Bottom line: I'm trying to get used to and figure out the best way to use my new Airsense 10 Auotoset after 6 happy & comfortable years with my Resmed S9.
Some history (I'll try to be brief - something I'm not always good at):
About 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with mild to moderate apnea and was given a Resmed S8 with some kind of face mask. I don't think I used it more than 5 or 6 times before it got put in a closet.
In 2013, I was sleep-tested again and this time the apnea was moderate to severe. I remember that the AHI in that study was 43. I was given a Resmed S9 and nasal pillows. Somehow, this time I had very little trouble getting used to the machine and pillows and I have been happily using it since then. (It's probably not necessary to mention my wife's happiness at the absence of horrifying high decibel snoring.) I joined this board and visited for a while, but never really had enough issues to need much help. I fooled around with software, but stopped using it pretty quickly. The original SD card is still sitting in that machine.
The S9 pressure was set at 11 and I've never had any reason to change it. Every morning I check the machine for the night's AHI and it's always been good: usually between 1.3 and 3.5 or so. Once or twice a month it'll hit 4+. Maybe 2 or 3 times a year it will go above 5. I think I hit 6 one time.
But the S9 has gotten old. It still works, but a couple of chunks of the plastic casing have chipped off during travel. I thought it might be time to get a new machine and maybe try an APAP. The current coronavirus situation somehow made this seem more important. I found a good price on [Commercial Link Removed] Supplier #1 and 4 days ago I received my new Airsense 10 Autoset. I've used it 3 nights so far and I definitely need help.
The first night, the machine was set to APAP with the default 4-20 pressure setting. This was an awful night. I usually stay up late have no trouble falling asleep once I'm in bed, but I had dozed on the couch and this time I lay in bed almost an hour before I slept. The machine seemed to stay at 4 and I found this uncomfortable and too much work to draw a breath. Before I fell asleep, I shut off the machine and saw that the AHI was over 10 - and I had not been sleeping! I woke up several times during the night and my brief looks at the screen showed the pressure at 11, 14, etc. In the morning, the AHI reported was 10.5.
The second night, I kept it on APAP, but changed the pressure range to 9-20. This was more comfortable, but I woke up several times from blowing air out my mouth - glancing at the pressure showed it in the 14-15 range. The AHI in the morning was over 7.
Last night, the third night, I kind of gave up on autoset and set the machine to CPAP mode with my old pressure setting of 11. I had a comfortable night. The AHI showed as 5.5. Still higher than my usual, but closer to normal. One thing I'm wondering is whether this machine is any more or less accurate than my old one in reporting the night's AHI.
For the time being, I'm planning to keep the machine set to CPAP and 11, but I'd like to be able to take advantage of the autoset feature. I'm wondering whether to try a chin strap or possibly a full face mask (I don't wanna!) to deal with the pressure causing me to blow air out from my mouth. I'm also not sure why the reported AHI has been so high those nights I tried autoset. I'm also considering keeping it on CPAP and upping the pressure a bit.
I'd appreciate any thoughts and suggestions. Sorry for being so long-winded. I'm glad you fellow apnea folks are there and hope you're all doing well and staying safe from this horrible virus.
Be well,
Paul (Discon)
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