Airhunger only with nasal masks Airfit P30i & N30i

[sleepymum81]

Hi all
I am 1 week into treatment and am going pretty well with the full face mask and adjusting my settings, AHI was only 1.08 last night. But I am sleeping really badly due to very extreme aerophagia waking me up continuously, and also drooling into the face mask and making it very wet, which results in leaks around the bottom (which also wake me up). I have to keep lifting the mask and drying the inside out, and feels cold and wet.

I am getting better at keeping my mouth closed during the night, and only breath through my nose, and would really like to try a nasal mask to see if I get less leaks waking me up. 

I was given the P30i and N30i in small to try with my trial. I only have a little nose, and the seal is really good especially with the P30i. I have tried both for hours during the day, however I can't fall asleep with them as I feel constant airhunger. I never feel like the airflow is enough. I even tried increasing pressure to 10, and wore the breathright strips and still feel like the airflow is just not enough. I don't have a blocked nose, or sinus problems at all so puzzled as to why this is happening when I don't feel like that with a lower pressure breathing through my nose with the full face mask. 

It almost feels like the holes the air is blowing through are too small, but my nose is only small.

Wondering if anyone has found this with these types of resmed masks and if they found a solution?

[enjoysleep59]

I use the P30i from time to time. Try the medium size.

[Gralli]

I ran into the same thing with the the P30i and fixed it by turning the ramp off. If you have the option to do so, try it. You can also try the different size pillows. See if the mediums give you a better airflow.

[Sleeprider]

The most common cause of air hunger with a nasal pillow is using too small of a cushion. Even though you have a small nose, try the larger size.

[Farther]

Your excessive mask moisture may be a result of too high humidity or too low tube temperature or both. If you do not have your climate set to auto, try that.

[RainbowFish]

I find turning off the ramp is important, as I need the full pressure to get adequate air flow through the nose. And be sure to switch your mask types on the APAP settings menu.

[sleepymum81]

Hi thank you everyone for your kind replies. I took your advice and switched my nasal masks for medium size at Resmed today, they also gave me an F30i to try.

The medium do seem better, have not had a chance to try to sleep with them yet. The tech at Resmed said I shouldn't try to push using a nasal mask if my body is telling me it's not right for me and I am able to sleep for the full face. But I feel I want to atleast give it a go. Not having to fiddle with the mask and straps so much to get a good seal constantly at night sounds like a benefit over the ffm.

I have always had the ramp turned off, as the build up of pressure wakes me up as I am drifting off.

It turns out the "drool" was infact rain out, once I checked the hose and mask properly. I already have temp set at 29, and humidity on auto (have now changed to 3).

I was surprised how comfy the F30i was when I tried it on and also really want to give that a go, but not getting as good a seal just yet with my adjustments whilst awake. Not sure exactly how to position the pillows to get the best seal. Will keep playing around with it.

Thanks again

[stevew77]

I often use the F30i. Try lifting the top as soon as the apap pressurizes, and adjust the lower straps slightly tighter then you might need at first because the mask softens and loosens slightly as it warms up. I have found the F30i to be the most comfortable hybrid full face mask I have tried, and it rarely leaks as well.

[enjoysleep59]

I would have to agree, I used the P30i for almost six months and then tried the F30i and it's been very easy to get use to and seals nicely. I've been using the V-com with a climate line heated tube and my AHI has been 0.4 to 1.5 most nights.