Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
User avatar
brightcrow
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:50 pm

Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by brightcrow » Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:01 am

Please help, my local provider doesn't return calls, and they're not great at troubleshooting. For the past 8 days My Air shows me at 13-14/20 mask seal. I've replaced my Airsense 10 humidifier tub with seal, the Climateline tubing, the P10 mask assembly, pillows twice, and the headband. Also am using the same bed pillow and nightstand arrangement. I wake sometimes in the night feeling air coming past the outside edge of my nasal pillow, which I try to adjust while half-asleep. Around the time this began I threw away my Lansinoh cream, which I use sparingly just inside my nostrils to help seal, assuming it was old. The new container has smoother, less tacky cream, so I've been using it even more sparingly so it doesn't become slippery.

Just prior to this I had two frightening nights in a row, one with me waking with chest pain through the night (I'm assuming due to struggle to get air), the next night with a nightmare that I couldn't breathe and I woke with one nostril completely blocked, yet removing the mask cleared the nostril. Along with this, my humidifier chamber water level has become quite low in the morning. One might think I was mouth breathing, but I think those two nights indicate that my mouth was closed, because I was unable to get air.

One other odd thing, when I replaced the mask assembly I noticed Sleepmed had sent me the unisex mask instead of the "for her" one. I noticed the headband was larger, it came with 3 larger-sized pillows, and it included headband clips. I tossed the big headband but have been using that unisex mask assembly. Is there some minor difference between the male or female mask assembly?

I maintain my unit with great care and it's 2 1/2 years old. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Climateline tubing
Last edited by brightcrow on Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 63941
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by Pugsy » Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:07 am

brightcrow wrote:
Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:01 am
Is there some minor difference between the male or female mask assembly?
No change except for color and size of the stretchy part of the headgear.
Everything else is unisex and one size. Meaning there's not 2 different small pillows or 2 different size frames when looking at anything other than the headgear.

Have you tried shrinking your old headgear with the hot water washing/rinsing trick or drying in the dryer?

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

User avatar
brightcrow
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:50 pm

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by brightcrow » Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:23 am

Actually mine had shrunk from washings, about 2 inches shorter than the new one, and had lost a lot of elasticity. I replaced it with a new one, thinking the old, shorter one could have been the cause. Up until this month I'd been getting 98-100 My Air scores.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Climateline tubing

prodigyplace
Posts: 1739
Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2017 5:45 pm
Location: Central Virginia

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by prodigyplace » Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:26 am

I think For Her adds an X-Small pillow and does not come with the Large pillow

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: ClimateLineAir Heated Tube & Sleepyhead software
Please visit our sponsor, CPAP.com at https://www.cpap.com/ for all your CPAP needs.

TedVPAP
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:29 am

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by TedVPAP » Mon Mar 12, 2018 6:21 pm

There are different pillow sizes. Sounds like you have the wrong size. What size pillows have you tried?

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: AutoPAP 16-20, Ultimate Chin Strap http://sleepapneasolutionsinc.com/
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment:
how to see your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead
how to present your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize
how to post your data https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

User avatar
brightcrow
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:50 pm

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by brightcrow » Mon Mar 12, 2018 6:58 pm

I've been using size M pillows for more than two years. Is it likely I'd need a different size now?

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Climateline tubing

TedVPAP
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:29 am

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by TedVPAP » Mon Mar 12, 2018 7:19 pm

brightcrow wrote:
Mon Mar 12, 2018 6:58 pm
I've been using size M pillows for more than two years. Is it likely I'd need a different size now?
Maybe you have always needed a different size. Try all the sizes and see which seals best. What sizes have you tried?

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: AutoPAP 16-20, Ultimate Chin Strap http://sleepapneasolutionsinc.com/
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment:
how to see your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead
how to present your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize
how to post your data https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

User avatar
paulw
Posts: 44
Joined: Mon Jul 26, 2010 12:13 pm
Location: NW USA

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by paulw » Mon Mar 12, 2018 7:33 pm

Ya know, the last P10 complete mask i got seemed a little stiffer where the hard plastic frame bends/curves around the pillow. I was getting unusual leaks too....(also been using P10 for years).
I flexed the frame in that area bit by hand and it must've softened up - leaking stopped.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Back-up/travel equipment: PR System One REMStar Auto + Encore viewer 2.0, Mirage Quattro FX or Opus 360

User avatar
brightcrow
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:50 pm

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by brightcrow » Mon Mar 12, 2018 7:50 pm

paulw wrote:
Mon Mar 12, 2018 7:33 pm
Ya know, the last P10 complete mask i got seemed a little stiffer where the hard plastic frame bends/curves around the pillow. I was getting unusual leaks too....(also been using P10 for years).
I flexed the frame in that area bit by hand and it must've softened up - leaking stopped.
That sounds quite plausible! It's as if any contact of the frame against bed pillow pushes the whole assembly and pillows over to the side. Some give would clear up that problem. I'll give that a try. Are you talking about the plastic at the top and bottom of the pillows, or the side vent areas?
TedVPAP wrote:
Mon Mar 12, 2018 7:19 pm
Maybe you have always needed a different size. Try all the sizes and see which seals best. What sizes have you tried?
Small, medium, and large, but only on my face, not overnight. Large is big soft squishy pillows, kind of appealing, no idea how well they'd work, but I now own at least 20 Mediums and had been having 98-100 scores with those until now.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Climateline tubing

User avatar
paulw
Posts: 44
Joined: Mon Jul 26, 2010 12:13 pm
Location: NW USA

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by paulw » Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:07 pm

brightcrow wrote:
Mon Mar 12, 2018 7:50 pm
paulw wrote:
Mon Mar 12, 2018 7:33 pm
Ya know, the last P10 complete mask i got seemed a little stiffer where the hard plastic frame bends/curves around the pillow. I was getting unusual leaks too....(also been using P10 for years).
I flexed the frame in that area bit by hand and it must've softened up - leaking stopped.
That sounds quite plausible! It's as if any contact of the frame against bed pillow pushes the whole assembly and pillows over to the side. Some give would clear up that problem. I'll give that a try. Are you talking about the plastic at the top and bottom of the pillows, or the side vent areas?
The grey plastic strap that attaches the vent/pillow holder to the fabric headgear. It makes 2 bends as it connects to the headgear. I flexed it right by the "R" in the word ResMed and "0" on the other side where it says Airfit P10.
The new mask seemed to be shaped a little different and seemed to be holding the pillows off my nose preventing a good seal until I beat it up a bit.
Good luck!

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Back-up/travel equipment: PR System One REMStar Auto + Encore viewer 2.0, Mirage Quattro FX or Opus 360

TedVPAP
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:29 am

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by TedVPAP » Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:14 pm

The best size pillow will seal even when the frame is moved. The strap position will also change the fit of the pillows.
I don't recall whether you use ramp. I don't use ramp as I usually need to reseat the pillows once the pressure comes up.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: AutoPAP 16-20, Ultimate Chin Strap http://sleepapneasolutionsinc.com/
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment:
how to see your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead
how to present your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize
how to post your data https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

User avatar
brightcrow
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:50 pm

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by brightcrow » Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:47 pm

TedVPAP wrote:
Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:14 pm
The best size pillow will seal even when the frame is moved. The strap position will also change the fit of the pillows.
I don't recall whether you use ramp. I don't use ramp as I usually need to reseat the pillows once the pressure comes up.
This is interesting. By ramp, you mean how quickly full pressure comes up? Mine starts low and stays low for a long time, which is probably why I’ve never understood how to properly inflate the pillows. How would I determine which size pillows are right for me? The guy who set me up said small, but medium felt better to me. How far past the outside edge of the nostril is the pillow supposed to protrude? Or should most of it fit within the nostril?

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Climateline tubing

User avatar
brightcrow
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:50 pm

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by brightcrow » Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:54 pm

The grey plastic strap that attaches the vent/pillow holder to the fabric headgear. It makes 2 bends as it connects to the headgear. I flexed it right by the "R" in the word ResMed and "0" on the other side where it says Airfit P10.
The new mask seemed to be shaped a little different and seemed to be holding the pillows off my nose preventing a good seal until I beat it up a bit.
Good luck!
Whoops I was beating up the vent areas just now. If I over-mangle the mask assembly I may end up solving the problem with a replacement mask!

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Climateline tubing

TedVPAP
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:29 am

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by TedVPAP » Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:02 pm

brightcrow wrote:
Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:47 pm
TedVPAP wrote:
Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:14 pm
The best size pillow will seal even when the frame is moved. The strap position will also change the fit of the pillows.
I don't recall whether you use ramp. I don't use ramp as I usually need to reseat the pillows once the pressure comes up.
This is interesting. By ramp, you mean how quickly full pressure comes up? Mine starts low and stays low for a long time, which is probably why I’ve never understood how to properly inflate the pillows. How would I determine which size pillows are right for me? The guy who set me up said small, but medium felt better to me. How far past the outside edge of the nostril is the pillow supposed to protrude? Or should most of it fit within the nostril?
I honestly don't know. What I do know is that I have to reseat the pillows once the pressure has come up - the main reason I don't use ramp. If you need to use ramp, some machines have a mask fitting option.
If the pillow is too small, it inserts too far into the nostril and causes internal irritation. Too large and it pushes against the nostril but doesn't really seal against the inside of the nares.
The nice thing about pillows is that when sized properly, they are self sealing - pressure helps the seal instead of reducing the seal like all other mask types.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: AutoPAP 16-20, Ultimate Chin Strap http://sleepapneasolutionsinc.com/
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment:
how to see your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead
how to present your data https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize
how to post your data https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

User avatar
brightcrow
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:50 pm

Re: Experienced user suddenly can't get good P10 mask seal

Post by brightcrow » Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:05 pm

Thank you everyone for all your thoughtful suggestions.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Climateline tubing