ASV 960P and cervical collar

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
sam2jack
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2014 8:52 pm
Location: Sparks, NV

ASV 960P and cervical collar

Post by sam2jack » Sat Apr 25, 2015 8:33 pm

Hi! I just wanted to let everyone know that my Philips ASV 960P is working great. My previous machine, the BiPap Pro, was showing AHIs of 30 to 40. I failed it obviously. The 960P has conquered my centrals. All I seem to be left with are hypopneas and snores. So I do have issues with getting my AHI under 5. I see my Dr. in a week or I would post my SleepyHead results and ask for help with tweaks. I'll wait and give him a chance to provide help. I have been on the 960P since 3/13 and auto titrated from AHI of 11.6 down to 3.6. I have experienced it once at 1.7 but that is unusual for me for some reason. I seem to hover between 3 and 6. The day I was at 1.7, I felt awesome for sure. Treatment has helped with nocturia, much more restful sleep, less fuzzyheadedness, and hardly any need to nap at all. Wonderful! I am in love with my cpap machine. Wish I was as happy with the masks - that is another story. I have purchased many. Currently using the TapPap.

After reading about cervical collars on this forum, I purchased a soft cervical collar at Walgreens. I believe It has helped me get my AHI under 5. I typically am a nose breather, but possibly have leaks from my mouth when the pressure gets higher. I always was a side sleeper but find that I now also sleep on my back at times. I wonder why? Weird as during the sleep studies (3 of them), I never slept on my back. SH indicates my leaks are within acceptable limits. However, I think the collar provides better airway support! I am now under 5 AHI two nights in a row. When I saw the soft collar, I was a little apprehensive about wearing it, but I have found it to be very comfortable. I think it keeps me from tucking my chin as much.

I just wanted to share this with anyone having issues with possible air leaks from mouth. Maybe give a soft cervical collar a try. Any thoughts about this from anyone else? Thanks forum for all your help.

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Machine: ResMed AirCurve 10 ASV Machine with Heated Humidifier
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JDS74
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Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:57 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: ASV 960P and cervical collar

Post by JDS74 » Sun Apr 26, 2015 3:54 am

Welcome to the ASV club. Congratulations on the improved therapy.

Looking at the Tap Pap mask, I can see why having a soft cervical collar has improved your leak rate.
The mouthpiece that helps stabilize the nasal part of the mask is dependent, in part, on you keeping your jaw closed while sleeping. Even though there is a molded mouthpiece that is around your upper teeth, dropping the jaw after facial muscles relax in sleep is bound to have some effect. The collar keeps the jaw in place without the hassle of a chin strap.

It does the same job with full face masks as well.

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Settings: EPAP Min-10.0, EPAP Max-17, PS Min-3, PS Max-10, Max Pressure-20, Rate-Auto, Biflex-1.
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sam2jack
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2014 8:52 pm
Location: Sparks, NV

Re: ASV 960P and cervical collar

Post by sam2jack » Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:49 am

Thanks for the reply JDS74.

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Julie
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Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: ASV 960P and cervical collar

Post by Julie » Sun Apr 26, 2015 11:08 am

I wish more people (and advisers) would 'push' the collars because I believe they could make much more of a difference to many people having trouble and not knowing why they have it when e.g. their software results are basically ok, but they do have relatively high flow limitation rates, which seem to be ignored or not addressed adequately (to my mind) by others giving advice. It's one thing to get heavily involved in the technology of the newer machines, to trust in their data so much because they're 'technology and it doesn't lie', but another to maybe use a little common sense and just try what has worked for others when other things don't. The collars are a great help to many, but too many don't know about them yet, or else don't see them being suggested by the 'technocrats' on the forum and therefore discount their potential.
Last edited by Julie on Sun Apr 26, 2015 11:17 am, edited 1 time in total.

sam2jack
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2014 8:52 pm
Location: Sparks, NV

Re: ASV 960P and cervical collar

Post by sam2jack » Sun Apr 26, 2015 11:16 am

Julie wrote:I wish more people (and advisers) would 'push' the collars because I believe they could make much more of a difference to many people having trouble and not knowing why they have it when e.g. their software results are basically ok, but they do have relatively high flow limitation rates, which seem to be ignored or not addressed adequately (to my mind) by others giving advice. It's one thing to get heavily involved in the technology of the newer machines, to trust in their data so much because they're 'technology and it doesn't lie', but another to maybe use a little common sense and just try what might seem obvious to others who've seen collars work when other things don't. The collars are a great help to many, but too many don't know about them yet, or else don't see them being suggested by the 'technocrats' on the forum and therefore discount their potential.
I agree Julie. The collar was something I never would have thought of until I read a couple different threads in this forum. The problem I had last night was the collar wasn't on tight enough and my chin dropped inside the collar. It definitely is worth a try for those that can't quite get the AHI down. They truly are comfortable. Feels like when I pull a blanket up under my chin - which I like to do. I've only used it 3 nights and I don't even realize I have it on any more already!

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Machine: ResMed AirCurve 10 ASV Machine with Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse Halo