Snoring worse with FFM vs pillows

[PaulaO2]

The elbow alarm has informed me I cannot use the FFM mask I have (Avora? Evora? hybrid thing by F&P) because I snore my head off and keep Her Highness awake.

I snore with my mouth closed so that shouldn't be an issue. Leak rate is the same or better with the FFM. Sleep position doesn't seem to matter since I sleep on my back most of the time with both (which is why I got the FFM).

This happens every night I use it, not just random. I go back to the pillows (Nuance) and the snores stop.

Any guess as to what is going on? And if anything can be done to fix it? I suppose data would help and I'll get that if anyone needs to see it.

[gainerfull]

Are you taping your mouth when using the nasal pillows and not taping with ffm?

[Crimson Nape]

I would suspect the nasal pillow is acting on the pressure differential between the inside of your nasal passages and the outside of your nose. Whereas the FFM provides an equal pressure. The nasal pillow is acting more like a pneumatic stent.

What do I know???
- Red

[Sleeprider]

We have observe that nasal pillows result in a more direct, effective pressure on the airway than a FFM. You may counteract this with higher pressure if you want to use a full-face, and in general I have found it takes about +2 cm.

[PaulaO2]

Gainer: No, I do not mouth tape for various reasons but foremost because I am allergic to adhesives.

Red: I ain't got no idea what you said. You is much more smarter than me.

Sleeprider: I will increase pressure to see if that works. Due to weight loss, I have been able to lower my pressure from 17-20 to 15-18. I'll keep the lower and raise the top to max.

An additional note is pillows leak into my eyes through the tear duct or whatever but the FFM does not (unless it is a structure leak vs biological).

[Sleeprider]

Paula, I have been having a lot of discomfort recently from dry eye from the same pressure leak through the tear duct. I find myself pressing covers on my eyes to resist that discomfort. If you find a good solution, let me know. Getting older has had some unexpected consequences.

[MrIvanDrago]

Paula, I have been having a lot of discomfort recently from dry eye from the same pressure leak through the tear duct. I find myself pressing covers on my eyes to resist that discomfort. If you find a good solution, let me know.  Getting older has had some unexpected consequences.

I also would like a remedy to the dry eye, puffiness. I use a FFM and have been having this issue since upping my pressure .and switching to a BiPAP. Looking into tear duct plugs as a possible remedy, but not sure yet.

[PaulaO2]

According to my eye doc, the only solution is to use the eye ointment vs drops. I've tried it in the past and the gunk from it is just not worth it. I do use a rather thick eye gel that helps and use a thinner version in the mornings when it is really bad. Eons ago I did a "review" of eye drops. You can find it here: https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...-Eye-Drops I've since started using the single use gel for night.

Surgically, the ducts can be blocked but I don't think I'd ever do that.

[PaulaO2]

I've not looked at the data yet, but increasing pressure to 16-20 did not help with snoring. Woke myself up 3 times and Elbow Alarm at least that many times.

[Sleeprider]

Paula, if you're not seeing OA events, then the best solution is going to be bilevel with higher PS. Snoring and flow limitation are closely related and usually occurs when the airway loses patency during inspiration and vibrates. Basically, you can set EPAP at the minimum level requires to avoid OA, then use PS to help during inspiration to suppress the snores and flow limits. Starting at 4 cm and increasing as needed, you might be amazed at how effective and comfortable this is. If you can get your hands on a used Aircurve 10 Vauto, that would be ideal.