Sierra

I saw a news report that there has been a rush on pulse oximeters. The meter is not really that expensive, or at least it wasn't before the rush. Combined with SleepyHead or OSCAR it probably is a good tool to use to determine if you are developing a serious cold or COVID. Whether you need one or not probably depends on how available COVID testing is, and what your underling medical conditions may be.

People are buying pulse oximeters to try and detect coronavirus at home. Do you need one?

I thought they sold them at drug stores. You could try amazon.

One more issue may be the size of the mask. If you are using a nasal cushion insert that is too small, it can collapse and not allow you to exhale. The inserts come in small, medium, and large sizes. The first mask is usually sold as a "fit pack". It comes with all three insert sizes, and you try each to determine what size is correct for you.

Could not get the link to work.

I am not a medical professional and you are raising a lot of detailed medical questions that I simply cannot help you with. I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and diabetes, and to some degree am familiar with those issues, but that is about it.

On Nexium you should be aware that there has been a warning issued about the use of protein pump inhibitors (PPI) like Nexium. See this link for more detail. For heartburn I just use Tums, and find them quiet effective and are without the risks of PPI's.

I occasionally have dizzy spells. I have attributed them to a low blood glucose level (I use insulin which can cause it), or low blood pressure (my blood pressure meds can cause that too).

Your BG reading of 100 is just on the borderline between normal and "Pre Diabetes" which ranges from 100 to 126. In general one does not have symptoms from modestly high BG readings. It is more of a long term risk. However, a low BG is immediately serious, and certainly can cause one to be dizzy or worse.

I am afraid that I can't help you out much more than that.

Yes, my wife had had problems with her ResMed S9 machine. However, it seems to be limited to times when we were off grid in a trailer and she was using a 12 volt to 24 volt converter, rather than the 110 volt to 24 volt adapter that comes with the machine. Through a lot of testing I determined that the adapter protection circuitry was deciding the machine was drawing too much current. Without going into the details, I a replacement which also did not work, and eventually got a third converter. It does not work either. I have measured the current draw and determined that it simply cannot provide the current that it is rated to provide. It trips out on overload well below the rated capacity for current. With three converters not able to do the job I finally decided that there is a design problem with the S9 12 Volt DC to 24 volt DC converter. I also determined that the limitation would be worked around by turning off the humidifier and heated hose. With those turned off, the machine draws far less current, and seems to work fine. I was going to bring it to the attention of ResMed but since the S9 is now an obsolete machine, I decided it just wasn't worth. it.

During this time I was using an A10 machine and a similar 12 volt to 24 volt converter and never had a problem, even when using a heated hose and the humidifier. I also determined that the A10 had a very similar current draw as the S9. Whatever the problem, it seems it was corrected with the A10 adapter which is very similar but not identical. It has the same rating.

So, back to your problem. Are you using SleepyHead or OSCAR. I found that very helpful in diagnosing what was going on. My wife has always used the AutoStart feature, and that was the characteristic of the problem - multiple stops and starts during the night. I would suggest looking at the data on you SD card with one of these programs. I also would suggest you turn off the humidifier and heated hose to see if that "fixes" the problem. If it does, it would indicate you have a defective power supply adapter.

Hope that helps some,

I think the main issue with higher pressure is leaks. I think you are doing well to get a P10 to seal at 21 cm.

You may be interested to know that the US FDA have given emergency approval for certain devices to used for COVID-19 treatment, as an alternative to a ventilator. The list is at the link below. One ResMed BiPap consumer level product has been given this emergency approval; AirCurve ST. See the bottom of page 2.

Emergency Approval List

Also here is a paper from ResMed that says CPAP and BiPAP may play a part in the early treatment or less severe cases of COVID. A quote:

"In a discussion paper published on 5 March 2020, the U.S National Academy of Medicine indicated that the use of non-invasive ventilation therapy, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (bi-level PAP), could be a way to forestall the need for intubation and reduce days on a ventilator.10 Since then, there has been a growing evidence base on the significance of supplemental oxygen combined with either CPAP and bi-level PAP in the early stages of COVID-19, and in the prevention of further respiratory deterioration in patients with the disease."

ResMed Ventilators and COVID-19

And some even think that the use of ventilators is being over done. See the link below to a CBC article. Perhaps if people were treated sooner with a CPAP using EPR or better still a BiPAP with oxygen supplementation, an invasive ventilator may not be needed. If one gets to the full ventilator stage, the prognosis is not good.

Ventilators are being overused on COVID-19 patients, world-renowned critical care specialist says

First on the mask cushion replacement, I used my first cushion on my P10 for nearly two years, and recently replaced it. It really made no difference. Feels the same to me. The recommendation to replace parts so often is a bit of a scam to my way of thinking. I would keep a spare and just use it when you see physical damage. If you really want to be cautious then replace it once a year, but I know they last far longer than that.

I believe the F30 is a minimalist full face mask, and not a nasal mask. I have tried the F20 full face and did not like it. You may want to look at the link below and explore the different types of masks they have. I think the biggest downside to the P10 is the headgear. It is kind of flimsy. If you wanted the comfort for a nasal pillow mask, you might want to consider the P30i. It has the hose connection at the top of the head which some like. Dreamwear makes a series of masks that are quire similar and the nasal version has gel prongs. See this link for the range of ResMed masks. They tend to be a personal choice. Unless you are bothered by leaks, I would tend to stay with the P10. I find it quiet and comfortable. I recall they are rated suitable up to 18 cm pressure.

ResMed Masks

I think everyone eventually comes up with a hose solution that they like. The very first thing I learned when starting on a CPAP is that you have to get "something" to support the hose. If you just lay it between you and the CPAP machine, it is only a matter of time until the hose falls off the side of the bed and spends the rest of the night trying to pull the mask off your face. That is not a solution.

My first "better idea" was a hose support hanger of some kind, or some method of using the headboard to hold the hose. Nothing seemed to work that well for me. Finally I just routed the hose between my pillow and the headboard, and then down the middle of the bed. Now the whole hose was supported by the bed and stayed there all night. Then I came up with a hose routing that went down the middle of the bed to waist level and about where the machine hose connected to the mask hose. From there I route the hose up my chest and to my mask. My one arm is basically over the hose, while the hose is beside me and on my chest. I find I can sleep on my back that way, or on either side.

There may be another better way, but this is the one that I have made peace with!