[Diagnosis] introduction, long story of OSA/UARS diagnosis

[GreenAvocado]

Hi Jay51, thanks for the suggestions. 

I had the PAP in Auto mode, but with a range of 7-10 and PS 3, so effectively static. This was just to collect the Flow Limitations data, which is otherwise unavailable in static mode.

I do think positional apnea is coming into play; one night I successfully managed to wedge a pillow under my chin for several hours, and that was the first time I managed to avoid the "chipmunk cheek" problem. So there is something going on there. I did try a cervical collar once, but just rotating the device loosely around my neck at one point made me feel like I was going to pass out. Seemed pretty dangerous to me, even on a loose fit.

I also know that supine sleep is the absolute worst for me, and suspect that I end up with a partially supine position occasionally during the night. But I also wonder if the sleep stage might be having an effect on the OAs and CAs. Not sure how to determine that outside of a PSG, but I do often wake up after a dream. That's why I was thinking maybe a higher pressure was needed to get me through the REM stage.

As far as leaks, I'm using nasal pillows and I thought the leak rate was OK, but maybe not? I do roll around a lot.

I will try that trigger adjustment, thank you.

[Jay51]

Thank you for the update.  That is great that when you were able to wear the collar, it stopped your chipmunk cheeks.  

There are many other things to use instead of a soft cervical collar.  Some people have used the edge of their pillow to wedge between chin and chest to prevent chin tucking.  Another great idea is using one of those "C" shaped travel pillows in reverse (Have the open end at the back).  You can get creative.

[GreenAvocado]

No I wasn't able to wear the collar because it choked me (even loose) when I tried it. Not a claustrophobic feeling, but rather that I was pressing on an artery and choking myself out with the collar. Seemed like a bad idea.

I used a regular pillow to prop my chin up and avoid the chipmunk cheeks that one time. But it doesn't work reliably; if I move at all it just falls away. I do have one of those "C" pillows (airplane pillow I think it's called), and have tried it for that purpose as well.

Here's a screenshot with the trigger set to 'high'. It did feel better to me when falling asleep, easier to breathe. But not sure it made a difference overall.

I had a large leak twice, first time I ever saw that (nasal pillows). Pretty sure the leaks coincided with the two times during the night I managed to open my mouth despite the mouth tape and found myself trying really hard to breathe through the tape. Major headache in the back of the head from that. I think when my right nostril gets blocked I end up trying to mouth breathe.

Not sure the nasal pillows are going to work for me. Really sad about that, because I know the FFM is really annoying with the leaks and air shooting everywhere. I have an Evora full face mask (hybrid) coming this weekend that I'm going to try.

[Jay51]

No problem.  It is 100% your call if you choose to wear a soft cervical collar or not. 

The charts look a little bit better with the "High" trigger.  You still have the "very high" trigger that you can try as well.  It may reduce your CA's even more.  

Hopefully the Evora will work for you if you can't get your current mask to stop leaking.