Rice95 Therapy

[OpalRose]

I wish them well!  And you too...  

[Rice95]

Good morning and thank you Opal Rose! We are all doing great. 



Well, I'm back on schedule this morning. Up early to feed 2 *old* and hungry pomeranians and start my day with running and exercise and practice my instrument. No it's not the cymbals at 345 AM lol Its a trumpet BUT I have a whisper mute you stick in the bell so all is good.  

Sleep was great last night. Numbers went up slightly to 2.4, but it was unplanned obstructives.

Have a blessed Tuesday everyone!

I

[Rice95]

Good morning everyone! 

I think the collar I've been wearing may be a tad too tight, or I perceive its tight when I'm laying down because when on my pillow it is pressing against my neck. I'm not sure. If it's too loose I'm worried my OA's will return. 

I don't ever feel 'pain' while wearing it but it is definitely snug. When sitting up I can insert 3 fingers all the way around it. When I lay down of course its pushing against my neck because its plush like a pillow. I just don't want nerve damage? Maybe I'm suddenly worried for nothing.

[OpalRose]

If possible, try loosening it while laying down, and see if that feels better.  
You definitely don't won't it to be too snug.  

I used a collar for a short time when I first started therapy, but didn't like the feel of something wrapping around the back of my neck.

I eventually bought a travel neck pillow (toddler size).  I use it turned around so that my chin rests on it and the back is open.  It was a bit of a challenge to keep it in place sine I move around a lot, but seemed to work better for me.

After a few months, I realized that I must have trained myself to keep my chin up or it just became habit.  
Now, I don't use anything.  Every once in awhile I have an issue, but it's not a major problem.

[Sleeprider]

Considering how good your results have been, I would not expend a lot of money or emotional energy regarding the Philips vs Resmed machine. You have done very well. Fixed pressure and minimal Flex seems to work well.

[sheepless]

I'm curious. if you don't feel pain, why are you anxious about nerve damage? I've never heard of collars causing such problems but of course that doesn't make it so.

there are pros and cons, risks and rewards for most everything. I've used a collar every night and nap for more than 3 years. I have a short neck and weak chin so I have to wear mine very tightly to keep my chin from slipping under it. I'm used to it so I don't consider it uncomfortable so much as just not comfortable (same but to a lesser degree with my buckwheat pillow). I'd ditch the collar in a heartbeat if I could pap without it but I've found no better way to minimize my lip leaks and oa clusters. I think of it as just one of those things suffered out of necessity until the cons outweigh the pros or I learn of something that works better. meanwhile, it's a cost I choose to pay for a better night's rest.

I guess my point is that because collars necessarily constrictive, it's unrealistic to expect them to be comfortable. for all but a lucky few, tolerable has to be good enough.

[Rice95]

Thanks all. 

I will try loosening tonight and see what the numbers look like. I think it’s been too tight. 
It never wakes me up so I’m sure it’s probably fine but when I initially  head to bed or happen to wake up during the night , that’s when I notice it being tight the most. 

Sleeprider: Yes, the numbers have been good. I’m gonna stick it out for 5 years and see how it goes.., then get a Res Med

[Rice95]

Good morning everyone!


Well, my numbers increased with the loosened collar. My chin was still unable to dip under the collar but it wasn't as snug as it has been before. 

Numbers went from .8 to 3.8  overnight. From 3 OA events to 21 OA events

I'll play with it again tonight and see. I think its too loose. 

I also went to bed later again last night helping out with transporting my kids around. I think I'm a hot house orchid 

[SarcasticDave94]

Did you notice any difference in how you felt upon waking after the event increase?

[Rice95]

Hi Dave 
I felt much more tired today…by coincidence I was out of my blood pressure medicine too last night …not sure if my faster breathing contributed to the OA’s or not. 
Tonight I picked up my new bottle of blood pressure medicine from the pharmacy.I’ll try the collar tonight a little less snug (Thursday night)the same as last night (Wednesday) and see if it was the lack of BP medicine that did me in Wednesday night. 
I’ll report in the morning. 
-Best to you Dave