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I have just about the same setup as you, except I'm using the Autoset II with the hybrid Liberty mask. I'm using the Autoset feature, low pressure 6, high pressure 9.
I mostly sleep on my back, but I have to fall asleep on my side. Given that, I have the same challenge with keeping the mask from being pushed away from my mouth. I am using a dense foam pillow. I think it's at least partially memory foam or something, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I found I could actually use the pillow to hold the mask in place... just kind of wedged it in so the pillow pushed it against my face. I haven't had any Aerophagia that I know of, but the machine only goes up to the higher pressure when it needs to. Of course, that just happens to be at least 95% of the time I'm asleep... eh...
Anyway, I use an H4i humidifier set to 2 most of the time, and the standard 6ft. hose.
Now, I've found that with the Liberty mask that drag and radial position of the hose can have an effect on the mouthpiece seal. It's for that reason that I have the hose running along my chest then over my abdomen above my covers. I sleep in a cool room with an oscillating column fan going all the time, and only use a light blanket. I don't use any nasal sprays, though I do have allergies and congestion. I blow my nose right before I hose up, but I breathe through my mouth a good majority of the night. My AHI index is about the same as yours has been, which my doc said "isn't bad" when I saw him today.

Have you ever done a sinus rinse? Before using your Flonase, do a sinus rinse with a Nielsmed or SinuCleanse kit. That may help with the congestion. In addition to the tape, I would suggest a PapCap or other type of chinstrap. Lastly, do you have asthma? I know that the effective of my therapy, regardless of what the numbers state, is strongly affected by which inhaler I use.

Don't put too much hope in Gas-X. It is just a defoamer. Under certain conditions a defoamer will break up little bubbles into one large bubble. So instead of many little farts, you will have a few bigger ones. Works the same way for burps. That is not much help.

Did you read the link on congestion I pointed you to? Did you read the link on the Falcon position.

I think you are wrong about not being able to breathe through your mouth. I go to sleep every night with my mouth closed. Once I get congestion during the night, the automatic reflexes are in control while I sleep and the mouth opens and I start breathing through it.

Properly sized and adjusted the Hybrid mask rarely leaks. I sleep mostly on my tummy and some on my side and the Hybrid mask works fine.

You have a lot to work on at the beginning. If you start to get frustrated, then just work on resolving one item at a time. Many of us have been where you are and gradually worked out the problems.

Regards,

Don't put too much hope in Gas-X. It is just a defoamer. Under certain conditions a defoamer will break up little bubbles into one large bubble. So instead of many little farts, you will have a few bigger ones. Works the same way for burps. That is not much help.

Did you read the link on congestion I pointed you to? Did you read the link on the Falcon position.

I think you are wrong about not being able to breathe through your mouth. I go to sleep every night with my mouth closed. Once I get congestion during the night, the automatic reflexes are in control while I sleep and the mouth opens and I start breathing through it.

Properly sized and adjusted the Hybrid mask rarely leaks. I sleep mostly on my tummy and some on my side and the Hybrid mask works fine.

You have a lot to work on at the beginning. If you start to get frustrated, then just work on resolving one item at a time. Many of us have been where you are and gradually worked out the problems.

Regards,

rooster wrote:Don't put too much hope in Gas-X. It is just a defoamer. Under certain conditions a defoamer will break up little bubbles into one large bubble. So instead of many little farts, you will have a few bigger ones. Works the same way for burps. That is not much help.

Did you read the link on congestion I pointed you to? Did you read the link on the Falcon position.

I think you are wrong about not being able to breathe through your mouth. I go to sleep every night with my mouth closed. Once I get congestion during the night, the automatic reflexes are in control while I sleep and the mouth opens and I start breathing through it.

Properly sized and adjusted the Hybrid mask rarely leaks. I sleep mostly on my tummy and some on my side and the Hybrid mask works fine.

You have a lot to work on at the beginning. If you start to get frustrated, then just work on resolving one item at a time. Many of us have been where you are and gradually worked out the problems.

Regards,

Very true. I'm into the 2nd week, and I'm still playing with the straps to get it right, finding the right position for the mouth part, etc. Just have to tough it out and keep playing with it. Last night I slept for 9 hours with it on. 0.1 L/s leak rate, 0.0 AI and 3.2 HI.
I'd call that pretty damned good. Just stick with it.

I have been using my Cpap for over a year now and quite frankly would have a lot of trouble sleeping without it even though it can be quite cumbersome. Like you, I have a problem with my nose closing off...if I'm sleeping on my side, one nostril will close completely..probably some sort of deviation in the septum. I am actually trying a new form of mask for mouth breathers which I have been almost all my life due to the nasal congestion problem. It is a hybrid "full face" mask with nasal pillows. My other full face masks have caused some irritation at the bridge of my nose and pressure points on my forehead. I used to snore terribly and my sleep study said that I stopped breathing up to 100 times an hour. I also had recurring headaches during the night which were probably caused by oxygen deprivation. I currently try to prop myself up with pillows when I go to sleep and that has helped some. I should receive my new mask in a few days..I'll write some kind of review to let users know if it works.

Cape Cod Jan wrote:I have been using my Cpap for over a year now and quite frankly would have a lot of trouble sleeping without it even though it can be quite cumbersome. Like you, I have a problem with my nose closing off...if I'm sleeping on my side, one nostril will close completely..probably some sort of deviation in the septum. I am actually trying a new form of mask for mouth breathers which I have been almost all my life due to the nasal congestion problem. It is a hybrid "full face" mask with nasal pillows. My other full face masks have caused some irritation at the bridge of my nose and pressure points on my forehead. I used to snore terribly and my sleep study said that I stopped breathing up to 100 times an hour. I also had recurring headaches during the night which were probably caused by oxygen deprivation. I currently try to prop myself up with pillows when I go to sleep and that has helped some. I should receive my new mask in a few days..I'll write some kind of review to let users know if it works.

Is it the Resmed Liberty mask that you're getting?

Cape Cod Jan wrote:I have been using my Cpap for over a year now and quite frankly would have a lot of trouble sleeping without it even though it can be quite cumbersome. Like you, I have a problem with my nose closing off...if I'm sleeping on my side, one nostril will close completely..probably some sort of deviation in the septum. I am actually trying a new form of mask for mouth breathers which I have been almost all my life due to the nasal congestion problem. It is a hybrid "full face" mask with nasal pillows. My other full face masks have caused some irritation at the bridge of my nose and pressure points on my forehead. I used to snore terribly and my sleep study said that I stopped breathing up to 100 times an hour. I also had recurring headaches during the night which were probably caused by oxygen deprivation. I currently try to prop myself up with pillows when I go to sleep and that has helped some. I should receive my new mask in a few days..I'll write some kind of review to let users know if it works.

The original Hybrid mask, hybridmask.com, was introduced in August 2006. I have an anniversay coming up with almost exclusive use of the Hybrid for three years.

If you indeed ordered a Hybrid, here are some tips on adjusting and using it viewtopic.php?t=14422&highlight= .

......if I'm sleeping on my side, one nostril will close completely..probably some sort of deviation in the septum. .....

Try to observe whether it is always the nostril that is next to the mattress. If it is, the cause is blood settling in the vessels due to gravity. When you switch to the other side, you will get relief until the blood settles in that side. With this condition you need to control congestion strictly to get relief. Please see Dr. Falcon's comments on preventing congestion in this thread viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36483&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

BTW, 40% of patients have positional sleep apnea. This means the apnea is much worse when sleeping on the back and may require a lower therapeutic CPAP pressure if sleeping on the tummy or sides.