Flow vs. Pressure

[bayareacpap]

Can someone tell me if it is possible for a Resmed AirSense 10 to have an air flow restriction while still holding the right pressure or would there be a loud noise is the motor or something?

My sleep was good for a long time and then all of a sudden it felt difficult to breathe in and out. The pressure still feels right and is registering correctly. The air feels restricted or possibly stale, which is why I asked the question. I literally have not been able to fall asleep with it on after using it all night for years (I just lay there awake).

I am also wondering if it could have something to do with a perception issue with the humidity levels. I have typically set the temperature and then use auto for the humidity. I have noticed there has been a big change in our area with outside humidity levels this year. I turned up the temp and it made the feeling worse. I turned it down a couple of degrees, which has helped but it’s still a problem.

I really have no idea where to even start.

[robysue1]

Can someone tell me if it is possible for a Resmed AirSense 10 to have an air flow restriction while still holding the right pressure or would there be a loud noise is the motor or something?

When you talk about an "air flow restriction" are you talking about a subjective feeling about the amount of air coming in through the mask feeling "restricted" or "less intense"?

In that case, is there any chance the exhaust vents in the mask were partially blocked, perhaps by the covers?

My sleep was good for a long time and then all of a sudden it felt difficult to breathe in and out. The pressure still feels right and is registering correctly. The air feels restricted or possibly stale, which is why I asked the question. I literally have not been able to fall asleep with it on after using it all night for years (I just lay there awake).

Did this wake you up?

Or is it something you were noticing while you were trying to get to sleep?

Again, is there any chance the exhaust vents in the mask are blocked or possibly clogged with water vapor?

I am also wondering if it could have something to do with a perception issue with the humidity levels. I have typically set the temperature and then use auto for the humidity. I have noticed there has been a big change in our area with outside humidity levels this year. I turned up the temp and it made the feeling worse. I turned it down a couple of degrees, which has helped but it’s still a problem.

Hot, humid air can feel more stale than cooler humid air. What was the reason you increased the temperature in your hose?

Can you turn the hose temp even further down to see if that makes you feel like breathing is easier?

[lazarus]

If you use a nasal mask, which is what you have listed, the state of your sinuses can be a primary factor in your perceptions. Getting humidity and pressure(s) dialed in can be key.

Personally, I need more pressure during allergy season when my sinuses swell. Not sure if that's true for others, though.

[ChicagoGranny]

The air feels restricted or possibly stale

Is the filter clean?

Do you breathe easily through your nasal passages when not using CPAP?

Can you post a daily report from OSCAR or sleepHQ?

[bayareacpap]

When you talk about an "air flow restriction" are you talking about a subjective feeling about the amount of air coming in through the mask feeling "restricted" or "less intense"?

In that case, is there any chance the exhaust vents in the mask were partially blocked, perhaps by the covers?

Thanks so much for following up, Robysue! It feels restricted, like when a person is breathing through their nose during a cold. I have checked the vents on multiple occasions and they were all open. I know it’s a long shot but I was wondering if the CPAP motor was not letting in air. This is all happening when I am awake. Eventually, I crash from exhaustion and can sleep for a few hours. My numbers are ok (AHI always below 1) but my normal number before this period is 0.1-0.2 AHI.

Thanks for letting me know about the warm stale air. I will turn the temperature down and see if it helps.

[bayareacpap]

Getting humidity and pressure(s) dialed in can be key.

Personally, I need more pressure during allergy season when my sinuses swell. Not sure if that's true for others, though.

Thanks so much for following up, Lazarus! Like you, I typically raise my pressure during allergy season. Initially, I tried that this time, and it made the restricted feel much worse so I lowered it back down. It’s been hard because the humidity and pressure factors have been so varied this year in terms of normal outside humidity and temperature. Trying to find the right combination.

[bayareacpap]

Is the filter clean?

Do you breathe easily through your nasal passages when not using CPAP?

Can you post a daily report from OSCAR or sleepHQ?

Thanks so much for following up, ChicagoGranny! It’s a brand new filter. I have actually replaced it twice this month to make sure that’s not the issue. I don’t breathe great through my nose while not using CPAP. I have wondered if this is the main issue. However, it’s not much different than it has been over the past 4 years. I feel like the difference is that I can’t find a temp/humidity that works to help relieve my nose. Also, typically I use 85% of the water in the tank. Now, it’s like 50% but I’m not sure why.

I will work on getting a daily report posted. I haven’t used OSCAR yet (I used the old version a long time ago).

[zonker]

I will work on getting a daily report posted. I haven’t used OSCAR yet (I used the old version a long time ago).

you might wanna look at the following thread as some things have changed-
viewtopic/t183806/EVERYONE-PLEASE-READ- ... MENTS.html

good luck!

[palerider]

Can someone tell me if it is possible for a Resmed AirSense 10 to have an air flow restriction while still holding the right pressure or would there be a loud noise is the motor or something?
...
I really have no idea where to even start.

Start by loading your data into oscar, and look at the mask pressure trace, that is the actual measured pressure not the desired pressure.

If something happened like happened with my AC10Vauto and the filter got sucked partially into the intake, restricting airflow, then the machine might not have been able to maintain pressure, but that will show up on the mask pressure trace.

[ChicagoGranny]

I don’t breathe great through my nose while not using CPAP. I have wondered if this is the main issue.

Please have a consultation with an ENT as soon as you can get an appointment. Discuss your nasal issues and that you are a CPAP user. She will perform a nasal airway endoscopy in the office on your first visit. There could be some easy solutions that will improve your breathing and make it easier to use CPAP. Nasal breathing is very important to health.

[dataq1]

Please have a consultation with an ENT as soon as you can get an appointment. Discuss your nasal issues and that you are a CPAP user.

THAT.
When trying to resolve a problem (perception of not getting sufficient flow) take the necessary steps to rule out possible causes.
Hope you can find a solution soon.

[bayareacpap]

I will work on getting a daily report posted. I haven’t used OSCAR yet (I used the old version a long time ago).

you might wanna look at the following thread as some things have changed-
viewtopic/t183806/EVERYONE-PLEASE-READ- ... MENTS.html

good luck!

Thanks so much for the link, Zonker!

[bayareacpap]

Can someone tell me if it is possible for a Resmed AirSense 10 to have an air flow restriction while still holding the right pressure or would there be a loud noise is the motor or something?
...
I really have no idea where to even start.

Start by loading your data into oscar, and look at the mask pressure trace, that is the actual measured pressure not the desired pressure.

If something happened like happened with my AC10Vauto and the filter got sucked partially into the intake, restricting airflow, then the machine might not have been able to maintain pressure, but that will show up on the mask pressure trace.

Thanks for following up, Palerider! I’m sorry that happened to you. I will definitely check this out. I am glad there is a way to view any possible issue objectively.

Quick question: would SleepHQ have the same mask pressure trace line and some of the other data I need to track? My goal is to get Oscar as soon as I can but I don’t have access to a computer right now (I moved all my work stuff to Ipad a while back). I’m going to quickly work towards resolving this issue but was wondering if it would suffice for the next couple of days so that I can look at all of my data since it’s on the cloud. I definitely don’t want to start a “which is better Android or IPhone debate.” I hope I’m not doing that by asking this question.

Thanks again for all of your help!

[bayareacpap]

I don’t breathe great through my nose while not using CPAP. I have wondered if this is the main issue.

Please have a consultation with an ENT as soon as you can get an appointment. Discuss your nasal issues and that you are a CPAP user. She will perform a nasal airway endoscopy in the office on your first visit. There could be some easy solutions that will improve your breathing and make it easier to use CPAP. Nasal breathing is very important to health.

Thanks ChicagoGranny! I’m now working on that.

[bayareacpap]

Please have a consultation with an ENT as soon as you can get an appointment. Discuss your nasal issues and that you are a CPAP user.

THAT.
When trying to resolve a problem (perception of not getting sufficient flow) take the necessary steps to rule out possible causes.
Hope you can find a solution soon.

Thanks Dataq1! Agreed! Working on that now.