Basic question after night #1

[Jskier]

Just received my Airsense 11 and P10 mask yesterday.  Doctor prescribed at the factory settings.  

I didn't realize there was no SD card installed, so no real data yet. Just MyAir which said .7 events per hour which seems great compared to the 34.5  during my sleep study. Didn't sleep much is the problem. Lots of listening to myself breath while trying not to swallow and open my mouth.

My main question is what is the fastest way to deal with being awakened by a blast of air?  I'm not sure whether I'm getting awakened first and then opening my mouth or whether I'm opening my mouth first and getting a blast which wakes me and my wife up. Just closing my mouth at the point doesn't really work as air seems to be rushing out to fast.  I'm never sure if the mask is leaking or venting as I'm startled and half asleep.  

After a few of these I ended up just shutting off the machine and starting over. At that point the ramp resets until the next time. Is there a way to deal with this without shutting everything off to readjust?

Have the SD card, I should have some numbers if I can sleep tonight.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Start with a reasonable beginning configuration of pressure 7-15, EPR 2 full-time, no ramp.

Wear your mask during the day or evening when you sit still to read or watch telly. That will help get used to it with and without pressure. If you are mouth leaking air then a soft cervical collar will be the bees knees to help stop it. You also need to learn proper tongue positioning to stop the air from leaking. It take time and practice, but can be done. 

Once you have a few nights post a chart and we can help fine-tune from there. See the links in my signature for OSCAR and optimising therapy.

[Jskier]

Made it through night 2 with the help of a sleeping pill. Also woke congested with a rather sore nose from the pillows. Not sure what sense to make of the charts yet.

   

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Looks pretty good. Any comfort issues? If your nose is sore from the pillows, either you have the wrong size or it was the headgear was holding them too tight. You do have a bit of mouth leaking and the leak spikes at the end may be from the pillows sliding around or brief mouth leaks. Most likely the former.

What size pillows are you using? If they are too small they will get too far inside your nostrils and cause irritation. If too big they have to be held tightly to keep from moving.

The pressure swings are being driven by flow limitations, so we need to tamp those down a wee bit. I suggest trying a range of 9-12 with EPR 1.

[Jskier]

Thanks. Using large pillows for a big nose, but I think it was probably just too tight. It's not necessarily the skin that is sore. Will try it looser with the new settings.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

With pillows I have found one should have them held just tightly enough to hold them such that only a small portion is inside your nostril. When you add pressure the pillow will inflate sealing the opening.

[Jskier]

Loosened the strap a bit, but it looks like there are now some large leaks.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

I need to see the complete night to know for sure, but it is either the strap is too loose or it is a mouth leak. Please post the entire night using our standard format as described in the “Organise your OSCAR Charts” link in my sig.

[OpalRose]

Hi Jskier,
Always include the leak rate graph on your chart.  We can tell if your mouth breathing or the leak is from mask movement.

Initially, the graphs we need to see are:  Events, Pressure, Flow Rate, Flow Limitation and the Leak Rate Graph.  Always include the entire left side bar, minus the calendar and pie graph.  

Set your display to the Standard view.  
(View > Reset Graphs > Standard)
Take a screenshot of your Daily screen.
   * For Windows or Linux: Use the F12 key
   * For a Mac: Use Fn+F12

[Jskier]

Night 3 in the books. Should I be concerned enough about the leaks to consider trying a different mask or just continue as is?