Face mask fits good until 2:30 am

[Apnea Bob]

Hello 

I have been using a nasal mask and for 7 months trying to get the hang of it with good success - but not great.  AHI went down to about a 2 average from a sleep study score of 55 AHI. 

Problem is that my mouth busts open and wakes me during the night and I have intermittent sleep. I do not feel rested when I wake up in the morning. In addition, my mouth is very dry in morning. I have tried tape and numerous chin straps with limited success.  So now I am trying a full face mask.

There seems to be a pattern that I would like some incite into if anyone can provide some.  When I use the full face masks everything is fine until about 2:30 or 3 am.  At this time the mask starts to leak off the sides.  I have tried cinching the straps down, repositioning the mask and fiddling with it every which way to no avail.  I have to abandon the set up.  I cut the bipap off and restarted it and that seems to help for awhile.

Seems odd that this occurs every time 4-5 hrs into the night.  Any ideas why this might occur and any help strategies for anything I said above?

thank you for reading this and any help you can provide

[Crimson Nape]

Hi Apnea Bob!  -  
Your question is CPAP related, so I have moved it to the Main Forum for better exposure.  The Forum Account Help section is better suited for help in navigating and operating within the Apnea Board.
- Red

[SarcasticDave94]

I'll suggest downloading OSCAR charts for free. It can show you the therapy data, and if you were to attach a chart here, we'll be able to view it to help us with suggestions to make things better.

[Deborah K.]

Both nasal and full-face masks can leak for a couple of reasons.  Most think that tightening these masks is the only solution.  But overtightening can cause a mask to leak also.  In those cases, wearing the mask a little looser helps.  When you lay down with your mask on your face, the mask should sit gently touching your face.  Then, when the air starts, the mask is filled with air and presses a little against the skin, stopping, or at least lowering the leaks.

[Apnea Bob]

Ok - downloaded Oscar and looking at data - which sets of stats woild be most helpful to look at?

thanks

[SarcasticDave94]

The daily detail tab, with the following items: Events, Flow Rate, Pressure, Leaks, Flow Limits showing.

On Windows computers use F12 to capture a screenshot. Mac it'll be fn+F12 to get screenshot. Use New Attachment at the bottom of the post.

[Apnea Bob]

   
Here is last nights reading.  This is my Highest AHI in a long time (my ave. with nasal pillow resmed N30i is under 2 AHI).

I turned the machine off and on to help lower pressure 5 times last night.

Thanks for any insight!

[Deborah K.]

To help lower your very high flow limits, I suggest you raise your PS setting to 5.  That should help a lot.

Your pressure range starts at 8, so set your pressure range to 8 to 18, as you are hitting your upper pressure limit way too much.

You have bad positional apnea.  No setting can fix this.  It shows on  your charts where you see obstructives and/or hypopneas clustered together.  That's why your AHI was so high last night.  PA is caused by your chin tucking toward your chest, creating an air restriction much like a kinked hose creates water restriction.  Some can fix this by sleeping on a flatter pillow, but most need to wear a soft cervical collar.  Most drugstores offer some, and Amazon offers loads of them.  Many like the Caldera Releaf Collar as it is quite comfortable, but sometimes it's too short for people with long necks.

[Apnea Bob]

thank you - I will try the modifications

[Apnea Bob]

Not sure what you mean here -

"Your pressure range starts at 8, so set your pressure range to 8 to 18, as you are hitting your upper pressure limit way too much."

I thought my pressure starts at 4 and goes to 11. So you are saying set the lower limit to 8 and the high at 18 ? If so - won't that cause more blow out pressure through the mouth?

thanks