New Weird non-breathing pattern showing up

[HarleyGirl63]

I don't know why this new pattern is starting to show up - but it's showing flat lines between breaths now. I finally convinced my sleep doctor to bring me in for an in-lab sleep study due to my extreme fatigue, but that won't happen until Dec. 3rd.
This is very scary for me, since I feel like I'm declining a little bit each day and now this is showing up.

I've zoomed in on one of the examples in my chart so you can see the flat lines in between breaths and I've included the full chart also.
Is there anything I can do to help this situation until I get into the sleep lab for a new test?

@Admin - please don't combine this with my older post. The last time that happened, my post didn't receive any views - I'm guessing since it was an older post. Thank you.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

That is expiratory mouth breathing with a normal inhalation. You are using nasal pillows, but during those times expelling air through your mouth. The spikes are your recovery breaths, likely needed because of the expiration of air through your mouth.

The best ways to deal with it is use a full-face mask, soft cervical collar, or mouth tape.

[G. Szabo]

It can be palatal prolapse (PP) or mouth breathing. Try taping your mouth. If it stays, you can be sure that it is a PP. There are some threads about it on this forum.

[Jay51]

I agree with PeaceLoveAndPizza and G. Szabo.  


You also have severe positional apnea in the 2nd chart.  Here is some reading on it:  

• 5.3Positional Apnea                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Lowering pillow height, side sleeping vs. back sleeping, and using a soft cervical collar could help stop this.  Just measure from chin to sternum bone on chest for correct collar height.  
  

[HarleyGirl63]

Thank you for the responses. I am using mouth tape, but maybe I'm not taping my mouth up secure enough?

My doc wants to test me on a BiPap machine - would that help with this problem? I'm going to look into a cervical collar based on the recommendations too...

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Deborah K is very knowledgeable about mouth taping. Hopefully she sees this thread.

I think everyone should use a bilevel, it is silly to me that you have to go through multiple steps and waste money before getting there. The only ones who win are the manufacturers and DMEs.

For an SCC I use the Caldera Releaf, but others have had good success with Velpeau and Core.

[Deborah K.]

The trick to mouth taping is using good quality tape cut to the right size. Cover Roll Stretch tape and Hypafix are good tapes. I like kinesiology tape better because it stretches, is more comfortable, and conforms better to facial contours.  I've found that I need to use 2-inch wide tape cut to 5-1/2 inches long or I still leak.

I suggest that you raise your pressure settings to 11 to 16.  Your median pressure is slightly over 11, so 11 is a better setting for you, and you are bumping against your 14, so you need a little more headroom.

If your doctor is willing to prescribe you a bilevel machine by all means let him.  I went through a long process to make that happen for me, and I could not be happier with my machine!  If this happens for you ask your doctor to prescribe a ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto (I suggest the 10 because a significant number of people are having trouble with their 11s), and ask him to write on the prescription that no other machine may be substituted.  Otherwise, your DME may send you a cheaper, inferior machine.

Good luck with improving your therapy and comfort!  

[HarleyGirl63]

They've moved my sleep study up to Monday, Nov. 18th.

My question is, would they be able to identify the palatal prolapse during the sleep study?

Thank you @PeaceLoveAndPizza for the SCC recommendations. I've ordered one.

@Deborah K. - I'm using the PapMD tape. I've tried folding my lips inward and that is too much - I woke up chewing on my lips - not good!

But, during the events in the first chart above, I didn't have any leaks, so maybe that's not a problem and I really do have PP. 

Thanks for the notes on the best BiPap machine to ask him for. I'll do that!

[Deborah K.]

I found folding my lips inwardly before taping very uncomfortable. I don't recommend it.

Did you try the settings changes I suggested? I think you may feel better if you do.

[HarleyGirl63]

I opened up the top end of it to 16. I'm going to start bumping up the bottom (10) tonight to 10.4. At some point around 11 to 12, I get severe aerophagia, so I'm hoping a bipap will help with that too.

So, you just press your lips together & tape, correct?