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I'm new to CPAP, been trying for about a month now. I'm using a ResMed Airsense 11 and AirTouch F20 full face mask. I was originally prescribed a nasal mask but I kept waking up with "dragon breath," aka air blowing out of my mouth and triggering the machine to turn off. I haven't found any tape strong enough to keep my mouth shut for very long, so I just bought a full face mask on my own.
I had originally set my pressure to 14-15 and the aerophagia was killing me. I reduced the pressure down to 13 the last few nights which has resulted in little to no aerophagia (!)
As you can see, I spent over 12 hours in bed last night, much of it asleep with one wake-up. I need more sleep than most (about 9 hours) but last night was particularly long and I am particularly tired today. I feel so poorly rested and would like help identifying solutions.
I plan to try a cervical collar and get a larger size face mask. Happy to post more info on my machine settings, etc.
You had positional apnea where you got into a position that cut off your own airway. A couple of causes is sleeping on your back or to high of pillows. If that doesn’t help you will need a collar. I have a link to collars in my signature.
You can see positional apnea wher O or H events are grouped together.
It is also called chin tucking where your chin drops down to your sternum.
With respect to your mouth opening, you could try a proper chinstrap too. If you can properly maintain your chin closed, it can help a lot with airway patency and, in extension, lower your events; it's more than just enabling nasal breathing.
For aerophagia, EPR, PS with biPAP, chinstrap, or soft-cervical collar could help. Also, make sure not to eat within 3-4 hours of bed, as well as to avoid bright light two hours before bed, as this can meaningfully help.
What do your stats look like leading up to the screenshot you shared?
Could you post your flow-limit graph for us please?
11-03-2023, 01:54 PM (This post was last modified: 11-03-2023, 01:54 PM by Markus11.)
RE: Lots of sleep but still dead tired
Thanks for the great tips. I just measured and ordered a collar, hoping that helps things a bit.
I know I sleep predominantly on my back and sometimes on my side with a lot of tossing and turning. I use EPR level 3. What is PS?
I wouldn't trust the data before the last few nights as I'm brand new and have been tinkering constantly. Here's a screenshot of my data for last night.
and fourth screenshot:
PS is pressure support found in bilevel machines. EPR is similar on ResMed CPAP. It operates by lowering pressure on exhale, while PS adds to inhale. Both create a pressure differential.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
11-03-2023, 04:44 PM (This post was last modified: 11-03-2023, 04:46 PM by Kathy14225.)
RE: Lots of sleep but still dead tired
I keep seeing the recommendation of using a cervical collar but no one explains why? I sleep on my back because of a spinal disorder but I have an adjustable bed that keeps my head up a bit. Is this why people need to use a collar? I have neck issues also and at times use a collar, I have quite a collection of different strengths so it wouldn't be a problem to wear one if it would help me. Is it for people that sleep on their back?
11-03-2023, 05:15 PM (This post was last modified: 11-03-2023, 05:17 PM by SarcasticDave94.)
RE: Lots of sleep but still dead tired
In regards to the cervical collar and positional apnea, the concept of positional apnea is demonstrated that when your neck gets bent, thus causing a restricted airway. You can experiment by dropping your head towards your chest and note the restricted breathing. The collar helps prevent the kinking of the airway. Think about your garden hose, water restricts due to the kink. The typical indicator of positional apnea is clusters of events in Oscar.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Only thing I would say is no pressure settings will help, you have to find a way to stop getting into that position. So that is the reason for a collar to keep your airway open.
