Just got my Machine

[zonk]

In my info screen under "large leak" it has 17% but I don't have a leaking mask.
What does that mean.

Its the percentage of time the machine detect a large leak which no longer can determine accuracy of the data during this time.
Unlike the S9 shows mask leak on the screen and draw the line for acceptable leak at or below 24 l/min but as PRS1 don,t shows mask leak (unintentional leak) you need to look at SleepyHead software which you can download from here.

[mikael26288]

After I took my nap without any mustache at all, that number went down to 5%.
I will look into the sleepy head program.

[archangle]

And it is okay if you can only do an hour or so each night. Try to slowly increase that until you can sleep the entire night through.

You need more than 4 hours CPAP usage for most nights or insurance may refuse to pay for the machine. You usually need to be "compliant" for more than 4 hours for 70% of the nights in a 30 day period.

Don't take the mask off during the night if at all possible. You may become hooked on taking it off and find you never adjust. You may even start taking it off during the night and not remember doing so.

[mikael26288]

The first night was the only night I took my mask off. All the nights after that, I have done a lot better. I am getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night now, with my mask on.

My wife was really tired from work yesterday so she wanted to go to bed early, so I went to bed at the same time. It was some time before dark. We both probably got 10 hours of sleep with our masks on last night. LOL

[CHanlon]

Think I figured out why I had those numbers in the info screens.

Since I lost my central vision back in 2003 I have let my beard and mustache grow out because it is hard to shave with only low vision.

I did shave off my mustache for my second sleep study with the nasal mask and have since been letting it grow back out.

I found out from the health care guy that called to check on me, that I can't have any facial hair where my mask sits. Because the mask will leak a little even if I can't notice it.

I shaved the mustache back off and took a hour nap, my "large leak" and "AHI" numbers went way down after the short nap. I expect they will go down even more as I use my mask without the mustache.

I will truly miss the mustache. I went from looking like a Mountain Man/ Biker Dude to an looking like an Amish Man.

It will take some time to get use to the new look.

I have a full beard and moustache... and aside from CPAP I also scuba dive. For diving, I usually shave a thin strip just under my nose, and soak the rest of the 'stache in vaseline. I expected to have to do something similar with the CPAP mask - and in fact I did shave the same thin line for a couple months when I started. I've found it to be unnecessary, though - my RT was right when he took one look at me and said "Try this mask, first..." and handed me a ResMed Mirage Activa LT. I'm on the same mask I started with nearly 2 years ago - I've never had to replace it, yet, but it's getting there now - and my leak rate, if I have one, is usually entirely caused by me taking the mask off without turning the machine off first. Otherwise its usually less then 1.

Give the Activa a try, might work out for you.