Advice Needed – Struggling with ResMed AirSense 10 After Philips DreamStation

[knoxy26]

Hi all,
I’m hoping someone might be able to offer some advice or share similar experiences.
I’ve been using a Philips DreamStation (original model), provided by the NHS, and it has consistently given me the best therapy results (I know the phillips gets a lot of flack but for me it was truely set and forget and it just worked) — both based on how I feel and my oxygen data. It was set to Auto mode (4–20 cmH₂O) and just worked perfectly for me right out of the box. No tweaks, no discomfort — I was sleeping well and waking up refreshed.
However, due to a recent issue, I was switched to a ResMed AirSense 10, and I’ve really been struggling to get the same quality of therapy. I find myself ripping the mask off during the night and often wake up feeling a bit suffocated or unrested. I've already adjusted the pressure range to 7–14, which has helped a little, but it's still nowhere near the comfort or effectiveness I experienced with the DreamStation.
Both machines have humidifiers set to auto, and I’ve also tried manually increasing the humidity on the AirSense 10 — but it doesn’t seem to make much difference. The air just doesn’t feel as comfortable, and overall I don’t think the therapy is as effective.
Has anyone else found the transition from DreamStation to AirSense 10 difficult?
Is there something I might be missing in the settings (ramp, EPR, humidity, etc.) that could help the AirSense feel more like the DreamStation? I didnt have any extras turned on of Dreamstation - no ramp - no epr - just auto set 4-20 - auto humidity set at 2
I’d really appreciate any insight or tips. Thanks so much in advance!

[Deborah K.]

We could better help you if you post some Oscar charts with your ResMed machine.

[knoxy26]

Thanks - this is what happend around my ripping it off last night.

The airsense is weird for me - although my AHI is low - My 02 numbers are also rarely that great

[Deborah K.]

We need to see the whole night, not just the short segment.

Also, you need to raise your starting pressure. 4 is meant for small children. Set yours to 7.

[Old Steve]

Have you tried using EPR on the ResMed?  If not you may find that the minimum pressure setting that Deborah suggested, 7cm and an EPR setting of 2, (full time) may help your therapy.  

[jdougc]

That large, sort of flat leak, looks like you were mouth breathing?
Your therapy was compromised with such a large leak, the P10 pillows kind of magnify these leaks.
Do you use a 2x5 strip of mouth tape, or I like a SomNoSeal,  an oral sealing device that encourages nose breathing and eliminates mouth leaks and dry mouth during sleep. 

When i switched to the dreamstation 2, my therapy got a little bit better.
When i switch to a ResMed AirSense 11 ,my therapy got even better, the machine reacted to flow limitations a bit aggressive for me and i went to cpap mode and lowered my pressure at bit and turned EPR on. I think i went to 11cm for awhile.

I am on a Resmed AirCurve and except for the last two nights, my sleep has been even better. Not perfect yet as I have issues where it is very difficult for me to roll over.
Please post a few whole nights of charts and then post zoomed-in charts of interesting breaths.

I also agree that the minimum pressure setting that Deborah suggested, 7cm and an EPR setting of 2, (full time) may help your therapy. Try that for a few nights.

be sure to increase your ramp pressure also to 7 cm for 5 to 10 minutes or leave it off.

[knoxy26]

Hi Deborah,
Sorry for the delayed reply — I’m now back on a Philips machine, as the AirSense started making a strange noise and had to be swapped out.
Unfortunately, the new machine still isn’t helping me feel refreshed. I’m planning to increase the pressure to 7 (I’ve only just started using this machine), but I was wondering if you had any other suggestions based on what you can see?
To be honest, I still find that CPAP machines tend to wake me up during the night, and even with a relatively low AHI, I don't feel great in the mornings. That said, I do feel better than I did when I wasn’t using a machine at all.
Thanks for taking the time to look into this — I really appreciate it!

---

Thank, Steve!

I will give it a go- Im actually back to a phillips machine - but it seems every machine has it's nuances as this one doesnt feel too great - but need to give it time!

[knoxy26]

Thanks so much for your really helpful response!

I actually got switched back to a phillips machine - but have been struggling to adjust - I think my old machine seemed to respond a bit more aggressively - maybe the algorthym builds up data and then reponds differently over time?

I certainly think I have a problem with mouth breathing - Im also a big grinder and have recently be mouth taping.

I will give the new machine a couple of nights to break in then post some data!


Thanks again for taking the time !