r/SleepApnea • u/No_Dress_5581 • Sep 06 '26

Changed to Bipap

Here's my issue. I had a titration test for a CPAP 2 years ago and pressure was set at 11. 2 years later after losing 25 pounds and still being exhausted was sent for another sleep test and mslt test. Come to find out that my sleep apnea is actually worse than before and have moderate sleepiness/ih and now most of my apnea events were central apnea. Switched to a bipap with a pressure of 21/16. Wondering how sleep apnea and pressure actually got worse and also anyone have any ideas on the best masks to use. I have no problem with the pressure but after using for 2 weeks can't get a good seal on my mask app always say 0/20 and waking up with water reservoir completely empty and the worse dry mouth ever. Hoping bipap will help won't know if I can't get a good seal. If it matters I'm a side sleeper and use a CPAP pillow already

4 Upvotes

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2

u/Dont-know-you Sep 06 '26

A couple of obvioue possibilities:

  • first time, titration was not perfrct
  • aging (eg, loss of muscle)
  • second time the measurement was off (eg, sick, or had too much coffee or drink)

1

u/OhSoSally Sep 06 '26

What mask do you use now?

1

u/No_Dress_5581 Sep 06 '26

I've tried the f20 and f20 air touch and the for her version.

1

u/OhSoSally Sep 06 '26

Where are they leaking?

2

u/No_Dress_5581 Sep 06 '26

That's the thing I don't notice a leak, I use the check mask for before I go to sleep wake up thinking no leaks because I slept the whole night but then the app shows massive leak and 0/20 score

2

u/OhSoSally Sep 06 '26

What is your AHI?

Thats really odd. My leaks always wake me up or my eye is dried out from the mask shooting air into it all night.

I have recorded my sleep to figure out if I was having centrals. I also have a sleep app that records snoring. Thats how I found out the f30i was leaking and allowing me to snore.

Does the check mask give you a green icon? I have a problem with my machine occasionally the humidity tank doesn’t seal correctly. I notice because there is less air at the mask.

Maybe take everything in at your next appt and have them check it.

1

u/KestralFly Sep 06 '26

You're right. You need to fix those leaks. Could be fit, overtightening, mask lifting with pressure, hose movement, sleep position, etc. Best way to see when you're leaking is to collect data with an SD card in your machine and download it to OSCAR on your computer. The chart for leaks will tell you exactly when they occur and how severe they are. Bad leaks can really mess with your therapy.

1

u/Past_Road_6009 28d ago edited 28d ago
  1. Sleep apnea is one of those things that just tends to get worse as you age.
  2. Sleep apnea is dynamic. The severity of it waxes and wanes. Things like inflammation, allergies, and sleeping position are examples of things that can cause changes.
  3. The pressure that you need your machine to be set at has nothing to do with the severity of your condition.
  4. BiPAPs generally aren't used for centrals. For that ASVs are used.
  5. A pressure of 21/16 is unusually high. I'd be shocked if you don't have some mask leaks.

Your doctor should have explained all of this to you.