Respironics no leak; Resmed huge leak
I've been faithfully using Respironics BiPap machines since 2007, with a setting of 7/11. (I don't know why the sleep doctor put me on a BiPap since I have no respiratory issues, but back then I didn't know enough to ask.) For the last few years, I've been using a Respironics System One (60 Series) Remstar BiPap Pro. The machine and Sleepyhead both rarely show any large leaks; the threshold for large leaks appears to be 70L/m on both the machine and Sleepyhead. I realize that Respironics machines show total leak info (intended leak + unintended leak), while the Resmed machines show only the unintended leak.
I was having some fatigue issues (which ultimately turned out to be related to my diabetes medication), so my primary care physician wanted to do a new sleep study. I did a two-night study; the first night showed that I still have severe apnea (i.e., 49 events per hour). As a result of the second night, I was titrated to a pressure of 10 (with no BiPap needed); for the titration, the technician used a Resmed S-9. The technician thought my Resmed Activa nasal mask leaked too much, so he instead put me on a Resmed Swift FX Nano nasal mask, and with that mask the titration was successful. I switched my BiPap to CPAP mode with the new setting of 10 and started using the Swift FX Nano mask. My AHI's were typically below 2.
I decided to get a new CPAP and decided to try the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset, which I bought four days ago. (I got the Autoset because it was only a little more expensive than the Airsense 10 Elite.) To compare apples to apples, I've been using the Autoset in CPAP mode with a setting of 10. The Autoset (and Sleepyhead) are both showing huge leaks (in excess of 35L/m) for 50% or more of the night. I've used the mask fit feature and have always gotten a smiley face. From what I can tell, the graphs in Sleepyhead suggest mouth breathing. I sometimes wake up with a little dry mouth, but nothing like what would result from mouth breathing for more than 50% of the night. The Autoset is showing an AHI of below 1, but I realize that could be wrong given the massive leaks.
So what is happening? Is the Autoset defective? If I were mouth breathing to the extent the Autoset suggests, surely the technician (who used a Resmed machine) would have picked that up in my titration study back in early October, but neither the technician nor the sleep study report says anything about that. I haven't had a cold or any unusual congestion. It's hard to believe that the Respironics machine would somehow be that much better at managing leaks than the Autoset. I don't want to start down the path of using chin straps or full face masks unless I absolutely have to. Anyone have any ideas?
I was having some fatigue issues (which ultimately turned out to be related to my diabetes medication), so my primary care physician wanted to do a new sleep study. I did a two-night study; the first night showed that I still have severe apnea (i.e., 49 events per hour). As a result of the second night, I was titrated to a pressure of 10 (with no BiPap needed); for the titration, the technician used a Resmed S-9. The technician thought my Resmed Activa nasal mask leaked too much, so he instead put me on a Resmed Swift FX Nano nasal mask, and with that mask the titration was successful. I switched my BiPap to CPAP mode with the new setting of 10 and started using the Swift FX Nano mask. My AHI's were typically below 2.
I decided to get a new CPAP and decided to try the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset, which I bought four days ago. (I got the Autoset because it was only a little more expensive than the Airsense 10 Elite.) To compare apples to apples, I've been using the Autoset in CPAP mode with a setting of 10. The Autoset (and Sleepyhead) are both showing huge leaks (in excess of 35L/m) for 50% or more of the night. I've used the mask fit feature and have always gotten a smiley face. From what I can tell, the graphs in Sleepyhead suggest mouth breathing. I sometimes wake up with a little dry mouth, but nothing like what would result from mouth breathing for more than 50% of the night. The Autoset is showing an AHI of below 1, but I realize that could be wrong given the massive leaks.
So what is happening? Is the Autoset defective? If I were mouth breathing to the extent the Autoset suggests, surely the technician (who used a Resmed machine) would have picked that up in my titration study back in early October, but neither the technician nor the sleep study report says anything about that. I haven't had a cold or any unusual congestion. It's hard to believe that the Respironics machine would somehow be that much better at managing leaks than the Autoset. I don't want to start down the path of using chin straps or full face masks unless I absolutely have to. Anyone have any ideas?
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