Using A Cervical Collar/Contour Pillow For OSA - Edited

[mars]

Well I got one at the store but found it too uncomfortable to wear.

I am only medium build, but I got a large size, and it is very comfortable, but also a firm fit under my chin. I guess the lengths of our neck can be different, and have some bearing on the size. I originally come from England, where hanging was in vogue for many centuries, so I might have a longer neck than some

Could you swap it for a different size ?

It was surprising to me how quickly I got used to having my neck erect whilst going off to sleep. I woke up once, and thought I did not have it on, but I did

Mine is flexible soft cotton, and for the first time since I started treatment, I can read in bed with it on if I want to

I hope you are able to get some success with this

Post by Lizistired on Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:06 am

The collar worked well last night. I don't feel like I tossed and turned as much. My O2 stayed above 90 all night. I had one flagged 15 second OA in 6.6 hours of sleep and I feel noticeably better today!

That is great news Liz. Not quite sure if you meant the collar alone, or with the cpap machine.

Are you going to try it again tonight ?

cheers

Mars

[nobody]

The size is fine, I just don't like the feel of it. I think I might try one of those u-shaped travel pillows I saw while I was at the store. They seem much more comfortable.

[roster]

Mars,

It would be interesting to know your BMI and the BMI of everyone who has tried a neck collar.

Of course the idea of this is to see if there is any correlation (direct or inverse) between success with neck collar and BMI.

[webbie73]

Instead of BMI I would be interested in the circumference of the neck. It would also be interesting to figure out just where in the anatomy their obstructions originate. Also, during their sleep studies did they have apneas on their sides as well as their backs. It sure would be nice to just sleep with a cervical collar and not the machine.

[Lizistired]

Yes Mars. I know I tuck my chin in and try to burrow into the covers. Many of my "apneas" have been following arousals and I think that's why. The 15 sec apnea was on my back. The night before I took it and the mask off for awhile, and with the DST glitch it was too much trouble to look at the data. This morning, I knew I had a good night when I got up.
I was able to read with it on, but I don't read long, just enough to get sleepy.
I'm at 7.8cm now and I will probably lower the minimum in a couple of days and see what happens.
Maybe try a nap with the collar and oximeter w/alarm and no cpap.

Roster, I'm 15 lbs overweight, haven't calculated my bmi.
Neck is about 14.25
Yes, side and back.
Yes! or even an option for power outages, travel, camping...

[mars]

Hi Rooster

My BMI is 29.1

The online calculator is at -

http://www.alfitness.com.au/BMICalculator.asp

and explains all about BMI.

Be good if you can figure something out on this

cheers

Mars

[roster]

Roster, I'm 15 lbs overweight, haven't calculated my bmi.
Neck is about 14.25

In the context of this thread, that information is only interesting if you have tried a neck collar and know the results.

Instead of BMI I would be interested in the circumference of the neck.

"It is not the size of the neck on the outside; it is the size of the airway in the neck." - Dr. Mack Jones

For the many of us who have BMIs under 25, often well under 25, I hope you are not sticking to the old myth that a large neck size causes OSA. The most common cause of OSA is underdeveloped jaws.

[Lizistired]

Roster, I'm 15 lbs overweight, haven't calculated my bmi.
Neck is about 14.25

In the context of this thread, that information is only interesting if you have tried a neck collar and know the results.

I don't find it interesting at all. You brought it up.

[mars]

Hi All

Continuing to check the positional apnea theory........................

Again taking what Dr Park said,

"This is also the principle behind how the contour pillow works—by keeping your head extended somewhat, you’re less likely to obstruct, especially when you’re in deep sleep (when your muscles relax)."

So I took him at his word and last night I used a contour pillow, and some positional aids

This is what I used -

for the head

http://www.completesleeprrr.com/CS-memo ... pillow.php

You need to allow the front edge to support your neck, with the chin up and inside the middle dip, and not over the front edge.

for the back

http://www.the-pillow.com.au/more/posit ... w_more.php

Just stick the appropriate edge into where the back meets the bed, and it will prevent rolling over onto the back.

for the legs

http://www.the-pillow.com.au/more/side_ ... r_more.php

This is much more comfortable than it looks, and keeps the lege nicely positioned for the best posture.

and the bed wedge to minimise reflux

http://www.the-pillow.com.au/more/bed_wedge_more.php

Much more effective than what I have been using, and more comfortable.

and the result -

No desaturation
No alarms
No turning onto back
no moving legs
and
No acid reflux

plus 6 hours of sleep.



I cannot be sure about the acid reflux, but my voice is not hoarse, and my throat is not raw, as it usually is when I get up.

So tonight I will be doing the same, and recording the results on my oximeter.

cheers

Mars

[Lizistired]

No data for last night
But I kept it on most of the night. Feel pretty good even after my apap shut itself off an hour into the night!

[webbie73]

Instead of BMI I would be interested in the circumference of the neck.

"It is not the size of the neck on the outside; it is the size of the airway in the neck." - Dr. Mack Jones

For the many of us who have BMIs under 25, often well under 25, I hope you are not sticking to the old myth that a large neck size causes OSA. The most common cause of OSA is underdeveloped jaws.[/quote]

I am definately not one who believes OSA is for overweight people. I have been heavy and thin and still have OSA. In my case I do have an underdeveloped jaw and large tongue. So how would a cervical collar help?

[Lizistired]

For $12.00 I don't see how it could hurt to try it.

[NightMonkey]

I have been heavy and thin and still have OSA. In my case I do have an underdeveloped jaw and large tongue. So how would a cervical collar help?

It seems the collar will certainly not help all people but will help some people. The question in my mind (and maybe yours) is whether there is an easily distinguishable (or even not so easily distinguishable) characteristic of patients which gives a good indication of whether or not the collar will work for them.

[Lizistired]

From what I have experienced in three days, I think it should be the first hour, maybe two of every titration. But the results might not be good for the economy.

[gasp]

Hi Everybody

I still have not been able to sleep on my back without the desaturation oximeter alarm going off, but as I can easily sleep on my side with the soft cervical collar, that probably is not too important. However, it is important I sleep on my side to minimise acid reflux, as I cannot tolerate any medication for that.

Whilst looking to see what might help I came across some good aids to side-sleeping, aids to which a number of Forum members have been posting about.

to prevent back sleeping -

Positioning Body Wedge Aligner

http://www.the-pillow.com.au/more/posit ... w_more.php

Side Sleeper Pillow (which is not a pillow)

http://www.the-pillow.com.au/more/side_ ... r_more.php

The same place also has a wedge which might help reflux sufferer's, which is different to the design of others I have seen online, in that it has an edge at the lower end, thereby making it less likely that one would slide off -

http://www.the-pillow.com.au/more/bed_wedge_more.php

cheers

Mars

Years ago I used a wedge when traveling in an attempt to simulate my adjustable bed at home. The only problem was I kept slipping off the wedge down toward the bottom of the bed. I used pillows under my knees but they just ended up elsewhere during the night. I know someone that puts pillows, sofa or chair cushions, or whatever else they can get their hands on under the bottom part of the mattress so they don't slip down off the wedge. I think it's too much trouble