[Equipment] New to all this need advice

[xian67]

Does a full face mask allow you to breathe out of your mouth?

[Gideon]

Does a full face mask allow you to breathe out of your mouth?

Yes, kind of the purpose of it.

[JamesRyan]

I found it odd that they will not start out with a full mask. She seemed to be very anti about it.

[Gideon]

A lot of users find an FFM claustrophobic. There are 2 schools of thought on mask trials Max to min and min to Max. Max is a full face mask, min being a nasal pillow mask. I'm a Min to Max person, but the reverse is a legitimate strategy.

[JamesRyan]

So I've got it all hooked up but I've got questions. 

Should I feel air going out the mask when inhaling? 
Does the elbow side of the hose go to the machine?

My heart rate is up not sure why I think I'm nervous. Any tips?

[Sleeprider]

Air is vented from the mask at all times and may vent more during inhale. If you have a machine with expiratory pressure relief, the pressure rises during inhale, as does the flow of vented air.
The elbow normally hooks directly to the mask. It would help to know the manufacturer and model you ended up with, as there are exceptions.

Relax into the pressure and you will be fine. Your heart rate from anxiety is normal.

What is your pressure prescription?
What machine model was dispensed?
What mask are you using?

[JamesRyan]

Airsense 10 AutoSet

Pressure 7-16

Not sure on the mask. It doesn't seem to have adjustable straps or I'm newbing it up

[JamesRyan]

AHI of 4 which isn't bad but I only slept 4 hours once I finally settled down. I was anxious. Here's a pic, not sure how to upload.

[Sleeprider]

You are using a pressure of 7-16 with EPR 3. Most of your events are CA and your obstructive apnea and hypopnea is less than 1 per hour. This is very promising, and the only change I thin you need to make is to turn down EPR to 2 or 1. A lower EPR setting will result in less difference in pressure between inhale and exhale and should result in much lower CA events. Overall, your therapy looks good and resolving the remaining CA issues should be fairly easy by reducing EPR. Your pressure never goes above 12-cm. There is no need to change your maximum pressure since the machine only goes as high as needed to resolve obstruction and flow limitation.

[JamesRyan]

You are using a pressure of 7-16 with EPR 3.  Most of your events are CA and your obstructive apnea and hypopnea is less than 1 per hour. This is very promising, and the only change I thin you need to make is to turn down EPR to 2 or 1.   A lower EPR setting will result in less difference in pressure between inhale and exhale and should result in much lower CA events.  Overall, your therapy looks good and resolving the remaining CA issues should be fairly easy by reducing EPR.  Your pressure never goes above 12-cm.  There is no need to change your maximum pressure since the machine only goes as high as needed to resolve obstruction and flow limitation.

With what the tech that helped me fit my mask I'm not sure the Dr. would allow me to change EPR myself. I'm debating whether to ask, or just change it and ask for forgiveness. But that's great to hear it's promising news! I just wish I wasn't so anxious and could relax and get more than 4 hours sleep. 

So I've got some questions..


Do I need to empty the water out every morning?
Do I need to disconnect the hose and dry it every morning?
How should i clean the pillows mask? Soap and water? Wipes? How often?