Newbie Here - 1 month in

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Pugsy
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by Pugsy » Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:59 am

lynninnj wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:27 am
I still cant read these well at all and can not tell if you have an EPR setting turned on? set for ramp only at 2cm?
When EPR is used on a ResMed machine you will see 2 pressure lines....one for inhale and one for exhale and the statistics which also show 2 different numbers for the pressure and EPAP.

EPR isn't being used above.
lynninnj wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:27 am
Am wondering if something like that would help with leaks?
EPR isn't used to help with leaks but setting a higher minimum pressure might if the increased pressure itself caused the leak.
Using the mask fit feature when initially putting and fitting the mask on at the beginning of the night is what I would suggest first to try.
The pressure wants to go up for whatever reason and if someone is just fitting the mask at the beginning of the night at low 5 cm minimum then when it gets to 10 or 12 or 15 cm....it's going to blow that seal. Using the mask fit feature will allow fitting at a higher number...probably something around the 95% number.

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lynninnj
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by lynninnj » Sun Sep 18, 2022 10:07 am

Pugsy wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:59 am
lynninnj wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:27 am
I still cant read these well at all and can not tell if you have an EPR setting turned on? set for ramp only at 2cm?
When EPR is used on a ResMed machine you will see 2 pressure lines....one for inhale and one for exhale and the statistics which also show 2 different numbers for the pressure and EPAP.

EPR isn't being used above.
lynninnj wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:27 am
Am wondering if something like that would help with leaks?
EPR isn't used to help with leaks but setting a higher minimum pressure might if the increased pressure itself caused the leak.
Using the mask fit feature when initially putting and fitting the mask on at the beginning of the night is what I would suggest first to try.
The pressure wants to go up for whatever reason and if someone is just fitting the mask at the beginning of the night at low 5 cm minimum then when it gets to 10 or 12 or 15 cm....it's going to blow that seal. Using the mask fit feature will allow fitting at a higher number...probably something around the 95% number.
Thanks pugsy but there was a second part to that first question.....mainly wondering why it was set for ramp only. I saw the little squiggly but it cut right out on the chart. That means that the rest of the sleep was without pressure relief. So far, when looking at charts, when I see a lot of leaks my eyes are drawn to whether the machine is set to accommodate for that. In this case, it appears not.

I find I have to do the mask check after laying down and after a few weeks the mask fit feature didn't do as much as the method that Stuart used in his Bleep video where he blocked the end of the hose and blew out to check for leaks. I do that now after my head has put it's pressure on the mask.

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Pugsy
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by Pugsy » Sun Sep 18, 2022 10:19 am

lynninnj wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 10:07 am
was a second part to that first question.....mainly wondering why it was set for ramp only.
Beats me as to why EPR was set to ramp only. Perhaps a really short ramp or maybe auto ramp is being used for some specific reason.
Can't tell for sure because the information below the statistics is absent. I didn't ask for it because whatever the reason it's not all that important in the grand scheme of things.

Has nothing to do with the 2 main problems I see though...which are leaks and hours of use.

If large leaks persist....and full face mask use....first question in my mind is "facial hair" leak?????
Second question is why 4 to 5 hours of using the machine???? Sleeping more hours without using machine???? Or not sleeping????

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by lynninnj » Sun Sep 18, 2022 10:25 am

Pugsy wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 10:19 am
lynninnj wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 10:07 am
was a second part to that first question.....mainly wondering why it was set for ramp only.
Beats me as to why EPR was set to ramp only. Perhaps a really short ramp or maybe auto ramp is being used for some specific reason.
Can't tell for sure because the information below the statistics is absent. I didn't ask for it because whatever the reason it's not all that important in the grand scheme of things.

Has nothing to do with the 2 main problems I see though...which are leaks and hours of use.

If large leaks persist....and full face mask use....first question in my mind is "facial hair" leak?????
Second question is why 4 to 5 hours of using the machine???? Sleeping more hours without using machine???? Or not sleeping????
HMMMM..... OK. Gotcha. I thought not having exhale relief contributed to increased mask pressure.

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zonker
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by zonker » Sun Sep 18, 2022 11:29 am

Starfield83 wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:21 am
Below is my current OSCAR data:

DAILY: https://gyazo.com/c392d5efc6897219c751d45826847b51
OVERVIEW: https://gyazo.com/2762cccec7da99c081ba5ded955b3365
STATISTICS: https://gyazo.com/654d66301626f2f9745fb3131ed740b6

Please let me know if any other info is helpful, thank you.
we only need the first graph.

this is just off the top of my head, you need to work on that leak rate. it's possibly interfering with the machines ability to give you good treatment.

why the short session of sleep?

who gave you your current settings? i really don't know if that will have impact on your therapy or not. just curious as to why it is set at 5 and 15.
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GearChange
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by GearChange » Sun Sep 18, 2022 4:29 pm

Starfield83 wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:21 am
Below is my current OSCAR data:

DAILY: https://gyazo.com/c392d5efc6897219c751d45826847b51

Please let me know if any other info is helpful, thank you.
DUDE, FIX YOUR LEAK :D
I am not surprized you are having a tough time, because your gear is leaking like a sieve all night.
You should get that fixed first because the machine tries to compensate for leaks by adjusting its pressure and when there's too much leak going on, it just keeps blasting air as much as it can to comp it.
Even though I have had extensive experience with the use and functionality of several types of different PAP machines,no information in my posts should be put in practice unless cleared by your own medical practitioner first.

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Starfield83
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by Starfield83 » Sun Sep 18, 2022 4:36 pm

zonker wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 11:29 am

we only need the first graph.

this is just off the top of my head, you need to work on that leak rate. it's possibly interfering with the machines ability to give you good treatment.

why the short session of sleep?

who gave you your current settings? i really don't know if that will have impact on your therapy or not. just curious as to why it is set at 5 and 15.
I have had difficulty getting the machine to lower the pressure after it wakes me up, either from a suffocating sensation, or a mask leak.
Even turning it off and on, I have had it come back on at or near full pressure if I don't wait a minute or two before turning it back on.
It's a lot to deal with when I am 1/2 asleep at 1am, so there have been nights I removed the mask and went back to sleep without therapy. Everything seems fine when I first go to sleep, and I wear the mask as snug as I comfortably can.
I got the machine though a medical supplier, and it was supposedly set to what my Dr. prescribed.

clownbell
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by clownbell » Sun Sep 18, 2022 5:39 pm

As I see it, the #1 problem is the large leaks -- 39% of the night in the chart you posted. When in large leak territory, the machine cannot reliable tell whether or not an apnea really existed (notice the "unclassified apneas"). So before you can get better results and reliable data, tackle the leak first. Zoom in on the leak rate graph. Long-duration with flat tops generally indicate mouth leaks, whereas brief spiky tops generally indicate mask leaks. If a mask leak, experiment and decide why -- but do not crank the straps down because that can distort the silicone seal and make leaks worse. If a mouth leak, you could try the "tongue trick" (see wki) or taping (see wiki).
Some try a full face mask if they have mouth leaks, reasoning that the pressure is the same in a closed system. HOWEVER it is debatable whether FFM is mandatory unless you have a deviated septum or other physical nasal blockage.

Your flow limits are very high. The #1 tool to fight that is EPR, and you are not using it. I recommend trying EPR of 3. And in order for EPR to fully work, your minimum pressure needs to be 7. The reason: the machine can not go lower than 4 in any case, and 4 plus EPR of 3 means that you need to be on a minimum of 7 in order for EPR to fully work. Most adults would find themselves air starved at 5, which is another reason for using 7. You mentioned feeling suffocated.

The other critical issue is use machine for more hours. Machine can't help if not used. Minimum pressure of 7 with EPR of 3 will likely be more comfortable and promote more hours of use without the wakeup due to feeling suffocated.
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zonker
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by zonker » Sun Sep 18, 2022 5:58 pm

Starfield83 wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 4:36 pm


I got the machine though a medical supplier, and it was supposedly set to what my Dr. prescribed.
thanks for the replies. as i mentioned, those leak rates need to be addressed. so let's go back to what pugsy said in a reply to lynninnj-
Pugsy wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:59 am

Using the mask fit feature when initially putting and fitting the mask on at the beginning of the night is what I would suggest first to try.
The pressure wants to go up for whatever reason and if someone is just fitting the mask at the beginning of the night at low 5 cm minimum then when it gets to 10 or 12 or 15 cm....it's going to blow that seal. Using the mask fit feature will allow fitting at a higher number...probably something around the 95% number.
try that mask fit feature that pugsy suggests and let us know how it goes.

please be advised that this is going to be a process. it prolly won't all be fixed in one swoop. there is no real magic button you can press.

be patient and tenacious. you'll get there.

good luck!
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
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Midwest_non_sleeper
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by Midwest_non_sleeper » Sun Sep 18, 2022 8:08 pm

As everyone else said, those leaks. Need to figure out what's causing those.

I have zero experience with full face masks as I use pillows, but man, those leaks must be blasting you awake. Do you have a beard?

If you run the mask fit test and get everything snug, it could just be that you're rummaging around while you're basically still in la-la land. I know that for my first few months, I would mess with my pilllows and headgear in my sleep and it caused some issues until my brain really got used to the idea of having it on my face. There were times where I woke up just to find that I had ripped it off of my face in my sleep. All of that eventually went away over time.

Edit: Do not get frustrated, stick with it. It may take some time, but it's worth it.

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ozij
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by ozij » Sun Sep 18, 2022 8:58 pm

Starfield83 wrote:
Sun Sep 18, 2022 4:36 pm
Everything seems fine when I first go to sleep, and I wear the mask as snug as I comfortably can.
It should be somewhat snug but not too tight

Fit your mask when you're lying down and try changing positions while you're at it. Do it when you're wide awake and patient, not when you're going to sleep.

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Starfield83
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by Starfield83 » Thu Sep 29, 2022 11:00 am

I’m still around and still having hell with the full face mask.
My doctor gave me a prescription to change mask type, but insurance won’t pay for another 60 days or so. Why are these little pieces of plastic so expensive?
Some nights therapy goes well, but about 1/2 the time I still get woken up with leaks.
Another recent issue is my AirSense 11 no longer transmits data from inside my home by it’s AT&T cellular chip. I have to plug it in outdoors for it to send data. What is the purpose of it having Bluetooth when it does absolutely nothing?
I guess putting a $10 WiFi chip in this $1000+ air compressor would have made too much sense.
Sorry for the rant, but I needed to vent.
From the prior suggestions, turning on exhalation relief to full time helped some when I wake up and the machine is running at full pressure, and setting my minimum pressure to 5 made it more comfortable starting with. However none of these effects my main issue with leaks.

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ozij
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Re: Newbie Here - 1 month in

Post by ozij » Thu Sep 29, 2022 7:44 pm

Three less expensive things worth a try:
A mask liner
A cpap pillow.
A hose management system may also help in controlling leaks.

In my may years of using CPAP - and depending on the type of mask - I've used all of them.

Also: I found that especially for a full face mask I have to make sure to clean it, and my face, with an unscented baby wipe every night before I go sleep. Otherwise, the silicone becomes slippery and leaky.

As for the data transmission: It has nothing to do with either bluetooth or WiFi, it's an issue of cellular transmission - like your phone.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks.
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023