New user of Airsense machine on NHS

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Afternoon,

You are more than welcome.

Kelly

[Zorro]

Still waiting for a callback from NHS after a week.........

Also the app says the seal is bad and I did notice a leak around the joint of the pipe and the valve that clicks into the mask. It's not a good seal there as if you move it you can hear the air escaping.

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Morning,

I am sorry that you are still waiting to hear back from the NHS.

Can you send me a photo of the joint of the pipe and the valve that clicks into the mask where the leak is so I can see if there is an issue? You can email me at [email protected] or post a photo on here if that is easier. This connection should be firm with no leaks.

Kelly

[Zorro]

I have uploaded the pic showing where the leak occurs inside the blue line. If I manipulate the joint it does go away for a while. Also the machine is silent when I first go to bed & gets louder hissing throughout the night and wakes me up.

Still waiting for a callback as AHI count still stubbornly high.

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Morning,

Thank you for your reply and the photo.

Is the air coming out of the elbow part or the round circular area where the elbow connects to the mask.

The actual cushion area should have holes on so your exhaled air can escape the mask.

The holes on the elbow are the Anti-Asphyxia Valve (AAV) which is a safety feature in all ResMed full face masks. If the therapy device stops delivering air for any reason (e.g. in a power failure), the AAV allows you to breathe in fresh air from the room rather than re-breathe exhaled air built up in your mask.

If the machine gets louder hissing throughout the night and wakes you up then this may be due to an air leak with your mask. You can roll over in your sleep and knock the mask seal on your pillow. This breaks the seal of the mask and creates an air leak. The machine detects the air leak and increases the pressure (on an auto CPAP machine) to compensate for the air leakage. How old is your mask and do you get a good seal generally. It is just in the middle of the night that is the issue? If this happens, turn your machine off. Adjust your mask to get a good seal. Turn your machine back on and then settle back down to sleep.

Kelly

[Zorro]

Good Morning,

Thank you for your reply and the photo.

Is the air coming out of the elbow part or the round circular area where the elbow connects to the mask.

The actual cushion area should have holes on so your exhaled air can escape the mask.

The holes on the elbow are the Anti-Asphyxia Valve (AAV) which is a safety feature in all ResMed full face masks. If the therapy device stops delivering air for any reason (e.g. in a power failure), the AAV allows you to breathe in fresh air from the room rather than re-breathe exhaled air built up in your mask.

If the machine gets louder hissing throughout the night and wakes you up then this may be due to an air leak with your mask. You can roll over in your sleep and knock the mask seal on your pillow. This breaks the seal of the mask and creates an air leak. The machine detects the air leak and increases the pressure (on an auto CPAP machine) to compensate for the air leakage. How old is your mask and do you get a good seal generally. It is just in the middle of the night that is the issue? If this happens, turn your machine off. Adjust your mask to get a good seal. Turn your machine back on and then settle back down to sleep.

Kelly

Hi Kelly - yes the air escapes around the periphery of the elbow part which pushes into the rubber hose and the mask. If I fiddle with it it stops hissing which makes me think it's a poor fit. I was toying with the idea of using plumbers PTFE tape on it to improve the seal.

I can see what you mean about the machine stepping up the volume if air is escaping & having to do a 'reset' to regulate it. I normally give up using it at that point.

I really need some answers from the NHS clinic as the AHI count isn't very good after a month of use.



.

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Afternoon,

Can I ask how old the mask is? I would suggest asking the NHS for a replacement elbow or mask to see if that helps.

The connection of the elbow to the mask, and the elbow to the tube should be firm. Have you tried an alternative mask?

Your target AHI score with a CPAP machine would be score of 5 events per hour or under.

Please do chase up the NHS, and if they do not get back to you then let me know and I will see if I can help you find an alternative mask.

Kelly

[Zorro]

Good Afternoon,

Can I ask how old the mask is? I would suggest asking the NHS for a replacement elbow or mask to see if that helps.

The connection of the elbow to the mask, and the elbow to the tube should be firm. Have you tried an alternative mask?

Your target AHI score with a CPAP machine would be score of 5 events per hour or under.

Please do chase up the NHS, and if they do not get back to you then let me know and I will see if I can help you find an alternative mask.

Kelly

Hi Kelly -

The mask is just 4 weeks old. I did get a callback today from NHS & was told that the elbow could be locked where there is an arrow, but the one I have has no arrow & rotates freely like a windmill.

The clinician has increased the humidity level as it is locked at my end. Temperature has been set at room temperature.

There should be no additional noise as the night goes on so I am informed, so it may have a problem with the device.

I think another mask may be worth a try as the swivel is obviously leaking & losing pressure.

AHI range is 20-40 over the past two weeks.

[Giny @ Intus]

Hi, It is good to hear that you have been in touch with your NHS. Have you informed them that your elbow does not have the arrow? Let's hope that with the change of temperature for your humidifier, it will work better for you. It can take several trial before finding the correct mask. Please let us know if you need any assistance to order a new full face mask with us or ask your sleep clinic if they have any alternative.

Giny

[Kingsway]

Not sure if you'd want to tinker.... But in case you'd like to delve a little: The Clinicians Menu can be entered by pressing the Home button and the round knob (both at the same time) and hold for about three seconds.

If nothing else- it can be very useful to be able to adjust your min and max pressure - just a bit at a time, and see your AHI score improves. - without having to wait days for the call from the NHS.

Very valuable video on the subject of adjusting your air prressures! -

I am on week 4 of my 6 week trial with my first auto cpap. I found the initial setting they gav me were min 5 max 20cm H2O - and I kept getting woken up by the mask prqactically blowing off of my face. My average pressure is 6.9, so I've set my minimum to 6.5 and my maximum to 9.5 This has got my AHI score down to 2.8, and I get a good nights sleep most nights

[Zorro]

Hi, It is good to hear that you have been in touch with your NHS. Have you informed them that your elbow does not have the arrow? Let's hope that with the change of temperature for your humidifier, it will work better for you. It can take several trial before finding the correct mask. Please let us know if you need any assistance to order a new full face mask with us or ask your sleep clinic if they have any alternative.

Giny

Thanks Giny - I did tell them on the phone call that mine had no arrow but they didn't offer to send me another mask.

I will give it another week to see if any better and , if not, try to make contact again as that takes a further week.

[Zorro]

Not sure if you'd want to tinker.... But in case you'd like to delve a little: The Clinicians Menu can be entered by pressing the Home button and the round knob (both at the same time) and hold for about three seconds.

If nothing else- it can be very useful to be able to adjust your min and max pressure - just a bit at a time, and see your AHI score improves. - without having to wait days for the call from the NHS.

I am on week 4 of my 6 week trial with my first auto cpap. I found the initial setting they gav me were min 5 max 20cm H2O - and I kept getting woken up by the mask prqactically blowing off of my face. My average pressure is 6.9, so I've set my minimum to 6.5 and my maximum to 9.5 This has got my AHI score down to 2.8, and I get a good nights sleep most nights

Thanks for the tips there Kingsway, I'll have a try.

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Morning,

Please do not change the pressure settings in the clinicians menu on your CPAP machine as these are set to give you the best CPSAP therapy, and not to limit the machines ability to provide you with the correct pressure as and when you need it.

If you wake up with a hurricane in your mask, then this is because of an air leak. Check the seal of the mask.

Kelly

[Zorro]

Good Morning,

Please do not change the pressure settings in the clinicians menu on your CPAP machine as these are set to give you the best CPSAP therapy, and not to limit the machines ability to provide you with the correct pressure as and when you need it.

If you wake up with a hurricane in your mask, then this is because of an air leak. Check the seal of the mask.

Kelly

Hi Kelly - OK I will keep with the remotely set values for now.

Despite new settings I still had some additional noise last night, dry mouth and 15 as a score for AHI which was better but still too high. I do have a close shaved beard so that may not help.

I may need top attend the Hospital at the next walk-in clinic to get to the bottom of all this as it's taking too long to settle down and become effective.

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Morning,

Thank you for your reply. If you have concerns about your CPAP therapy please do talk to your sleep clinic. If there is air leakage ie the pressure is higher than normal then the machine will deal with the leakage. This can increase your AHI score.

Please let me know how you get on.

Kelly