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+--- Thread: New Here - Could use some help (/Thread-New-Here-Could-use-some-help)
RE: New Here - Could use some help - tsitalon1 - 02-18-2021
That's what I was thinking, but even though I trimmed my beard way down, the Dreamware FF mask leaks if I increase the pressure much.
Maybe I have it too tight as it was also uncomfortable.
I haven't slept well in many days, I'm going to go back to the phillips with nasal mask for tonight and try the Resmed again in a day or so.
RE: New Here - Could use some help - SarcasticDave94 - 02-18-2021
If you have to limit therapy because your mask leaks too much, the mask has failed you. Change masks, either in cushion size or a different make/model mask.
RE: New Here - Could use some help - tsitalon1 - 02-18-2021
Tried that many times, however I am desperately trying to avoid masks in which the hose attaches to the front of the face... 10yrs ago I gave up on CPAP because I didn't have you guys and I had a mask that connected in the front, not allowing me to toss/turn easily.
My best "restful" night was on the Phillips with the small nasal mask, which recorded AHI of 3.13, but again, it felt way better than the Resmed that recorded AHI of 1.37 the next night.
I know this is a long journey, I'm trying hard to be patient.
RE: New Here - Could use some help - SarcasticDave94 - 02-18-2021
Ah OK. You are probably needing to get a hose hanger. Something that holds the hose, takes the weight off the mask, and keeps it out of the way.
RE: New Here - Could use some help - tsitalon1 - 02-18-2021
Most likely, but I'm trying my hardest to be "normal", with not completely changing my life for CPAP.
I might eventually get to where some of you guys are, as in "comfortable" with hoses hanging off my face and bed modifications just to support CPAP... But I'm holding out hope I can get away with a simple dreamware nasal mask as it's soo comfortable I almost forget I have it on.
I'm a very light sleeper, so whether it's Apnea or CPAP gear keeping me up at night, the end results feels the same (drained and not rested).
I find it very odd that with the same exact mask, I'm having a much harder time with the clearly more capable Resmed vAuto machine.
I'm going to sleep with my Phillips at the 9.5/9.5 pressure settings for a few nights and see if that AHI of 3.13 and great feeling was a one-off or if it's consistent. If it's consistent, maybe putting the Resmed in CPAP mode at 9.5 would have similar results.
RE: New Here - Could use some help - tsitalon1 - 02-19-2021
Here's what I'm most confused about..
The Phillips last night registered an AHI of 5.82, but I felt better and more rested than when the ResMed registered AHI of 1.37. Both used the same mask.
I understand I have the Phillips in CPAP mode with constant 9.5 pressure and the Resmed was in vAuto mode with variable pressure, but why on earth do I feel so much better and rested with the Phillips?
Could the Phillips be registering more false events and thus "looks worse"?
RE: New Here - Could use some help - Sleeprider - 02-19-2021
The most remarkable difference is the use of fixed pressure with the Dreamstation. Why not set the Vauto to EPAP min 6.0 PS 3 Max pressure 9.0?
RE: New Here - Could use some help - Crimson Nape - 02-19-2021
I agree with Sleeprider. You are currently comparing a fixed pressure to a variable pressure. That is like apples to oranges. You might be sensitive to pressure changes and will obtain a better result using a fixed pressure with the Resmed.
RE: New Here - Could use some help - SarcasticDave94 - 02-19-2021
Agreed, an apple to orange comparison with fixed CPAP VS bilevel indicates less tolerance to variable pressures. It also highlights that your mask setup can't tolerate higher pressure which adds to the disruptions.
My take is it's not Respironics is better but that it's not producing disrupting therapy on fixed. And it's not stressing the weakness of your mask setup. The ResMed is totally opposite with the therapy you're running it in. There's trial and error in PAP therapy; now we know the info on fixed or limited range is what your body wants.
Make the necessary changes or repeat while expecting different results, which are marks of insanity. The changes are VAuto to a lowered variability on pressures, and I do think your mask setup is a weak area that's holding therapy back.
RE: New Here - Could use some help - tsitalon1 - 02-19-2021
Easy
Wasn't claiming the Phillips is better and I already admitted to the difference in XPAP modes... So I'm not trying to start a battle here. You guys are as bad as the Chevy/Ford and Mitsubishi/Subaru guys
I will try the Resmed with Sleeprider's recommendations above, but I have to ask, why pay for the Resmed if the Phillips with constant pressure is working?
Do we think with a better mask and more fine tuning that the ResMed will outperform it for my body's needs or do we have enough data to suggest my body just prefers constant pressure and I should just stick with the Phillips?