Airsense 11 reporting strange data - Could machine or software be glitchy?

[sleepingbetterinFl]

I have used my tried and trusted Airsense 11 by Resmed CPAP machine since January 2024.  My other machine was the same model and used it for almost 1.5 years with no issues.   The last two nights were so strange. two nights ago showed several masks on and off and I never pushed the start stop button once.  I repositioned the cushion ( I use Airfit F40 ) to gain a better seal. The hose seemed connected to the machine and to the mask securely and it is only 3 weeks old.  Headgear recently replaced and cushion less than 30 days old. 

Last night I showed a huge AHI of over 9. (I have always treated numbers below 2 ) and a spike in Central Apneas (never a problem)  Real concern is also machine keeps recording several masks on and off which is not the case.   Even when I move the cushion down for a minute to spray some saline in the nose middle of the night, it has not counted as a mask on and off.   
Does anyone have an explanation of what could be happening or what I should do?   I am not trying to panic but this seems very odd and strange and don't want to have this mess with my therapy.   I have attached last night's session.

[Deborah K.]

If you lift the mask, the machine reads that it is off and shows the same on your chart as if you had turned your machine off for that short time.

On last night's chart, your AHI was not high, but you did show positional apnea.  Probably the night when you had 9 AHI, you were having a lot more positional apnea.  This shows on a chart when obstructive apneas and/or hypopneas are clustered together.  This is caused when your chin dips toward your chest, causing air blockage, much like a kinked hose shows water blockage.  Some can fix this by sleeping on a flatter pillow.  Others need to wear a soft cervical collar that can hold their chin up.

So, it's not your machine, it's that your sleep has changed

[sleepingbetterinFl]

Deborah, thank you for the thoughtful reply.  I did not include the right OSCAR screenshot, so I am attaching the correct one here.   So after looking at this screenshot, you don't think that I need to take my machine in for troubleshooting.?

[sleepingbetterinFl]

Deborah , here is the file.

[SarcasticDave94]

The chart and therapy are both likely affected by high consistent leaks. Large leaks over 12%, 95% over 33%. You have what might be frequent Positional Apnea patterns as well as settings that aren't ideal.

Ramp is 25 minutes, blocking therapy. Min pressure 5 interferes with EPR 3.

First 2 things is fix the mask leaks, and if there's Positional Apnea you need to prevent the chin tuck causing this. And it's not side or back sleeping solely, if the PA is present you physically need to stop the chin tuck. Then you need minimum 7 to allow EPR 3 full time to work always.

[Deborah K.]

No, I don't think anything is wrong with your machine.  I think you need to find a solution to the positional apnea as soon as you can.

As to your mask, it may be that you need a different mask, or a different size in the F40.  Some here have gone to the F30 instead of the F40 and had better results.  As I'm sure you know, finding the right mask varies wildly from person to person, and is one of the most difficult things to nail down in apnea therapy.  I started with a full-face mask, but pretty quickly went to a pillows mask.  They leak the least of the various types of masks, but, of course, your mouth is uncovered, which may cause mouth leaking.  Many of us use mouth tape to deal with that.  I hope you soon find what works best for you.

I suggest you raise your starting pressure to at least 7, as anything below that is too low for an adult.  You'll probably need to raise it further, but change it to 7, maybe buy a soft cervical collar, and see how things go.  Many here like the Caldera Releaf Collar, as it is very comfortable, and if it is too short to keep your chin up, lots seem to like the Velpeau collars as well.

Best wishes for solving these issues!  

[sleepingbetterinFl]

Thanks again my dear comrades on this journey.    I tried the cervical collar did not work.  I already wear a hand splint for carpal tunnel on my right hand, a left-arm splint for ulnar nerve compression, a night guard on my upper and l lower mouth, and a full face mask.  Are you kidding?   I already feel like a medieval knight going to bed !!  (LOL). so I appreciate the insights . I wore the F30 before the F40 and the F30 worked at first but created incredible pain around the ears ( a universal problem just ask around ).

[SarcasticDave94]

How tight are the mask straps? The tendency is to keep tightening until the leaks stop, but they probably won't because the tight straps are crushing and distorting the seal. If this applies, either loosen them up a bit or get another mask.