Second Sleep Study........

I've been on my CPAP machine for a couple of weeks now and have tried 3 masks....Full Face, Pillows and Nasal.

The Nasal is definitely out so I'm down to two. Full Face and Pillows. I really like the Pillows best but find I am breathing through my mouth so I tied a tensor bandage around my head to hold my mouth closed and it works some of the time (my husband says I look like I have a toothache!). My AHI is averaging 10 with the Pillows so I'm thinking maybe it's not working as well as I think.

The Full Face one is good but I'm thinking it must be leaking because my AHI average is 23.

I'm trying to figure out which one to wear for my second sleep study which is in a few days. Anyone have any ideas for me which one would be best for that? I'm thinking the FFM might be better so they can tell if it really is leaking or if I need more pressure. ???

There are very many different FFMs (as there are different nasal and pillow masks), so what you wear for your study should be something, whatever style it is, that fits properly and leaks least. And that will be up to you to find (unfortunately).

Thanks Julie, I made an appointment to see the R.T. tomorrow about the mask fit.

This is all so new to me I appreciate your help.

Marilyn

Take both mask with you. They can monitor you for the leaks and mouth breathing on the pillows.

I started on September 5th after an in-home test which resulted in an AHI of 55.7.

The first two days I averaged about the same AHI (I had the NP mask upside-down).

The next week I struggled with different mask sizes and different amounts of headgear tightening, and AHI averaged around 20. I had pressure wakeups and other issues as well.

But once I got all of that ironed out, for the last 5 days or so my AHI has averaged about 2.5.

The reason I mention this is that in my experience there was a learning curve that I had to go through to get the better numbers I am now consistently getting (I hope they improve even more).

They wanted to give me a second sleep study after the high AHI in the first few days. But I asked them to slow their roll until I got the mask and EPR situation figured out, and since numbers are now good (and if they stay good), in another week I will have them download and make a more-informed decision about whether I really need one or not.

What I found most helpful was suggestions from the gurus on this forum, and continued research, coupled with understanding the issues and reviewing the data through SleepyHead software. I have found that if you make the effort to understand what is going on and make informed adjustments when you need to, that taking control of the situation yourself seems to be the best course.

If you are at all inclined, or if a family member might be so inclined, I think the SleepyHead software is invaluable. Not only does it give you all the data, but in my case it helped raise my awareness and allowed me to ask intelligent questions guiding my research.

It seems to me that the DME is motivated to have a knee-jerk reaction, that at the slightest hint of an issue from an uninformed, confused, and frustrated newbie like me, they will schedule a new study, because that means more money for them. But it is probably better to take control yourself and guide the therapy to what is in your best interests rather than what is in their best interests. Of course that implies understanding the situation, and the learning curve is a little steep.

I am certainly not an experienced guru and am pretty green to all of this, but since your story is similar to the start of my story, maybe you can use my example to consider a simiar path, and hopefully that will help you.

I am Canadian so we don't have DME. The Government pays for our sleep studies and 75% of our machines and accessories so there is no pressure to have those more than needed or they will get audited.

The first sleep study was to see if I have Sleep Apnea and this second study is to see if the pressure is correct or if it needs to be adjusted.

I'm leaving for Florida for 6 months on October 11th so I'm trying to get all of this resolved before I go, hopefully. Feeling a little stressed but hanging in.....still determined to make this work for me.

Thanks again........Marilyn

Have you downloaded and installed Sleepyhead software?
Have you looked at your numbers and graphs in Sleepyhead?

When you do, you will know what your current pressure setting is, what type of events are occurring and when and if your mask is leaking. If mask leaks are at the same time as events you have a good indication what is causing pr,oblems.
You need accurate information to make wise decisions.

If your Sleepyhead data is confusing, post it hear. The smart folks here will help you decipher and understand it. Then make recommendations on how to make adjustments to correct the problems.

The Baby Crow wrote:I'm down to two. Full Face and Pillows. I really like the Pillows best but find I am breathing through my mouth so I tied a tensor bandage around my head to hold my mouth closed and it works some of the time (my husband says I look like I have a toothache!). My AHI is averaging 10 with the Pillows so I'm thinking maybe it's not working as well as I think.

The Full Face one is good but I'm thinking it must be leaking because my AHI average is 23.

Given what you describe, it might be worth trying a hybrid mask, which has nasal pillows + a mouth portion. I use the Resmed Mirage Liberty. I also tried the InnoMed, and it didn't fit me as well, but that varies entirely from person to person.

There's no guarantee that either will work for you, but if you like the pillows except for the mouth breathing, I'd recommend giving it a shot. That's what I've been using for a year now.

I do wish I could use plain pillows, since the biggest source of leaks is around my mouth, which honks and wakes me (and my wife) up. But no luck so far.

I'm Canadian and we certainly do have DME's, just by other names, like... dealers, companies. There are many online and offline ones where you get equipment, whoever pays for it.