Question about APAP

I have a concern about the APAP machine that I'm about to get.

I have a divated septem, and my left nostral hardly works. Is the APAP machine going to sense that and try to turn the pressure up too much?

Thanks

No, but you may have problems using a nasal only mask. I would consider a Full Face mask like the UMFF. This mask feels no different than a nasal mask when wearing but it covers your mouth and rests on your chin below, I find it actually more comfortable than a nasal mask as there isn't any pressure on your teeth.

At this point the UMFF is the only full face I can recommend, I've tried the Comfort2 and Hybrid they didn't work for me they were too noisy, leaked badly or uncomfortable compared to the UMFF.

Somnotech (USA distributor) is supposed to be releasing the Yara sometime this month, I hope to get one when that happens. I have their nasal version the Soyala, best mask I've used to date, no leaks, very comfortable and completely silent. The FF version is supposed to have similar characteristics as the Soyala, below is the non-vented version with the blue elbow and what it will look like. My understanding is cpap.com is supposed to carry it when it becomes available.

http://www.weinmann.de/1457/?L=1




I'm using the nasal version and taping mouth if needed until it becomes available.

Jeff, I agree with Snoredog that what you described -- deviated septum with left nostril hardly working at all -- will not cause APAP pressure to go up. As long as you are breathing ok through at least one nostril, you can get perfectly effective treatment from any type of PAP machine, including autopap...and at the same pressures that would be used if both nostrils were open.

Almost always one nostril or the other will be almost completely stuffed up for me -- which one varies throughout the night. The autopaps I've used rock along nicely for the most part at whatever low I have set...usually 9 cm H20 for the low.

I see from your Profile that your mask is an Adams Circuit nasal pillows interface. If you are doing well with "nasal pillows" and find it comfortable, there's no need to change to a different type of mask unless you just want to try something else. If you aren't mouth breathing or leaking air out your mouth, I doubt if you need a full face mask or would find any FF mask to be as comfortable as what you're using now....assuming you do find the Adams Circuit nasal pillows comfy.

I'm not a fan of any FF masks that I've used (5 so far.) I much prefer nasal pillows. So much so, that I've used tape over my mouth every night for the past three years, just so I can use anything other than a FF mask. As a night-time mouth breather I'd have to use a FF mask otherwise.

If you like using nasal pillows, and if you want to try another nasal pillows mask, the Respironics ComfortLite 2 and the Invacare Twilight NP (formerly called the "Aura" and the "Headrest") are my two favorites...with some tweaks.

For about a week or two I used the Somnotech Soyala nasal mask Snoredog is using now. It was a very good mask - quiet and not very leaky. If the FF mask they are coming out with is as good as their nasal mask, it should be very nice.

RT sent home a Swift Friday, but I didn't like the side hose, and the replacement pillows were twice what the Adams are. Money is a problem, so I'll still with what I have (no insurance).

I first started out with one of those nose masked and had the bad feelings associated with those and went with the Adams. I've liked it for the last 6 years so I think I'll stick with it. With pressures getting higher, I've had the mouth breathing problem lately, so working on that fix.

Thanks for the input.