Fine-tuning uars treatment

Hi,

I have been reading the form for a little, but this is my first time posting. I am impressed and a little bit intimidated by how much people in here know. I hope I don’t sound like too much of a newbie in this post:)

I have been using the fisher icon + and fisher forma mask for about 3 months with moderate success.

The main problems are:
Though I am feeling more rested, I am pretty tired and need to take a nap even when I do sleep through the night.
I usually wake up 2-3 times a night with my mouth open needing water. I have tried multiple chin straps and tongue holders with no luck
After two months of working well, my fisher forma mask is now starting to leak, no mater how tight the straps are pulled. Is this a natural shrinking/expanding of the latex and foam?

Questions
Any relevant posts to share?
Any people experience a benefit through either myofunctional therapy or didgeridoo?
Anyone have a sleep specialist in the LA area that they love?
Anyone take dr krakow’s method into their own hands and try to titrate either an asv or auto bipap to smooth their flow curve?

needtosleepbadly wrote:Hi,

I have been reading the form for a little, but this is my first time posting. I am impressed and a little bit intimidated by how much people in here know. I hope I don’t sound like too much of a newbie in this post:)

I have been using the fisher icon + and fisher forma mask for about 3 months with moderate success.

The main problems are:
Though I am feeling more rested, I am pretty tired and need to take a nap even when I do sleep through the night.
I usually wake up 2-3 times a night with my mouth open needing water. I have tried multiple chin straps and tongue holders with no luck
After two months of working well, my fisher forma mask is now starting to leak, no mater how tight the straps are pulled. Is this a natural shrinking/expanding of the latex and foam?

Welcome to the forum. You need to update your equipment in your profile. Mask cushions are usually due for replacement every 30 days, but please check with your insurance. You shouldn't overtighten for sure

Questions
Any relevant posts to share?
Any people experience a benefit through either myofunctional therapy or didgeridoo?
Anyone have a sleep specialist in the LA area that they love?
Anyone take dr krakow’s method into their own hands and try to titrate either an asv or auto bipap to smooth their flow curve?

I used his approach, but many people are pessimistic about him. You have to try to see whether it is working or not.

Thanks for your reply Tan! Did you titrate it yourself through sleepyhead, or did you go to a professional for that? Where you using a CPAP prior to your VPAP and if so what caused you to switch over?

needtosleepbadly wrote:Thanks for your reply Tan! Did you titrate it yourself through sleepyhead, or did you go to a professional for that? Where you using a CPAP prior to your VPAP and if so what caused you to switch over?

No, I had to titrate myself. Insurances generally refuse to treat UARS. I was lucky to have a mild OSA component. A few people here suggested that self-titration in home environment is the best and surest way to do it. After struggling for some time but eventually finding the satisfying setup, I have to agree with them.

But I did buy a VPAP from a seller on craigslist and returned my Autoset to my DME last year. It seemed to be a good opportunity and went for it. But I do suggest trying with whatever you have first.

needtosleepbadly wrote: Though I am feeling more rested, I am pretty tired and need to take a nap even when I do sleep through the night.
I usually wake up 2-3 times a night with my mouth open needing water. I have tried multiple chin straps and tongue holders with no luck

The following is what some kind people on this board have suggested and that has fixed where straps, mouth devices, etc. failed - "impartial mouth taping" to prevent jaw drop during sleep:


Works very well for me - I have since forgotten what dry mouth is and sleep through the night.