so i have had a cpap machine since nov of 2025. i had to pay out of pocket for my cpap machine.bc i was 2 points under the threshold for a machine to meet it to gett it.but the dr recommended if i had the money to get a cpap machine. so i did. well anyways, the reason im posting in here is to see if someone would be able to decipher my OSCAR for me and tell me what they would recommend to do?
Plan to have this one be my backup/travel unit. Been using my ResMed 11 for ten months and I LOVE it. My optimal pressure is 9.2 and my 11 has been set that way by me. I can’t see how to change the pressure on this new-to-me Airsense 10. Pressure is set to 5-10 which is still fine, I guess to a backup travel unit. Any suggestions appreciated.
I met with my sleep PA this week, and he mentioned something interesting about traveling with a CPAP. If you don’t want to bring distilled water, he said there was a study comparing bottled water options. According to the study, Smartwater ranked the best alternative, followed by Dasani.
I haven’t been able to find the study myself via Google. Has anyone else heard of this? Of course, distilled water is still the best option.
My cpap just arrived! Getting it set up was super easy and the myAir app was super helpful. The only thing is that my machine came with a handful of these “Felt Pollen Filter”s with no instruction on where they go or how to use them. No mention on any of the papers or anywhere in the app. Any advice?
My gut is just to wait it out and let my brain adjust. But I thought I'd share this from OSCAR because although I don't know what I'm looking at, it seems fine to me. Which would argue for chill out, wait for it to get better.
Hi there, I'm two weeks in and wanted to share my journey. I found so much value in posts here and hope this helps others.
I stopped snoring after starting Zepbound for metabolic syndrome and realized I might have sleep apnea. Home test through Ognomy confirmed it: AHI 13.7, oxygen dropping to 86%, terminal insomnia, night sweats, Epworth score 16. I was desperate for relief but dreaded CPAP. I researched MADs to avoid the mask, but CPAP was faster so I gave it a shot.
DME sent a Philips DreamWear full face in large. Awful: conflicted with glasses, heavy, pulled my neck, gave me bridge sores. Gave up after 2 nights. Thanks to this community, I knew I had options and ordered a P10 and swapped for an N30i.
From posts here and YouTube, I learned about masks and settings. Current setup: ResMed AirTouch N30i nasal mask with DreamWear back headstrap, cap to cover hair, hose on top (my Teletubby mask). Added hose hook and Etsy hose cover for quiet gliding.
Settings that worked: raised min pressure 4-14 to 6-14 (no more suffocation), turned off ramp (full pressure from start), EPR 3 (revisiting this for central apneas).
Masks tried: Philips DreamWear full face (hated), P10 nasal pillows (liked, keeping as backup), N30i with AirTouch plus DreamWear headstrap (current), testing P30i pillows in small and medium.
Results after 14 nights: AHI 2-5 (from 13.7), 7+ hours nightly, no 3 AM wakings, morning calm I'm addicted to.
Still working on: treatment-emergent central apneas (brain recalibrating), occasional sweats (REM/deep rebound), finding perfect mask fit.
What helped: OSCAR software (seeing AHI drop made me want to wear it), movement (40+ min exercise = better sleep architecture), right mask (don't settle for DME default), YouTube channels (The CPAP Store/Tristan, RespShop, CPAP Reviews, TheLankyLeft27), this community (hacks, troubleshooting, what's normal), Amazfit Band 7 (sleep architecture data).
Day 4 DME caught my pressure change (oops), had to get provider to update prescription. OSCAR showed central apneas and I freaked, but learned it's normal during fast adaptation. Planning to wean EPR.
Bottom line: went from resistant to looking forward to nightly PAPping and morning data checks. One week until 21-night compliance. Even my worst CPAP morning beats pre-treatment. That's how much this has helped.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Happy PAPping!
Photos: first mask, P10, N30i setup, Amazfit screenshot.
CPAP has become a part of my sleep routine. The ritual of putting it on and settling in is part of what signals my body to rest. This is a good thing.
Over the past few months I've been dieting and saw a bit of weight loss, then I got sick a few weeks ago and couldn't eat for a week or two. Diverticulitis is fun. really. I ended up about 35lbs lighter than I was when I started dieting. Doc says that there is a fair chance I may be able to sleep without the machine. I haven't tried yet. I kind of like it now.
So If I can stop? Should I? Do I have to? Is there any bonus to stopping using the machine other than financial.
I have been using the P30i because I really like the top of head mount. I just recently got a F/P Brevida for a very good price .
My question is the Brevida is much more comfortable and the air diffuser works nicely. Is there any trick to dealing with the hose ? I have it over my head and behind me on the wall if that makes sense ? I tend to sleep on both sides . I’d like to use the Brevida .
First night with my CPAP was successful. I didn’t think I would make it the full 4 hours for compliance but I made it and then some. My prior sleep study showed I was having 6.3 events/hour and it would go up to 11.0 events/hour sleeping on my back. I was prescribed 5 cm/H2O with a Resmed AirSense 11.
The machine started me off at 4 cm/H2O and I felt like I couldn’t breathe, so I turned ramp off and set it to 5 (that’s as high as the app will let me go) and that helped a little. However, I kept taking the mask off because I wasn’t feeling any air and I wanting to check and make sure the machine was still on. I’m wondering if there’s a way to increase the pressure further to give me that reassurance that I can physically feel the air (I’m very new to all of this, so apologies if this is a dumb question). I also know that 5 cm dropped my events down at 0.5/hr, so part of my brain is also going “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
I will say, I woke up this morning at 6:30 and felt ready for the day, which is extremely unusual for me! Normally I’m sleeping 12+ hours and still not feeling rested, dragging myself out of bed at the latest possible moment. I’m trying not to get too excited about this change as it might just be a placebo this early on, but it makes me hopeful that I can actually feel energized in the future!
Like I had no oxygen like drowning. I woke up and then was ok but it was what could cause that? I had my mask on and my MyAir app said 0.5.
Just got a new PAP machine (Air Sense 11) and switched to nose pillows from a full-face mask. Have lost a bunch of weight and had an in-home eval a few months ago. After some trial and error, set pressure range for APAP to 7-9. Last night, there were three events when pressure cycled to 8, but that is it. At what point do I start wondering about whether I need PAP machine at all? Would oximeter data be a useful guide? I don't see a sleep specialist and my PCP is not much help.
Hello, I posted 1-2 weeks ago, made a couple changes, and am back for a bit more assistance.
Background
Low AHI, high RDI case (AHI - 6.2, RDI - 30); 3 Weeks on APAP
Current Settings: Min - 8.4, Max - 12, EPR - 3
Mask: Resmed F40 Full Face
Machine: ResMed Airsense 11
SleepHQ Link: https://sleephq.com/public/teams/share_links/d4257e57-fa0e-418d-ac0f-62b08cb8c0f1
I am finding it MUCH easier to breathe and fall asleep at the increased pressure compared to when I was at 4. Finding a mask has been difficult, but this current one is feeling promising. One of the large leaks though was just because it unclipped in my sleep. I have a toddler who wakes me up at night pretty regularly, but last night he didn't wake me at all so this is the cleanest data I have. My PCP is also fine with me making small adjustments to my pressures. I wont see a sleep med doc til October (They are all booked out, and my initial sleep study was a Lofta test)
I am wondering if Im still having a significant amount of RERA's? Im not sure. Also, should I increase the minimum pressure further, or stay at this level. Finally, is a full face mask or a nasal mask better for a case like mine? (potential UARS?)
I was diagnose with mild sleep apnea. 14 AHI, mostly hypoapneas.
Started on APAP 2 months ago, but despite using every day i always got an average of 9 AHI per night and no difference at all.
So i changed it to Cpap and then notice minor improvements, but still i had an average of 6 - 7 AHI per night.
When i got to the ENT they told me i have the turbinates enlarge and they prescribed Nasacort, so i bought it and while i dont feel so much difference now my numbers are lower: 2 - 4 AHI.
But right now i am really struggling with the cpap, i am not able to sleep 8 hours straight, and also suddently expiriencing Aerophagia, which i think is leading to other problems in bowel. Today, i woke up at 3 am and was not able to sleep back.
So do you think that maybe getting off the cpap and just using the nasal spray would be as effective?
Hi everyone,
I’m new to the CPAP journey and wanted to share my recent experience. After dealing with severe snoring and my wife noticing I was having breathing pauses during sleep, I finally took a sleep study.
My diagnosis :
- Mild Sleep Apnea : My overall AHI is 8.5, which is on the lower end, but it spikes to 16.1 when sleeping on my back (3.98 in other positions).
- Severe Snoring : I was snoring for 256 minutes—over 60% of the night. My wife has been suffering because of this, and I’ve spent way too many nights on the couch.
I was offered either an oral appliance or a CPAP machine. I went with the CPAP (which is fortunately 90% covered by my insurance).
Yesterday, I had my appointment and ended up choosing the Philips DreamStation 2 Advanced. At the time, I didn't really know if it was "better" or worse than the AirSense 11. I just wanted to get started and get my snoring under control.
However, after I got home, I spent a few hours doing my own research. I guess I should have done this before the appointment, but I made the mistake of blindly trusting that a medical professional would steer me toward the safest options.
After reading about the massive recalls of millions of machines in 2021, the 2024 overheating issues with the DreamStation 2 in the US, the FDA reports linking these units to serious health risks, and the massive $1.1 billion settlement Philips paid out, my trust is completely broken. I just don’t feel comfortable putting my health in the hands of a company with that track record.
I called my clinic first thing today. They were understanding, and they agreed to swap the DreamStation 2 for an AirSense 11 (I’ll pay the price difference, which is fine by me).
I’m much more at ease with this decision. If you are new to this like me, please do your homework before settling on a device, don't just assume what's on the shelf is the best choice for your long-term health.
Note: I am a French speaker from Quebec, Canada. I used AI to translate my original draft into English to share it with this community.
I was diagnosed Jan 2025. I’ve been on cpap since Feb 2025 and extremely compliant. I straight away loved my CPAP and felt relief. I’m part of a clinical trial and have to “wash out” CPAP used and not use it for 7 days, then have a sleep study. I’m only on day 2 and this is horrible 😂 no matter how tired I am (and I’m tired ALL day), I just can’t get good sleep.
This has brought back all those memories before CPAP, horrible sleep, tired all day, congestion, and sore nasal passage from snoring all night. I can’t believe how long I lived like this before my diagnosis!! I can’t wait until I can have my CPAP back. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you don’t have to live like this 😂😂
New starter a week ago and it's a nightmare scenario tbh. Got the Airsense 11 with the F40 and full face mask.
Or you stop using the machine as nasal decongestants only go so far.
Hello all.
Been lurking here this past week and love how supportive this community is. I decided to join myself.
Tonight will be my first night using ResMed therapy. I am nervous, excited and overall just a little anxious about this whole experience. I was first diagnosed in 2016 to get a CPAP and didn’t follow through. Fast forward to end of 2025 and I had another sleep study. It took me almost 6 months to finally jump off the deep end.
I’ve been wearing my mask the last 30+ minutes and the side of my nose feels a little itchy. Telling myself I need 60 then 90 days to get used to this new lifestyle.
I wanted to share this for anyone who has been putting it off. Your health matters. You matter. Lower the noise in your head and think about the care you deserve.
Thank you all for being the way you are. With you I believe I can also be successful. Seeing positive stories here and people that have been on a machine for years has encouraged me more than you will ever know. I’m proud of you, friends. Keep loving yourself and your health.
Hopefully will report back soon with my experience and see if I can help someone else out there. 💪🏽🙏🏽
Update: first night in the bag. I woke up at exactly the four hour mark (my internal clock scares me sometimes… 😆) feeling a little panicked /claustrophobic. Took the mask off. Went to the bathroom, drank some water and just sat for 5 minutes before going back to bed.
———
My first night results:
Used for: 9:01 hours - I know… I’m a little blown away by this for my first time but going to treat this as a win and not set the bar here knowing this will take time and different nights will produce different outcomes.
Mask seal: Adjust - this is my biggest question mark right now. I have slight facial hair and while I’m awake am mindful of the seal. I’m struggling with adjusting the mask and don’t want to go too tight. I cannot sleep on my back for the life of me. I am a side, stomach sleeper historically along with a few other interesting poses. One thing I noticed is I was getting a lot of leakage from the top hose area of my mask. This morning I researched to reseat it. Just not sure if it’s normal for that much leakage. Will monitor for sure.
Events per hour: 3.2 - I was around 1 for the first four hours then woke up to the 3.2. I felt myself not breathe just once last night that I could remember.
Mask off: 6 - 3 were real; testing before bed and the one time I woke up middle of the night. I ran the seal feature and all times it told me good. Going to focus on my straps and how tight they are. I have read here that tight does not mean what’s needed. The way the mask sits is. Will try putting it on while lying down tonight instead of sitting up.
Thank you to all of you for the lovely messages. You have no idea how I felt reading each of your replies. You are all amazing people. 🥹
I’ve got an appointment booked out for June to have a look, but in the meantime, I’d love other users‘ opinions.
If the heated tubing is actually working on my AirSense 11 (full face mask), I don’t reckon I ought to be getting rainout waking me up every night. Not at humidity 6 out of 8, in a warm room, with my c-pap below head level, a sleeve over the tube, and at the maximum 86° tube temp. I’ve really come to wonder if the heated tubing isn’t functioning - especially because I’ve never had the sensation that the air on my face was particularly warm at any temperature setting. And the tube’s connection at the port has been wobbly since I got the c-pap at the start of the year.
Still, is it even reasonable of me to think it might not be working, in a brand new c-pap? The machine registers it as being connected, after all.
Hi guys,
I’ve been on the machine for a few weeks now (air sense 11), and I’m still figuring out how to do all this stuff correctly. What’s been stumping me is that the machine is always saying I need to adjust my mask, but it feels like I have a good seal. I started off with the resmed f40 but the magnets weren’t secure enough and I kept taking the mask off in my sleep. I figured that’s why I’ve been getting leaking/adjusting mask alerts, but now I switched to an f&p vitera and im still getting the same error. The new mask feels a lot better and it has hooks that keep my mask on all night, and I also don’t feel any leaks around the mouthpiece. The machine itself is relatively leak free as well; water storage container is on correctly and the hose is duck taped all over thanks to my cat, but in general has minimal leaks. The last bit of background info is that every time I do the mask fit test, I’m told I have a good seal for like 5 seconds and then I’m told I need to adjust my mask, but no tightening or loosening or readjusting changes the alert. If anyone has been in a similar situation and has any pointers it would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks and happy sleeping!
