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Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2016 5:11 pm
by Okie bipap
I sleep in an adjustable bed with my head raised. Since starting to use a cervical collar, my leaks have been much less.
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2016 5:30 pm
by ChicagoGranny
AcedDublB wrote:The Innomed RespCare Hybrid gets mixed reviews, either love it or hate it.
Every mask has people that like it, and people that did not like it. If you think you might not like a certain mask, you've already lost half the game. Don't buy it. Buy a mask that you are convinced you will like. Or another way to put it, take a positive, can-do attitude toward whatever you do.
AcedDublB wrote:Well then what is recommended for high pressure users that also mouth breath.
Any of the more popular FFMs, including hybrids. All masks in these categories can handle high pressures. Here is something I wrote in another thread:
ChicagoGranny wrote:How to Choose an Initial CPAP Mask for Newbies
1. If you had a sleep lab titration and liked the mask that was used, and that mask was recommended by your medical team, then go for it.
2. If not 1., then did your medical team recommend a nasal mask or a full face mask (FFM)? For many people, nasal masks are easier to use assuming they don't mouthbreathe, leak air out the mouth or get air inflating the cheeks while using CPAP during sleep. If you have any of these problems, you may need to use a FFM. (Despite what you may see in the forum, there are many of us that find FFMs are easy to use, do not leak and are not uncomfortable.)
3. Once you have decided whether you need to start with a nasal mask or a FFM mask, begin looking at the mask descriptions and images at
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php . This is the website of this forum's host.
4. For a newbie, you should select a popular mask that gets high rankings from the reviews. Some people in this forum get excellent usage out of masks that are not popular and do not get good reviews. They might rave about the mask to you. But for a newbie, you want to start with a popular mask with high rankings. After you get some experience, you can experiment with masks that pique your fancy but are not popular.
5. Once you have a category (nasal or FFM) of masks selected, you can go to that category on CPAP dot com's web page and sort by Biggest Sellers and then by Rating. You can check the ratings and read reviews.
6. When you receive your mask and machine, you should watch the mask manufacturer's videos (On CPAP dot com's web page) for instructions on use and adjustments.
7. If you have any problems using the mask, please start a new thread here and ask for help.
8. It's not unusual to try different masks before settling on one that works well for you. If you find yourself buying a fourth or fifth different mask, the problem may be with the way you are trying to use the masks, instead of the mask itself. Please get help from the experienced forum members.
- ChicagoGranny
AcedDublB wrote:I am also a back sleeper and have been advised to sleep on my side.
My experience with the Amara View seems to be that it leaks when I am on my side due to uneven pressure even though I hang my head off a firm foam pillow.
What was the reason for forcing sleeping on your sides? You may have been given some very bad advice, but I don't want to say that without knowing more about your situation. So, ....
What are your machine settings? Which machine are you using? Please go to User Control Panel/Profile/Edit Equipment and enter your equipment.
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 8:39 pm
by AcedDublB
There are a number of recommendations on this forum regarding supine sleeping being less preferable than sleeping on one's side.
Nevertheless, I can't sleep on my side anyway and am not about to change.
I am using DreamStation Auto BiPAP with settings of 25 and 14.
The 90% or less averages are 19 and 14
I was having great success a couple of months ago on CPAP and had my AHI below 2 for a good period of time.
The Dr. Moved me to Auto BiPAP as the sleep study showed I needed pressure greater than 20
I have been on the Auto BiPAP for about 2 months and everything has gone to hell, number wise.
AHI over 20, Mask Fit low percentage and Large Leaks showing on Encore Pro 2
My Amara View mask is comfortable and fits perfectly and I go to sleep well and don't wake up during night and usually have 8 or more therapy hours.
In the last hour or so the mask is leaking and I adjust it every which way with little success.
Even with the high AHI am I still being protected, sounds like a crazy question but if I am getting that much pressure it seems hard to believe I could still have apnea episodes.
I am really reluctant to spend $150 on new masks when I have a comfortable mask that I enjoy using.
Do masks lose their capability after 4 months?
Is a liner a good alternative?
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 8:55 pm
by palerider
AcedDublB wrote:There are a number of recommendations on this forum regarding supine sleeping being less preferable than sleeping on one's side.
Nevertheless, I can't sleep on my side anyway and am not about to change.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... -risk.aspx
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 7:48 am
by ChicagoGranny
AcedDublB wrote:There are a number of recommendations on this forum regarding supine sleeping being less preferable than sleeping on one's side.
I always recommend side or stomach sleeping to newbies while they are waiting on their CPAP equipment. This will offer some relief to many people. On your back, gravity is directly pulling your tongue and soft palate into the airway. On the side or stomach, you may get some relief.
When using CPAP that has been properly optimized, you can sleep on your back. If you have a high pressure that is uncomfortable, sleeping on your side or stomach may allow you to use a lower pressure.
AcedDublB wrote:I was having great success a couple of months ago on CPAP and had my AHI below 2 for a good period of time.
If you really get good therapy using the settings on CPAP, you can change your BiPAP to the same CPAP settings your were using.
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 7:50 am
by ChicagoGranny
Will someone contact the forum administrators?!
Looks like PailRider's account has been hacked, and the hacker is posting citations for that dingbat Mercola.
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 8:15 am
by AcedDublB
I finally figured out what was happening to create the large leaks.
Even though I wear a cervical collar, my chin drops and the bottom of the mask ends up over my open mouth.
I close my mouth and pull the mask down over my lips and get a perfect seal again.
Obviously this is happening frequently.
I am going to use the chinstrap and/or mouth tape and see if that cures the problem.
If not, then I need to switch to a bigger FFM to keep my open mouth inside the mask.
Whether the chin cup on the Respcare/Innomed Hybrid would prevent that I will await comments.
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 3:46 pm
by palerider
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 4:13 pm
by AcedDublB
I picked up a Fisher & Paykel Simplus FFM today for a one week trial.
Feels good in the office, hope I can get rid of the leaks with drooping chin.
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 5:57 pm
by Sir NoddinOff
I do use higher than normal pressures. I like the ResMed F10 full face mask, but one's success is mostly dependent on the serendipity of your face fitting your mask or vice versa... when it's right it just fits nicely (a bit like shoes and feet). It's always been difficult for me to find a good FFM because I seem to fall between a medium and a large size across the broad spectrum of masks on the market. Right now my F10 is fitting fine ... hope my face doesn't change or ResMed doesn't mess with their mask manufacturing process cuz it took me a lone time to get here.
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 6:13 pm
by Gasper62
AcedDublB wrote:I picked up a Fisher & Paykel Simplus FFM today for a one week trial.
Feels good in the office, hope I can get rid of the leaks with drooping chin.
You might have good results with this mask. It has a "ledge" under the chin (I lined mine w/moleskin padding) that could help with chin drooping. It also seems like it would hold a seal pretty well with higher pressures but, I can't swear to that, I only go up to 15 every once in a great while. Good luck. ~~
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/hans-r ... -mask.html
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 6:28 pm
by AcedDublB
Gasper62 wrote:AcedDublB wrote:I picked up a Fisher & Paykel Simplus FFM today for a one week trial.
Feels good in the office, hope I can get rid of the leaks with drooping chin.
You might have good results with this mask. It has a "ledge" under the chin (I lined mine w/moleskin padding) that could help with chin drooping. It also seems like it would hold a seal pretty well with higher pressures but, I can't swear to that, I only go up to 15 every once in a great while. Good luck. ~~
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/hans-r ... -mask.html
Are you referring to your own mask with the chin holder or the Simplus I am going to try tonight for a week.
Thanks for posting.
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 6:32 pm
by AcedDublB
Gasper62 wrote:AcedDublB wrote:I picked up a Fisher & Paykel Simplus FFM today for a one week trial.
Feels good in the office, hope I can get rid of the leaks with drooping chin.
You might have good results with this mask. It has a "ledge" under the chin (I lined mine w/moleskin padding) that could help with chin drooping. It also seems like it would hold a seal pretty well with higher pressures but, I can't swear to that, I only go up to 15 every once in a great while. Good luck. ~~
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/hans-r ... -mask.html
I see that you were referring to this mask in the link
Hans Rudolph 7600 Series V2 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 6:47 pm
by Gasper62
Yup, the Hans Rudolph. I have no experience with the F&P line.
Re: High Pressure Mask
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:03 am
by AcedDublB
So so results with my first night with F&P Simplus FFM
Firstly, I had to pull the straps fairly tight to achieve a good seal.
Mask was comfortable though even being tight.
AHI dropped from 24 range to 12 so that was encouraging.
The Mask Fit was only 24% which was discouraging.
Had it on for 10.0 hours which is long.
Found I had to fiddle with it too much through the night to get a good seal so that is not good.
Only the first night and another 6 to go on trial.