After two hours CPAP machine is about to blow my mask offf (2025)

jggdesigner

Posts: 16
Threads: 3
Joined: Nov 2017

Machine: Phillips Dream Station
Mask Type: Other
Mask Make & Model: Respironics Dreamwear
Humidifier: Phillips Dream Station
CPAP Pressure: 6
CPAP Software: DreamMapper

Other Comments:

Sex: Female
Location: United States

11-11-2017, 04:04 PM

Clearly I am not getting the help I need, butI don't know where to get better help, so I need advice with that. I also don't know where all the printouts I see on hereare coming from so I need help with how to find better information about my sleep patterns.

Two nights ago the pressure on my Dreamweaver CPAPwas changed from a 7 to automatic. Since then I can only use themachine for about two hours before I wake up with the pressure about to blastmy mask off my face. It is loudly leaking all around the seal, and it is stillnot making much difference in the AHI numbersfor those two hours.

My sleep study number was 35 AHI. I have never been treated so that my AHI is in a good range. Recently the machine was recording an AHI between 19 and 30. Between the doctor and the respiratory therapist there hasn't been any good follow up and I don't know how to correct this.

I am tired and sleepy almost allthe time.I am very discouraged by all of this and need to find a ray of hope from somewhere.

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Walla Walla

Posts: 3,551
Threads: 41
Joined: Jun 2017

Machine: ResMed AirCurve 10 VAUTO
Mask Type: Full face mask
Mask Make & Model: ResMed AirTouch F20
Humidifier: ResMed
CPAP Pressure: 9/13.6 PS4.6
CPAP Software: ResScanSleepyHead

Other Comments:

Sex: Male
Location: USA

11-11-2017, 04:11 PM

Download SleepyHead
Organize your Sleepyhead Charts
Posting Charts
Beginner's Guide to SleepyHead
Mask Primer

Advisory Members serve as an "Advisory Committee" to help shape Apnea Board's rules & policies.

Membership in the Advisory Members groupdoes notimply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.

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jggdesigner

Posts: 16
Threads: 3
Joined: Nov 2017

Machine: Phillips Dream Station
Mask Type: Other
Mask Make & Model: Respironics Dreamwear
Humidifier: Phillips Dream Station
CPAP Pressure: 6
CPAP Software: DreamMapper

Other Comments:

Sex: Female
Location: United States

11-11-2017, 05:00 PM

Thanks. I have downloaded SleepyHead. I discovered that my machine does have a card of some kind. Is there any information already posted on this forumabout how to remove it toread it? I am afraid I will damage something if I break things down any further.

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ajack

Posts: 1,926
Threads: 2
Joined: Mar 2017

Machine: Resmed s9 ST-A iVAPS
Mask Type: Full face mask
Mask Make & Model: Resmed F20
Humidifier: H5i
CPAP Pressure: EPAP:12 PS:5-18
CPAP Software: ResScanSleepyHead

Other Comments: obese T2 on LCHF diet

Sex: Male
Location: australia

11-11-2017, 05:08 PM

push in on the sd card and then release and it will pop out. you aren't going to hurt it.

It is a learning curve and the pressure you feel now will be gone in a week and you'll be wondering if the machine is still on when you wake up.

the first thing is to get the leaks sorted. this should help
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqLpO6ubYw8

mask fit http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ask_Primer
For auto-cpap, from machine data or software. You can set the min pressure1 or 2cm below 95%. Orclinicians commonlyuse themaximum or 95% pressurefor fixed pressure CPAP, this can also be used for min pressure.
https://aasm.org/resources/practiceparam...rating.pdf

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jggdesigner

Posts: 16
Threads: 3
Joined: Nov 2017

Machine: Phillips Dream Station
Mask Type: Other
Mask Make & Model: Respironics Dreamwear
Humidifier: Phillips Dream Station
CPAP Pressure: 6
CPAP Software: DreamMapper

Other Comments:

Sex: Female
Location: United States

11-11-2017, 07:00 PM

It is good I didn't try to remove what I was looking at. It was not the CD card. One of the videos you gave me the link to helped me find theCD card. I have thecard inserted in a CD reader and that is inserted in my computer. Now what I am having trouble with is being able to read what is on there. I tried copying the info to SleepyHead, but it isn't in a readable format. I thought SleepyHead would convert it to readable format and it didn't.

I don'tunderstand how I can test my mask fitwhen the beginning pressure is nowhere near the pressure the machine is on when it starts leaking. The mask fits well when I got to sleep.

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Sleeprider

Wiki Editor
Posts: 29,129
Threads: 89
Joined: Dec 2014

Machine: Resmed Aircurve 10 VAuto
Mask Type: Nasal pillows
Mask Make & Model: Resmed Airfit P10 and P30i
Humidifier: Resmed Climateline
CPAP Pressure: Vauto 9.6-18, PS 4.4
CPAP Software: ResScanOSCAR

Other Comments: गुरु

Sex: Male
Location: Florida

11-11-2017, 07:10 PM

jggdesigner, you need to know how your machine works. You can download the free CPAP setup manual here: http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pr...tup-manual

Here is a quick tutorial on how to access and change settings: http://www.apneaboard.com/dreamstation-c...structions
If you will go into the settings menu and tell us what the minimum and maximum pressure is set to, we can help limit that pressure. Having the Sleepyhead results helps, but most important, you have to be able to use the machine to get any benefit. There is no doubt we can help you get comfortable and effective treatment. Be patient and try to get us the information we will need to help you.

Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.

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Gary1of2

Posts: 370
Threads: 16
Joined: May 2017

Machine: Airsense 10 auto
Mask Type: Full face mask
Mask Make & Model: F20 ful face
Humidifier: Yes
CPAP Pressure: 12 -18
CPAP Software: SleepyHead

Other Comments:

Sex: Male
Location: California, United States

11-11-2017, 09:22 PM

Https://www.SleepFiles.com/OSCAR

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DeepBreathing

Posts: 5,806
Threads: 147
Joined: Sep 2013

Machine: Resmed S9 VPAP Adapt
Mask Type: Full face mask
Mask Make & Model: F&P Simplus
Humidifier: Resmed H5i
CPAP Pressure: EPAP: 9 - 15 PS: 3 - 10
CPAP Software: ResScanOSCARSleepyHead

Other Comments:

Sex: Male
Location: Australia

11-11-2017, 09:46 PM

jggdesigner Wrote:I don't understand how I can test my mask fit when the beginning pressure is nowhere near the pressure the machine is on when it starts leaking.

Your machine has a mask fit feature which provides high pressure when you first mask up. The following is extracted from the user manual (Page 15 on my copy):

Check Mask Fit
The optional check mask fit feature can be enabled or disabled by your home care provider. This feature allows you to
check the fit of your mask prior to starting therapy. This is done by measuring the amount of leak. Put on your mask
assembly. Refer to your mask instructions if needed. Navigate to the Check Mask Fit screen under “My Setup” and
press the control dial to initiate the check.
The device will deliver a test pressure while the screen counts down 40 seconds. A green bar indicates good fit, while
a red bar indicates improvement is needed. After the test, normal therapy will start and the screen will either display
a green checkmark or a red “X”. The green checkmark indicates that the leak found allows for optimal performance
of the device. The red “X” indicates that the leak may affect device performance, however, the device will remain
functional and deliver therapy.

Ensure that the feature has been enabled. If not, either get your provider to do it, or else (my recommendation) get hold of the clinical manual and learn how to do it yourself.

jggdesigner Wrote:I tried copying the info to SleepyHead, but it isn't in a readable format. I thought SleepyHead would convert it to readable format and it didn't.

I may have misunderstood you here, but you don't copy the data into #SleepyHead, you open the SleepyHead program, select import data from the main screen and navigate to the drive representing your CD card (eg it might be Drive F: or Drive G: or something like that). Point to the drive itself, not to any folders within the drive. SH will then download the data from your card and store it in a format that SH can use. You can then click on the overview or daily tab to see your detailed information.

If for some reason SH rejects the data, it may be that you have a non-compatible machine. Remove the humidifier, flip the machine over and read the model number from the label, then let us know what you've got.

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HalfAsleep

Posts: 1,518
Threads: 71
Joined: Aug 2017

Machine: Resmed AirCurve 10 VAuto biPAP
Mask Type: Full face mask
Mask Make & Model: Resmed AirFit F40
Humidifier: Built-in
CPAP Pressure: 7-13
CPAP Software: OSCARSleepyHead

Other Comments: Still half asleep.

Sex: Female
Location: US

11-11-2017, 11:08 PM

Sorry that you're not sleeping well. You will very likely get the help you need right here on this forum.

There seem to be two situations to address:

1. settings
2. mask fit

I have had the experience of the mask turning into a hovercraft. I am a newbie, too.

I can't give advice on settings, but can on masks:

a. Search this forum for Amara. You will find posts that are specific to leaks and how to adjust the Amara. IIRC there's been a thread in the last week or so.
a2. I like the videos by LankyLefty on Youtube. IMO he's particularly good at mask issues.
b. When you redo the settings, make sure they get set so they minimize sudden blasts.
c. Mask leakage is very aggravating. It can really thwart your treatment. Keep plugging away at it.
d. Consider the possibility that you have the wrong mask for your face. Every face is different, every mask styleis different. You may have to try several.
e. Use the mask fit option on your device. Use it every time you put on your mask. It will blast at your top pressure, so you can get the mask situated perfectly in advance so you won't be woken up by the mask letting loosein the middle of the night.
f. Don't take the mask off to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. Disconnect via the hose, so you don't have to redo the fit.
g. Don't watch a clever comedian on TV or in your dreams. Laughing transfigures your face, and your dimples will unseal the mask. Boom!Thar she blows!
h. If you have a mask that's so temperamental you are getting extremely frustrated, blame the mask, not you. Get a different mask. Find one where the leaks are in the range of manageable from the beginning, so you can perfect the seal. You don't want to stick with something you have no way of fixing without huge frustration.

I had trouble with myfirst mask (a P10)but didn't realize it. I thought I must just not be finding the perfect fit. It leaked and leaked. I was getting neither treatment nor sleep. It got worse and worse.

I finally realized it was most important for me to not be hugely frustrated, otherwise I wouldn't get treatment or sleep until the end of time. I made myself a plan so I could maximize my confidence about using CPAP; that became my priority. So, I did whatever it took to get that confidence.

I tried different masks (even though I loved the little P10) and found one that I could work with to get where I wanted.

I figured I wasn't getting treatment anyway because of the extent of the leaks at full pressure, soI lowered my top pressure even though I wasn't getting full apneatreatment at first. I raised the pressure by 1every few days once I got a handle on leakage.

This method has worked very wellfor me. I feel a much greater sense of mastery than before, and I'm almost up to the prescribed pressure. I learned alot just doing this.

Now I use the P10 for naps or when I just need a few nips of easy breathing while I'm using the computer. It only leaks at deeper sleep stages.

Hope this helps.

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jggdesigner

Posts: 16
Threads: 3
Joined: Nov 2017

Machine: Phillips Dream Station
Mask Type: Other
Mask Make & Model: Respironics Dreamwear
Humidifier: Phillips Dream Station
CPAP Pressure: 6
CPAP Software: DreamMapper

Other Comments:

Sex: Female
Location: United States

11-12-2017, 12:00 AM (This post was last modified: 11-12-2017, 12:07 AM by jggdesigner.)

HalfAsleep,This does help a lot. You are correct about thetwo issues.All I will be able to do tonight is work on the mask fit nowthatI understand better how that will help me.

I tried to get into the clinical settings on my machine a little earlier and couldn't, so I still don't know what my settings are, or how to change them.

Thanks, everyone, for all the great advice so far. If I don't respond be patient, I have house guests and an imminent death in the family, and that is why I will give up on the settings for tonight.

You have all givenme hope again and that is a very good thing.

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