advice welcomed please

When I went to pick up my machine my DME wanted me to sign a bunch of forms before we even talked machines. I asked what they were supplying and he said an S9 Escape. I said I wouldn't accept that and handed his forms back to him.

He was really surprised and asked why. I told him I wanted the data capabilities, he said they would order the next model up. I told him to call me when it came in and left.

I went back and did more research and decided i really wanted the S9 Autoset so I asked my Dr's office (same parent company as the DME) for a copy of my Rx. They asked why. I said so I could find a DME tht would provide the S9 Autoset. The DME called within half an hour and said they could get me the Autoset, brand new (I know they try to pass off used units) in a couple days. that was Friday.

I picked it up Monday.

Never be afraid to ask for what you want and to walk if you get the wrong answer. You have control, they want your money.

zenman72 wrote: I think the mask I have been using is just totally non-effective at this stage, but it has been a gradual change so I have had a hard time realizing it. Like I said, I have had it for 4 years. Do you guys and girls replace it every year or get new cushions every year, or at what interval generally?

Your mask is 4 years old? No wonder it won't seal.
Replacement depends on what mask it is and which type of cushion but 1 year would be stretching it.
I don't remember which mask you are using but most often the cushion maybe 2 to 3 months and then it gets tired.
It depends a lot on pressures used, facial oils, mask cleaning regiment, face cleaning regiment.

Even Medicare (notorious tight wad) allows for replacement of entire mask setup once every 6 months.
Headgear gets stretched out of shape...cushions get dry and won't seal...

Let's hope your new mask helps resolve your leak issue. It sure can't hurt it at this point.

New mask delivered. Mirage FX. I tried to sleep but having issues still.

My data from last night with the old mask said leak .50 AHI 13.2. It didn't reset but after 2 hours trying to sleep with the new mask it was reading .40 and 15.8, so the leak went down but AHI went up.

One thing I notice is that I can talk pretty well and breath through my mouth with the mask on. I didn't used to be able to do that. Can any of you talk well with a nasal mask on?

If the leak goes down and AHI goes up and the leak was pretty bad then it is possible that the machine was missing some scoring of events and with the leak improved the machine now is catching events that it didn't know was happening when leaks were real bad.
That's why we can't trust the AHI when leaks are bad...we don't know if the AHI is low because nothing happened or because something happened and the machine didn't have a clue something was happening.