Hiya, Folks.
I've got part of the package to read my machine's smartcard, but haven't got it all together yet, so I'm operating off the LCD display on the machine.
Please 'bear' with me through this story, as I'm unsure what is and is not irrelevant. My original prescription was for an APAP range of 8-15, and my ramp level was set at 4. I was having mask blowout problems at the upper pressures, so I dropped it gradually down to 8-11. My AHI levels (averaged over 7 days) came down to below 3 (around 2.6). I was pretty happy with that, and started to get confident with my mask, so I gradually upped my ramp level to 6, and in 0.5 stops I upped my range to 8-12 (where I have started to have blowout problems again).
Now, my leaks (LPM) have always been high, but had dropped down to about 38 (supposed to be around 24). They now started to creep up over 40, and my AHIs have started increasing and are now at 3.3. I know this is still low, but I am concerned that they have been increasing.
My question is this (eventually, he gets to the question!!!, or questions) - is this a sign that I should have kept things at 8-11, and a ramp of 4; or is the information meaningless because it's based on the LCD figures; or is there some other problem with my interpretation? Or, or, or, or????
Regards,
GrizzlyBear
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): AHI, Ramp, Prescription, APAP
Heeeeeeeelp
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GrizzlyBear
- Posts: 126
- Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Are you cleaning your mask daily? An occasional vinegar and water soak, followed by a good rinsing may help. The vinegar seems to cut through any residual soap residues and skin oils. You also have to be sure your mask is adjusted at the higher pressure. What seems to be the perfect adjustment at a pressure of 8 may be the wrong adjustment at a pressure of 12.
I would go back to where I was having no blow out issues. You were doing just fine at the lower pressure. It seems to me that after a couple of weeks my AHI seemed to settle down even more. Every change means more time is needed to adjust to those changes.
Your ramp starting at 4 does seem a bit too low. Most would be starving for air at anything lower than 6. Many of us don't use ramp at all anymore.
Brenda
I would go back to where I was having no blow out issues. You were doing just fine at the lower pressure. It seems to me that after a couple of weeks my AHI seemed to settle down even more. Every change means more time is needed to adjust to those changes.
Your ramp starting at 4 does seem a bit too low. Most would be starving for air at anything lower than 6. Many of us don't use ramp at all anymore.
Brenda
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GrizzlyBear
- Posts: 126
- Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Thankyou very much for the advice so far.
Perhaps I'm just worrying needlessly, but the reassurance and ideas you folk give me are EXTREMELY encouraging.
I note the suggestion about washing the mask. I do wash my face and mask every night - but with soap and water. Perhaps that's not the best idea - I'll try the vinegar wash. I note on another thread someone suggested using a non-scented baby wipe. I might consider that - but I've wiped bottoms so many times it may make me feel a little strange!!!!!!
Regards, and please keep the ideas flowing,
Not-so-GrizzlyBear (for a change!!!)
Perhaps I'm just worrying needlessly, but the reassurance and ideas you folk give me are EXTREMELY encouraging.
I note the suggestion about washing the mask. I do wash my face and mask every night - but with soap and water. Perhaps that's not the best idea - I'll try the vinegar wash. I note on another thread someone suggested using a non-scented baby wipe. I might consider that - but I've wiped bottoms so many times it may make me feel a little strange!!!!!!
Regards, and please keep the ideas flowing,
Not-so-GrizzlyBear (for a change!!!)
Grizzly
I have a higher pressure than you and my mask does not blow out unless I have it on wrong. I see you use a comfort Gel Mask. A comfort gel mask pretty much seals by pressing against your face. The more pressure on the face the better the seal. The higher your cpap pressure the tighter the straps need to be. If you are not uncomfortable try tightening the straps a little. If it is leaking at the bottom tighten the lower straps. If it is leaking at the nose tighten the upper straps. A better solution might be a mask similar to an Ultra Mirage ll. These masks do not have to be tightened as much. They have a flap on the inside of the mask and cpap pressure pushes the flap against your face and helps make a seal. Cpap pressure kind of works for you. Since you are using a nasal mask make sure you are not breathing or leaking from your mouth. Good Luck. You are doing pretty good for a new user.
GeneS
I have a higher pressure than you and my mask does not blow out unless I have it on wrong. I see you use a comfort Gel Mask. A comfort gel mask pretty much seals by pressing against your face. The more pressure on the face the better the seal. The higher your cpap pressure the tighter the straps need to be. If you are not uncomfortable try tightening the straps a little. If it is leaking at the bottom tighten the lower straps. If it is leaking at the nose tighten the upper straps. A better solution might be a mask similar to an Ultra Mirage ll. These masks do not have to be tightened as much. They have a flap on the inside of the mask and cpap pressure pushes the flap against your face and helps make a seal. Cpap pressure kind of works for you. Since you are using a nasal mask make sure you are not breathing or leaking from your mouth. Good Luck. You are doing pretty good for a new user.
GeneS
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