Starting over after 20 years on CPAP

[SleepyKat]

Hi Sleepy Friends. I'm new here, but not new to CPAP. I've been on it for over 20 years. Until this year I've had great success, but there have been some changes lately that are making me really frustrated. 

Changes this year:

• Lost 25 lbs
  
• Can't get my favorite mask (discontinued Swift LT for Her)
  
• Started taking Zyrtec
  

Problems:

• Massive leaks, my partner has complained, roommates while traveling have complained.
  
• Dry mouth, like the Gobi desert. 
  
• Back mask strap will not stay in place. 
  

What I've tried so far:

• Tried Swift FX for Her, P10, and P30i. They all have the same problem; the back lower strap slides up my head and wakes me up to fix it. I liked the Swift LT because it had more frame structure and didn't slide around so much. I thought the P30i would be better because there is more to it, but it also is weird to have the hose on the top of my head.
  
• Changing pressure from auto 7-20, to constant 11 (lots of leaks and air swallowing) then to 9.4 (current)'
  
• Mouth tape. First night ZERO large leaks, but not consistently good.
  
• Looking at OSCAR! 
  

Fun facts:

• 5'5" 195 lb
  
• 55 years
  
• Side and back sleeper
  
• 95% pressure last year 10.92, Max of 13.68
  
• I don't use a humidifier. When I first got my machine 20 years ago there were no heated hoses. Rainout was terrible and I always felt like it was suffocating me. I do not wish to use one now either even tho tech is better.
  

I attached one OSCAR screen from early this year before changing masks and pressures. 
   
And a second from last night with mouth tape and p30i.
   

Thanks for listening, I hope I gave enough relevant info, but let me know if you need more to make suggestions!

Thanks so much!
SleepyKat

[SarcasticDave94]

Welcome to Apnea Board,

Besides the leaks you already knew about, I think you'll do better going back to AutoSet. Maybe a range of between 8-9 up to 15.

EPR 3 full time will help as well. This makes the AutoSet behave just like a Bilevel with PS 3.

Give this a try.

Here's a wiki link for the mask primer. Maybe it'll help.

https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph...ask_Primer

[Canuck 2]

Looking at your charts and your frustration with leaks there is a mask that  should resolve your problems and is almost guarantied not to leak(when applied properly) and might be what you want.
I do not use this mask at all and is made in the USA by Bleep (Bleep eclipse mask). Their latest version is it uses Magnets to attach after the hallows are attached to the nose. There are lots of videos on You_ube on how it works.
The Bleep Dream port mask is the first mask they came out with and might be more comfortable because it is a proven mask it works well!
It might be pricey to try but you may qualify for insurance in USA to cover the costs?

[SleepyKat]

Thanks, I'm looking in to that mask!

---

Thanks SarcasticDave.
I just got an Airmini, by default the EPR was on and I immediately turned it off. It bugs me for some reason, noise, or pressure change or something.
I shall try it on the Autoset10 for a night or two to see if it's different.

[SleepyKat]

Does this look like Mouth leak or Mask leak? 

   

[SarcasticDave94]

A lot of Air Mini users say it can be more noisy.

If I forget to mention, EPR on the AutoSet will yield the same therapy as the more expensive bilevel with pressure support (PS) at 3. It can be game changing if you get this dialed in.