Airsense 10 pressures

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on February 6, 2018 at 21:18

This sometimes happens Chris when people are on auto machines, and the changes in pressure can cause the mask to leak which unfortunately wakes the person.  However, sometimes the pressure changes themselves can disturb a person's sleep.  It would be worth trying to see if you can very slightly tighten the straps to help compensate when the pressures raise.  Some clinics raise the lower pressures so the increase in pressures haven't so far to climb.....this would depend on what the average pressure a person needs though.  If people can't overcome this, then the machine can be changed to fixed pressures if you speak to your hospital about this.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by billysleep on February 7, 2018 at 10:24

Hello Chris,

I have been using an Airsense 10 for the last 6 months. In the early days I had a similar problem, the higher pressure would both initiate a leak and also wake me up. In the early days I was adjusting the mask tension a lot more and several times in the night. As I got used to wearing the mask, then I found a new issue that I was swallowing air and waking up feeling bloated.

• In my inexperience, I tried reducing the maximum pressure initially, but this was not a good thing as the pressure was not high enough to fix the apnoeas {my Sleep Clinic nurse identified this at my 1 month review). It did however help me get used to wearing the mask, so not all bad.
• Since I need to run my Airsense at higher pressures and the higher pressure helps me breathe through my narrow nasal passages, I decided to reduce the range of pressure by starting higher (15) and letting the Auto function find the maximum pressure between 15-20. Cath makes this point in her reply.
• I find I have got used to wearing the mask and knowing what is the right strap tension. I rarely need to change the straps tension now. When I wake up I give the mask a wiggle to set the seal. The Resmed mask leaks air out of the vent anyway and I sometimes sense the mask is leaking when it is not.
• I find I have adapted over time to wearing the mask and using the Airsense. The maximum APAP pressure has reduced slightly over time. My Apnooea index has reduced slightly over time. I believe the respiratory muscles adapt and you get used to the experience.
• I use SleepyHead software to understand my data (free download for laptop). If I have a bad night, or I am conscious of leaks, I check the data on the SD card to see what is happening. Be informed what is going on for you, before changing the pressure settings and seek advice from your Sleep Clinic.

Good luck. As most people say...it gets better over time.

cheers, billysleep

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chris Vesey on February 7, 2018 at 12:07

Hi,

Having real trouble replying to forum, my replies are getting lost, trying again

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sleep2snore on February 9, 2018 at 21:48

Download Sleepyhead to see what is going on, it might be the machine responding to a leak by putting u the flow to compensate, however the newer machines tend not to raise the pressure but increase the flow.

If you Download Sleepyhead you can see what is going on, you can also limit the machine and even take the lower pressure up so as most of the Apnoeas are gone, leaving the machine to deal with the rest.  However, you should not pu the machine at to high a low pressure if there is any signs of central apnoeas.  Bringing the machine closer to a pressure nearer the highest (normal) pressure will also give you a better sleep.

What I mean by this is:  If a machine is set to 4 and 15 as a high pressure, the machine will be to low at 4 to work against apnoeas, most will be in the 10 to 15 range, so taking the machine up to 8 or even 9 will give the machine less pressure to rise and not disturb you when it raises the pressure, it might also catch most of the apnoeas before they start.

https://sleepyhead.jedimark.net/?TestingVersions  instructions are on the page.  Be careful not to delete your data by accident.  If nothing else it will let you see what is going on with your machine and treatment.

I adjusted my machine after I got it home after a few nights by taking up the low pressure a bit (not much as it was almost there anyway) but it made a big difference to sudden bursts of pressure.

Even if you do not want to adjust your machine it is interesting to see just how well or otherwise you are doing.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion