different machine/different results

Hi all. For 5 years I used a compliance only machine and recently started with the S9 auto. The first night on the auto (same mask as always) I woke up with a very dry mouth (had never happened before). I assumed the machine was set at a low humidity number but discovered it was at 3 (always used 2.5 on the FP machine). I couldn't figure out how to get to the info so I don't know what AHI was fist night but the next few it was 0.5. This morning it was 1.3 and I vaguely remember waking up breathing through my mouth (loud roar) last night .....so that probably explains the dry mouth.

I am not going to remove the memory card until I fully understand how to use it so I am not sure if you can answer this without more details but, in general, does a new machine create a different treatment? I had never had a dry mouth in all these years so am assuming I didn't mouth breathe until this week. I guess I want to know whether I am likely to do that with this machine and will have to consider a full face mask.... I was about to order the Swift FX?

Any input would be appreciated. Happy Sunday.

Elle , it could be that the increased pressure is causing you to leak air out of your mouth. Again, you won't know until you look at it in ResScan.
You may not need your pressure set as high as it is, so the sooner you have someone look at your data the better. I would do that before trying a different mask.

Hi Lizistired. My pressure is set on auto (I think between 4 and 14). Doesn't it just go to where it is needed?

I will make an appt. with the RT to read the data soon. That's a good idea.

I agree with Lizistired, you really need to look at your data for the night to see where pressure is and where the leak is, and if they are related. It may be that you need to tweak humidity and temperature settings to find the comfortable spot for you, but looking at the data for the night would be the first step.

Since you don't have data from your previous machine, you don't know where it was going during the night, if you were near your high setting etc. So you'll need to look at your current data. One question will be at what point does the leak spike and does this correlate with a certain pressure?

I think it's premature to say that you'll need a full face mask.

That's good to hear re FFM Randy. I really don't want one of those. The RT doesn't want to see the data card for 30 days but I have a feeling I am going to cave before that and try to read it myself. I have the software but I tend to mess up things electronic so have tried to leave it alone for now.

It is really interesting to me to read here but so far it really seems like so much information to take in. arghhh.

A Pressure of 4cms is very low and ususally feels suffocating so you may be mouth breathing in order to get some air. What was your pressure on your old machine? If it was straight cpap and now you're on auto, the results could be very different and need adjusting. Keep us posted!

Hi Doric, My original pressure was 10 but the last few years was set at 8.5

I guess I expected things to stay the same or better.

I am sure this will all make sense to me eventually.

Well, you can figure this out yourself. If your original pressure was 10 and then reset to 8.5, straight cpap, and now you're on auto with settings 4-14 and also with a change in your humidity setting, and on a different machine,that's a lot of changes at one time, so you'll really have to rethink this whole thing. I know the rule of thumb is even on the same machine to make only one change at a time and leave it alone for a week unless it's really intolerable. I would stay within the same pressures you used before, maybe 8-12, that's a good rule of thumb, 2 below/2 above your titration. Keep us posted.

Your data will show you where your leaks are on the timeline. They could be early on, if 4 cm is too low and you are not getting enough air, or later on, when pressure is high. A chin strap or taping might be a temporary solution with the nasal mask.

But DoriC is right, those are a lot of changes all at once, especially with such a large pressure range if you were on straight cpap of 8.5 before.

I am hoping that your RT set the Sleep Quality setting of your S9 to "on" (and not to "usage") so you will get your detailed data. If not you can change this yourself (if you want to).

Hi again. I'm pretty sure she set it to full data. The first night was great but then I didn't see what the mini results were the next day (AHI, hours or use, mask fit) until you people showed me how to find that (second day).

I have noticed since then though that I am adjusting my mask a lot during the night and that didn't used to happen so it will be good to know at what pressure that happens. It is still good but I was curious about the changes.

Thanks again for your input.

Elle wrote:Hi Lizistired. My pressure is set on auto (I think between 4 and 14). Doesn't it just go to where it is needed?

There is no single "right" pressure. Different machines will give you different pressures.

Don't be afraid of using the software.

Archangle, I am boggled by technology and my brain shuts down automatically at the thought of trying to figure things out that a 4 year old would understand. I am curious though so I will go for it eventually. It is like my smart card is alive and will bite me. I am getting lots of good reinforcement here though so will take the plunge soon.