Therapy Advise Switched to Full Face Mask AHI increased

[Roamomo]

I have trouble with leakage rate with my nasal pillow mask Airfit P10 with pretty frequent leakage. I switched to a F30 mask and the leakage completely stopped but the AHI went way up on the first night. Are there any recommendations for changes to the settings?

[staceyburke]

Welcome, Take a look at the H (hypopnea) chart. When you have a number of events grouped together (either or both H or O events) it shows positional apnea. Positional apnea is also called chin tucking where your chin drops to your sternum cutting off your own airway. No pressure change can help - you must find a way to stay out of that position.

Think of it as garden hose, when it is kinked there is no water going through the hose no matter how high you turn up the water the only way is to unkink the hose. So again you have to find a way to not sleep in that position. You can chin tuck sleeping on your side but most people chin tuck when sleeping on their back. It may be you have to high of a pillow or during the night you might bunch up the pillow... Any way if you can not find a way to sleep without chin tucking you can use a collar to keep your neck aligned.

I have a link to collars in my signature that shows people without collars and the same people with collars... huge difference.

[Roamomo]

Ok thanks I will try to correct the sleeping position I do sleep on my back and have two pillows on a slope normally which probably puts my head in an unfavorable position.

[217manor]

I am considering switching to a full face mask, but do not know which mask to purchase, i have full dentures that I remove at night and am concerned that as my cheeks fall in will the Full face mask leak? All advice appreciated.

[Roamomo]

I switched back to my nasal pillow as I don't think the F30 fits my nose profile very well the card contour doesn't really match. If you are considering switching to a full face mask make sure it is comfortable and seals properly at rest. The card definitely says my face is a Medium frame but the contour of the nose piece doesn't follow the right curve and it had to be tightened way too much to seal properly. Tried laying flat as well with the full face mask and apena events were much more frequent (the first part of the graph) and I woke up repeatedly and decided to switch back to the nasal pillow mask and original sleeping position with a chin pillow to try and minimize chin drop in the short term.

It seemed to improve both leakage and reduced apena. I did fiddle with the pressure settings but left the min the same as before. I'm not sure what the increase in RERA means in terms of the changes. Leak rates seem to be more controlled with the pillow is there any recommendations for non-collar chin pillow type things as I don't really the feel chin restraints and I'm shopping around for a collar that fits my neck properly.

[217manor]

Thanks for the comment. I have just purchased a Philips Nuance mask. used it last night but the out flow is very strong and disturbs my wife and annoys me, any thoughts on reducing/masking the outflow.

[paulryan]

If your AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) has increased after switching to a full face mask during therapy for sleep apnea, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider or sleep specialist for further evaluation and guidance.