AirSense 10 - Autoset - Sleep Worse

[Dominic Crozet]

Dear forum users,

I have sleep apnoea and have recently been given the AirSense 10 - Autoset by ResMed. - I have the full face mask: AirFit F20. My nose is often blocked and was broken almost 20 years ago.

It's been almost 2 weeks since using the machine and my sleep is considerably worse - never felt this level of tiredness. The pressure is at 4 but been told it's a smart machine and will rise up if needed. I wake up even more regularly. The strange thing is the report says I was at average of 15 attacks per hour and it went down to about 5 which is amazing but my sleep is terrible.

I have read somewhere that you don't have to wear it all night, as long as you have it on for at least 4 hours, Is that correct? Should I keep it on all night? I couldn't bear wearing it all last night. I had a complete rest from it.

I understand that it is a case of getting used to it and the air blowing on my face is difficult but I would imagine by now it should start to work unless I should be using it the whole night. I have tried it once or twice the whole night but my sleep was still bad.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dominic

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Morning,

Thank you for your post.

Do you get a good seal / fit with your mask? Do you have the correct size mask for your face? Have you watched a fitting video on you tube to ensure you are putting on and adjusting the mask correctly.

With an auto CPAP machine you should put your mask on and turn the machine on and this will start at a low pressure for 4cmh20 and stay at this pressure until you fall asleep. Once asleep the pressure will increase and decrease as and when you need it. I would suggest turning off the smart start to see if this helps you with your CPAP therapy?

The target AHI with a CPAP machine is 5 events per hour or under.

When you wake up regularly is this because of the pressure increase or any other reason?

We would suggest wearing your CPAP mask every night for the whole of the time you are sleeping.

It does take a little time to adjust to using your CPAP equipment. Perseverance and the right mask is key.

Kelly

[Dominic Crozet]

Dear Kelly,
Thanks for your response.
I have a phone app which tells me the seal is good but have to make sure that especially around the nose my straps are tight cause when my face is on the side of the pillow it can disrupt the mask and air comes out.
The machine goes on as soon as it detects that I am breathing.
I am getting a low event reading around 2.7 on average. My sleep quality has improved BUT still waking up several times a night. This is kind of strange as my event average has gone down dramatically from 15 to 2.7. Do you know what a possible reason is for this?
Thanks
Kind regards
Dominic

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Morning,

Thank you for your post.

I would suggest watching a fitting video on youtube for your mask as you should not have to pull your mask straps tight to get a good seal.

If you do roll over in the night and knock the mask on the pillow this does cause an air leak and the machine will increase the pressure to compensate for the air leak. If this happens, please turn the machine off and adjust your mask to get the seal back. Turn the machine back on and then settle back down to sleep. This does happen when you start CPAP therapy as you needs some time to adjust to wearing the equipment during the night.

If this continues, then you could consider the CPAP Pillow 2.0 - https://www.cpap.co.uk/product/cpap-pillow-2-0-2/
This pillow has cut out sections at either end so when you roll over your mask hands over the gap rather than knocking the pillow and creating an air leak.

From what you have said your AHI is great as it is below 5 events per hour which is the target with a CPAP machine, and shows your CPAP therapy is working for you.
I would give it some time to get use to using the equipment and this should improve your sleep quality. If not then please consider the CPAP pillow 2.0 or something similar that might help.

Kelly