saltydawg2 - Therapy Assistance

[saltydawg2]

I'll raise the EPAP level to 7 to see what happens. I'll replace the cushions on my mask to see if that helps.

[saltydawg2]

This is from last night, with mouth tape and Eliminator Sleep Cushion cervical collar. My mouth is a lot less dry but miss having a sip of water when I awaken at night. I have a lot of OA but seems like they're all after the break. Don't really understand that. I am moving the EPAP closer to 8 to see the differences. Think since I'm so close I should go ahead and move to 9, or are there suggestions how to get rid of some of the OA's?

[Jay51]

This is just a thought.  I have to use two Eliminator collars stacked on top of each other.  Each are 2.5" tall.  2.5" may be too short for you.  Measure the distance in inches and fractions of an inch using normal posture from your chin to your chest.  It is most likely greater than 2.5"

[saltydawg2]

I measured collar. Upside down it's 3" which is how I use it. Neck around the same. this is last night's, showing as much data as reasonably on to shots. It's possible leaks are due to increased pressure and adjusting headgear to compensate. Flow Limits look much better, and AHI is down. By the way, it seems Eliminator Collar is no more.

[Jay51]

Actually,  not bad results.  If you feel one Eliminator is working for you, then great.  It has been discontinued.  I got a few extra ones on ebay though.  

You might want to try to raise pressure just a bit (the idea you had) and see how that affects your therapy.  

Good job.

[saltydawg2]

For some reason, I have two posts that did not save. The combined post shows a pretty good shot, but I tried very hard to stay off my back, and it showed. I awoke with two sore shoulders.  I asked if increasing my EPAP would allow me to sleep more on my back. I went ahead and moved the pressure on up to 9.8, and did not make a concerted effort to stay on my side, which was a disaster. This was with my mouth taped, and a cervical collar. My question is still, "At any point can increased pressure allow me to sleep on my back and still have acceptable therapy"?

[Sleeprider]

Tends to confirm the positional theory. Have you tried a body pillow?

[saltydawg2]

Well, the weather blew out my internet connection, so I'll try again... No, I have not tried anything but a small pillow I'm using until my knee replacement on the 4th. I think it was either too small, or too thick to be comfortable. Last night I didn't use the cervical collar, or mouth tape. I had 1 OA and several CA events. I tried to stay on my side, so no clusters showing. Any recommendations on a good type of pillow would be appreciated cause I think the one I have is too firm, and is knocking on the mask, and causing all the leaking at this increased pressure. Should I increase the pressure slightly to try to decrease the CA, or leave it alone for a bit?

[Sleeprider]

My pillow is a down king-size 650 fill-power from Costco online. Depending on size and brand they run from $140. With down, you get a lot of flexibility and the the ability to hollow out a space for the mask, and adjust how your head lies in the pillow. Not everyone tolerates real goose or duck down, but it works for me.

[saltydawg2]

I have been experimenting with different settings, masks, and pillows. This is about as good as it gets. The air leaks seem high, but apparently they don't register as large leaks. I got a new F40, with the medium cushion, and used it until I got a rough spot on my nose. This screenshot was with the F30, cervical collar, chinstrap, and no mouth tape. I got dry mouth, but it is what it is. I bought a pillow to keep me off my back, and it worked. Guess I'll hold where I am for now, unless someone has a suggestion.