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First night ever - First Nights Data
#31
RE: First night ever - First Nights Data
Are there any machine adjustments you would suggest? Should I try the constant pressure now?

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#32
RE: First night ever - First Nights Data
How are you feeling comfort-wise? If you are feeling resistance to exhaling, you could increase EPR, as it will make higher pressures more tolerable. I don't see any need for constant pressure. Event rates are improving, and I'd rather see you eliminate the possibility that tucking your chin is causing the apnea. When I first commented on your charts, I thought the OA clusters might actually be CA. I no longer suspect that is a problem, and the auto CPAP is probably the right way to go, but you may be moving to higher pressure if we can't find another way to manage the obstruction.

It's hard to see the individual breath waves here (need to get in closer), but there still appears to be some flow limitations which is a flat-topped inspiration wave. I asked about EPR because the exhale looks a bit abbreviated. Again, hard to see at this scale.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#33
RE: First night ever - First Nights Data
It's not really a problem exhaling. And i think i feel air initially and then everything is sealing up?

I am trying the c collar tonight...

Thanks again
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#34
RE: First night ever - First Nights Data
Light Bulb !

Sleeprider - the C Collar!

It's only an hours worth because I literally woke up and thought I had a BoaConstrictor around my neck and ripped everything off!

But NOW this HAS to be what the main problem is! (I completely skipped night before last due to frustration.... )

Now what?


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#35
RE: First night ever - First Nights Data
The event, zoomed in


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#36
RE: First night ever - First Nights Data
Stick with it and find ways to make it more comfortable. I think we may have stumbled on your root problem. There is a bit of flow limitation there and mild hypopnea, but pretty impressive difference, but as you note, it's only one hour.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#37
RE: First night ever - First Nights Data
Hi Meridith410,
I have been following this thread, but haven't jumped in, because you are already getting good advice.

I wanted to comment on the soft cervical collar. It took me awhile to realize that I also slept with my chin tucked into my chest. You really do have to measure the circumference of your neck, then add a couple inches to the collar you buy. Also measure the area from your chin to bottom of neck.

I didn't do any of the above, and ended up with a too tight colar and one that was too high and it felt like my chin and everything in my mouth was being realigned. Sad

If you decide to stick with trying the soft collar, Amazon has a variety of lengths and heights that make it a more comfy fit.

The collar should not be too tight, and be able to move a little with your movements. The idea is that it sits under your chin, and doesn't let it drop.

One other idea that I found works just as well. While shopping in the kids department, I found a neck collar for toddlers. I think they are used in baby's car seat to keep neck stable. They are a crescent shape, or half moon shape.

I purchased one of the kids pillow and use it instead of the collar. You just place it in front under your chin. It is small enough and stays in place, and nothing wraps around the back of neck.

It works for me, and was only $5.

Good luck, you are making progress.
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

_______________________
OSCAR Chart Organization
How to Attach Images and Files.
OSCAR - The Guide
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing therapy
OSCAR supported machines
Mask Primer



INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#38
RE: First night ever - First Nights Data
Lots of alternatives are out there in cervcal or neck pillows and travel neck supports. Glad to see OpalRose getting in here. You may have to experiment with some alternatives to fine "the one" the works for you and gently supports your chin without pinching on your neck or interfering with the mask. The important thing is you have found a direction; now you just have to look for the best way to make it happen.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#39
RE: First night ever - First Nights Data
Thank you Opal Rose! I am so excited about this - strangely...

I'm going to walmart today to check out the baby section. I know exactly what you are talking about and that sounds like the ticket. I could even put a velcro closure on the back if need be.

I'm curious if this isn't the entire problem. Do you know if there is anyway to use the machine without any air at all just to see what happens?

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#40
RE: First night ever - First Nights Data
It funny how trying to solve a problem can excite us, especially if it turns out to be something not too complex.

Not sure what you mean by using the machine without any air, but I guess you could just try laying down with a collar or neck pillow and lay in different positions to see how it feels. The one I use is small and only wraps around the sides of my neck, not the back.

Some nights I toss and turn a lot due to "other" pain issues, but the small "kids" pillows seems to move with me. Sometimes I knock it out of place, but when I turn over, I usually hold the hose to move with me as it lays in front over the neck pillow.

It's hard to say if "chin tucking" is your entire problem, but is easy enough to solve with a little trial and error.
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

_______________________
OSCAR Chart Organization
How to Attach Images and Files.
OSCAR - The Guide
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing therapy
OSCAR supported machines
Mask Primer



INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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