DevilBliss DV54 AutoAdjust CPAP -Help

I'm a little confused about the make and model of my mask, so i've contacted my supplier (this morning via email) for the exact make and model. These mask liners are specific to the mask you using, so to save my self the cost of shipping back and forth (SA to overseas). I need to be sure before contacting Karen.

alexchetty wrote:I'm a little confused about the make and model of my mask, so i've contacted my supplier (this morning via email) for the exact make and model. These mask liners are specific to the mask you using, so to save my self the cost of shipping back and forth (SA to overseas). I need to be sure before contacting Karen.

Oh, you definitely want to make sure you have the right made and model so I am glad you are confirming this. Keep us updated on what happens.

49er

30October2013
95th Percentile Pressure 14.0
90th Percentile Pressure 12.5
AHI 3.0
Pressure Plateau Time 2%
High Leak Flow Time 1%
NRI 0.00
EPI 2
---made some changes last night---
Lower: 9.5 -increased by .5
Upper: 15.0
Smartflex: off
Delay: 0
Delay Pressure: 8.5 -increased by .5
Mask: Full Face Mask

-feeling a bit tired this morning and nauseous.
-got a dull headache.
-Face mask did not leak much. (washed face mask) --any tips on washing face masks? how to wash? or how often to wash it?

Sorry I am a few days late catching up with the latest posts to this thread. I too am new to the Devilbiss Autoadjust and a full face mask and have also been working to sort through mask leak triggered awakenings.

To clarify a bit of discussion earlier in the week on the Devilbiss EPI number. I checked the Clinician manual and it stands for "Exhale Puff Index". The manual specifically states "Exhale puffs
are a breathing pattern described as ‘in through the nose and out through the lips’". The machine detects this as a exhale pressure wave form where the pressure quickly drops.

Therefore, the only relationship between EPI and true leaks is that they are both non-response events.

Another number to keep in mind is that the Autoadjust only reports leaks >90 l/min. I checked my mask vent rate specs sheet and I am "leaking" ~40 l/min as the designed exhaust rate from the mask at my current pressure of 9. That feels like a gale out in front of my face. The leaks that are waking me up during the night are NOTHING by comparison to that and therefore are not triggering the machine's leak report. They are also not really having much impact on my Sleepyhead curves other than I can see all the times that I turn the machine off so that I can fiddle with the mask.

Steve

31October2013
95th Percentile Pressure 15.0
90th Percentile Pressure 15.0
AHI 4.5
Pressure Plateau Time 10%
High Leak Flow Time 1%
NRI 0.00
EPI 3

Lower: 9.5
Upper: 15.0
Smartflex: off
Delay: 0
Delay Pressure: 8.5
Mask: Full Face Mask

-feeling good this morning.
-Face mask still leaks a bit. I've wedged some pieces of folder paper between the mask frame and the mask to get a better fit and prevent some of the leaks.

Washing the face mask: --any tips on washing face masks? how to wash? or how often to wash it?

I use nasal pillows and I wash the nasal pillows once a week with a mild dishwashing liquid (Ivory) with warm water. Some use baby shampoo. It only takes a few minutes. Let them air dry away from direct sunlight.

Your mask manual should give you this information. The manuals usually say to wash the pillows or cushions every day but I don't do it that often.

Every day I wipe the nasal pillows with the wipes that are available for that purpose. I have no idea if you can get them where you are. Again, some have said they use baby wipes.

1November2013
95th Percentile Pressure 15.0
90th Percentile Pressure 15.0
AHI 5.0
Pressure Plateau Time 16%
High Leak Flow Time 0%
NRI 1.00
EPI 8

Lower: 9.5
Upper: 15.0
Smartflex: off
Delay: 0
Delay Pressure: 8.5
Mask: Full Face Mask

-still feeling good this morning.
-Face mask still leaks a bit.
-My Plateau time is higher than 10% - looks like I'm going to have to raise the upper pressure (going to try 16.0).

alexchetty wrote:1November2013
95th Percentile Pressure 15.0
90th Percentile Pressure 15.0
AHI 5.0
Pressure Plateau Time 16%
High Leak Flow Time 0%
NRI 1.00
EPI 8

Lower: 9.5
Upper: 15.0
Smartflex: off
Delay: 0
Delay Pressure: 8.5
Mask: Full Face Mask

-still feeling good this morning.
-Face mask still leaks a bit.
-My Plateau time is higher than 10% - looks like I'm going to have to raise the upper pressure (going to try 16.0).

Glad to hear you are doing well alexchetty.

In your previous posts, you mentioned getting more information about your mask so you could follow up with Karen with padacheck. Anything happening with that?

49er

02November2013
95th Percentile Pressure 14.0
90th Percentile Pressure 13.5
AHI 3.5
Pressure Plateau Time 0%
High Leak Flow Time 9%
NRI 0.00
EPI 3

Made some changes:
Lower: 8.5 ---
Upper: 16.0 ---
Smartflex: OFF
Delay: 0
Delay Pressure: 8.5
Mask: Full Face Mask

-Still feeling good this morning.
-Face mask still leaks a bit.

03November2013
95th Percentile Pressure 15.5
90th Percentile Pressure 15.0
AHI 5.5
Pressure Plateau Time 3%
High Leak Flow Time 0%
NRI 0.00
EPI 7
---
Lower: 8.5 ---
Upper: 16.0 ---
Smartflex: OFF
Delay: 0
Delay Pressure: 8.5
Mask: Full Face Mask

-Feeling tired this morning.

alexchetty wrote:03November2013
95th Percentile Pressure 15.5
90th Percentile Pressure 15.0
AHI 5.5
Pressure Plateau Time 3%
High Leak Flow Time 0%
NRI 0.00
EPI 7
---
Lower: 8.5 ---
Upper: 16.0 ---
Smartflex: OFF
Delay: 0
Delay Pressure: 8.5
Mask: Full Face Mask

-Feeling tired this morning.

Sorry you are feeling tired alexchetty. How are you doing with the leaks? I know the statistics said they were fine but what is your perception since even small ones can affect some people?

49er

49er,

The leaks are not as bad as they use to be. Maybe i'm adjusting. Also, I wash the mask and my face before using it, this seems to create a nicer seal!

A.

alexchetty wrote:49er,

The leaks are not as bad as they use to be. Maybe i'm adjusting. Also, I wash the mask and my face before using it, this seems to create a nicer seal!

A.

Good to hear.

I would agree that your tiredness is part of adjusting to pap therapy. Of course, if it continues, then I would consider raising the pressure to see if that would help.

49er

It is raising the MINIMUM pressure that is going to make a difference - not the upper pressure.

You should raise it by .5 and leave it for a week. If things improve that's fine. If not, raise it by .5 and leave it for another week. You need to proceed like this until you feel better.

I have mentioned it before but will say it again - you may need a MINIMUM pressure of 10 or 11 to feel as you should. 10 and 11 are not very high MINIMUM pressures. Many people start at 1o cm. It is average.

I started at 10 cm 11 years ago and I am now at 11. I use mine with a narrow auto range (11 cm to 13 cm). You may also need to try a straight cpap setting and I would suggest 10 cm to start. For some, the changing pressure of an auto range can disturb sleep and these people should be on straight cpap. If you decide to try that, leave it for a week before raising it too.

Hawthorne wrote:It is raising the MINIMUM pressure that is going to make a difference - not the upper pressure.

You should raise it by .05 and leave it for a week. If things improve that's fine. If not, raise it by .05 and leave it for another week. You need to proceed like this until you feel better.

I have mentioned it before but will say it again - you may need a MINIMUM pressure of 10 or 11 to feel as you should. 10 and 11 are not very high MINIMUM pressures. Many people start at 1o cm. It is average.

I started at 10 cm 11 years ago and I am now at 11. I use mine with a narrow auto range (11 cm to 13 cm). You may also need to try a straight cpap setting and I would suggest 10 cm to start. For some, the changing pressure of an auto range can disturb sleep and these people should be on straight cpap. If you decide to try that, leave it for a week before raising it too.

Totally agree Hawthorne. I was sleepy myself when I wrote that previous post.

And I love the suggestion to try a straight cpap setting.

49er