Success story. ASV - switched from full face to nasal mask
Hello
I wanted to share some success after I switched from a full face mask to a nasal mask. I've added my overview below, going back about 3 months. First 2 months on the chart I was using a F&P Vitera full face (as originally prescribed). About a month ago I switched to a ResMed Airfit N20 small.
My first home sleep study AHI was in the 30's, in October 2022. I was incorrectly prescribed CPAP, and the moment Sleeprider saw the charts (in Dec) he told me I needed ASV - thank you again! Changing jobs and insurance etc. meant I didn't start using an ASV until May of 2023.
AHI did improve a lot, down to a range of 3-7, but I can't say I felt comfortable at night. I'm a back sleeper and when my jaw relaxed the Vitera mask would leak no matter how tight or loose. I couldn't tolerate any kind of jaw support like a neck collar or the Kensington head contraption. Aerophagia was also a problem I couldn't eliminate. I was mouth-taping from the very start.
Then I started exploring a nasal mask and ordered one after reading some posts here. The sizing chart for the Resmed Airfit said I was a small and I was a bit skeptical of that at first, but it's been working for me for a month now.
AHI has improved significantly - now less than 1. Aerophagia is much better but not quite gone. And the nasal is just so much more comfortable to wear (less face marks in the morning!) and more tolerant of moving around when sleeping. As a result my usage is up a bit; from ~6.5 hours a night up to 7.5 hours a night average for November.
So, once again, many thanks to the people on the forum who have helped me, directly by responding to my posts, or indirectly by sharing their stories so others can learn.
And I hope this post will give some comfort to anyone who is struggling. I can't say I was really struggling, but I knew I could improve things. So if you are in your first year of CPAP and you're not dialled in yet, keep trying, it can be done. You just need to be willing to make changes to see what works.
Here are my charts - I'm not looking for advice really but if you want to share your thoughts feel free.
Vitera Full Face in September - AHI 3.25, a typical night
Airfit N20 nasal in November - AHI 0.00. Doesn't happen every night but it's nice to hit the "gold standard".
Overview August to November
I wanted to share some success after I switched from a full face mask to a nasal mask. I've added my overview below, going back about 3 months. First 2 months on the chart I was using a F&P Vitera full face (as originally prescribed). About a month ago I switched to a ResMed Airfit N20 small.
My first home sleep study AHI was in the 30's, in October 2022. I was incorrectly prescribed CPAP, and the moment Sleeprider saw the charts (in Dec) he told me I needed ASV - thank you again! Changing jobs and insurance etc. meant I didn't start using an ASV until May of 2023.
AHI did improve a lot, down to a range of 3-7, but I can't say I felt comfortable at night. I'm a back sleeper and when my jaw relaxed the Vitera mask would leak no matter how tight or loose. I couldn't tolerate any kind of jaw support like a neck collar or the Kensington head contraption. Aerophagia was also a problem I couldn't eliminate. I was mouth-taping from the very start.
Then I started exploring a nasal mask and ordered one after reading some posts here. The sizing chart for the Resmed Airfit said I was a small and I was a bit skeptical of that at first, but it's been working for me for a month now.
AHI has improved significantly - now less than 1. Aerophagia is much better but not quite gone. And the nasal is just so much more comfortable to wear (less face marks in the morning!) and more tolerant of moving around when sleeping. As a result my usage is up a bit; from ~6.5 hours a night up to 7.5 hours a night average for November.
So, once again, many thanks to the people on the forum who have helped me, directly by responding to my posts, or indirectly by sharing their stories so others can learn.
And I hope this post will give some comfort to anyone who is struggling. I can't say I was really struggling, but I knew I could improve things. So if you are in your first year of CPAP and you're not dialled in yet, keep trying, it can be done. You just need to be willing to make changes to see what works.
Here are my charts - I'm not looking for advice really but if you want to share your thoughts feel free.
Vitera Full Face in September - AHI 3.25, a typical night
Airfit N20 nasal in November - AHI 0.00. Doesn't happen every night but it's nice to hit the "gold standard".
Overview August to November
