CPAP- Need Evaluation and Advice

[Connieliles]

            Good morning!

I think I followed the directions and set my device as directed.  I have mild OSA (AHI 12).  My mask and headgear were fitted last week.  I changed to a full face mask as I was having leaks with the nasal cradle type mask.  With the settings last night as you can see, there were still leaks.  I am a side sleeper 100%.  Thank you for any guidance on how to proceed.  It was a miserable night on these settings with the mask waking me frequently.

Connie

[Heracles]

Hi,

My wife recently started to use her CPAP and she too is using a full face mask. At first, she was unable to sleep on her side at all and she was on her back all the time. Now that she is used to that and managed to keep the leak under control in that position, she starts to work on sleeping on her side. For now, our better success are when she put her head at the edge of the pillow so her mask is over empty space. That way, there is no side pressure on the mask itself and it remained sealed. Of course, the drawback is that she can not turn from one side to the other.

Also, she has a bed that can raise her head and feet. She always has her head slightly raised.

Good luck mastering your own situation,

[fishfinderG]

You have flow limits throughout the night. I’d try turning on EPR to see if that helps keep your airway more stable.

As for the leaks, is the full face mask one that goes up to the bridge of your nose, or is it a hybrid mask that just goes over your mouth and bottom of your nose? You might want to try a chinstrap to keep your jaw from dropping back and causing leaks along the bottom of your mask while you are asleep. As a side sleeper I have better luck when I sleep on the edge of my pillow so that my mask isn’t being pressed sideways.

[Gideon]

You are having high flow limits. Make the following changes to treat them than repost your 1st chart.

Set min=7 to give EPR room to work
Set EPR=3, Fulltime.

That should make a big difference.

[Connieliles]

    Thank you for the suggestions.  Still lots of leaks, but I slept a little better.  Here is the screenshot.

Thank you!

Connie

[Sleeprider]

Notice how your flow limits went from 95% value of 0.13 to 0.05. That is a major improvement and your comfort level will reflect that once you get your leaks resolved. In addition, you have a higher tidal volume, minute vent and much shorter inspiration time that reflects the reduced time and effort to get a full breath. Have you ever tried nasal pillows instead of a full-face mask? If you can use nasal therapy without air escaping from the mouth, it is much more comfortable and easier to seal.

Keep these settings for now as they seem to be working much better. From the looks of things, you probably have upper airway resistance and may eventually need to look at "chin-tucking" as a factor in your residual apnea and airway resistance. How many pillows do you use?

[Connieliles]

        Again, thank you!

I sleep on one pillow.  I have ordered the toddler travel pillow to try and prevent any chin tuck.  I have also preordered the new magnetic Bleep  Eclipse.  I switched back to the  Airfit N30 i.  One short night due to reading late, and one regular night are attached.

I appreciate very much any guidance.

Connie

[Connieliles]

            Following up

I have been sleeping and feeling better, but I just want to check in and make sure that the clear airway events and the associated breathing pattern are not a problem.  I have attached some screenshots.  Epr is set at 3.

Thank you!

[Sleeprider]

Things look better, and the residual CA events are not much of an issue. I see pressure rising to deal with increases in flow limitation and leaks. You might want to try EPR at 2 and see if that helps

[Connieliles]

    Frustrated with leaks!

I have attached a screenshot of where I am.  Maybe this is an okay level, but I don't really think it is. Please give me your thoughts. I am currently using N30i cushion, the p30i nasal pillows hurt my nostrils.

So far I have:


Resized my headgear and nasal cushions to the proper size.
Added the Phillips headgear with arms to keep the headgear from sliding up the back of my head.
I have a hanger for the tubing.
I wipe the cushions daily and wash weekly.
Wash face (no lotion) each night.
Added soft cervical collar.
Tried full mask and mouth taping and both caused a lot of anxiety.
I have preordered the new Bleep system, but they have not arrived.
I just ordered a cube pillow to see if a smaller pillow would put less pressure on the side of my face (side sleeper)

I don't know what else to do!