5 year and still not working but have some new ideas

[Mouchet]

Using CPAP for five years with very little success . However I recently found out this is mostly due to severe mask leek.  

 I have tried four or five mask with little results .  

 However I did see a specialist sleep technician and did have some new information .

 She said to change the settings so that it blows the highest setting all the time . 

 So instead of it going from 4 to 12, she told me to change it to go from 12 to 15 .   is this solid advice or is this just wrong ?


 Since doing it for the last three nights I keep waking up in the middle of the night  many times now .   Also another app says I am still snoring don’t know what to do at this stage 

 Have a mouth breather side sleeper not sure if anything will work .

 Develop severe depression exhaustion and now panic attacks 

Need help

What another mascara word a bite guard home what a chinstrap help I’ll try anything

[Mouchet]

Ok What I meant to say should I try
1-chin strap
2-mouth guard 
3-another mask
4-lotion or gel

Regular cleaning with baby shampoo
Regular replacing since two months ago

[Sleeprider]

Most members here with severe leak problems in a full face mask find a soft cervical collar is the most effective secondary aid. The soft collar applies pressure to the back of the jaw helping to keep the mouth closed, stabilizing the mask and preventing obstructive positional apnea from chin-tucking. There are many different styles that can be effective and you just have to try some out. Full soft cervical collars like the Caldera Releaf are pretty popular as are the partial collars that put a wedge under the front of the jaw (Dr Dakaota Snoring Stop or Eliminator Snore relief).

I would start with something like that. I think the fact you have been suffering for five years with mask leaks your DME / Therapist should have tired different sizes and models of mask with you. Different full face mask models and sizes will have widely different effectiveness in fit and leak prevention. In addition there are hybrid masks that provide separate ports for the mouth and nose, and if all else fails a full-face mask.

I do not agree with the idea of increasing pressure to try to resolve a leak. Pressure is used for therapy, not to overcome a leak. This advise reflects a lack of knowledge of how these machines fundamentally work. A cpap machine will increase flow in order to achieve the set pressure. It will operate up to the full capacity of the blower to try to reach that pressure, and if leaks do not allow that pressure to be realized, the machine will register a large leak and is out of control. Increasing the pressure setting cannot produce more flow to overcome a leak. An open circuit leak will produce the same maximum flow without reaching pressure. As I said, your therapist needs some re-schooling.

[Mouchet]

Thank you for your very prompt reply… Yeah I’m pretty upset with the treatment I’ve been getting .  

 I will try the product 

 I’ll probably set the settings back to just stay on 12 the whole time but if you don’t think that’s even going to help then I guess I’ll just send it back to the original setting .

So setting to 12 full time would not matter?

[OpalRose]

Mouchet,
Good recommendations on controlling leaks, but we could better advise on your pressure settings if you would post a screenshot from #SleepyHead here.

Download the software and then use the directions below to organize graphs and post here.

Five years is way too long to put up with inferior cpap treatment, and it seems that you need a little more help than your DME is providing.

[PerChancetoDream]

Wow, 5 years. You are strong to hang in there so long. I found a TON of good advice here--these people know what they are doing.

I have so little faith in the DMEs and many of the so-called sleep Drs.

...and if you think...do try a new mascara!

[Mouchet]

I talked to be great sleep technician today named Carol at ABC supplies .   She agreed that my treatment has been total garbage .

 I am waiting for a power cord for my computer so I can install the sleepyhead app and will update soon.

 Are use Xanax for a week and have just stop taking it out .25 and believe this has increased my p periodic limb movement disorder .

 I am up now for some reason after only sleeping for two hours Wideawake . 

 I’ll figure it out from the sleep technician that my machine could be turning off for one very unique reason 

I had not been using the humidifier but my heat or was set at the highest level six-  this may have caused the machine to turn off due to try not to burn out . I recently gone back tonight and using the humidifier 

 However I did awake after two hours soaked in sweat and Wideawake 

 Does anyone know anything about periodic limb movement disorder and maybe taking Flexeril as Mirapex seems awful

[Sleeprider]

We really can't advise you on medications here. It sounds like you need a doctor's appointment to get some issues sorted out. With regard to your CPAP, we can help you learn how to change the settings and make things more comfortable, but it sounds like you may need a new mask. I hope Carol at ABC can help you get on the right path to be more comfortable.