12-17-2017, 12:27 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-17-2017, 12:27 PM by Shin Ryoku.)
RE: Unable to achieve lower than 15 AHI
(12-17-2017, 05:41 AM)hwka Wrote: Shin Ryoku: I apologise for taking so long to reply personally to your input. That was an interesting article...
Not at all, it was just a thought. As someone who gradually reverted from mouth breathing to nose breathing after a long period of trying everything from MMA-style mouth guards to taping, I'm a big fan of trying to go that route. At the same time, I know it isn't for everyone and realize that some people prefer and / or need a full face mask.
RE: Unable to achieve lower than 15 AHI
Currently doing a titration test using a Dreamstation Auto CPAP on loan for 2 weeks.
Very mixed results at first - Min Pressure set too low at 6 cmH2O.
I set to 9 cmH2O.
So...
Dreamstation Auto
Min 9 Max 20 cmH2O
AmaraView mask
3 clear breaks due to very dry mouth.
At the 3rd break I had a lot of trouble re-establishing a good comfortable mask fit.
Despite using a FFM, general success now in nose breathing only.
Result: AHI 2.19
https://i.imgur.com/9ZF4fUil.png
RE: Unable to achieve lower than 15 AHI
I'd use min pressure 8, I'd want my 95% a bit more than my median number. You are close to what a fixed pressure cpap would be. Not that fixed pressure is bad, a lot like it. This can be adjusted as you go.
It's all about mask fit, as well as the advice here, there are youtube videos on mask fit. There is also a mask fit function on the machine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaVDkgrRhDM
I would get the clinical manual for the dreamstation from the top of the page.
At this stage, I think you are getting enough cpap treatment pressure and the ahi is what it is. It may settle down over the 2 weeks, as your body adjusts.
RE: Unable to achieve lower than 15 AHI
Thanks Ajack.
I have viewed probably every video and read any and all recommendations on ensuring a functioning mask fit.
Achieving the correct mask fit - comfortable with very minimal leaks is not really a problem..
My particular problem is body movement during the night which causes the mask to move.
Regarding pressure : I was getting Sleepyhead "horrible,contact your doctor" AHI results using 6-7-8 cm H2O.
Recent good results have been at 9 or 10 cm H2O.
The downside of the higher pressure is a very dry mouth which I have never experienced until recently.
Very dry in my case being almost unable to open my mouth until I can get some water trickling in.
This is really concerning as I cannot see this continuing without eventual tissue damage of some kind.
I have downloaded the clinician's manual for this model.
I have made major advancements in transferring solely to nose breathing and am persevering with the FFM until this is firmly established, after which I hope to return back to the Nuance Pro Nasal mask which is much more comfortable.
I am also hoping that by overcoming mouth breathing the dry mouth problem will resolve itself as the nose is a natural humidifier.
Work in progress.