what does your AHI look like with a FULL FACE MASK??!!!

[ephskiing377]

Fellow Cpapers,
I was wondering what your guys AHI look like when you use a FULL FACE MASK. My leaks are under controll, but am always get an AHI above 5.0. I am wondering what you guys get when you use your FULL FACE MASK. Please help. I would really like to get my AHI DOWN to under 5.0. Any help would be apprecitated. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Chad

[ww]

You need to provide a lot more background so someone can help you get your AHI down.

I use a Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask (size small) and typically get an AHI of between 0.2 and 0.5. This is using an S9 auto set at 8 to 15 cm. I could not do as well on my Respironics M Series Auto as the alogarithyms are simply not the same.

[joelrk35]

I tried a Mirage Quatro on my ResMed S8 Autoset II and had the same problem. Leak numbers were fine (0.1 - 0.2) but my HI ranged 5 to 10 and my AI ranged 0.2 to 1.6. Tried tweaking minimum pressure but no change. With my Mirage Activa Lt I had higher leaks 0.38 to 0.48 L/s. But AI was 0.0 to 0.7. Not sure why the numbers went up either. Called the DME and he said a number of people have similar problems with FFM but didn't have a reason to attribute it to. Some of the more knowledgeble people on the forum may have some answers.

[DreamOn]

Chad, I tried the Quattro full-face mask for a while. I tried all sizes. I found that I had to tighten the bottom straps down very tight in order to prevent leaks with that mask.

I have highly positional sleep apnea. With the Quattro, in particular, I found that I had a much higher AHI, with the apneas appearing in large clusters, when I would sleep on my back. When I restricted myself to side-only sleeping with the Quattro, results were more similar to the excellent results I get with nasal pillows and nasal masks. You may be interested in the thread regarding my "Quattro Experiment": viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48909. It includes some graphics that show what was happening. I suggest you read both pages of the thread to see the differences in results.

My theory is that the tighter bottom mask straps with the Quattro were pulling my chin down toward my neck, blocking my airway, especially when I was on my back. You may want to experiment by trying side-only sleeping and see if that makes any difference for you with the full-face mask. You may want to consider trying other mask types. I do very well with nasal pillows + PAPCap chin strap. I usually have either zero or one apnea per night (reported as AI of 0 or 0.1), with zero leak rate. But not everyone will have the same results.

I hope you'll let us know what you discover!

[Eureka]

I use the F&P 431 FFM and my AHI usually runs 2.0 to 3.7. My AI is 1.3 to 2.2 usually. I have an apap set to run as a cpap and tonight I am going to use it as an apap and see if I can improve on my numbers. My pressure is 10.5 and I think by moving it up to 11 would improve my numbers, but I am going to try a range -- probably 9 to 13 and see what happens. I think when I find the results I will return to the cpap mode. I like that best.

[Jane1966]

Hello,

I started cpap therapy on April 8th. As of May 8th, I had a 30 day average AHI of 2.5 per night. I got a size smaller mask a week ago and my 7 day average AHI is 1.5 for the last week. We will see what it is for the month. The AHI with the the medium size mask was good, but I noticed leaking on the cheeks too much which bothered me. I think the smaller one is better because it concentrates the air flow more, although it is a snug fit between the bridge of my nose and the bottom of my mouth. The head attachment gear is more appropriately sized for a woman's head for sure though. Anyway, my pressure is 8, and I have a moderate level of sleep apnea. No way would I want a nasal mask. Maybe your mask doesn't fit you correctly, and you need a different size.

[fotoguy]

I got a new full face mask yesterday. Last night my AHI was 49.7. I've only had a CPAP for a week, but I know that's not good.

[Komodo]

My theory is that the tighter bottom mask straps with the Quattro were pulling my chin down toward my neck, blocking my airway,

Same thing happens to me. It's a shame too because I REALLY like the Quattro. Unfortunately, when I wear it my AHI goes thru the roof.

[fotoguy]

Last night, my second night with a full face mask, my AHI was 26.5. Today marks the first week with CPAP. I don't know the sleep study numbers yet, was just told I have severe sleep apnea. I agree.

[WearyOne]

I use the Hybrid (not Liberty) and my AHI is always under 1. (RDI at my sleep study 3-1/2 years ago was 19.)

[Mtnviewer]

STAY OFF YOUR BACK (HEAD AND BODY)

As suggested by Dream On, CHECK YOUR SLEEPING POSITION!!!!!!!! Most people have higher AHI's when sleeping on their back, even if partially on their back, or even if the body is sideways but the head turns partially or as much as it can to the back. Without observation from another person, a video recording and comparison to your software AHI data, one may not otherwise know when one is on their back, partially or completely, and when one has OSA events.

Figuring out a way to stay on one's side may be fiddly but it can be done. I personally use restraining devices for my head and a firm fannypack on my back at chest level.

Choosing that you CAN'T change or alter your sleeping position, or thinking that you don't sleep on your back without video proof, will only keep you guessing at a cause and at solutions. Figuring out how to side sleep, and adjusting or customizing your pillow to prevent it from pushing on your mask, are about the easiest and most effective things that you can do to benefit GREATLY from PAP therapy, yet most folks don't think of it, don't want to change and instead would rather put up with higher pressures, higher leak rates, higher AHI's / Apneas, being tired and impaired, tighter mask pressures, wider and less effective APAP ranges, etc.. Of course there will be some folks that side sleeping may not help, but anatomically, it's pretty much a given that it will help most people.

STAY OFF YOUR BACK (HEAD AND BODY).

[TheTwinsMom1]

I also use the Quattro mask and my ahi is always below 1, last night it was .4.

[SleepyBobR]

With my Quattro I usually have AI of 0 or .1 and HI between 1 and 2. So my AHI ranges from 1 to 2.1 or so. Agree with all that's been said about staying off your back. In my case, I had learned to sleep on my side before even being diagnosed. I've often wondered if I could sleep on my back with CPAP but it never happens. I probably shouldn't go there anyway as I'm sure it would make things worse.

[williamco]

I personally use restraining devices for my head and a firm fannypack on my back at chest level.

would you explain what is this restraining device? and how is it placed on your head?
when I tried to put a ball in my back I noticed that I turned my head up while sleeping on my sides

[STL Mark]

I've had my machine for 4 nights now. Using a Quattro ffm. Nights in order had AHI of; 9.3, 11.7, 5.1, 3.5

Working on my leaks, got my mask adjusted properly after my 11.7 night. I also have finally remembered to turn off the machine prior to taking off my mask... Still adjusting my pressures in Autoset mode to zero in on the exact settings. Got to love resscan!