Snoozyjinn - Therapy Thread

[Snoozyjinn]

Appreciate the suggestions guys!

Sparky, thanks for your post and pics, particularly the pics! I’ve wondered about cutting out that middle strip, and I’m happy to hear that the mask still functions well. I’ll bet it works wonders for me when half my head is clogged from allergies. I’ll also try modifying my F40 M mask the way you have—it seals beautifully, but is too uncomfortable in its original state.

Car54, good suggestion. I have tried the F30 and F30i. In both cases, the size of the hard plastic piece made it too uncomfortable for me to sleep on my side. If I didn’t have positional apnea and could sleep on my back, either of those masks worked really well. I particularly liked the F30 because I could position the air hose to press the mask against my face, without having to tighten the straps excessively.

Big Guy, I’ve never tried the F20, but I suspect I might have the same side sleeping problems as with the F30s. Still, I’m a fan of the suggestion—using different masks seems to really help with reducing the discomfort from pressure spots (even switching between the F30 and F30i).

[Snoozyjinn]

Sparky, thanks ever so much! The modified F40 mask now fits like it was custom made, comfortable and no leaks. This is a major step forward for me. Now if I can find the magic pressures to quash the hypopneas (AHI 7.6, AI 0.0), and a miracle cure for the lifelong insomnia, I just might get some sleep tonight. (There’s already a separate therapy thread that I’ll update when I start getting mor’n 3-6 hours a night. At the moment, my first journal entry for most days starts somewhere between 1 and 3 a.m.)

[Snoozyjinn]

Hi,


I have a Resmed Aircurve 11 Vauto that I have been using for almost two months. Had no problems with the machine until recently when the AI, CA, and OA parameters in the sleep report suddenly all dropped to zero. AHI continue to be reported as a positive number for a day or two, but then it suddenly also dropped to zero.

I haven’t made any changes to the settings that would prompt a miraculous recovery from sleep apnea, and the quality of my sleep has not miraculously improved. I did change mask size from a P40 SW to a P40 M (in case anybody wonders about equipment changes).The Oscar charts are not improved from previous charts. I suspect whatever system in the machine detects apneas has failed, and if so, maybe the whole pressure regulation system is now suspect? Has anyone else seen this, and is there any fix for it short of replacing the machine?

[Crimson Nape]

Snoozyjinn - All your threads were related to your therapy. For this reason, I have merged them. This provides the reader a history of your past settings and results. Having the ability to see past attempts and their results all in one place will help to form better recommendations. Also, having the threads merged eliminates cross-posting. Please use this thread for all your therapy related posts. I have changed the thread title to, Snoozyjinn - Therapy Thread to be more inclusive.
- Red

[sparky9999]

I’m very happy that this modification has helped you!   With this modification I have now locked in the F40 for my everyday mask with my Airsense11 and the F20 with Humidx with my AirMini for travel, as I am a mouth breather and need humidification.    Good luck with getting your pressure settings adjusted to comfortable levels!

[jdougc]

sparky9999,

Can you also post a picture of the F40 mask with the rigid pieces trimmed away?

[Snoozyjinn]

Sparky:
Yep, the F40 with your modifications rocks. I've been using the Aircurv11 as a Bipap (S mode, 4 EP 9 IP) but tried using it in Vauto mode with a higher IP last night. Quite comfortable with no leaks.

Jdougc:
>> Can you also post a picture of the F40 mask with the rigid pieces trimmed away?
You can find them on the previous page, about 8 messages up

SarcasticDave:
i tried the Aircurve in VAuto mode last night to see how it handled the persistent hypopneas (4 EP, 10 IP, 4.6 PS). It seems the concern with CAs may have been overblown. Oscar chart below:
   

[jdougc]

 No those are great pictures of the very soft cushion with the nostril holes cut away, not a picture of the F40 mask with the rigid pieces trimmed away.

sparky9999,
Can you also post a picture of the F40 mask with the rigid pieces trimmed away?

[jdougc]

Snoozyjinn,
What is it that is waking you up in the middle of the night?
Are you on your back?
You might be experiencing positional apnea, your obstructive events are clustered.  You could be tucking your chin to your chest and cutting your airway off, like kinking a garden hose.
You may need a soft cervical collar.

 You need at least 7 1/2 to 8 hours of therapy per night to treat your apnea.

[Snoozyjinn]

LOL jdougc, I’d kill to get that much sleep! I haven’t gotten 7-1/2 to 8 hours in quite a while. I’m usually in bed by 12, but wake up between 1-3 AM and am awake for a couple hours before I can fall back asleep. No idea why; I’m following the CBT-I guidelines for sleep hygiene. Toss the sleep apnea on top of that, and 3-6 hours is about the best I can do, according to the Oura ring.

I’ve been working on sleeping exclusively on my side, and have been focused on finding the right mask, and now the best settings on the Aircurve11. The cervical collar is the next step.