Settings and Mask help for use w/ APAP

Hi Everyone,
I need to tap the wealth of information I have found you all to be. First, thanks to all who offered me opinions on the APAP machines. I ended up with the ResMed Spirit. I also found a VERY good DME, willing to listen to me and work with me in Central Mass. My first night was OK, but I'm bumping the settings from 5-15 to 7-15 (the DME provider gave me the manual) for 2 reasons: 1 I felt like the low pressure was not comfortable for me, and 2 my AHI was 10.1 and hopefully this will improve it by reducing snore. I had average pressure of 8.9 and max 11 (I was titrated 9 years ago at 10 and slept OK after getting used to CPAP, so while it wasn't broken, I didn't tinker with it) for 8 hours of sleep. Today I feel a cold coming on, and will probably sleep in a full face mask tonight. I just bought a Fisher and Paykel HC431 to replace my ResMed full face mask, and would like to wear it, but I am concerned that the instructions for my APAP say the machine is designed for use only with ResMed masks. Are there any of you out there using non ResMed masks with the Spirit, and do they work well? I called F&P and they didn't know. Thanks in advance for your help!!

I'll start right off by saying I DON'T KNOW.

However... my guess is that it's just standard boiler plate legal coverage and marketing.

"You should only use our machine with OUR masks, don't give anyone ELSE your money", combined with not wanting the liability if you buy a leaky mask and suddenly get no therapy from your machine.

Unless the mask comes with some sort of extra sensors or anything, I'd just go with it and trust your symptoms. If you seem to be sleeping well and not reverting to how you were prior to starting therapy, you're probably fine.

If you start feeling bad again, then maybe it's time to take that more seriously.

My two cents. Take them for what they're worth.

Liam. What the hell can you buy with two cents anyway?

From what I have read, the reason Resmed units allow you to chose the mask on the unit is so the xpap machine can compensate for mask vent leak.

Good info on TAS board Here

Hi nodding:
In my opinion only, I am not a doctor, RT, DME, MD, and any other initials.

This is my personal observation, and by no means a written in ''stone'' how to.

I have the PB 420E, set on autopap. My DME set me up at 4-14. 4 is too low, so I have raised it to #5. I might go up to #6 as my starting point, finding the lower #'s an effort to inhale/etc.

But for myself, I am preferring the auto giving me "what" I need, "when" I need it, and not a system ramping ME up....

Hope this helps you..sorry I'm not using your brand. Just wanted to pass on my ''autopap'' comments.

Good Luck....
PS--you do have a htd humidifier don't you? It's helpful even on a low setting.


Can't speak for the machine you mention or mask. I use the swift nasal pillows. It's a pretty good system FOR ME. I do have the Breeze n. pillow set up but want to wear it around in the evening a few x's to get used to it and comfort factor, before trying it on and then trying to go to sleep. So I may look goofy for a few evenings, it's quite ok.

nodding off wrote:Hi Everyone,
I need to tap the wealth of information I have found you all to be. First, thanks to all who offered me opinions on the APAP machines. I ended up with the ResMed Spirit. I also found a VERY good DME, willing to listen to me and work with me in Central Mass. My first night was OK, but I'm bumping the settings from 5-15 to 7-15 (the DME provider gave me the manual) for 2 reasons: 1 I felt like the low pressure was not comfortable for me, and 2 my AHI was 10.1 and hopefully this will improve it by reducing snore. I had average pressure of 8.9 and max 11 (I was titrated 9 years ago at 10 and slept OK after getting used to CPAP, so while it wasn't broken, I didn't tinker with it) for 8 hours of sleep. Today I feel a cold coming on, and will probably sleep in a full face mask tonight. I just bought a Fisher and Paykel HC431 to replace my ResMed full face mask, and would like to wear it, but I am concerned that the instructions for my APAP say the machine is designed for use only with ResMed masks. Are there any of you out there using non ResMed masks with the Spirit, and do they work well? I called F&P and they didn't know. Thanks in advance for your help!!

Nodding off,

What I would suggest is to first start with an approved mask and see what kind of results you get by reading the data. Then if you would like to experiment with non-approved masks, you can compare the results to what you got with the approved mask. If it is similar then it should be OK.

I am not a medical profesional and it's been a number of years since Marcus Welby was on TV so my advice may be a little rusty Take that into account before you get excited and do anything without first verifying it with your medical professional. If he/she just shrugs his/her sholders or gives you one of those doctorly hmmmm's, then I guess you're stuck with my advice.

Good luck! Sorry for the sarcasm, but some posters are a little skittish these days.