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change in mask
#1
change in mask
Hi all- just interested in your opinions relative to a change in strategy that I tried last night. I was diagnosed with moderated sleep apnea about 3 months ago and have been using a mask for about the past two. Since I am a mouth breather because of constant nasal congestion from allergies, I was advised to use a full face mask. I started out with a Simplus and then went with an amara view which I liked better. However, my numbers have not been consistently where I think they should be- from a stress test that I took back in January, I received a diagnosis of pretty high pulmonary hypertension- the consensus has been that untreated sleep apnea and asthma have been the cause- because of this, it is imperative that I use the CPAP consistently to get those pulmonary pressures down- in fact, I had a repeat echo last week and, in fact, there was a fairly significant reduction in those pulmonary pressures.

My AHI's have been fairly inconsistent- anywhere from a low of 2.6 up to a high of 9.5 over the past 2 months`- this past week has been particularly troublesome for me since the last 5 days I have not been below 5. In addition to using the masks, I had also purchased a SomnDent classic dental appliance because early on I decided that using the mask may be a problem for me. After I received the report of elevated pulmonary pressures I decided that I was going to use both- the dental appliance and the mask. Two nights ago I decided that I would try just my mask with no dental device to see what would happen- my number was 7.5!- not feeling real good about that I tried a different tactic last night- about three weeks ago I bought a  RespironicsDream Wear nasal mask. I know that would not have been something recommended for me because of my mouth breathing but I read about it and thought it sounded like something that may be worth a try as long as I could keep my mouth closed- hence, I thought if I use the dental device with it maybe that might help! I woke up this morning and after uploading the info I was amazed at the results- my AHI was 1- the thing that really stood out was the fact that the number of hypopneas were significantly reduced- in the past, that has been the highest number by far each night- generally averaging above 30- last night there were 2. I am thrilled with the numbers and will be curious as to what subsequent nights will be- are there any thoughts as to what would account for such a dramatic change or, could it be just an anomaly- (please say that isn't so!) Thanks!
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#2
RE: change in mask
Haynbo, I'm sure that from the beginning it was my position that nasal pillows work for people that think they are chronically congested. Glad you finally found out what breathing is all about.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

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#3
RE: change in mask
Thanks very much- it did feel real good to see those numbers!
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#4
RE: change in mask
Haynbo, happy to hear it worked for you. Please see my post on another thread this morning about my success with the P10 nasal pillows and congestion.

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...Congestion

Good work!
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#5
RE: change in mask
Good for you!

I use the DreamWear full-time, but sometimes use the Amara View. I *always* have a much lower AHI with DW; and with AV my auto is wanting much higger pressures. So I'm taking that as my sign to stick with DreamWear.

Whatever works, right?
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