BuckarooBanzai wrote: ↑Wed Jan 05, 2022 10:07 am
The machine ups my pressure to help me blow off the episode, and I then wake up with the sense that I am fighting the machine.
Please understand that while/during any apnea event the machine doesn't do a damn thing. It won't/can't increase the pressure to blow open the collapsed airway. It simply doesn't work that way. People think that is what is happening but it isn't. These machines simply can't or won't increase the pressure fast enough or simply high enough to actually move the collapsed airway tissues.
What happens during the apnea event is the machine sits by and twiddles its little thumbs during the actual collapse.
Once the airway is open again the machine uses its auto adjusting algorithm and evaluates all the data it has collected and decides to how best to prevent that from happening again and makes adjustments accordingly. All data gathered is factored in...and the flow limitations and snores are part of that criteria. It's not just an OA or hyponea.
These machines do their best work PREVENTING another collapse from happening....that's the whole idea and that's why the minimum pressure used is so critical. The machine has to be able to get high enough and quickly enough to better stent the airway open and prevent further collapse. These machines don't/can't increase the pressure in the blink of an eye in an effort to better prevent further collapse. It's not nearly as rapid as people think....the increases are gradual and over a matter of minutes...not seconds. Zoom in on your pressure line where it increases and you can see the gradual increase.
All the while the machine is evaluating and thinking and deciding to increase the pressure....the airway can still collapse or get restricted and THAT can cause a wake up. The actual airway collapse (fully or partially) is the real cause of the wake up...not the machines response.
I suspect that you would do better with a slightly higher minimum pressure to start with.
BuckarooBanzai wrote: ↑Wed Jan 05, 2022 10:07 am
The N30 sounds alluring. Those soft cushions look really comfy. I was sorely tempted and seriously considered the N30, but (temporarily) knocked it off the list for two reasons: (1) the leak issues you mentioned, and (2) many users report difficulty lining up the mask holes to their nostrils. I am a side sleeper with a mustache/beard, and am concerned these known issues would be problematic for me in particular.
How long do you plan to try the N30?
Lining up the holes isn't really needed IMHO. The silicone cushion is so flexible and soft that I think if you get it close it is good enough. I just slap the cushion on and don't even think about lining up the holes with my nostrils. I put the N30 on in the dark. I can barely see the little colored dot that tells me the L and R sides are in correct placement which tells me the cushion is right side up. I have had zero issues moving enough air to be comfortable.
The under the nose cushion isn't (at least for me) quite as stable in terms of overall mask movement causing leaks.
Not unexpected....I had a similar issue with the DreamWear under the nose cushion compared to the DreamWear nasal pillow version.
But then again I have always worn my masks extremely loose....I learn a long time ago that they seal just fine barely hanging on to my head.
Unless I am doing a lot of tossing and turning they will stay put.
Unfortunately I tend to do a lot of tossing and turning due to low back/pelvic issues and trying to get in a comfortable position to relieve pain. 95% of the time any mask movement leaks don't disturb my sleep though...so I really don't care if it leaks a bit with mask movement. It's rarely large or prolonged anyway. Now last night.....ugly leak night and while prolonged at times...not really all that prolonged deep in large leak territory. I spent a lot of time around 30 L/min excess leak and that's not enough to negatively impact the therapy itself and since I slept through the bulk of it...I don't really care but the leak report is for sure ugly just looking at it.
I got the Small cushion....to be honest I wish there was an X Small version to try. This was my same thought when I tried the DreamWear under the nose cushion. I don't have a peanut sized nose either but I do think that the Small cushion is perhaps a bit large for me. Not so big I can't make it work but big enough that stability overall could be impacted.
It would be nice to at least try something smaller but that can't happen because they don't make it.
I will probably try the N30 for at least a week. I haven't had any deal breaker issues with it so far to make me hate it enough to abort the experiment.....so that says a lot. I don't screw around with masks that give me issues right off the bat and try to make them work. I have no patience for that sort of thing. Like when I tried the P30i...it was so noisy that I didn't even bother trying to sleep with it.
I do really like the N30 headgear though. When you are a small woman with a small head...having further adjustability in headgear tension is a definite plus.
The N30 cushion is extremely soft and flexible....both a pro and a con depending on someone's needs and preferences.
Much more soft and flexible than the P10 pillows. I don't see using the N30 requiring any Lansinoh use for a sore nose.
If someone gets a sore nose with the N30....they got that sucker WAAAAYYYY too tight for sure.
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.
If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.