First week with CPAP machine (Resmed Airsense 10)

Hello again, tedtomato,

OK, wrt to sleeping position and mask fit - sleeping on one's back can raise the AHI by as much as 5 events per hour. And people here will tell you, whatever it takes via the combination of mask and maybe a chin strap and maybe a specialist pillow, it's better to sleep on one's side, if at all possible.

I note that you say when you do sleep on your side, you get leaks. Pugsy is right in saying those might be fixed by a different mask.

The ideal solution would be for you to get to try on a range of masks - each with your machine running.

And that is in fact what happens in the NHS treatment path (once you get on it ).

After the home sleep study and after the consultant sees you (probably the only time you will meet), you get handed over to a team of specialist nurses and sleep physiologists - and the first thing they do is try out a bunch of different masks on you.

You're doing something similar, if at a slightly slower pace.

You'll know soon enough if the Mirage FX serves you any better. But if it doesn't, then many find the leaks from a full-face mask are reduced when they use a soft cotton mask liner.

I don't know if the people who supplied you with the mask and machine can also supply same. But if not, there's a mail-order company called Eu-PAP (aka Intus Healthcare), based in Walton-on-Thames, in Surrey, which sells a variety of masks, cleaning wipes, special cut-away pillows, and mask liners.

You can call them and ask for a copy of their catalogue. Their number (dialing from within the UK) is: 0844 504 9999. And they can also be found on the internet.

Just a tip - try on full face masks when lying down... your face changes a lot at those times (gravity) and sitting up won't give a true fit.

rick blaine wrote:sleeping on one's back can raise the AHI by as much as 5 events per hour

yes indeed, sleeping on my back is not improving things. The funny thing is that I don't sleep on my back normally, but on my side.

When I did the home sleep study, the position of the recorder and sensors forced me to sleep on my back.

And now, the CPAP mask is forcing me to sleep on my back.

There is a bit a contradiction in all that sleep therapy trying to force me to sleep on my back, and possibly make symptoms worse!!

rick blaine wrote: And that is in fact what happens in the NHS treatment path (once you get on it ).

After the home sleep study and after the consultant sees you (probably the only time you will meet), you get handed over to a team of specialist nurses and sleep physiologists - and the first thing they do is try out a bunch of different masks on you.

You're doing something similar, if at a slightly slower pace.

Sounds like the NHS route is a lot more structured than my private path, so paying more in the UK might not mean necessarily achieving more...
The NHS determines the proper pressure with APAP machines, and then people get to try a range of masks...

Given the outcome of the initial home sleep study, I have the feeling that I wouldn't have qualified for a CPAP treatment on the NHS anyway, as my score was much below the minimum requirements. Or I would have waited months to get an appointment and the machine, if seen as a low priority case.

Yes, if the NHS home sleep study had shown an AHI of 7, then you would have been referred back to your GP for further and other investigations for less-than-satisfactory sleep.

At least, this way, the possibility of a significant degree of sleep apnea is being explored. 'Significant degree' meaning 'affecting you enough - even if it doesn't reach the NICE guidelines level.'

And I'm sure your consultant is aware that there are other possible causes for non-quality sleep - everything from:

- the nutritional/ bio-chemical (low vitamin D, low calcium, and low magnesium can all affect sleep)

- to the medical (heartburn and/ or GERD, type II diabetes, cardio-vascular disease, musculo-skeletal disorders, kidney disease, respiratory problems, and thyroid disease can all affect sleep).

- to the psychological (PTSD and other anxiety issues can disturb sleep).

And there's also what's called 'sleep hygiene' - although you seem to be hip on that.

It may be that, if sleep apnea proves not to be a major factor, that your consultant will have you screened for any and all of the above.

Here is an update on my experience with CPAP for 3 weeks:

• I still struggle to get used to the mask and fall asleep quickly. However, I have managed to sleep with the mask on for a bit longer now, up to 3 hours at a time
• I tried a nasal mask instead of the full face mask, as I am a side sleeper. I thought a smaller nasal mask would help, but I haven't got used to it. I can feel the air blowing out, and the mask still leaks when on the side
• I bought a pillow with a cut out on the side, but the nasal mask leaks as much as the full face mask when on the side
• I then tried a nasal pillow mask, but haven't got used to it, as my nose is congested currently, so back to the full face mask, which I find easier to breathe with
• I have changed the SD card in the Resmed Airsense 10 device with a Toshiba wifi one, to be able to fetch data remotely and feed into SleepyHead. Was quite easy to do (well documented online), and works well. How they can put an Operating System and wifi card in such a small SD card factor is truly amazing, and wifi reception is good
• In term of data, my sleep study AHI was only about 7, and I am down to 1.5 on average with the CPAP machine
• 10% of the events recorded by the machine are obstructive, 30% hypopnonea, and 60% clear airway events
• I understand that clear airway events/central apnoea could just be to do with getting used to the CPAP treatment

Conclusion: AHI is clearly down from the sleep study index, so CPAP must be working. I do feel a bit better during the day, even if I slept only for 3 hours with the CPAP equipment. Hopefully, I will tolerate it better over the next few weeks/months.

tedtomato wrote:OK...

The question was: with pillows specifically designed/shaped for side sleeping while wearing CPAP masks, I am not sure if those are designed for the smaller nasal masks in mind, or can also be used properly with full masks.

When I put my head on the side while wearing the full mask, the mask starts leaking very quickly.

Anyway, I have ordered a nasal mask now (Resmed Mirage FX, as well as a head band), which should hopefully leak less when sleeping on the side. I will try with a standard, firm pillow first...

I'm using a nasal mask, I'm a definite side sleeper. I was having issues of mouth leaks, I open my mouth while sleeping. After researching and trying a few different options, I started using a double mouth guard (those used for snorers). I've had a grinders mouth guard for years but it only slipped over the top teeth, the double guard molds over both top and bottom. When I molded it I ensured the "breathing" slit sealed over and it eliminated the mouth leaks completely. I'm happily sleeping on my side and even on my stomach at times with almost no leaking what so ever. Good luck hope you find a solution.