bonjour

Hannah, I'm not going to argue with your results, but that mask is not the right mask for you.
Read the Mask Primer I threw together. The last article talks about mask tightness. http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mask_Primer#How_to_achieve_the_perfect_mask_fit_-_GUARANTEED.21_by_Jeffy1958

Total sense. Doctors want control, and manual "S" mode gives them the most control. My Doctor gave me an Rx of 21/25 in "S" mode. I now use VAuto mode Min EPAP: 11, Max IPAP: 25 but rarely go over 15.5, My AHI is consistently under .5. I am essentially in "S" mode but with the capability on surging higher (20 every week or so) to work on apneas that manual mode would not catch. I have coached individuals into using "S" mode because Auto Mode would just run the pressure up with no effective change in AHI (therapy). Dr. said she wasn't pleased I had changed the settings but couldn't argue with the results and promptly changed her Rx for me in the records.

Download Sleepyhead and try it. You will need an SD card from any compatible machine. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

Yes, start your own thread. Why do you have a BiLevel machine? I do suggest the ResMed Aircurve 10 VAuto. It has "S", "VAuto", and "CPAP" modes.

Your machine always records to the SD card as long as it is installed and not locked.
The Oximeters cost about $100. SleepyHead is currently compatible with Contec CMS50D+, CMS50E, CMS50F and CMS50I serial oximeters.

Pulse Oximeters are medical devices used to measure blood oxygen saturation. During extended Apnea events and abnormal breathing patterns, blood oxygen saturation levels can drop significantly, and can indicate issues that need medical attention. SleepyHead gives you the ability to track Oximetry data alongside CPAP session data, which can give valuable insight into the effectiveness of CPAP treatment. It will also work standalone with your Pulse Oximeter, allowing you to store, track and review your recorded data. SleepyHead is currently compatible with Contec CMS50D+, CMS50E, CMS50F and CMS50I serial oximeters. (Note: Direct importing from bluetooth models is probaby not possible yet) You may wish to note, other companies, such as Pulox, simply rebadge Contec CMS50's under new names, such as the Pulox PO-200, PO-300, PO-400. These should also work. It also can read from ChoiceMMed MD300W1 oximeter .dat files. Please remember: If you are trying to sync oximetry and CPAP data, please make sure you imported your CPAP sessions first before proceeding! Important Notes: For SleepyHead to be able to locate and read directly from your Oximeter device, you need to ensure the correct device drivers (eg. USB to Serial UART) have been installed on your computer. For more information about this, click here. Contec CMS50D+ devices do not have an internal clock, and do not record a starting time. If you do not have a CPAP session to link a recording to, you will have to enter the start time manually after the import process is completed. Even for devices with an internal clock, it is still recommended to get into the habit of starting oximeter records at the same time as CPAP sessions, because CPAP internal clocks tend to drift over time, and not all can be reset easily.

Drop the oil and use Ozium Air sanitizer. Ozium air sanitizing spray is clinically proven to eliminate offensive odors rather than masking them. Originally developed to combat airborne bacteria and germs in hospitals and health care facilities

like this http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=New_to_CPAP_%E2%80%93_The_Process

Ruby, while you may be getting good therapy I assure you that you are wearing the wrong mask for you. Awesome that you recognize the need to try masks lying down in sleeping position and under pressure (which you didn't mention)

Read the Mask Primer and keep looking for opportunities to try new masks.

[http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mask_Primer]

I like that

2 things. First to help with adjusting try reading a book, watching tv, or playing games on your phone while wearing your CPAP. I've never seen what the issue is with being tethered to a machine with a mask designed to blow air into you all night long thru 6 ft of an elephants nose, nothing could be more natural right?

Next, download Sleepyhead and post your nightly charts. Those, combined with how you feel will help us help you get your therapy dialed in. The charts to include are

*event flags *Flow Rate *Flow Limit *Pressure (not Mask Pressure) *Snores *Leaks