Can't Find a Mask That Doesn't Leak

Just picked up my Respironics Resmed S8 Autoset II and hooked up my Mirage Activa nose mask to it and the humidifier. Jeez! What a difference from the Escape II!!!

First it asks you what mask you are using and the length of hose. Then it keeps track of all events and data. WOW!

You can set it to alarm at night if your seal falls below an ideal point. I did that.

You can set it to help you put on your mask and with another person looking at the readout you can roll around in bed to see how good a fit the mask is providing... it provides graphical evidence of the fit (i.e. leaks).

I have found the ideal setup I think... ResMed Autoset S8 II with an Mirage Activa LT nosemask. Like a feather and the machine is comfort oriented to be sure. I also picked up a bunch of accessories including a thingey that collapses into a wee pouch but extends into a rod that hangs over your head and tucks under the mattress and holds the hose over your head. Great idea for two reasons; first it eliminates 'rain' along with the hose insulator (cheap). And secondly I can turn over at night or move around and have a much lower chance of breaking my seal around my nose. Last night I slept and never woke up... a first in a long time. Of course, we were in the Casino at Niagara Falls until 3 a.m. and that might have helped.

Off I go home to read the manuals for the ResMed Autoset II S8 and get it set up right. Man. I have a clinician manual (thanks for leaving it in the box CPAP guys; a user manual and a detailed clinician manual downloaded from the internet with a lot more detailed information in it. I still need more ininformation, like how the 'settling' time affects the performance versus the 'ramp' time in CPAP mode. And detailed information on what all the numbers are going to mean to me. Still lots to learn but the first thing I HAVE learned is that I need to help myself along with my MD... the sleep clinic appears to be in this for the money, sadly, and hands you a CPAP box with preset numbers and no feedback at FOUR TIMES the price of what CPAP.com and the other online retailers charge. Take heed!

Good luck to everyone. I know that I am feeling better already and thank the members of this board for so much help and encouragement. For me it is the difference between life and death as this will permit me to rebuild my energy and strength after spending almost a month on full life support this past summer after H1N1. You guys are the best~!~~

Gee, one might think you're really happy or something . I love my AutoSet; I sleep so much better than I did on my old Escape!