So I guess I have OSA - what happens next?

RyN:
Have you tried the Amara View Full Face Mask?
I have one that I'm not able to use for myself.
I have the medium and large cushions for this mask.
Just let me know if you would like to have this mask, totally FREE

Hello all! I've been continuing using the CPAP nightly. I had one night where I forgot to insert the SD card. Thankfully, it was a night without any issues, and I at least got the basic data off there which showed a 0.81 AHI.

A couple nights ago, I felt like I had a moderate amount of air leaking out in the middle of the night. I was able to do a few adjustments to the mask once my foggy brain realized what was happening, and it's been better since.

I am still in my original F20 mask. I'll likely try out the F30i sometime soon, but I'm thankful to have a good baseline/backup mask available to me in the F20 that seems to be working well enough.

I have other health issues going on as mentioned. So while I haven't necessarily noticed a huge difference in daytime energy or anything, I have felt decent for the past week (which is a better than usual for me). There's also a bit less anxiety about sleep since I know there's one less thing to worry about possibly giving me a bad night.

August 25: https://sleephq.com/public/7c504f38-8e0 ... 8e6d97a114




August 26: https://sleephq.com/public/edbf5e91-9c3 ... b4defac966




August 27: https://sleephq.com/public/dcbaec93-107 ... f558c33a99




August 28: (forgot the SD card) https://sleephq.com/public/d9f86318-ac0 ... aac6b0bedf

August 29: https://sleephq.com/public/33f8baed-284 ... ad4d6ff36a

Wow I see the progression and it looks like you’re making progress. Hopefully you’re feeling better!

lynninnj wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:57 pm

Wow I see the progression and it looks like you’re making progress. Hopefully you’re feeling better!

Thank you!! I'd say I'm..... ?? I'm not sure! Cautiously optimistic? But scared of getting excited and then let down since I'm used to the ups and downs of long-term health issues. Still, I'm very grateful that I've grown accustomed to using it nightly and have figured out the small issues I've run into. And I have had some good days during this past week where things feel more 'normal' (if there is such a thing!).

Since the graphs are all just generic graphs and charts to me, I was wondering if there was anything specific you were looking at where you see progress? It's totally fine if you were just being a kind cheerleader as well. But I'm still learning what to be on the lookout for in all the stats

RyN wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:06 pm

lynninnj wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:57 pm

Wow I see the progression and it looks like you’re making progress. Hopefully you’re feeling better!

Thank you!! I'd say I'm..... ?? I'm not sure! Cautiously optimistic? But scared of getting excited and then let down since I'm used to the ups and downs of long-term health issues. Still, I'm very grateful that I've grown accustomed to using it nightly and have figured out the small issues I've run into. And I have had some good days during this past week where things feel more 'normal' (if there is such a thing!).

Since the graphs are all just generic graphs and charts to me, I was wondering if there was anything specific you were looking at where you see progress? It's totally fine if you were just being a kind cheerleader as well. But I'm still learning what to be on the lookout for in all the stats

There were some great videos by the lanky lefty and Nicko from Sleephq on youtube that were really helpful, plus reading here.

To be honest, much of it is just cheerleading based on what I have read here and being a general optimist. But yeah, I mainly noticed the leaks were going down and the AHI were pretty good.

Good luck!

I've had an eventful past day or two. And I'm finally looking for some specific feedback on some questions!

I went ahead and purchased the F30i mask (standard frame, wide cushion). When it arrived, I set it up and really liked that it was less bulky, and it seemed to be quite comfortable. However, when I tried to go to sleep with it, I had a very strong feeling of claustrophobia. The air felt too warm, and it felt more difficult to breathe in it (like I couldn't get enough air). I tried to play with the temperature and pressure settings, but gave up after a couple minutes and wore my original AirTouch F20. That mask ended up leaking a ton that night (as you can see by the graphs below), but I think I figured out I had it sitting too low on my face. Once I brought the mask up a bit higher, it sealed around my upper nose/under my eyes much better.

For the F30i, are my complaints normal? As in other people have had them? I'd love to hear any thoughts or tips on what to try to change so it feels more comfortable and usable. I also noticed air coming out at the top of my head where the port connection is. I assume this is normal since there are several small holes there; but let me know if that's not the case

Also, with the Airsense 11, I've kind of just been randomly guessing at settings or what to change. I had had luck keeping most things on automatic as far as climate, tube temperature, and humidification. However, when I tried changing it to manual and setting some of them to specific points (say a 70-degree tube setting and a 2 humidifier setting), the airflow didn't really change all that much from my perception. Even when going to the extremes, I noticed some change in how the air felt, but it wasn't wildly different. If you have any tips or tricks on the settings side on the machine, I'd love to hear those as well.

Last night, I tried the F30i again while awake and watching TV. It's fine for a while, but it eventually gets too warm and suffocating (it feels like maybe the exhaled air doesn't leave as quickly? but that's just a guess). I switched back to the F20 and had a good night's sleep!

8/30: https://sleephq.com/public/81a06022-3d9 ... b656297bc4





8/31: https://sleephq.com/public/ad7ebe28-c52 ... 58820c6d76





9/1: https://sleephq.com/public/78112048-529 ... f11fac7773





9/2: https://sleephq.com/public/792c3a4b-335 ... 9faf02fccd

At the risk of sounding like a cheerleader, it looked like all of those were really great nights except maybe the 30th? A muted Yay you!?

That said, I don't know the mask but my N30i had the air release holes at the top too and I think that is normal? (not the same mask but I think the elbow at the top is the same and I noticed the exhaust holes when I had mine.)

It seems it takes a bit of time for things to heat up (tube/humidifier) so when you are doing your testing you might take that into account.

Not sure what type of climate you live in but the temp setting you had last night was a cool 60ish and I keep mine at a warm 80ish (I think this is an auto setting?). My setting says temperature enable ON. Yours says AUTO. I don't know the particulars of how the machine operates but I thought if I point this out here maybe someone can illuminate us. I feel pretty sure that I will need to modify climate settings once the cooler weather hits and the heater kicks on.

Good luck!

I hope you don't mind the comments and questions here, nor the cheerleading. I know I for one would be feeling pretty dandy with a sleep like that. Hope you are too.

lynninnj wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 9:50 am

That said, I don't know the mask but my N30i had the air release holes at the top too and I think that is normal? (not the same mask but I think the elbow at the top is the same and I noticed the exhaust holes when I had mine.)

It seems it takes a bit of time for things to heat up (tube/humidifier) so when you are doing your testing you might take that into account.

Not sure what type of climate you live in but the temp setting you had last night was a cool 60ish and I keep mine at a warm 80ish (I think this is an auto setting?). My setting says temperature enable ON. Yours says AUTO. I don't know the particulars of how the machine operates but I thought if I point this out here maybe someone can illuminate us. I feel pretty sure that I will need to modify climate settings once the cooler weather hits and the heater kicks on.

Good luck!

ALL masks have vent holes to allow your exhaled breath (CO2) to escape. The N30i and the P30i have vent holes on the elbow and on the cushion both. I use both of these masks.

The AS11 has a feature called "WARM UP", whereby the machine will warm up the water for about 15 - 20 minutes, (maybe even longer?) before you start therapy

You have to be using the Airsense10 or AS11 climateline heated air tube.
On the AS11, when climate is set to AUTO, means that the machine will maintain 86% humidity. The machine will adjust temp and humidity to maintain 86% humidity, based on the room air being drawn into the machine.

On the AS11, by setting the climate control to manual, both the tube air temp and humidity can be set to your personal preferences.

You may have to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit. Not my fortay.

Google shows:
25* C = 77* F
26* C = 78.8* F
27* C = 80.6* F
28* C = 82.4* F
29* C = 84.2* F
30* C = 86* F

BE CAREFUL, as your humidity water tub can, and will run out of water. "boil dry", if tube air temp and humidity is set too high.
I have my AS11 temp set to 24* C, about 74* or 75* F, and my humidity is set to auto, which is fine for me. YMMV

Humidity setting AUTO means that the machine will maintain humidity at about 86%, based on room air temp, and humidity levels.

RyN wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 9:33 am

For the F30i, are my complaints normal?

Normal? Every mask on the market has detractors and fans. This mask gets a high rating at cpap.com

I personally like it. It has a small footprint and a good headgear system. It doesn't touch the bridge of the nose. The hose is connected to the headgear which means no hose pull on the mask as the user moves in bed.

The vent rate on most full-face masks is similar.

Carefully watch three or four videos on youtube for fitting and adjusting instructions.

Agree with Granny that every mask has its fans and its detractors. I have tried the F30 and F30i, and in both cases I had a clammy feeling inside the mask. I switched temperature to manual and set it lower than the default 86. It can't go any lower than the ambient temp in the room (no a/c) but you can set it to your comfort. If you don't absolutely HAVE to have a full face mask, due to deviated septum or other nasal abnormality issues, I suggest consideration of p10 pillow mask. Since may mouth pops open when super-relaxed, I tape and it works very well for me. Food for thought.