Narrow mask

[Julie]

You should have a copy (by law) of your original test for apnea, whether it was done in a lab or at home, and it will give you your untreated AHI number.

[edam]

Im in the UK so things may be diiferent
All I can find from a test done 12 years ago is that my "oxygen desaturation dip rate " was 42.82

[rick blaine]

Hello again, edam,

If your sleep study of 12 years ago was performed by the NHS, and they began you on treatment, then your AHI would have been 15 or over. Because that is the point at which the NHS begins treatment.

That can be a bit rough on those who score less than 15 but enough to significantly disrupt their sleep – say, 13.5. But there's nothing to stop such persons funding their own treatment.

(And if that applies to any other UK patients reading this – you will need a prescription to buy a mask and machine – and your GP and/ or the chief sleep physiologist at the hospital should have no objection to signing a prescription – provided it comes from a recognised source, such as Philips Respironics UK or ResMed UK.)

If the sleep study was done by anybody outside the NHS – say Eu-Pap in Walton-on-Thames, or by a specialist doctor in the private medicine sector – they should have written to you with a summary of results, as well as some details. However, in such cases a copy does not always find its way to the GP – because the testee wants to keep their results from the DVLA. It has been known to happen.

If you really must know now what your untreated AHI is, then Eu-Pap does an at-home study for about £200. Philips Respironics UK does a home study – which they call Alice – which is more expensive. And ResMed UK do a home study for £144 (last time I checked).

RB.

[edam]

After last night I know how low I can set the maximum pressure.
Even though my AHI was 0.2 I had a bad dream like I used to have pre CPAP.
So back to 10-16 which will be OK until I have more back teeth taken out on the other side of my jaw

[Frone]

I've used the Resmed Airfit F30 mask for over a year, and over time it has changed my bite making it difficult for me to eat. It was too narrow for my mouth and pushed my teeth together. I suppose they design masks for "average" size bone structure and everyone outside the norm is just out of luck. Let us know if you find something that works.

[chunkyfrog]

Is that dental work healing yet?

[edam]

By the time its healed up 2 more teeth will be coming out and then 2 more after that .
Its all being done in a outpatient hospital but not the same one which supplies the CPAP unfortunelatly
Im hoping to buy a F30i mask on a black friday deal but until then Im using a Simplus mask with loose straps.
I have found that the Vitera mask which I also use painful to use.

[edam]

The damage has now been done as I have a very painful dry socket

[clownbell]

What about using a nasal mask or else nasal pillows? No effect on the jaw or teeth. Nothing touching areas that would be sensitive to you.

[chunkyfrog]

I've got to call the denral college, and set up a cleaning.
I skipped it because of chemo--now back to preventive care.
Hate it, but it beats the alternative.

[edam]

What about using a nasal mask or else nasal pillows? No effect on the jaw or teeth. Nothing touching areas that would be sensitive to you.

I cant use a nasal mask as I have nasal polyps and a deviated septum. If I try to use a nasal mask the cpap sees my nasal obstructions as a flow limitation and keeps increasing the pressure. I get the same effect if I close my mouth when using a full face mask