Mask Change - Big Difference?

[mark.apnea]

I posted recently about an evening's results with LOTS of CA events and 3 CSR events:  

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Mask: P10 nasal pillows
AHI:  9.68 (@ 9:24 hrs)
CA:  76 events
OA: 2 events
H: 13 events
CSR: 3 events (41min, 36 min, 20min)
Leak:  Ave ~10 or less most of the night, 3 LL events (mouth breathing?)
Flow Limit:  minimal to none

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Last night, I went back to my Evora hybrid full face mask and saw much improved results: 

Mask: Evora Full Face
AHI:  0.61 (@ 8:13 hrs)
CA:  4 events (at least a couple looked like w/a position change)
OA: 1 events
H: 0 events
CSR: 0 events 
Leak:  0
Flow Limit:  minimal to none
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Questions:

1.  Can a mask change produce such a drastic result change?  
2.  Possibly due to pressure setting change moving from nasal pillows back to full face mask?
3.  Can the frequent low level leakage w nasal pillows contribute?
4.  Might there have been some other factor to look for?   
5.  Should I consider the 3 CSR events as spurious (I have only seen another, single CSR event over 8 months of therapy), though rhythmic breathing is common for me.
6.  I have Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, and did have a minor seizure during that first day.  A possible contributor? 

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Aug12
   

Aug13
   

[Jay51]

Leaks can contribute to causing CA's.  Huge improvement in the 2nd chart (Aug 13).

Keep using this mask obviously if possible.  

One last experiment may be to see if you have a seizure again using this mask and if that produces some CSR breathing.

[Big Guy]

I think one of the hardest parts about CPAP Therapy is finding a mask that works well for you. 

I have a total of three, and I tend to switch back & forth when I feel it's needed. 

[mark.apnea]

Leaks can contribute to causing CA's.  Huge improvement in the 2nd chart (Aug 13).

Keep using this mask obviously if possible.  

One last experiment may be to see if you have a seizure again using this mask and if that produces some CSR breathing.

Yes, that's the plan.  I'll used the full face mask to try and replicate last night's results, where were very much similar for quite while.

Then, I'll try and add back the nasal pillow mask to see how it goes.

Good idea on looking out for results after another seizure.

I must say, wearing the full face mask, after a few weeks trying those nasal masks, was quite comfortable and familiar.

[mark.apnea]

AHI was 0.3 last night with the Evora hybrid full face mask.  No new CSR events.

A nice trend.  Im gonna stay with this for the one being.

The nasal mask experiment was interesting, but seems to have failed.