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Struggling
#11
RE: Struggling
(06-19-2015, 07:28 AM)MobileBasset Wrote:
(06-19-2015, 06:53 AM)Mark Douglas Wrote: .....Once you get into deep sleep you relax and then get leaks internally and out your mouth. This arouses you just enough to ruin your sleep but maybe not enough to completely wake you. Once aroused you reseat your tongue and go back to sleep......all....night....long....

I agree with this. The mouth leaks were arousing me all during the night and I discovered them on the ResScan data when I got my new data capable device. I tried a serious chin strap to correct the problem and felt the difference right away. Once I corrected the problem I have experimented with just how much chin strap is necessary to control it.

The chin strap helps but doesn't solve my problem - guess I just have a defective head.

Lolabove

I now have an Apex 220 FFM I will fit today and read a while and try tonight. For me it is absolutely necessary to fit during the day as doing at bed time usually leaves me frustrated and bad night.
Maybe three is the charm Oh-jeez
I use my PAP machine nightly and I feel great!
Updated: Philips Respironics System One (60 Series)
RemStar BiPAP Auto with Bi-FlexModel 760P -
Rise Time x3 Fixed Bi-Level EPAP 9.0 IPAP 11.5 (cmH2O)
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#12
RE: Struggling
I have no suggestions, I leave that to more experienced people, but just reminding you that if you are only in bed for 7 hours, you are still not getting enough sleep even if all is working well!
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#13
RE: Struggling
Hi dancutmore,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
You haven't been at CPAP therapy that long, so don't give up on it just yet. Try as many masks as you need to 'till you find the one that works for you.
Hang in there for more responses to your post and stick with it.
Much successs to you with your CPAP therapy and fine tuning it.
trish6hundred
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#14
RE: Struggling
dancutmore-

hang in there! cpap is the front line therapy for your challenges. While it might be frustrating, annoying, irritating, etc.. it is still 100% better than the alternatives (like surgery and dental appliances) which for a lot of folks are less than optimal with varying degrees of success\failure rates. There are many many well schooled experienced posters here that can help you interpret your data once you post it. That, together with your doctor's advice,should lead to improved daily function.
Coffee

Happy Pappin'
Never Give In, Never Give Up




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. 
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#15
RE: Struggling
(06-19-2015, 06:00 AM)quiescence at last Wrote: A previous post on the subject of how you can post links from imgur.com is:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...#pid110420


This link gives me:
    You do not have permission to access this page. This could be because of one of the following reasons:
  • Your account has either been suspended or you have been banned from accessing this resource.
  • You do not have permission to access this page. Are you trying to access administrative pages or a resource that you shouldn't be? Check in the forum rules that you are allowed to perform this action.
  • Your account may still be awaiting activation or moderation. (Resend Activation Code)
  • You have accessed this page directly rather than using appropriate forms or link.

    You are currently logged in with the username: 'GWild'
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#16
RE: Struggling
I don't feel 'very good' or particularly 'good' even with an AHI <1 if I do not efficiently sleep at least 6 hours or sometimes more. Get a good night's rest with low numbers and see how you then feel. A bad night of sleep is a bad night of sleep.

Also, you may need to be sure that your 02 sats/desats are within parameters and the desats are not too low and do not occur frequently.
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#17
RE: Struggling
(06-19-2015, 02:36 AM)GWild Wrote: I'll add to the 'hang in there' sentimentality. It took me three or four masks to find one that I can actually use. Ultra-Mirage II. Large, bulky, but the large straps - when newer - work amazingly well for a bearded guy. Face-planting into a pillow isn't good, but most other positions work well - with leaks - but those are mostly beard related and go away when I shave (or wake and tweak the mask position).

The fact you aren't falling asleep during the day is an indicator the therapy is working; so consider how long you suffered poor sleep and how your body has acclimated to that old state. It will take a while to start moving again, but it can happen if you let it.

To me, an AHI of 5 is marginal - you really want it lower, under 2 is my goal, even with a leaky beard. I averaged 2.3 this past year, and down to 2.0 the past month --- and I hit a low of 0.93 a few weeks back (woot). I read of folk here who average under 1... pretty amazing. You can do better than 5.

And remember that AHI number means that you're probably waking up from sleep that many times per hour... and that may be why you are also tossing and turning -- a defense against running out of air even 5 times an hour.

There are places out there that don't charge arms and legs for masks ... ask around here for ideas that might work better for you, then diligently shop the web for them. I think I paid under $75 for my mask the last time I replaced it --- new parts are a lot less --- gasket, strap, hose. So once you find a good fit, keeping it working like new is pretty inexpensive.

My average AHI is actually around 1. This is my whole problem. I seem to be getting good results on paper buuuut still feel crappy.
In regards to the cost of masks, I live in Australia, you have done well if you get a mask for under $200.
Thanks for your reply, I do appreciate it.
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#18
RE: Struggling
(06-19-2015, 02:00 AM)me50 Wrote:
(06-18-2015, 10:40 PM)dancutmore Wrote: Thanks for the response and advice. I just can't afford to keep buying masks at $200 a pop. I feel like this mask is comfortable enough and I am getting used to it. I am definitely getting 4 hours, most of the time 6 hours at least. I didn't know about the tightening opposite the leak thing, so I will give that a go. The problem I have though is that when I go to sleep I don't have any leaks and yet every night there appears to be leaks.
Thanks again for you response, much appreciated.

Since you had trouble with 2 other masks it would be hard to really count that as cpap therapy because either you took the mask off or there were leaks or whatever that caused you not to get good therapy. Now that you have a mask you think is working, give it time so you can catch up on the years of sleep depravation and repairing your body. It is worth the effort and a whole lot better than waking up dead and leaving your wife and family without you.

I will be sticking with this mask as I simply cannot afford another one. The only reason I think it works any better is because it doesn't come off as easy and it doesn't irritate my nose quite as much as the others. I feel like the leaking is maybe a problem but I am not sure what an "acceptable" leakage rate is.....
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#19
RE: Struggling

I will look into this over the weekend, thank you
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#20
RE: Struggling
(06-19-2015, 06:53 AM)Mark Douglas Wrote: I use the wisp. Very comfortable and adjusted properly doesn't leak much at all. Have to wash it frequently and face every night as facial oil can increase leakage. I suspect you have same problem I have. Once you get into deep sleep you relax and then get leaks internally and out your mouth. This arouses you just enough to ruin your sleep but maybe not enough to completely wake you. Once aroused you reseat your tongue and go back to sleep......all....night....long.... I have tried three FFMs so far and as a self pay I feel for your pain$. I am using the chin part of a chin strap and stick it to the wisp head gear and is better but not complete solution. (thanks to who ever first suggested the partial chin strap idea!)

Hey mate, you might well be right here. How would I know if this is happening though? I don't seem to be waking up with any signs of opening mouth like dry/sore throat or anything. I am very keen to give it a go though. You say "the chin part of a chin strap", I have no idea what this is or where to even begin looking for it. Do you have any ideas for me on this?
I just re read this and it might sound like I am being a smart ass, I promise you, I am not Smile I like your advice/ideas and I am just looking for more info
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