Feeling like I cannot breathe

[vgrando]

I woke up nightly, unable to breathe on the F&P Evera FFM, but my AHI and leak rates were great. However, I got only 4.5 hours of fragmented sleep in bed for 7 hours. So, I switched to the ResMed AirTouch™ N20 Memory Foam Nasal mask. I decided to see how my leak rate would be if I did not tape my mouth. I slept much better (6.5 hours) and did not wake up because the air was pooping out of my mouth or feeling like I could not breathe (both problems began with my CPCP journey in early April). But my leak rate is up, and my chart looks crazy! Do I need to tape my mouth to help with the leaks, or is it just a result of an NM? As always, thanks for your help and advice!

[OpalRose]

If you want to use the nasal mask, you will have to consider taping again.  Your leak rate is too high.  

You're also experiencing some Positional Apnea.  It's evident by the clumps of apnea between 3:45 and 6:30.  

https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph...onal_Apnea

Ask yourself how do you sleep.  If on your back, you may want to consider side sleeping,
and/or use a soft cervical collar.  This helps to keep you from "chin tucking".

Also, use only one thinner, but supportive pillow.  

Next time you post, please include all of the left side bar. And always include the flow limitation graph.

[vgrando]

I am most often a side sleeper and usually sleep with a soft collar, but it has been too hot. I sleep with elevated pillows because of a sliding hiatial hernia.

[vgrando]

I taped my mouth, wore a neck collar, and lowered my pillows. But I had very fragmented sleep and slept only 4 hours out of seven in bed. Kept walking up with air circulating in my mouth. I am going back to the F&P Evora FFM because I have minimal leaking with that mask. I will tape my nose to see if helps. I continue to have most CA while awake in bed.

[OpalRose]

I will tape my nose to see if helps.

I would not recommend this!

[vgrando]

Ok, why is not good?

[OpalRose]

Explain exactly what you mean by taping nose.....

Are you talking about breathe right strips?

[vgrando]

Yes. I have small nostrils and allergies to dust. So I am stuffy at night and often can breathe only with one nostril.

[OpalRose]

I used breathe right strips before Cpap therapy and even for a little while once I started on Cpap. They do the job for which intended.

[Jay51]

Sorry, I had to post again Victoria.  "Yes. I have small nostrils and allergies to dust. So I am stuffy at night and often can breathe only with one nostril."  Ditto for me on all 3(a fellow hypoventilator).  I am seeing the ENT again to see if any of the meds he has given me (or he may do an outpatient procedure eventually) help my sleep apnea and hypoventilation.  I will try post later to see if any/all of these things worked for me.  If so, you may wish to see an ENT in the future.  100% your decision.  
Supplier #1 (in the suppliers list) gives a free, 30 trial of masks.  If you are still having mask problems, you could order one or more at a very low risk.  Experimenting with the humidity may help some, too, I have found.