OSCAR screenshot: one night with new mask

[jaswilliams]

Great keep chipping away at it

[Chalkie]

   

Posting this from last night. I tried the new mask again, the Rrespeionics Amara Gel full face. My second night with this maak.    

On the face of it, I should be quite excited - AHI <5, Leak rate around 10% (was around 30% or more with last mask)  - way better stats than with the Comfort Gel nasal. As I am very much getting used to this mask I am not quite ready to add this SCC to the equation yet but I now have it and will try it when ready.  Granted I didn't get as many hours sleep as usual as every time I try to go ts sleep I am grappling with leaks that can spring from such a big mask.  

So why do I not feel better? it was at best an average night by my standards and no doubt an hour or two more hours would sleep have helped. But the stats don't lie...or do they? Does any of the data give a clue?

[Gideon]

Your cervical alignment is still a significant issue, your chin tucking?

Team, what's with the flow rate here? Are we lacking the typical detail in an ST BiLevel?

[Sleeprider]

Fred, I think the Philips ST does not contain detailed (5Hz) flow rate data and instead tracks the short-term average peak flow.

[Chalkie]

    Does this shed any more light? It's the Encore Basic Data. This gives a different picture of the leak rate - much higher. In fact, can you trust the AHI data when the leak rate is around 100L/min?  Last two nights with the Amara full face mask. Is there any point in using a chin strap before I move to the SSC?  I guessed not, being a full face mask? 

Not using the SSC yet as adjusting to the new mask.

[SarcasticDave94]

If a very high leak rate as shown in Encore is accurate, I think it would be near impossible for any CPAP to give any help at all.

[Chalkie]

Aha, that would explain a lot. I am going to persevere with the Amara View a bit longer to see if I can get the leaks down. Reading the Mask Primer wiki atm.

[Chalkie]

   

How long do you give a new mask? Granted, it came off my face for part of the night, but even allowing for that the stats just do not seem to tally with how I feel...crud. As if I had had about two hours' sleep.  

I am tempted to ditch the Amara Gel FFM right now and go back to the old faithful Comfort Gel nasal mask for a while on a "better the devil you know basis". That would also allow mew to try out the SSC as Bonjour recommended as I can't handle two major changes at once.

Is there any point in persisting if I feel rubbish? Does it get better?

I am including an image of last night FWIW

[Chalkie]

I am posting these screenshots in the hope of some feedback on my data.    

This a screenshot from last night, with SSC, which I have adjusted to pretty well.   

   


Given that I started using the SSC on 9 October, I think the graph below tells me that OAs are no better - n fact since a pressure tweak on 14 October - EPAP and IPAP both raised by 1cm by the sleep nurse  - it seems they have got worse.

   

In fact, does the data suggest anything I can try other than changing the mask and reducing leaks, which I am working on?

[Crimson Nape]

My first inclination is advising you it is time to find another mask. Your current one is not doing you any good. Hypopneas and OAs are indicative of a too low EPAP pressure.