YELOOCD,YELOOCD wrote:Do you think this mask would be intended to wear with dentures or without? I have had uvualplasty, septualplasty, exended tonsilectomy, spelled all of them wrong... I dont need a sedative, I usually can fall asleep fairly easily, and have been told I am up drinking soda or eating something every couple hours though I rarely leave the house (except during a ambien episode which is why I stopped taking it) I tried benydryl to maybe sleep deep enough to NOy pull it off ...I take IBU 400 mg it dont make he tired and lithium for bipolar, niacin, ...not sure ...no drugs or alcohol for 8 years
I know that some masks (nasal, for instance) do rely upon the front teeth as a point of support, so users of those types of masks may need to wear their dentures. I know that you use a full face mask -- either the ResMed Quattro or Forma. I assume that type of mask would not need the support of the teeth, but I'm really not certain as I'm not familiar with those. Perhaps someone here knows more about that than I do.
Do you get a lot of mask leaks? Do you EVER make it through the night wearing your mask? If so, what kind of results are you getting -- such as AHI, AI and HI? Those numbers are available on the machine's LCD screen.
In a past post, you mentioned that you have difficulty with choking (on phlegm or saliva, you said). I believe I also read that you do not use any humidification. You may want to try using the humidifier, perhaps starting at the lowest setting and gradually increasing it over a week or so until you find a level that's comfortable. I don't know for certain, but it seems like that may help to thin your mucus or whatever. I have a ResMed machine and humidifier, and I'm comfortable between 1.5 and 2, but other people report needing more humidity. It also depends on climate, so you may need to experiment with that a little. If you get any condensation in the hose, you will need to wrap it or purchase a hose cover to insulate it.
I know that you've been trying to make this work for many months. You have said that you needed to wait to see your doctor until after January. If there is any way you can see your physician within the next few weeks, I would strongly recommend that. I think that you need to write down a list of all the specific problems you're having with CPAP and discuss each item with the doctor. He/she needs to know exactly what's happening -- that you take your mask off, you sleep through the alarm, you choke, that you just aren't getting the sleep you need, and anything else you can think of that may help him figure out what's going on. Let him know that you don't want to give up and you would like his help in finding solutions. Have him review your medications. And it may also be a good idea to have your blood lithium level tested, just to make sure that is where it should be, as that could be off a bit and causing you some problems. It's important to have that checked regularly.
I don't know how much your wife is involved with your CPAP treatment, but perhaps you can involve her and problem-solve together since she knows exactly what you're going through on a daily basis. It would be great if she could learn more about sleep apnea through this forum in order to troubleshoot with you.
I hope that one of the ideas I've mentioned will help you, or someone else here can offer other suggestions. Give these things a try for a while and please talk with your doctor. I'd like to see you succeed at this!
