[Pressure] Mask discomfort

[DaveMur]

Hi,

Hopefully I have taken the screenshots correctly to see if people have any advice.   I am still trying to find the correct balance between too much leak and the comfort of the mask (currently using a Fisher and Paykel Full Face Vitera).  Last night was a reasonable nights sleep but the tightness of the mask straps was causing significant discomfort.    Do people feel it is worth experimenting with a lower pressure and is it correct that once mine gets up to 15 it does not seem to come down.

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone may have.

   
   

[Melman]

Your pressure is going to 15 and staying there because the machine is set for a fixed pressure of 15. It will only come down if it's in autoset mode with a max and min pressure. Why is it set for a fixed pressure of 15? I suggest you set it in autoset mode to a min of 7 and max of 20 for now.  Also change EPR from ramp only to full time. Then you will hve exhale pressure relief throughout the night. It will reduce your flow limitations and be more comfortable. I suspect the pressure will never exceed 15 and may not even go that high. For instructions for setting pressure go here:
https://www.apneaboard.com/resmed-airsen...setup-info

Post again after a night with new settings and we will be able to fine tune them

[Superstar]

I am fairly new to CPAP, so no expert here. But I want to share that I had mask leaks until I found the right mask. Now no matter how much I toss and turn or mash my face into the pillow, I never have a leak. With my previous mask I would often spend 5-10 mins putting it on to fit so there was no leak. Now I grab it, slap it on my face and it fits perfectly. This one is so loose when I put it on I don't see how in the world it does not leak. But when I turn the machine on it "glues" to my face.

I am just suggesting that the mask may not be the best fit for your face.

[Melman]

I haven't used the Vitera but those who do find it quite comfortable and that it doesn't require much tightening. Too much tightening can actually increase leaks. See the mask primer link below.  Also for instruction for adjusting the Vitera see this thread: 

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...ght=vitera

[staceyburke]

Why are you on straight Cpap?  Have you tried autoset?

[SarcasticDave94]

Having used a Vitera, and had my instructions linked for another member, I think your problem with the mask is this:

"but the tightness of the mask straps was causing significant discomfort"

Read that instruction linked info. Your straps are tight. They need to be loosened.

Thumbnail sketch of Vitera adjustment, lie in the bed as if going to sleep, turn PAP on, hold mask to your face, add loose straps, slowly add equally just a slight amount of tension, pull mask off without undoing straps, reset lower on your face to reset cushion and you get mask further down your nose, edit top of head Velcro, move mask side to side. Top set affects bottom leaks, vice versa with bottom set.

The big area to concern with this is the nasal bridge and mask corners here. You may need to shake mask a bit, for some reason it helps.

If you lower pressure to avoid leaks you're robbing yourself of the therapy you need. Don't take shortcuts, address the mask leaks. And with any mask, especially the Vitera, too tight ain't right.

[Ratchick]

What all the others have been saying. I was bad for overtightening mine trying to overcome leaks caused by high pressure and the way my face shifts when I sleep and my jaw drops. They're right, that being too tight can end up causing more leaks than being a little looser. Even if I do leak now, it's usually a slow, silent whisper of air rather than loud noises that wake me up with a start.

And yes, if you're on a fixed pressure, it's never going to drop, whether you need it or not.