"old"-"New" hosehead making changes to improve

[Inspired]

...to make a short story long, I started using an antique Cpap machine in 2001 (NO data except hrs used), and after 6 or so years I lost 100 lbs thanks to bariatric surgery, so stopped using CPAP to see if my symptoms of OSA were gone....they seemed to be gone, so NO CPAP for about 8 yrs. Now I've gained 30 lbs and symptoms are back. Sleep study showd mild to moderate OSA, AHI 14.5.

A word to the wise...I've learned now that obesity is not the only factor in OSA...the size of the pharynx (too small) and tongue(too big) may be the ONLY cause in some folks...and I am one of them. So I probably should have never stopped using it. So don't stop just because you become svelt!

Glory Halleluiah I found this website in December before my sleep study and began to "mine" the brains of all you smart folks, and took good notes. So I knew to (diplomatically) request a resmed Airsense 10 Auto, with all the bells and whistles. I requested a new mask like the one I had worn eons ago because it never gave me any problems (that I was aware of) BUT now that I have had my new and improved Autopap, and I have FINALLY figured out how to download Sleepyhead, I've found that large leaks are plagueing me...may have been back in "the old days" too but there was no way to tell in 2001...

Y'all taught me to not jump to decisions after one or two days of data, so now that I've got 8 days worth, I'm making some changes because Daily Red, Frowny Face Sleepyhead says I have a 90% leak rate of 55.2 for the past 8 days. Lotsa Large Leaks. The percent of time above Leak Rate Threshold is 45.82. I have worn the respironics comfort classic mask all night without fail, but could feel a small leak at the side of my right nostril most of the time and it sometimes seemed to resolve with fiddling a bit.
Another leak source is my mouth which seems to open at times to snort and snore a bit. So I've started using a chinstrap the past few nights.
Also, I'm getting rid of the wedge pillow that I put another pillow on top of to sleep, because although it helps my GERD, as I sleep I seem to scoot "down the hill" .This causes flexion of the cervical spine and subsequent loosening of the mask during the night.

I made an appt with the DME today and requested a trial of a new mask...the dreamwear under the nose nasal mask. I'll let you all know how things go. Once I get more proficient in copying some sleepyhead data on this site, will add some charts/graphs for you. Meanwhile if you have any suggestions for me or questions, I'm "all ears"
Your help has been immensely appreciated!

[DeepBreathing]

G'day Inspired, thanks for the story. It does indeed demonstrate the value of proper data, and why keep going on about it. If your doc is not reading your data you need to ask Why not?

Good luck going forward.

[Sleeprider]

Good luck with the new mask! The Dreamwear mask has been very popular since it was released a few months ago, although if you have mouth leaks, they will still be present. How does the rest of the data look to you?

[Inspired]

Good luck with the new mask! The Dreamwear mask has been very popular since it was released a few months ago, although if you have mouth leaks, they will still be present. How does the rest of the data look to you?

Statistics last week (8 days average) prior to changing to Dreamwear mask were:
AHI 3.37
Obstructive Index 0.14
Hypopnea Index 1.15
Clear Airway Index 1.29
RERA 0.09
Average Pressure 9.54
Min Pressure 8.0
90% pressure 11.20
Average Leak Rate 29.71
90% Leak Rate 61.20
% time above leak rate threshold 47.18

Last night Stats: (new dreamwear nasal mask)
AHI 2.12
Obstructive Index 0.43
Hypopnea Index 0.14
Clear Airway Index 2.15
RERA 0.0
Average Pressure 10.0
Max Pressure 12
90% pressure 11.32
Average Leak Rate 13.06
90% leak rate 33.60
% time above leak rate threshold 21.03%

From what I have read as a newbie to all this statistical info, until leaks are acceptable rate, the other stats may be inaccurate so I'm focused on "de-leaking" for now...and seeing improvement. Hope once I am adjusted to new mask the central apneas will decrease. AHI is not too bad for a newbie I think but may not be valid measure just yet.

Thanks for asking. Comments/suggestions welcome.

[Sleeprider]

The machines do a pretty decent job of seeing through leaks, but they are disruptive. Your results look pretty good. I generally disregard the CA when it is that low, and you seem to have very good results for OA. Leaks cut in half with the Dreamwear....nice! Just keep doing what you're doing.

[Inspired]

Thanks!

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The machines do a pretty decent job of seeing through leaks, but they are disruptive. Your results look pretty good. I generally disregard the CA when it is that low, and you seem to have very good results for OA. Leaks cut in half with the Dreamwear....nice! Just keep doing what you're doing.