Adjusting to the Airfit P10

[mdintx]

Long time no post.

I've been using the Aloha nasal pillow mask for some time. It has worked reasonably well. I generally felt rested but moisture build up on the pillows was often a frustration that frequently woke me in the middle of the night. I gave the Swift FX a try but couldn't get it to seal. The Airfit looked appealing and I placed the order. It seems I've solved one problem but created another. While it seals well and doesn't wake me in the night, I don't wake up feeling rested. I've tried modifying the humidity but that hasn't helped. I've tried adjusting the pressure up and down. That hasn't made a difference either. The stats look good, AHI below 2.5 and AI ranging from .0 to .2. Leaks are ok though I'm not sure on what the numbers should be as my machine is the S8.

Has anyone else had this experience with the P10. It's so comfortable and easy to use, I'd hate to send it back.

TIA,

Mark

[Pugsy]

Leaks are ok though I'm not sure on what the numbers should be as my machine is the S8.

With the S8 machine you want to shoot for leak numbers less than 0.40 L/Sec....your machine reports in liters per second and the S9 machines (and ResScan) report in liters per minute.
In liters per minute ResMed says as long as we stay below 24 L/min that the machine can compensate well.
So at 0.40 L/sec...multiply that by 60 seconds and you get 24 L/min.

Not sure why you aren't feeling as well rested with the AirFit P10 unless you simply aren't sleeping as well with it for some reason or other.
Most people who try it really like it and I haven't heard of any specific complaints about not feeling well rested with it unless sleep quality worsened for some reason.
I am using it right now and giving my teeth a rest (bad tooth on bottom teeth causing discomfort which the mouth guard doesn't help) and I love it and I sleep well with it and how I feel during the day hasn't changed at all.

When we don't feel well rested during the day..and we can't spot anything that just screams "fix me" on the reports then maybe it is something affecting sleep quality. Maybe it is just because a mask is new but sometimes a person just doesn't do as well with one mask over another for some oddball reason.
There are several nasal pillow masks that I could use..but just because I can use them doesn't mean I get good sleep with them. The Optilife is like that for me. I don't sleep so great with all that crap on my face and head....but I could use it technically...but I won't.

Oh...moisture in the nasal pillows...that's condensation from the moisture in our exhaled breath and it can happen even with a heated hose if the bedroom is cool enough. Karen at Padacheek.com makes a barrel cozy for nasal pillow masks that will insulate the barrel and greatly reduce any condensation in the nasal pillow barrel. Best money I have ever spent was 3 years ago when I bought one from Karen...still use it now even on my Tap Pap. Haven't needed it on the AirFit P10 yet as I have been keeping the bedroom slightly warmer lately because it has just been so cold this winter.
It is so comfy that I used it in the summer also because the material felt like silk on my nose.

[mdintx]

Leaks are ok though I'm not sure on what the numbers should be as my machine is the S8.

With the S8 machine you want to shoot for leak numbers less than 0.40 L/Sec....your machine reports in liters per second and the S9 machines (and ResScan) report in liters per minute.
In liters per minute ResMed says as long as we stay below 24 L/min that the machine can compensate well.
So at 0.40 L/sec...multiply that by 60 seconds and you get 24 L/min.

Not sure why you aren't feeling as well rested with the AirFit P10 unless you simply aren't sleeping as well with it for some reason or other.
Most people who try it really like it and I haven't heard of any specific complaints about not feeling well rested with it unless sleep quality worsened for some reason.
I am using it right now and giving my teeth a rest (bad tooth on bottom teeth causing discomfort which the mouth guard doesn't help) and I love it and I sleep well with it and how I feel during the day hasn't changed at all.

Oh...moisture in the nasal pillows...that's condensation from the moisture in our exhaled breath and it can happen even with a heated hose if the bedroom is cool enough. Karen at Padacheek.com makes a barrel cozy for nasal pillow masks that will insulate the barrel and greatly reduce any condensation in the nasal pillow barrel. Best money I have ever spent was 3 years ago when I bought one from Karen...still use it now even on my Tap Pap. Haven't needed it on the AirFit P10 yet as I have been keeping the bedroom slightly warmer lately because it has just been so cold this winter.
It is so comfy that I used it in the summer also because the material felt like silk on my nose.

Thanks for your reply. As for leak numbers, they're ranging from .04-.12L/sec so I guess that's ok. With the Airfit, I sleep throughout the night right up to my alarm. That's different. Other than that, I have no idea what's going on. I think I will give it another week.

[dtsm]

Masks are strange creatures and one size doesn't fit all. My numbers with the swift fx were always bad, whereas with LT and discontinued Aeiomed, superb. I would stay with the latter forever but they're out of business and my stash will eventually run out.

I am now testing the P10. One really needs to give a new mask at least 7-10 days trial before reaching any conclusions, IMHO.

[jencat824]

Strange this thread should come up now. I got the P10 a while back. First night fine, then next few nights could not get a seal, so I gave up on it. I've just decided to give it another try, and tonight will be my 4th night. So far fine, except I'm experiencing the opposite - I've got more energy than usual. Could be the mask, or could be I'm less tense because of a family situation, but I think it might be the mask. Funny how each mask affects everyone differently.

I usually will give masks a second and even a third try, weeks, even months later. Mostly because I paid for it and want it to work. Its almost as comfortable as my Swift LT, so if the energy keeps up, this may be my new go-to mask.

Maybe that would work for you. Give it up for now, then try again in a few weeks. If you have the same problem then, I would blame the mask. Not very scientific, but sometimes listening to your body is the best 'medicine'.

Jen

[Stormynights]

Maybe you are just sleeping deeper and you aren't used to it. I would give it a little time. I know I am not waking up with leaks nearly as much and that is very good for me.

[NYcpap]

The pressure seems higher on the Airfit, especially on exhalation. I've developed tinnitus since switching from Swift. I'm thinking it may be related to the mask. For now, I'm switching back to the Swift to see if things improve. I'm not sure why the pressure seems higher as it should be regulated by the machine. I've noticed that condensate collects in the fine mesh which could also be problematic. Please share your experiences if similar.

[Sandra_ON]

I really like the Airfit because of no leaks. It's all I've been using for the last three weeks or so.

[Pugsy]

The pressure seems higher on the Airfit, especially on exhalation. I've developed tinnitus since switching from Swift. I'm thinking it may be related to the mask. For now, I'm switching back to the Swift to see if things improve. I'm not sure why the pressure seems higher as it should be regulated by the machine. I've noticed that condensate collects in the fine mesh which could also be problematic. Please share your experiences if similar.

I haven had either issue....neither pressure seemingly higher and my pressures go upwards of 20 cm routinely but that's not to say someone else might perceive the situation differently.
Haven't had any ear issues that I have noticed.
No moisture in the vent mesh...in fact no moisture at all which for me is really good because of my maxed out humidity settings and preference for a cooler bedroom. Typically any condensation at the mask level is most likely moisture from our own exhaled breath added into the incoming moisture laden air and the air in the mask is cooled by room temp..and can't hold all the moisture. With the Swift FX I used to see the often...I would get a fine mist cold shower on my face due to moisture getting blown out the vent holes.

[mdintx]

Maybe you are just sleeping deeper and you aren't used to it. I would give it a little time. I know I am not waking up with leaks nearly as much and that is very good for me.

You know, I've considered that. I am sleeping through the night. For the last 5 years, my numbers have always been good regardless of the mask. So waking up tired was usually a sign of nasal congestion. I would adjust the humidity and all would be well. I will make a it a point to sleep longer this weekend and see if I need to add another hour of sleep.

[mdintx]

The pressure seems higher on the Airfit, especially on exhalation. I've developed tinnitus since switching from Swift. I'm thinking it may be related to the mask. For now, I'm switching back to the Swift to see if things improve. I'm not sure why the pressure seems higher as it should be regulated by the machine. I've noticed that condensate collects in the fine mesh which could also be problematic. Please share your experiences if similar.

Actually, I've had the opposite experience. The Airfit seems "softer" when it comes to the pressure. I've decreased and increased in small increments but have noticed a difference.

[Redonthehead]

I consider myself a mouth breather and have used the Q-FX full face mask since I started this journey 3 months ago. I very much want to use a nasal pillow mask so I bought the Airfit P10 out of pocket, with the hope the pressure would help me breathe.

The mask is comfy and I don't have leak issues at the nostrils. The first three tries at sleep however I was just not able to go to sleep and get sufficient air thru my nose. I tried again last night and successfully went to sleep. I did fight some mouth leaks, but at 3AM I had to toss it and get up for awhile due to burning in the nose. Probably not enough humidity. Stewing about the ENT telling me that day I needed a 4 hour surgery to open up my nose didn't help.

Bottom line is I believe I would love the Airfit P10 if my nose was "right".

[Stormynights]

I consider myself a mouth breather and have used the Q-FX full face mask since I started this journey 3 months ago. I very much want to use a nasal pillow mask so I bought the Airfit P10 out of pocket, with the hope the pressure would help me breathe.

The mask is comfy and I don't have leak issues at the nostrils. The first three tries at sleep however I was just not able to go to sleep and get sufficient air thru my nose. I tried again last night and successfully went to sleep. I did fight some mouth leaks, but at 3AM I had to toss it and get up for awhile due to burning in the nose. Probably not enough humidity. Stewing about the ENT telling me that day I needed a 4 hour surgery to open up my nose didn't help.

Bottom line is I believe I would love the Airfit P10 if my nose was "right".

When I first started, I couldn't stand that burning in my nose from using pillows. I would suggest that you continue with the pillows and switch off during the night with the FF until your nose gets toughened up enough to stay with the pillows all night. I used Ayr Saline Nasal Gel a lot at first. It really helped.

[skram]

mdintx, have you tried the different sizes of pillows? I found they make a difference.

I can't use the small. The medium feels the best, but if I am at all congested, I find the exhale resistance too high and I hear a whistling sound - although my wife doesn't hear it. The large feels good and I don't have the problem when congested - but it doesn't maintain the seal as well and I having to adjust it throughout the night.

The P10 I have is a promotional sample given to my supplier (they just got it - we are later getting it her in Nova Scotia - and don't have any for sale yet). I am returning it on Monday (was supposed to be today) and going back to my Pilairo Q. It seems to work better for me, but the P10 is a close second.

If you haven't tried the Pilario Q, then you might want to try that one out (make sure to get the Q - it has substantial venting improvements and 2 sets of different styled headger).

[mdintx]

mdintx, have you tried the different sizes of pillows? I found they make a difference.

I can't use the small. The medium feels the best, but if I am at all congested, I find the exhale resistance too high and I hear a whistling sound - although my wife doesn't hear it. The large feels good and I don't have the problem when congested - but it doesn't maintain the seal as well and I having to adjust it throughout the night.

Well, I considered this and tried the large pillows last night. They were obviously a bit big but sealed well. I felt an immediate difference in the flow of the air. The night went well (leak of .08L/sec, AHI-4.4, AI-0.0) and I woke up feeling like myself. Thanks for the suggestion!