AirSense 10 and Humidity Setting

[wickedsleepy]

I’ve noticed that if I use anything lower than humidity setting of 7 or 8 on my AS10, I wake up feeling swollen like crazy in my nose -it even looks bigger.  And my sinuses behind and above my eyes hurt, and hurt more when I rinse with a net pot.  Seems like the humidifier is a must for me.

However, with the higher humidity setting, are there drawbacks with other aspects of CPAP use?  I swear that my mask seal around the corners of my mouth (Evora FFM) leaks a lot more when on my back and my smile muscles relax when the humidity is higher.  Anyone else experience that?  Has anyone noticed higher humidity effects their nightly scores?

[Columbiabill]

I’ve noticed that if I use anything lower than humidity setting of 7 or 8 on my AS10, I wake up feeling swollen like crazy in my nose -it even looks bigger.  And my sinuses behind and above my eyes hurt, and hurt more when I rinse with a net pot.  Seems like the humidifier is a must for me.

However, with the higher humidity setting, are there drawbacks with other aspects of CPAP use?  I swear that my mask seal around the corners of my mouth (Evora FFM) leaks a lot more when on my back and my smile muscles relax when the humidity is higher.  Anyone else experience that?  Has anyone noticed higher humidity effects their nightly scores?

I wear the Evora FFM.  I run my humidity on auto and my temp at 86* to prevent the possibility of rainout.  I can't go without humidity but too much causes issues.  In terms of leaks I have to use a KB Chin strap to prevent leaks.  I learned from a LankyLefty video that for those of us who sleep on our backs, that when our jaws  relax at night our face is no longer level and the "jaw drop" is what causes the leaks.  The chin strap provides prevention for over dropping of the jaw and still allows your muscles to relax for you to sleep and breath easier.  My issue is finding the right tension on the lower straps.  I have learned that it takes a while to get iit right and when you do you had better mark it with a sharpie.  For me getting used to a full face mask has been a lot harder than a nasal or nasal pillows mask.  I would prefer something like the Brevida but can't use it due to expelling air from my mouth, even with a chin strap.

[G. Szabo]

However, with the higher humidity setting, are there drawbacks with other aspects of CPAP use?  I swear that my mask seal around the corners of my mouth (Evora FFM) leaks a lot more when on my back and my smile muscles relax when the humidity is higher.  Anyone else experience that?  Has anyone noticed higher humidity effects their nightly scores?

For over two years, I have been using high humidity settings and 23C tube temperature, resulting in some rainouts. Medical specialists recommended this saturated moisture content to avoid upper airway irritation. 

I have not experienced any adverse effects. Just the opposite, my AHI went down significantly.

[G. Szabo]

I wear the Evora FFM.  I run my humidity on auto and my temp at 86* to prevent the possibility of rainout.  I can't go without humidity but too much causes issues.  In terms of leaks I have to use a KB Chin strap to prevent leaks.  I learned from a LankyLefty video that for those of us who sleep on our backs, that when our jaws  relax at night our face is no longer level and the "jaw drop" is what causes the leaks.  The chin strap provides prevention for over dropping of the jaw and still allows your muscles to relax for you to sleep and breath easier.  My issue is finding the right tension on the lower straps.  I have learned that it takes a while to get iit right and when you do you had better mark it with a sharpie.  For me getting used to a full face mask has been a lot harder than a nasal or nasal pillows mask.  I would prefer something like the Brevida but can't use it due to expelling air from my mouth, even with a chin strap.

With considerable difficulties, I used a chin strap and a sizeable full-face mask for over ten years. I needed taut mask straps to avoid leaks. But the staps were reducing the blood flow in my external carotid arteries. I had the same issue with the chin strap, which I often found misaligned and pressuring my neck. There might be two adverse effects of reduced blood flow in the neck: dementia and glaucoma. 

Here you are, my solution: I selected a significantly lower-size mask because a smaller mask size leads to reduced tension in the mask strap under the same pressure conditions; hence, the blood flow is less disturbed. I also replaced the chin strap with mouse taping (A wide medical tape applied vertically from the nose base to well below the chin while my jaw is tightly closed.) What is more, now I am a side sleeper. As a result of these alterations, my 5-6 AHI  score changed to 0.0 -0.3.

[Columbiabill]

With considerable difficulties, I used a chin strap and a sizeable full-face mask for over ten years. I needed taut mask straps to avoid leaks. But the staps were reducing the blood flow in my external carotid arteries. I had the same issue with the chin strap, which I often found misaligned and pressuring my neck. There might be two adverse effects of reduced blood flow in the neck: dementia and glaucoma. 

Here you are, my solution: I selected a significantly lower-size mask because a smaller mask size leads to reduced tension in the mask strap under the same pressure conditions; hence, the blood flow is less disturbed. I also replaced the chin strap with mouse taping (A wide medical tape applied vertically from the nose base to well below the chin while my jaw is tightly closed.) What is more, now I am a side sleeper. As a result of these alterations, my 5-6 AHI  score changed to 0.0 -0.3.

Did you change to a nasal pillow or nasal cushion type mask?

[G. Szabo]

Nasal cushion

[G. Szabo]

Did you change to a nasal pillow or nasal cushion type mask?

A Philips Respironics nasal cushion, the one which still covers my mouse, too. Otherwise, the tape might not hold at higher delivery pressures.

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i.e., mouth, sorry for the typo