High AHIs-Feel Terrible-Machine Troubles

I agree on the machines - makes no sense to me either, but it sure is happening with me. Since I know I've never had any issues with the Autoset 9, I am going to use that as my base machine and then try some masks.

Thanks for the info about leg movements - I've always dismissed them as a minor issue, but you are probably right, and they may actually be a major issue for me. Mirapex did the reversal on me after one year - started causing dramatic leg jerks all night. And I don't like Klonopin - causes nightmares and relaxes breathing muscles even more.

I've never used a TENs unit - will look into that as well. Labs will get done next week.

Thank you for your very Practical and Helpful suggestions.

I was added as a registered user sooner than expected, but it says I can post topics, but I can still not add an attachment?

Anyway, I have pretty much decided much of my problem is mouth breathing. Currently sticking with just the AutoSet 9.

Last night tried to use a Nasal Mask with an added chin strap and couldn't get everything to stay put no matter how tight.

I also tried a F&P Full Face and a Simplus Full Face. Even with strong tightening of the straps, holding the masks with both hands, not moving, and barely breathing, I could not stop the strong force of air underneath the mask in every direction. It would make a funny video, but obviously can't sleep like that, and I do turn from side to side at night.

How do you folks that use Full Face masks keep them from blowing all the air out underneath the mask? And when the Auto machine senses the leaks, it seems to go into overdrive and increases the air dramatically - most of it blowing out underneath, so that didn't help.....

Need some helpful hints for sure. Thanks so much.

Dallaslady51 wrote:I was added as a registered user sooner than expected, but it says I can post topics, but I can still not add an attachment?

Anyway, I have pretty much decided much of my problem is mouth breathing. Currently sticking with just the AutoSet 9.

Last night tried to use a Nasal Mask with an added chin strap and couldn't get everything to stay put no matter how tight.

I also tried a F&P Full Face and a Simplus Full Face. Even with strong tightening of the straps, holding the masks with both hands, not moving, and barely breathing, I could not stop the strong force of air underneath the mask in every direction. It would make a funny video, but obviously can't sleep like that, and I do turn from side to side at night.

How do you folks that use Full Face masks keep them from blowing all the air out underneath the mask? And when the Auto machine senses the leaks, it seems to go into overdrive and increases the air dramatically - most of it blowing out underneath, so that didn't help.....

Need some helpful hints for sure. Thanks so much.

Nasal pillow is the only type of mask with a "positive seal".

Dallaslady51 wrote: it says I can post topics, but I can still not add an attachment?

This forum doesn't allow attachments at all for anyone.
You can now post links and when we want to share our reports with someone we use screen shots and put the pictures on some place like imgur.com and then post the link in the body of your post.

Here's a thread with some examples of what we like to see if someone wants other members input.
viewtopic/t103468/Need-help-with-screen-shots.html

and how to use imgur to host the image
https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

SleepyHead software
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

and how to organize the graphs Sleepyhead will give you. We don't want or need all those graphs.
3 pages here so be sure to read all 3 pages
https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize

Ok - I thought it was saying I could not post from Imgur, etc. Thanks for the clarification.

I've already posted some graphs.

So by saying "only nasal pillows have positive seals" does that mean using a full face mask is never going to work? Sure seems like a lot of people use them with some success. I don't know what positive seal means......

Dallaslady51 wrote:Ok - I thought it was saying I could not post from Imgur, etc. Thanks for the clarification.

I've already posted some graphs.

So by saying "only nasal pillows have positive seals" does that mean using a full face mask is never going to work? Sure seems like a lot of people use them with some success. I don't know what positive seal means......

Positive seal means that the pressure improves the seal. The more pressure - the seal improves. Pressure causes the pillow to expand against the nares, creating the seal. All other mask types want to fly off your face due to the pressure so the straps need to be tighter as pressure increases.

Kteague, I'm interested in all your knowledge about ferritin. I can't really get mine about the low 20's, despite trying for years with daily iron. I know you were saying it should be around 100 if you have restless legs. I wasn't diagnosed with restless legs, but it makes me wonder if there's a ferritin connection to OSA. Is there a source for info you'd recommend?

Sorry so late on the reply to this. I'm not knowledgeable about the intricacies of iron shortage and treatment. Others on here might be more informed. Much of what I have learned was from the community forum on the Restless Legs Foundation's website, where the suggestion of getting the ferritin level up to treat jumpy legs comes from. I have read there are preferred forms for absorption, and some resort to infusions. But this is totally unrelated to sleep apnea, just to sleep that is disrupted due to the legs.