Adjust min. pressure because of mask change?

[Andréa]

Hi!

I’ve now struggeled 2.5 years with my apap and found out that I’m amongst the most delicate fragile users out there.

I’ve tried all masks there is, not kidding. If I wouldn’t have had the sweetest apnea nurse I believe I’d be dead today. I was in such severe sleep deprivation when finally diagnosed. But it has been a bumpy ride finding mask and pressure that doesn’t make me feel even worse.

Won’t go through my list of trial and errors, you’d probablr block me.

Today’s q: as I’m not happy with the n30i I switched to Swift FX (the one with silicone tubes going into the nostrils). When turning on my apap, min 7 - max 10, I can’t take more than av few breaths, than I feel like I’m suffocating. So, I thaught I might have to raise mp, but it got even worse. Not before I lowered it to mp 4 it felt possible to both inhale and exhale.

As I’m not great in physics, can someone explain? Is it that the smaller cradle and more narrow entrance to my nostrils actually makes the actual pressure ”higher” with Swift FX than n30i. And is it ”normal” to have to go down 3 cmh2o, from mp 7 to mp 4, just because of this? Swift Fx also has a narrower tube (approx 30 cm) going fron the cushion to the slim line long hose. Does that also contribute?

Havn’t had any bigger change in AHI (had this setting for four nights) just intersted to hear your input. Am I the odd one also regarding this experience? Figured that cmh2o would be behave the same regardless of mask, or is it just in theory. OC the air flow can feel more focused comming through a smaller tube, but that the feeling would make me have to lower 3 steps blows (ha ha ha) my tiny mind. Get that I probably lack to much basic knowledge in physics for you to brake it down simple to me, but try, if any of you got the time.

//Andréa

[Julie]

Have you tried EPR - taking into acct that it can lower your min. pressure effect by up to 3 pts?

[Pugsy]

Nasal pillow masks (like the Swift FX) are known to make it feel like the pressure isn't enough for comfortable breathing in some people. It's a perception thing more than it is an actual pressure thing. It FEELS like not enough air is moving so we aren't comfortable and we FEEL like we are suffocating but we aren't. Even at a measly 4 cm of pressure we won't suffocate but it sure can feel like it.

Try the next size up in the nasal pillow and see if that is a bit more comfortable. Often that is all that is needed to be more comfortable.

Alternately you could also increase the minimum pressure a little bit and/or make use of the EPR feature.

[Tec5]

@Andrea,
Did you change the settings on your Resmed machine to reflect the change in tubing?
There should be a selection for the two tubing sizes. It does make a difference in how the machine performs.

[Tec5]

Selection of the correct tube size (options on the machine menu) will make a difference in the performance of the cpap machine.
Before you start adjusting pressures, make sure that the diameter selections are correct -it does make a difference in the physics.