New to Forum

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
MsMairsleeps
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Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:56 pm

New to Forum

Post by MsMairsleeps » Sun Jul 27, 2014 11:46 am

Just wanted to say hello to everyone and let you all know that I have been roaming around the forum for a little over a week. Lots of good info here.
I am newly diagnosed with OSA with an AHI of 15.6. The testing went well, I thought. I picked up my cpap machine on Thurs. and have been trying to adjust for the past couple of nights. I am having a lot of problems with the mask leaking. It has been a challenge, but, I am persevering.
I am new at this, so please bear with me. I'm playing around with Snipping tool, as my print screen is not working. Another issue to take care of. My stats the first 2 nights weren't bad at all. However, last night was, I think, pretty darned good. I tightened up the mask a little more and slept good.
Here is a screen shot of my stats. Feel free to let me know what you think. I sure would appreciate it.
Not a very good pic I must say.

Image

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Pugsy
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: New to Forum

Post by Pugsy » Sun Jul 27, 2014 12:02 pm

Welcome the forum.

How about we fix your equipment profile to avoid confusion later. The humidifier you have chosen was discontinued in 2007 and I know you didn't get that old of a machine recently.
The link to the machine you chose doesn't show up because I suspect you chose a slightly older model than you probably have and that link is broken.

SH says you are using a PR System One Pro with CFlex....it is probably model 460. To confirm just look on the bottom of the blower unit for a 3 digit number. It might say 450 but those were discontinued 2 years ago and replaced with the 460 model. Main difference is the heated hose option.
Anyway if it says 460 this would be your correct machine choice and it should show up
PR System One 60 Series Pro CPAP (it may or may not say CFlex but don't worry about that as all Pros have CFlex)
and the correct humidifier choice would be
PR System One 60 Series heated tube humidifier with heated tube (same one as I have in my profile)
Having the correct equipment may help us help you better later.
If you do have the 450 let us know and we can advise what to do with the choices.

Your report you posted looks really good.
Some leaks around 4:30 but probably not quite bad enough to be flagged as large leak. The latest SH version flags large leaks up at the very top of the Events graph.....looks like maybe large leak 1.7xx% of the time...that's not bad at all. Probably that little blip at 4:40. Kinda hard to see numbers exactly as they are small.
You don't need the snore graph. The events graph is more important.
You don't really need the pressure graph since you are using fixed cpap pressure and it isn't going to vary anyway.

This mask and fit leak thing is probably the hardest part to this therapy. Keep working on getting the mask to fit/seal as best you can. It can take a bit of trial and error to get it sorted out. Especially when using a full face mask since there is simply more surface area to have to seal and keep sealed. You might want to look at some sort of mask liner to help with seal and comfort.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

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palerider
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Location: Dallas(ish).

Re: New to Forum

Post by palerider » Sun Jul 27, 2014 12:12 pm

MsMairsleeps wrote: However, last night was, I think, pretty darned good. I tightened up the mask a little more and slept good.
*thumbs up*

_________________
Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution
Additional Comments: S9 VPAP Auto
Get OSCAR

Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

MsMairsleeps
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:56 pm

Re: New to Forum

Post by MsMairsleeps » Sun Jul 27, 2014 1:06 pm

Pugsy wrote:Welcome the forum.

How about we fix your equipment profile to avoid confusion later. The humidifier you have chosen was discontinued in 2007 and I know you didn't get that old of a machine recently.
The link to the machine you chose doesn't show up because I suspect you chose a slightly older model than you probably have and that link is broken.

SH says you are using a PR System One Pro with CFlex....it is probably model 460. To confirm just look on the bottom of the blower unit for a 3 digit number. It might say 450 but those were discontinued 2 years ago and replaced with the 460 model. Main difference is the heated hose option.
Anyway if it says 460 this would be your correct machine choice and it should show up
PR System One 60 Series Pro CPAP (it may or may not say CFlex but don't worry about that as all Pros have CFlex)
and the correct humidifier choice would be
PR System One 60 Series heated tube humidifier with heated tube (same one as I have in my profile)
Having the correct equipment may help us help you better later.
If you do have the 450 let us know and we can advise what to do with the choices.

Your report you posted looks really good.
Some leaks around 4:30 but probably not quite bad enough to be flagged as large leak. The latest SH version flags large leaks up at the very top of the Events graph.....looks like maybe large leak 1.7xx% of the time...that's not bad at all. Probably that little blip at 4:40. Kinda hard to see numbers exactly as they are small.
You don't need the snore graph. The events graph is more important.
You don't really need the pressure graph since you are using fixed cpap pressure and it isn't going to vary anyway.

This mask and fit leak thing is probably the hardest part to this therapy. Keep working on getting the mask to fit/seal as best you can. It can take a bit of trial and error to get it sorted out. Especially when using a full face mask since there is simply more surface area to have to seal and keep sealed. You might want to look at some sort of mask liner to help with seal and comfort.
Thanks, Pugsy! I appreciate the feedback. All of this graph stuff is a bit intimidating.
The CPAP is a 460P.
I was checking out liners on Amazon. I'll probably give it a go.

I am going for sinus surgery on the 7th of Aug., so, I may give up the full mask and go with nasal mask when Dr. advises it's okay to do so.

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Pugsy
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: New to Forum

Post by Pugsy » Sun Jul 27, 2014 1:17 pm

May not be enough time before your surgery to get the free sample liners from Remzzzs but you can try if you wish.
Forum member Becky works for Remzzs and it's her job to send out free samples.
Send her a private message and she will help you out.
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=62662

You can also make your own out of an old T shirt which would give you a sort of idea if it is a workable solution for you.
Karen at Padacheek is also a forum member and a cpap user herself
http://www.padacheek.com/

Good luck on the surgery. I would be in a world of hurt if I had to try to use a full face mask for various reasons.
I have never used one so I can't help with them but if you want to try some nasal pillows....I have tried almost all of them at one time or another.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

library lady
Posts: 1116
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:10 am
Location: Rochester, MN

Re: New to Forum

Post by library lady » Sun Jul 27, 2014 2:33 pm

I started with Quattro Air mask, now use the AirFit F10. These masks use the same cushion, and my experience is that it is one very leaky cushion. I found mask liners, as Pugsy has pointed out, to be the solution. I am now making my own liners from t-shirts, still have some of the RemZzzs to use up. Some posters here love the Padacheek liners, but RemZzzs are usually available from your DME if you don't want to wait for an order to arrive.

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  Sleepyhead
Now using AirFit F10 mask; Quattro Air is backup mask. RemZzzz mask liners with both.

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englandsf
Posts: 1016
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 6:17 pm
Location: Austin TX

Re: New to Forum

Post by englandsf » Sun Jul 27, 2014 2:38 pm

Library lady - I found the F10 OK at pressures below 12 but bad above that. Amazing how loose I had to have it (except at the nose bridge, my big problem) to minimize leaks when I moved - I'm a side sleeper and used special pillow.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead SW. NeilMed and Alkalol Nasal rinses. Veramyst. AutoPAP 11-20 cms. Started June '14, untreated AHI 31-38, with PAP around 1.

library lady
Posts: 1116
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:10 am
Location: Rochester, MN

Re: New to Forum

Post by library lady » Sun Jul 27, 2014 4:39 pm

Hi englandsf; I don't have leaks very often and my pressure is 9-18... usually doesn't get higher than 16. I've noticed than when the cushion or a liner gets worn out I will get into large leak territory, and that has an easy fix. I have room for my fingers to get in between my head and the straps. I'm a side sleeper and use a regular tempurpedic pillow, also toss and turn quite a bit during the night.

I wear my liners just one night, but wash them all at the end of the week, lay them flat to dry, then iron them to help retain their shape and remove any wrinkles that might contribute to leaks.

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  Sleepyhead
Now using AirFit F10 mask; Quattro Air is backup mask. RemZzzz mask liners with both.

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englandsf
Posts: 1016
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 6:17 pm
Location: Austin TX

Re: New to Forum

Post by englandsf » Sun Jul 27, 2014 5:26 pm

Glad it's working - ' cos that's all that matters in this game - finding one's bliss - machine and mask wise. So much happier since I found mine for sure.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead SW. NeilMed and Alkalol Nasal rinses. Veramyst. AutoPAP 11-20 cms. Started June '14, untreated AHI 31-38, with PAP around 1.

MsMairsleeps
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:56 pm

Re: New to Forum

Post by MsMairsleeps » Sun Jul 27, 2014 5:47 pm

Pugsy wrote:May not be enough time before your surgery to get the free sample liners from Remzzzs but you can try if you wish.
Forum member Becky works for Remzzs and it's her job to send out free samples.
Send her a private message and she will help you out.
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=62662

You can also make your own out of an old T shirt which would give you a sort of idea if it is a workable solution for you.
Karen at Padacheek is also a forum member and a cpap user herself
http://www.padacheek.com/

Good luck on the surgery. I would be in a world of hurt if I had to try to use a full face mask for various reasons.
I have never used one so I can't help with them but if you want to try some nasal pillows....I have tried almost all of them at one time or another.

Thanks, Pugsy! I checked out the links and pm'd Becky.

How are the nasal pillows, by the way?

MsMairsleeps
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:56 pm

Re: New to Forum

Post by MsMairsleeps » Sun Jul 27, 2014 5:50 pm

library lady wrote:I started with Quattro Air mask, now use the AirFit F10. These masks use the same cushion, and my experience is that it is one very leaky cushion. I found mask liners, as Pugsy has pointed out, to be the solution. I am now making my own liners from t-shirts, still have some of the RemZzzs to use up. Some posters here love the Padacheek liners, but RemZzzs are usually available from your DME if you don't want to wait for an order to arrive.
Thanks, Library lady! I'm going to try the liners and see what happens.

MsMairsleeps
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:56 pm

Re: New to Forum

Post by MsMairsleeps » Sun Jul 27, 2014 5:52 pm

palerider wrote:
MsMairsleeps wrote: However, last night was, I think, pretty darned good. I tightened up the mask a little more and slept good.
*thumbs up*
Thanks, Palerider!

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Pugsy
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: New to Forum

Post by Pugsy » Sun Jul 27, 2014 6:02 pm

MsMairsleeps wrote:How are the nasal pillows, by the way?
Well....I have never used any other mask except a nasal pillow mask except for brief trials of a couple of nasal cushion masks and I did those brief experiments just for fun and not because I was unhappy with whatever nasal pillow mask I was using at the time.
So over 5 years now and haven't ever used a full face mask except one night trial which ended up being a total disaster.

I don't do well with anything that puts pressure on the sides of my nose so the typical masks that come down over the bridge of the nose won't work for me. Pretty much limits me to nasal pillow masks which fortunately suits my needs just fine.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

MsMairsleeps
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:56 pm

Re: New to Forum

Post by MsMairsleeps » Sun Jul 27, 2014 6:16 pm

Pugsy wrote:
MsMairsleeps wrote:How are the nasal pillows, by the way?
Well....I have never used any other mask except a nasal pillow mask except for brief trials of a couple of nasal cushion masks and I did those brief experiments just for fun and not because I was unhappy with whatever nasal pillow mask I was using at the time.
So over 5 years now and haven't ever used a full face mask except one night trial which ended up being a total disaster.

I don't do well with anything that puts pressure on the sides of my nose so the typical masks that come down over the bridge of the nose won't work for me. Pretty much limits me to nasal pillow masks which fortunately suits my needs just fine.
I thought I might give the pillows a try after my surgery. My husband has the nasal mask and I tried that, but it hurt my upper teeth. Oh well, trial and error I guess.