Higher OAs with Full Face Mask?

[pssnn]

I finally made it through the night wearing the new Quattro FX.
I had been using the Swift FX Nasal Pillow System but had to use the DIY boil&bite to control mouth leaks so I wanted to see how the Quattro FX would work for me.

With the Swift FX I only saw 1 hypopnea, 1 OH and 4 CAs over a 5 day period. Last night using the Quattro FX I had 0 hypopneas, 5 OH and 3 CAs for just last night.

The leak rate for both masks were well below the 24L/min threshold so the data should be reliable.

Does changing the mask type require a change in CPAP pressure as well? Has anyone else noticed a similar result when changing masks?

[greatunclebill]

I finally made it through the night wearing the new Quattro FX.
I had been using the Swift FX Nasal Pillow System but had to use the DIY boil&bite to control mouth leaks so I wanted to see how the Quattro FX would work for me.

With the Swift FX I only saw 1 hypopnea, 1 OH and 4 CAs over a 5 day period. Last night using the Quattro FX I had 0 hypopneas, 5 OH and 3 CAs for just last night.

The leak rate for both masks were well below the 24L/min threshold so the data should be reliable.

Does changing the mask type require a change in CPAP pressure as well? Has anyone else noticed a similar result when changing masks?

pressure should be the same regardless of mask. every mask is different, whether its nasal or full face. every mask could give you different results because of how it fits to your face and how you sleep. all full face masks will not give the same result as well as all nasal masks will not give the same result. this is why it is important to keep testing and find the mask that is the most comfortable vs acceptable results.

[Netskier]

I finally made it through the night wearing the new Quattro FX.
I had been using the Swift FX Nasal Pillow System but had to use the DIY boil&bite to control mouth leaks so I wanted to see how the Quattro FX would work for me.

With the Swift FX I only saw 1 hypopnea, 1 OH and 4 CAs over a 5 day period. Last night using the Quattro FX I had 0 hypopneas, 5 OH and 3 CAs for just last night.

The leak rate for both masks were well below the 24L/min threshold so the data should be reliable.

Does changing the mask type require a change in CPAP pressure as well? Has anyone else noticed a similar result when changing masks?

I don't know. Were the mask pressures in Sleepyhead the same for the two sets of results?

[zonk]

Did you change the S9 mask setting from pillows to full face
AHI can vary from one night to the next you need to use the mask a bit longer to make a comparison providing leak and hours slept with the mask are similar also the S9 can,t distinguish if you,re asleep or awake

[pssnn]

I don't know. Were the mask pressures in Sleepyhead the same for the two sets of results?

I hadn't thought to look at that but on review the mask pressures are pretty much the same for both masks.

Did you change the S9 mask setting from pillows to full face
AHI can vary from one night to the next you need to use the mask a bit longer to make a comparison providing leak and hours slept with the mask are similar also the S9 can,t distinguish if you,re asleep or awake

I did forget to change the S9 "mask type" setting for the first part of the evening but thought about it in the middle of the night and changed it on the fly.

I did have the new oximeter running last night and none of the OAs appeared to cause any significant decrease in O2.

I guess I'll just keep logging and try to see if there is some trend.

Thanks!

[pssnn]

After using the Quattro FX for about a week now and then using the Swift FX nasal pillows there is no doubt that using the full face mask results in more obstructive apneas (OAs) for me. I am seeing 5-9 OAs per night with the Quattro but 0-1 OAs with Swift FX. I would have never expected such a result but thanks to this forum and all the great information here I was able to discover what is happening.

The problem with the nasal pillows is my mouth breathing causing higer leak statistics and episodes of super dry mouth. With the Full face mask I have great leak statistics but instead of curing my OAs (as with the pillows) it is much worse.

I'm thinking that I would be better off not worrying about the leaks and should just switch back to the pillows mask since I have an AHI close to zero when using it.

[Sleepster]

The problem with the nasal pillows is my mouth breathing causing higer leak statistics and episodes of super dry mouth. With the Full face mask I have great leak statistics but instead of curing my OAs (as with the pillows) it is much worse.

If you're mouth-breathing with a nasal mask and have an OA, the machine won't be able to record it.

I'm thinking that I would be better off not worrying about the leaks and should just switch back to the pillows mask since I have an AHI close to zero when using it.

Try a chin strap. Hopefully it'll be a temporary situation until your body acclimates to the therapy and the nasal pillows.

[zonk]

Everyone is different, with me got more leaks with full face mask than nasal mask but use a chinstrap with the nasal mask.
I,m not bothered by leaks as long as don,t get to eyes , too high or disturb my sleep and also think comfort and how you feel are important too.

[pssnn]

Sleepster,

I forgot to mention that I know mouth breathing is not obscuring OAs when using the nasal pillows because I made the boil and bite mouthpiece which pretty much eliminates mouth breathing leaks. It is just a pain to wear it all night. The chin strap or tape did not work at all for me.

Zonk,
I agree that comfort is also important and the pillows are a lot more comfortable to me if I dont use the mouthpiece and just accept some leaking.

[Sleepster]

I forgot to mention that I know mouth breathing is not obscuring OAs when using the nasal pillows because I made the boil and bite mouthpiece which pretty much eliminates mouth breathing leaks.

Well, if you're convinced you're not mouth-breathing, and you're getting a lower AHI with the pillows, it seems that's the way to go.

It is just a pain to wear it all night. The chin strap or tape did not work at all for me.

Is this boil&bite mouthpiece the device used to prevent teeth grinding, a night guard? You can get one made for you by a dentist that'll hopefully be more comfortable. I wear one, but it didn't stop me from mouth-breathing.

My chin strap helped me, but I would still mouth-breathe on occassion with it. After a while I didn't need it anymore.

Taping is dangerous, but I don't understand how you were able to mouth-breathe with your mouth taped shut!