New to CPAP, full mask closing nostrils

[MartensGrove]

Hello everyone, new user in UK .

Just got CPAP machine, Resmed S9 with Airfit F10 full face mask on the NHS.

They gav the me the full face when I told them I often get one or more blocked nostrils when sleeping on my side and I don't know if I mouth breathe to compensate.

The thing is, when I put the mask on, the smallest pressure on the bridge of my nose closes my nostrils, seemingly, but with no obvious signs of visible collapse. But then sometimes during the night my nostrils just open and I can breathe easily.

On a normal night without a CPAP this sort of thing occurs. But there's no doubt applying the pressure to bridge of nose when putting on mask is closing the nostrils. Have I got nose issues? This is all bothering me because I was hoping for nasal pillows, seemed less hassle . I also seem capable of snoring on the CPAP, not too clear yet.

Another couple questions:

Is it normal for some air to leak from the socket where the elbow plugs into the mask? I'm pretty sure it's not just the vent which is expelling air (and is annoyingly cold and noisy), but is leaking a bit from the circle of the socket.

Also - I'm toying with the idea of buying a 20 quid oximetry tester to see if I'm having any "dips", but I read an S9 records that stuff anyway based on respiratory. Being an NHS patient, would it hurt to take the SD card out of the machine while switched off, copy data off it and check it out myself? I don't want to wait six weeks to be told something vague at the hospital, I want data now so I can make decisions and adjustments (or at least get enough data that I can decide whether to take time off work to get to hospital to get them to change things).

I'd like to know what time an obstructive event occurs, so I can record myself on my phone and have a listen, see what my body is doing.

Thx all for replies, and Hello

[MartensGrove]

Hmm - I just took out the SD card and copied the data off it. The DATALOG folder is empty. What's that about? I didn't use the machine last night (I know, I know, smacky bottoms, I fell asleep on the sofa), but I'd used it previous nights. Where's that data gone?

[Pugsy]

I understand the pressure on the nose issues...that's why I don't/can't/won't wear a mask that puts pressure on my nose.
If you have to use a full face mask then consider this one.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html
But you might consider at least giving the regular nasal pillow mask a trial. You might find that the nose stays fairly open better than you think. The humidified air actually helps my nose and often I wake up breathing clearer than I did when I went to bed.

Which S9 machine do you have like which model name? Escape? Escape Auto? Elite? AutoSet? VPAP or something else?
It won't hurt a thing for you to look at your data but just don't tell your NHS people...they get their panties all in a wad when you do that.

Yes, it's possible to still snore but that usually means the pressure is sub optimal when there is much snoring present.

I suggest at least a trial with nasal pillow mask if you can.

You are going to need the software to view the data on the SD card. Check out my signature line for information on SleepyHead which works well with the S9 or send me a private message if you want ResScan.
But need to know exactly which S9 you have because some of them don't gather anything but hours of use.

[Sleeprider]

If you got a Resmed S9 CPAP, there won't be data. If the machine is an Elite or Autoset, there will. What model?

Full face masks are way over-rated. While you're in your trial period I strongly recommend you trial some nasal pillows like the airfit P10. They will prevent any congestion and if you don't have an inclination to mouth breathing, will be much more comfortable with no blowing air and no pinched nostrils.

[Darth Lady]

1) What Pugsy and Sleeprider said. I hope you're able to get some data because they're great at figuring that stuff out!

2) I also have that mask, and I have to adjust it very carefully to avoid compressing my nostrils. The soft part of your nose goes surprisingly far up, and that mask can hit at the top part of that area. It's very comfortable otherwise, but that's an issue. I've also found that you have to seat the hose very carefully or there will be leakage just where you say you experience it. So try adjusting the hose, reseating it on the mask.

I hope it works out for you

[palerider]

If you got a Resmed S9 CPAP, there won't be data. If the machine is an Elite or Autoset, there will. What model?

do you ever fact check anything you say? there is no resmed s9 model named "CPAP". the Elite IS a CPAP class.

so, if they got a resmed s9 CPAP elite model, they're perfectly fine with data.

[Sleeprider]

If you got a Resmed S9 CPAP, there won't be data. If the machine is an Elite or Autoset, there will. What model?

do you ever fact check anything you say? there is no resmed s9 model named "CPAP". the Elite IS a CPAP class.

so, if they got a resmed s9 CPAP elite model, they're perfectly fine with data.

didn't think it was worth the time editing. I figured you'd be more anal.

[MartensGrove]

You know, I just rang the NHS hospital department that deals with me to ask what model of S9 they've given me, and she just repeatedly said "It's an S9", despite me saying "Yes I know but which one", oh dear.

Anyway, clever sod that I am, I just actually went and looked at the thing and waddya know, it's got "Escape" and "EPR" embossed on the top by the display .

...and I jut read that the Escape doesn't capture data, just hours used. What good is that in terms of determining how my treatment is going? They just anecdotally take my word for it that I feel better? One of the reasons I'm anxious for this to work and to get any problems sorted out ASAP is the driving licence aspect. I'm back driving already as I've now got the machine, but I understand (at least in the UK) for the commercial driving aspect it's got to be shown to be working. Which means waiting for weeks for a oximetry spot-check, which can easily give misleading data based on a good or a bad night.

Sod that, I'm getting a oximetry tester of my own. Anyone else done this?

With regards nasal pillows, my sister is sending me her spare one that she doesn't use (runs in the family ). It probably won't fit well, but may be enough to give me an idea of how it'll be. Dunno the model yet.

Thx ever so much for replies folks, much appreciated.

[Pugsy]

read that the Escape doesn't capture data, just hours used. What good is that in terms of determining how my treatment is going?

You know the answer to that already...no way to evaluate effectiveness by data at all. Can't even evaluate leak data to see if leaks are impacting therapy or not.

They just anecdotally take my word for it that I feel better?

Yep...that and they might look at the hours of use and if hours of use is considered enough then it "must be working and you just need to give it time"...sad part is no amount of "give it time" will fix sub optimal therapy if pressure is insufficient or leaks are bad enough to cause sub optimal therapy.

I'm getting a oximetry tester of my own. Anyone else done this?

Actually a lot of us have done that. Some for random spot checking and some wear theirs fairly often.
Just make sure that you get one that records over night and not one of those that just does the spot check.

It's unlikely that NHS will do anything about the Escape they gave you. If you want additional data you will likely need to buy a machine on your own.
Did they give you a humidifier too? Seems like the NHS really does only the basics and often don't even supply a humidifier.
If you did get a humidifier then you could maybe just buy a full data machine on your own (check out secondwindcpap.com for that option) and use with your humidifier. If you don't already have a humidifier then that opens up other brands of full data machines to choose from if you want to go that route.

[palerider]

didn't think it was worth the time editing. I figured you'd be more anal.

well, someone has to actually take the time to be accurate, and not just dribble noise and confusion out their fingers

[MartensGrove]

That's great, thx for that .

Turns out my sister's nasal pillows are Respironics Go Life For Her. This is going to be interesting

[Pugsy]

Turns out my sister's nasal pillows are Respironics Go Life For Her. This is going to be interesting

That's actually a decent nasal pillow mask and don't worry about the "for Her" part. The headgear should still works as there is really not that much difference in the headgear between the regular and the for Her packaging.
The main difference is that the For Her packaging comes with 3 sizes of nasal pillows..Petite, Small and Medium
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/GoLife ... dgear.html
and doesn't have the Large size that comes with the regular packaging.
If it does seem to work other than the Medium is a bit too small the Large nasal pillow can be purchased separately.

I personally think the ResMed nasal pillows are less intrusive (headgear thing) so you might look at those if you have issues with the headgear on the Go Life.
This ResMed mask is what I use and again it also comes in a regular packaging that has a Large nasal pillow instead of XSmall.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... r-her.html

This one is also a really good nasal pillow mask for newbies
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

as is this one made by Respironics and is a newer (and improved) mask as it was released after the Go Life.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/nuance ... onics.html

[MartensGrove]

Ah, you're a star thx Pugsy. I'm not a big lad (though my sister is a midget ), so the setup might work, though I'm guessing new larger pillows. We'll see.

Thx again for replies.

[TangledHose]

You know, I just rang the NHS hospital department that deals with me to ask what model of S9 they've given me, and she just repeatedly said "It's an S9", despite me saying "Yes I know but which one", oh dear.

Anyway, clever sod that I am, I just actually went and looked at the thing and waddya know, it's got "Escape" and "EPR" embossed on the top by the display .

Well, "Smacky Bottoms" to the NHS for giving you the Escape!

[MartensGrove]

No humidifier by default btw. I think they might supply one or a different mask but only, knowing the NHS, if I go through months of agony and non-compliance.

This is the thing - I absolutely need my driving licence but I strongly suspect that non-compliance will be the only thing that gets me more of what I actually need. So I'll have to put my hand in my pocket and buy it myself. Not so easy when you're on minimum wage and a 3 year old to pay for. Thank you for the second hand machine suggestions, don't know if that company can send the things outside the US, would be a good price if so. For UK-US exchange prices, just change the $ to a £ and there yer go - nearly double <sigh>.