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+--- Thread: [Treatment] Optimizing treatment for mild / positional apnea? (Charts included in post) (/Thread-Treatment-Optimizing-treatment-for-mild-positional-apnea-Charts-included-in-post)
Optimizing treatment for mild / positional apnea? (Charts included in post) - csid28 - 07-18-2018
Hi everyone, new forum user here. I am 27 years old and have been using CPAP for 4 years to treat a case of mild / positional sleep apnea. My untreated AHI was measured as 6.2 overall but 21.7 in the supine position, 1.0 on my left side, and 0 the rest of the time. I have been using a CPAP pressure of 5.0 and usually have an AHI around 0.8 and wake up feeling refreshed, but I have been dealing with side effects like nasal dryness, sore throat, and dry mouth. I tried using a full face mask for a little while but never really felt comfortable having both my nose and mouth covered, although it did help with the dry mouth. Are there any CPAP alternatives worth pursuing in my case? If not is there anything I should change about my CPAP therapy to make it more comfortable or even more effective? I am not overweight, but would losing weight help at all? Please see the attached sleep report and sleepyhead charts, I can post more if they would be useful. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
RE: Optimizing treatment for mild / positional apnea? (Charts included in post) - Walla Walla - 07-18-2018
If you bought a soft cervical collar it might help with the dry mouth. It helps by nudging the jaw close and preventing air from escaping out of your mouth.
They run 10 to 15 dollars on Amazon. You might also want to increase your pressure to 7cm and turn on C flex to step 2. This should make breathing a little easier.