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So what am I doing wrong??
I was shocked when I checked my numbers this morning. I know this wasn't caused a mouth leak because I am using the chin up strips. My machine is suppose to adjust between 8 and 15,
Leak: .16L/s
AHI: 20.6 (ouch)
AI: 4.9
HI: 15.7
I am using the ResMed Swift LT for her (small pillows). Is my mask leaking too much??
Still a newbie... :)
Leak: .16L/s
AHI: 20.6 (ouch)
AI: 4.9
HI: 15.7
I am using the ResMed Swift LT for her (small pillows). Is my mask leaking too much??
Still a newbie... :)
Views: 53
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on
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Jeff,
My numbers have been all over the place but usually I have the best results when I use the "CHIN-UP STRIPS" (not chin strap as they don't work for me) to keep my moth closed. Here is their website: www.chinupstrip.com I wasn't able to use my cpap machine for the 2 nights prior due to having the stomach flu so maybe that was the problem. Do you know how I find out what is an "acceptable" mask leak with the Resmed Swift LT for her? Do you think my machine needs adjusting? Thanks for all your help.
j n k said:Chin straps don't always stop the lips from opening, but if your leak was reported as .16, I'm not sure those numbers were caused by leak anyway.
I occasionally have nights with high numbers. I have even gone a stretch of three or four nights with "bad" numbers. But if you can't figure out what has changed to cause the particularly high AI number (more important than HI and AHI with that brand, in my opinion), then I would just see how the next few nights go without overreacting and changing anything.
Sometimes something we ate or drank or a virus or whatever can seriously mess up out sleep. And sometimes bad nights of sleep cause events instead of the events causing the bad nights of sleep.
If my AI was consistently above 1.0 on a ResMed, I would start to wonder if something should change; but if most nights look pretty good, I would ignore an occasional bad night or two, or three. At least, that is how I view it as a fellow patient. It is the longterm trend in the data that matters most, from what I understand.
How do your numbers usually look these days?
jeff
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Permalink Reply by RL on
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Hi Carolyn,
I am a newbie with CPAP, also using the Resmed Swift LT for her mask with extra small size. I have had overall good results with this mask, but am having issues with figuring out a chin strap arrangement. I was thinking of trying a strap from one of the retailers out their, but many of them do see unreasonably priced. My DME tech said the insurance would not pay for a chin strap, even though it was used in my sleep study. She recommended I try an Ace bandage. I got that, the newer kind that is synthetic and sticks to itself. This mostly works for a few nights until the plastic material gets too deformed to stick to itself and gets crinkled. Not so comfortable either. I noticed you recommendation of the "chinup strips". I might try this as I do need something to prevent mouth breathing. Have you had any skin issues with these? What shape do you like? Any additional input would be appreciated.
Carolyn said:Jeff,
My numbers have been all over the place but usually I have the best results when I use the "CHIN-UP STRIPS" (not chin strap as they don't work for me) to keep my moth closed. Here is their website: www.chinupstrip.com I wasn't able to use my cpap machine for the 2 nights prior due to having the stomach flu so maybe that was the problem. Do you know how I find out what is an "acceptable" mask leak with the Resmed Swift LT for her? Do you think my machine needs adjusting? Thanks for all your help.
j n k said:Chin straps don't always stop the lips from opening, but if your leak was reported as .16, I'm not sure those numbers were caused by leak anyway.
I occasionally have nights with high numbers. I have even gone a stretch of three or four nights with "bad" numbers. But if you can't figure out what has changed to cause the particularly high AI number (more important than HI and AHI with that brand, in my opinion), then I would just see how the next few nights go without overreacting and changing anything.
Sometimes something we ate or drank or a virus or whatever can seriously mess up out sleep. And sometimes bad nights of sleep cause events instead of the events causing the bad nights of sleep.
If my AI was consistently above 1.0 on a ResMed, I would start to wonder if something should change; but if most nights look pretty good, I would ignore an occasional bad night or two, or three. At least, that is how I view it as a fellow patient. It is the longterm trend in the data that matters most, from what I understand.
How do your numbers usually look these days?
jeff
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RL,
I like the tan horseshoe shaped ones. It takes a couple of tries to figure out the best way to put them on. They do not leave any residue when taking them off. However I put one finger by the area I am removing and sort of pull off with one hand and pull my skin down with the other. I go slow. Hope this makes sense. They work great for me and I have been a moth breather all my life. By the way, my insurance paid for my chin strap even though I don't use it much. Don't always believe what the DME tells you. Good Luck!
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Permalink Reply by joshua akers on
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you should hear the air running out before you fall asleep if you have a leak with the swift lt for her. if you were fitted correctly, there should be no sound of air around the pillows and your nostrils. you may be moving in your sleep and knocking the pillows out of your nose in your sleep
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I read on another BBS that the Resmed machine sometimes interprets shallow breathing as hypopneas. My mask is not leaking much. Has anyone else heard this about the Resmed machine and shallow breathing? Thanks.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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Carolyn, for one who fights leaks, I wear a small Quattro, but am really a small-medium which they do not make, I'd be thrilled with that leak rate.
One thing about the software, it's cheap, $2.95 for a download, but the machine reader was $70.00. Sometimes there is one on cpapauction cheaper. But I wouldn't buy one again- I'm satisfied with the lcd info. One thing you can learn with the ResScan software is how many seconds your apnea incidents last.
Good luck,
Mary
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Mary Z said:Carolyn, for one who fights leaks, I wear a small Quattro, but am really a small-medium which they do not make, I'd be thrilled with that leak rate.
One thing about the software, it's cheap, $2.95 for a download, but the machine reader was $70.00. Sometimes there is one on cpapauction cheaper. But I wouldn't buy one again- I'm satisfied with the lcd info. One thing you can learn with the ResScan software is how many seconds your apnea incidents last.
Good luck,
Mary
My machine came with a card. So where do I find the download and card reader? I am not the most tech saavy person around :) Thanks for everyone's help.
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Carolyn, I'm not so technical myself. I bought ResScan software version 3.7, series 8 on Ebay for $2.95- they send you a link to download the software. They also had readers there, but as I didn't understand what I needed I went to cpapusa (or another supply site- can't remember) and bought the reader that connects to the back of my VPAP Autoset 25 (series 8) and then to the USB connection on my computer. Downloading and installing the software went off without a hitch and the reader comes with good directions. You can also buy the card reader instead of the one to the back of your CPAP. You just insert your ResScan Data card into the slot on your CPAP (don't take off the cover- there is a slot for it) the machine will tell you when the download is complete. Follow the directions that come with your card reader- one slot is for the card, one is a USB connector. Bring up your software and hit download data and insert the card (you may insert the card first- read the directions). I found it very simple. You might find the hardware- the reader- on cpapauction cheaper.
Like I said, I'm not technical, but I didn't have any problems.
Good Luck,
Mary Z
Carolyn, I just checked Ebay and the software was $29.95. You might want to watch for a bit and see if something cheaper comes up. This is the same guy I bought it from so I don't know why his price went up so much. I also checked cpapauction and they had no software or readers.
Mary
Carolyn said:Mary Z said: ,
Mary
My machine came with a card. So where do I find the download and card reader? I am not the most tech saavy person around :) Thanks for everyone's help.
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Carolyn, cpap.com has the card reader, $70.00 and the software $200.00. EBay is cheaper on the software.
Mary Z.
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Do not bother downloading this yourself. Go to a DME they should run the reprot for free for you. They get the software for free from the manufacuter. Also if a leak is a really big deal go to a full face. There are tons of them out there now. My suggesting is a Evo Wizard. No forehead peice and I have a lot of patients on this with only one problem so far with fit. Look for what is best for you. Most DME's have a 30 day mask garantee so you can keep changing until you find the right one for you.
Mary Z said:Carolyn, cpap.com has the card reader, $70.00 and the software $200.00. EBay is cheaper on the software.
Mary Z.
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My 30 days was up on December 23rd. Personally I think it takes this long to even know what you're doing right (or wrong).My DME was the worst. Pretty much had my mask and machine picked out before I got there. I told her I didn't want the Respionics but wanted the ResMed machine. She seemed very "put out" because I think she had already programmed it. She sent me home with the Zest mask which I returned about 2 weeks later. I had actually gotten sick and couldn't start my therapy for about a week. I have received 1 phone call to see how I am doing. Personally this forum is way more helpful than my DME could ever be!
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