Need advice from 560p & Quattro FXusers

Hello all000I appreciate all the wonderful advice thatfolks are providing on this great site!

I started on APAP 10 nights ago. The first 8 were satisfactory and I made good progress with obtaining good sleep. Maybe only wanking up 2-3 times to adjust my Quattro FX.

I am embarassed to admit that the past two nights I ended my APAP session bt flinging the mask accross the room. This sounds like I lack dedication but I really am highly motivated to figure this out.

My problem is that leaks start and I just cannot seem to adjust the mask so it works properly. I wake up with the mask having crept to above my lower lip causing a large leak. or leaks form at the bridge of my nose ---and I understand how the mask goes on starting at the bridge of the nose.

I can't explain how the first 8 nights were semi-ok and the last two were busts.

I wonder if an auto APAP senses a leak as a demand for more pressure and an upward spiral starts? My machine is set at 10-20. I questioned the tech at the sleep lab at the hospital about the high end of the range and sje was adamant that I need it for REM sleep. (Like I'm getting any of that.)

I am heading over to my DME this afternoon to see about a better mask for my face, which is pretty large for this mask I think. But before that I wanted to ask the brain trust here for any advice. Many thanks---Jack in Hot Springsm AR

Hi Jack, and welcome!
I don't have a full face mask but honestly, the problem you are having is not unusual or specific to any type of mask.

To some degree small leaks are almost unavoidable. (There may be some exceptions.) Larger leaks should be controllable. You may have over-tightened the mask. This happens to me a lot. I get the mask "just right" and fall asleep, only to wake up later. A quick adjustment and I'm back asleep. Repeat cycle until the mask (I use nasal pillows) is so tight my nose relocates to the top of my head! Obviously I have gone too far.

I send my nose flowers in apology only to remember I'm allergic to flowers. Eventually we make up, it moves back down and I loosen the straps.

These days I'm on to the tricks of the mask. Usually if my mask is leaking I can fix it by removing it and putting it back on. It's amazing to me how effective this is where no amount of re-positioning will work.

So keep working at it, and don't offend your nose!

Jack 356 wrote:I wonder if an auto APAP senses a leak as a demand for more pressure and an upward spiral starts? My machine is set at 10-20. I questioned the tech at the sleep lab at the hospital about the high end of the range and sje was adamant that I need it for REM sleep. (Like I'm getting any of that.)

With the previous technology APAPs... I would have told you yes...the machine can chase a leak and make matters much worse because more pressure just makes the leak worse.

Now with these new technology APAPS they don't go chasing leaks with more pressure nearly as often. So while not impossible for it to chase a leak and end up going around in a nasty circle....it isn't nearly as likely to happen now with the new machines.
They say they actually reduce the pressure just a little in an effort to get the seal back.
http://sleepapnea.respironics.com/techn ... ement.aspx

Did you know there is software available so you can see the leak and pressure line?
Check out my signature line for software options and links for SleepyHead...since you have a 60 series machine you would also need the Patch so check out this thread
viewtopic/t83551/SleepyHead-Series-60-Patch-Avail.html

You can also use EncoreBasic
Look in Uncle Bob's signature line
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=38643
Be sure to read the Help section because it tells you how to use the software.

EncoreGuide link this will show you examples of what you will see. For a different machine than yours but the basics are the same.
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/pwc_h ... _Guide.pdf

I had the same problem with the Quattro FX, and switched to the Quattro Mirage, and that solved the problem for me with leaks.