like very much an EPR of 3, and others, like me, don't like the constant up and down cycling of the pressure. I don't use EPR. Others won't do without it.

To find optimal settings, the user can experiment with different settings, make subjective judgments about his sleep quality and energy level the next day, and check the daily data in OSCAR. Trial and error.

As far as turning EPR on and increasing the minimum pressure, some have found they have to do this.

Here is a quote from ResMed.

The ResMed AirSense 10 has built-in sensors that detect a patient’s breathing. As an individual exhales, the CPAP machine responds by reducing the air pressure delivered by a specific amount. When an inhale is detected again, the machine raises the pressure back to the prescribed setting. This is known as EPR, or expiratory pressure relief.

The ResMed AirSense 10 has four EPR settings: 0-3. At 0, pressure relief is turned off. At 3, air pressure is reduced by 3 cm H2O. For example, if a patient’s CPAP is set to 10 cm H2O with an EPR of 3, the air pressure during exhale is lowered to 7 cm H2O. Once an inhale is detected, air pressure increases back to 10.

Note if EPR is set at 3 and minimum pressure is set at 6.0, the machine will not go below 4.0. So, the EPR setting is effectively only 2.