I've recently discovered I have sleep apnea. I've been using the Resmed 10 for a little over a week. I've been tracking my sleep with the the "my air" app.

I have a full mask (size medium). All my numbers are good except my mask seal. I'm consistently getting scores less than 10/20 and my mouth is a desert when I wake up in the morning. It's never been do dry/parched.


When I tighten my mask it's extremely uncomfortable. Is there any other solution to a better mask seal?

Any solution to dry mouth?

I have not been waking up feeling refreshed, I assume this has a lot to do with the leakage?

Thank you for any help. Please let me know if you need more information.

I would not worry about mask seal unless it is waking you up during the night and your AHI is high...Don'y make adjustments based on MyAir alone. Download Oscar software and see what is really happening.
https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

Yes, it would be easier to see the OSCAR data and clue us in on what's going on with the therapy. OSCAR will have a whole lot more usable data to help with the therapy adjustments than MyAir which is a feel good cheerleader. Take your pick, cheerleader to make you think you feel good or seeing usable data on OSCAR that can be used to make the therapy work better.

The dry mouth may be that you need to use or turn up the humidifier and get some moisture in the air from the PAP.

The mask is never to be adjusted so tight it's uncomfortable or painful. If it's tight enough to be painful or uncomfortable, this is very likely the cause of the leak because it's likely deforming the seal. So how to fix it? A few things come to mind. 1. the mask cushion/seal could be the wrong size for your specific need. Try another size up or down accordingly. 2. the current mask may be a poor design for your facial features. Try a different brand or model of mask. Also consider adding accessory cushioning to the mask such as items from Pad A Cheek.

_________________
Duct tape carrying K9; the tape helps quiet stupid.
Dave K9DWB 73s

https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Help
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Chart_Organization

Thank you for the help. I've downloaded OSCAR.


I'm not techy at all. Is there a guide for how I get the information from my Resmed to the oscar program on my computer?

_________________
I may have to rise but I refuse to shine.

Have a look at the links in my signature below. In particular, Oscar Help includes a section on runni ng Oscar for the rirst time, creating a user account, and downloading your data.

Basically the steps are

1. Make sure there is a SD card in your machine, and have a good night's sleep.

2. Open Oscar and create a user profile (it asks for a lot of data but all it really needs is a user name and time zone).

3. Take the card out of your machine and insert it into your computer. Use an accessory card reader if your computer doesnt have one built in.

4. Oscar will detect the card and ask if you want to download the data. Say Yes. The first download may take a few minutes but after that it's pretty much instantaneous.

5. Put the card back in the machine so that it's ready for the next night's data.

6. Back in Oscar have a look at the various reports - the Daily page is generally the most useful.

_________________
Regards from Australia

* Download Oscar
* Oscar help
* Organise your Oscar charts

On the assumption you've gotten the newest OSCAR of 1.1.1 it should do a default standard view Daily tab that I'd suggest be posted first. It would include a full night data graph that'll be the best place to start then if asked show various zoomed in to events.

_________________
Duct tape carrying K9; the tape helps quiet stupid.
Dave K9DWB 73s

https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Help
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Chart_Organization

For my mask seal. I don't have to make the mask "too tight" when the resmed 10 is set on a 6.0 or less. But when it gets up to 7.0 then the mask starts to leak when it is sitting comfortable on my face.


So then I have to tighten it so the mask is so uncomfortable.

The CPAP study recommended my titration be at 12.0

I'm currently using an Air Fit (F20) size medium.

Does switching to a small seem reasonable?

Changing sizes down or up depends on how the medium is fitting now. If the medium seems too large, then a small could be possible. Remember there's a silicone and memory foam variant that works for your F20. Maybe try the other one. As you indicate AirFit, meaning silicone, you may want to consider AirTouch mem. foam.

I will say this, some aspect of the mask must change if you feel the need to tighten to an uncomfortable level.

Another aspect to consider is changing to a completely different mask. You need to prevent uncomfortable fitting mask situations. Here's other things you can try besides a different sized cushion and AirTouch. Pad A Cheek has cushions to add to the mask as in mask liners. Other brands are out there too. If none of these are good then a different model mask will need to on your list. ResMed has an F30 and F30i. F&P has a Vitera. I'm sure Respironics has some also.

BTW when you tighten the mask very tight it's possibly making leaks worse as overtightening may distort the cushion. I'd say avoid it at all costs.

_________________
Duct tape carrying K9; the tape helps quiet stupid.
Dave K9DWB 73s

https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Help
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Chart_Organization

Again, appreciate all the help.

I ordered and SD cards, downloaded oscar and got my first full night's full of date. The big issue is I don't really understand how to read the data I'm consuming.


Is there anyone on here that has a very specific understanding of the date and can explain the information so I can understand it.

I'd like to hop on a zoom call and pay someone a consulting fee.

Let me know if you're interested and how much you would charge for something like this.

Chad

Just add the standard view of OSCAR Daily tab as an Attachment via Choose file then Add the file while on Full Editor post textbox view I think is how you do it here. If you can post it, we can help you understand what it's showing. No cost.

_________________
Duct tape carrying K9; the tape helps quiet stupid.
Dave K9DWB 73s

https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Help
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Chart_Organization

When I click on "file" there is no "add file"

I've exported the data and attached it here. If this isn't what you need then I'll happily try again.

I'm going to give you a link to OSCAR help so you can see what needs to be attached.

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Help

Look over this and see if it can give some pointers. The goal is to Attach to a post via the Upload Attachment as you did but it needs to be a screenshot of OSCAR and showing the Daily page. If you're on a Windows PC have OSCAR on the Daily tab and press F12. I'll see if I have a sample to show what I mean.



NOTE my screenshot is not showing the data on the left panel and is highly zoomed in. Do not do the same until/unless it is asked for. We should see the Daily chart with left panel but minus the calendar and minus the right panel.

_________________
Duct tape carrying K9; the tape helps quiet stupid.
Dave K9DWB 73s

https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Help
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Chart_Organization

Here's a better sample from the OSCAR help file.

_________________
Duct tape carrying K9; the tape helps quiet stupid.
Dave K9DWB 73s

https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Help
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Chart_Organization

Ok thanks. I think I've taken enough screen shots. See attachments.

First thing, let's tackle the question "How do you feel?" The AHI itself is good, but leaks are iffy or borderline IMO. Let's grade these as OK or passable unless they get any worse. It may be something to consider especially as these may be a cause of arousals or sleep interruptions. You'll have to grade that yourself to see if the leaks are a problem or not. I see on the chart that the probability is there for disturbances and that it could improve. How? Adjust the mask correctly and never ever should it be so tight that it hurts. If you've arrived at the place the mask causes pain, then you need to address cushion size and/or proper adjustments. If it's still elusive, then a new brand/model should be considered.

OK here's a few considerations after we get past the leaks. Your pressure shows as a 4.8-20. It's possible the low of 4.8 can be traded for a bit of adjusting to gain comfort. First, at these low pressure requirements, Ramp is really not needed, and I'd consider nixing it.

You are currently not using EPR. I'd consider doing this, bump the 4.8 to 7 and add EPR of 3. Before doing so though, do you ever see CA on the chart? This doesn't look like it'll be an issue, but in all fairness I'm making sure you don't have issues with Central Apnea or the label CA in OSCAR.

OK there's my thoughts. I can be more detailed about every aspect if you want. Just ask. FWIW the reason I say bumping to 7 is so you can benefit from the EPR of 3. If you leave it at 4.8 and try EPR 3, you get a 0.8 change dropping exhale to 4. This machine cannot give pressures below 4 and EPR is a subtraction of the low pressure setting to assist in exhalation. Consider these, even try them and if you don't like it there is a return policy in effect. Again if you need more details ask away.

_________________
Duct tape carrying K9; the tape helps quiet stupid.
Dave K9DWB 73s

https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Help
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Chart_Organization

Delta Bravo thank for responding.

I still feel tired all the time. All the anecdotal stories of people finally feeling refreshed has not happened to me yet.

Since your message I have changed to a small mask. It fits better. I'll wait a few days and send over some data to see if the leakage is better.

I've also switched to your suggested EPR and bumped to a 7.


Give me a few more days of data and a chance to adjust to these things and I'll report back.

OK I copy it. When you're ready post up the OSCAR. Some PAP users start feeling better almost immediate, but I'd say for most it takes some more time. How much depends on the individual. Example: I suffered with untreated apnea for many years and have been treating it via PAP class of machine for only a few years. Once my apnea was treated with the right machine, it took consistent daily use and in about a month things started to look up. Once your PAP settings are optimized, it starts getting better ASAP.

_________________
Duct tape carrying K9; the tape helps quiet stupid.
Dave K9DWB 73s

https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Help
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Chart_Organization

Took me months to find the right mask, learning to sleep with the mask on. I really didn’t start to feel better until after 6 months of therapy. And it was a slow gradual thing for me. But YMMV

one suggestion from my experience is to try a nasal mask ... I began using a full face mask (horrible experience) because I was a "mouth breather" at night or so I thought ... first night I try the dreamweaver nasal mask I was able to breath ONLY through my nose ... I don't know if the pressure from the machine causes this but since then that is the mask I use now ... look for the dreamwear with arms kit if you can ...

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Enrique