CA readings... Mouth Breather?
Hello All.
I've been on a CPAP now for 5 days. After some difficulty, in the last 2 days, I have been able to spend full nights with my mask. I'm currently using the Dreamwear Nasal Mask. My sleep doctor wanted to start me on it but thinks that I might have to move to a full mask since he thinks i might be a mouth breather. I unfortunately am not sure. I started using the amazing app SleepyHead and have noticed that I've been getting more Clear Airway events. From what i've been reading (which hasn't been much) i believe that's confirming that I am breathing through my mouth. I've attached my results from last night, would anyone be able to help me confirm that? Thank you in advance for the help.
06-13-2018, 08:55 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-13-2018, 08:56 AM by Walla Walla.)
RE: CA readings in SleepyHead...Mouth Breather??
Based on that one chart you don't have a leak problem. Also you don't have very many clear airway events for that time span.
RE: CA readings in SleepyHead...Mouth Breather??
Your pressure is set to 5-20 with EPR at 3. Your median pressure is just over 7-cm. Your results are very good with AHI just over 1. My suggestion is that you cut your EPR back to 2. You just don't need 3-cm of pressure relief with such low pressures.
RE: CA readings in SleepyHead...Mouth Breather??
I had set it on 3 because I was having a had time exhaling. Felt like I was fighting the pressure too much. Think it's worth setting it back to 2 again?
RE: CA readings in SleepyHead...Mouth Breather??
No, go with the comfort. The minimum pressure your machine produces is 4.0 cm, so when you are at less than 7.0 cm pressure, you don't get the full 3-cam of EPR anyway. Your machine just starts out at 5/4, 6/4, 7/4 (IPAP/EPAP) pressure. Once you go above 7.0 cm the full EPR of 3 is in effect. If it's comfortable, it seems to be working fine, but it may add a couple CA to your AHI. Not a problem in your case.
RE: CA readings in SleepyHead...Mouth Breather??
Thank you Sleeprider and Walla Walla for you insight.
RE: CA readings in SleepyHead...Mouth Breather??
Figgy15, from what you've said I'm going to go out on a limb (I'm scared of heights so why do I always do this?) and assume that you (and your doctor) think you normally breathe through your nose. If that is the case and you have leaks because of blowback through your mouth while you're sleeping, MHO is you should consider alternatives to the FFM, such as: cervical collars; chin straps; and even taping your mouth shut.
I'm not claustrophobic, nor am I opposed to those masks; I just find that less is more: less mask is more better.
Of course, less chin-strap; collar; tape is more bestest.
Hope that helps.
RE: CA readings in SleepyHead...Mouth Breather??
(06-13-2018, 12:33 PM)ShaunBlake Wrote: Figgy15, from what you've said I'm going to go out on a limb (I'm scared of heights so why do I always do this?) and assume that you (and your doctor) think you normally breathe through your nose. If that is the case and you have leaks because of blowback through your mouth while you're sleeping, MHO is you should consider alternatives to the FFM, such as: cervical collars; chin straps; and even taping your mouth shut.
I'm not claustrophobic, nor am I opposed to those masks; I just find that less is more: less mask is more better.
Of course, less chin-strap; collar; tape is more bestest.
Hope that helps.
Hi ShaunBlake. So it's something i was thinking about. Going to the Dreamwear full mask to cover my mouth as well. I am claustrophobic which is why I decided to try the nasal mask first. My doctor does believe I am a mouth breather and thinks I will need to go full mask, but was willing to let me try the nasal. I woke up many times last night, mostly to change positions but also I'm thinking that during these events, it might be the blowback waking me up from opening my mouth.
RE: CA readings in SleepyHead...Mouth Breather??
From what I've read, the Dreamwear is very comfortable and might be a good one for you – except for the claustrophobia. However, I suspect that anything on your face/head can trigger a claustrophobic reaction… I say this because of my own aversion to "stuff" on my body/face/head – and I think I'm not claustrophobic.
Yet you might want to experiment with alternatives to FFMs. (The drawback being than you'll be out-of-pocket for whatever you try, and your DME should be able to provide a trial FFM without obligation to purchase.)
RE: CA readings in SleepyHead...Mouth Breather??
If the chart you showed is your normal leak rate than your not mouth breathing during the night. If you have charts that show you leaking go ahead and post those if you can. also posting your statistics page from sleepyhead would help a lot also. I hate to see you spend money on a full face mask if it's not needed.
