06-08-2025, 12:25 PM
Newbie needing a bit of help, please!
Hi! I'm about 5 weeks into my journey with my machine now. I have an APAP, setting range 9-18, with humidity tubing, ramp up turned on, and also the EPR on auto. Down from 87.3/hr and SpO2 down as low as 63 to events no higher than 1.5/hr and SpO2 back within normal ranges minus a handful of quick dips down to 87-88. The difference has been SUBSTANTIAL. I feel SO much better in many areas. I have an Airsense 11 and wear an AirFitF40 mask, which I like. I have a hose holder that fits under my mattress that keeps my hose above my face regardless of my positioning, as I tend to move from back to either side here and there (though that movement has diminished in frequency since I started treatment). My leak rates have been low and I'm keeping the mask on all night, either disconnecting the tube or stopping the machine 1 or 2x to get up and use the bathroom.
All things considered, my transition has been really smooth and I'm so grateful for that. However, I do have a couple of relatively minor nuisances/concerns that I'm hoping I might be able to get some advice on or help with here:
1. Dry eyes - I already struggle with dry eyes to some extent, both due to heredity and also working at a computer all day. I feel like the APAP is increasing the dryness of my eyes, and I'm concerned therefore about their health long term. It seems like it's the air escaping the mask from my exhalations as opposed to leaks (if that makes any sense). I have tried a satin eye mask and it does help to some degree, but feel like the air still gets up underneath the bottom edge. I've added Systane nighttime eye gel to the mix the last week and it also helps. But just wondering if there are any other ideas out there that might help me care for and protect my eyes for their long term health moving forward.
2. I feel like I'm holding my mouth weird during the night, either trying to mouth breathe or trying NOT to mouth breathe. I think the machine has definitely decreased my mouth breathing to a great extent because I can actually breathe out of my nose again, but hasn't stopped it entirely. I've gotten the Xylitol (sp?) tabs and also dry mouth mouthwash, and use those regularly - I'm mainly using those to keep my mouth moist and protect it from the bacteria. As I've become aware of it, I feel like I'm subconsciously trying to control it in my sleep and might be making it worse. I feel like I wake up to use the bathroom and my mouth is inside the mouth in this weird almost pucker-like position with lips out and teeth exposed. I bought some mouth tape and have tried it the last two nights, and still end up waking up to use the bathroom feeling like the edges of my mouth are still trying to pucker. Not just that, though - with the mouth tape, I have woken up with more soreness in my jaws and feeling like I held my mouth totally different all night long. I definitely don't want to do that and end up with a misalignment of my teeth/jaws/etc. I'm not sure the mouth tape is for me. Should I try getting a chin strap? Any other advice?
It kind of feels like I'm essentially mummifying my head every night between the mask and eye mask, silk cap for my hair, and now possibly a chin strap. Which I suppose I don't fully mind if it is what I need to do for my best sleep and health. Just wanting to put it out there to those with way more experience than I have to see if there are things I'm not thinking of that might be beneficial.
Thanks for any advice!
All things considered, my transition has been really smooth and I'm so grateful for that. However, I do have a couple of relatively minor nuisances/concerns that I'm hoping I might be able to get some advice on or help with here:
1. Dry eyes - I already struggle with dry eyes to some extent, both due to heredity and also working at a computer all day. I feel like the APAP is increasing the dryness of my eyes, and I'm concerned therefore about their health long term. It seems like it's the air escaping the mask from my exhalations as opposed to leaks (if that makes any sense). I have tried a satin eye mask and it does help to some degree, but feel like the air still gets up underneath the bottom edge. I've added Systane nighttime eye gel to the mix the last week and it also helps. But just wondering if there are any other ideas out there that might help me care for and protect my eyes for their long term health moving forward.
2. I feel like I'm holding my mouth weird during the night, either trying to mouth breathe or trying NOT to mouth breathe. I think the machine has definitely decreased my mouth breathing to a great extent because I can actually breathe out of my nose again, but hasn't stopped it entirely. I've gotten the Xylitol (sp?) tabs and also dry mouth mouthwash, and use those regularly - I'm mainly using those to keep my mouth moist and protect it from the bacteria. As I've become aware of it, I feel like I'm subconsciously trying to control it in my sleep and might be making it worse. I feel like I wake up to use the bathroom and my mouth is inside the mouth in this weird almost pucker-like position with lips out and teeth exposed. I bought some mouth tape and have tried it the last two nights, and still end up waking up to use the bathroom feeling like the edges of my mouth are still trying to pucker. Not just that, though - with the mouth tape, I have woken up with more soreness in my jaws and feeling like I held my mouth totally different all night long. I definitely don't want to do that and end up with a misalignment of my teeth/jaws/etc. I'm not sure the mouth tape is for me. Should I try getting a chin strap? Any other advice?
It kind of feels like I'm essentially mummifying my head every night between the mask and eye mask, silk cap for my hair, and now possibly a chin strap. Which I suppose I don't fully mind if it is what I need to do for my best sleep and health. Just wanting to put it out there to those with way more experience than I have to see if there are things I'm not thinking of that might be beneficial.
Thanks for any advice!
