Discovered asymmetrical face after weight loss/mask problems

[lovey]

I finally figured out why it has been hurting to wear my face mask for the last year. I've lost 180 lbs. in 2 years (with a LapBand), and have had sleep apnea (mixed) for 6 years. I recently felt my checkbones for the first time in a long time, and discovered one eye socket bone is about 1/2 inch lower than the other eye socket bone (my eyes look even though). I think this is causing the problem with my facemask hurting each night. Before, I had fat pads in my face that made up the difference. This problem being a craniofacial problem, might explain why the professionals think that I will always have sleep apnea because of the structure of my throat, tongue, and sinuses.

Anyways, I can never seem to adjust my mask (Quattro Max) to a comfortable place anymore. Before the weight loss, I was compliant every night, all night. Now, I take it off after a few hours in my sleep, especially if pain/air leak wakes me up. Any ideas on what I could do? I hated nasal pillows in the past and the straps to keep my mouth closed. Any ideas? Thanks, Lovey

[roster]

I would recommend the Innomed Hybrid mainly because I have had such good results with it. But also because it only rests on the area around the mouth and may not be affected by asymmetrical cheek bones. BTW, a doctor one told me that "everything a person has two of are of different sizes." So we all have some degree of asymmetry all over.

This problem being a craniofacial problem, might explain why the professionals think that I will always have sleep apnea because of the structure of my throat, tongue, and sinuses.

Just curious if your doctors ever mentioned that you likely had sleep apnea first and the sleep apnea was a major causative factor in your weight gain? I believe this development is very common.

[lovey]

Thanks for the recommendation, Roster. No, initially, it was that my weight was the cause of my sleep apnea and I would be "cured" if I lost weight. But like the unique person I am, my sleep apnea got worse when I lost weight, not better like normal. I developed a heart arrhythmia (supraventricular tachycardia) as I lost weight that when mixed with my OSA, caused such fast oxygen desaturations that even my autoservo bipap couldn't keep my oxygen levels up. I was sent to the University of Michigan who knew more, and they said the structure of my mouth/sinuses/throat would mean that I would always have OSA. This was 4 years after my initial diagnosis. Then they said that the OSA might have contributed to the weight gain initially. I also developed central apneas six months later. Then I moved home to California, and back to the HMO Kaiser Permanente. Let's just say that their sleep apnea treatment is lacking...I am at state and federal appeals because of their stupidity.

Hope is well, take good care, Lovey

[BlackSpinner]

I would second the recommendation for the Innomed hybrid. I have high cheekbones and a little nose and a small chin and the hybrid handles it much better then the quatro.

[neverbetter]

Has your pressure changed?

[lovey]

I'm on an auto servo, so I am not really sure if my pressures have changed. What is happening with me, is that initially I just had severe sleep apnea (initial AHI 81) . Twenty months ago, I developed a heart arrhythmia, SVT. When I have the combo of the two happen at once, I have such quick desaturations, that even my auto servo bipap can't correct them. That's been the focus with me, trying to manage the SVT and mixed apneas. When the SVT is stable, my sleep apnea is stable..I don't think I am on lower pressures though. The weight loss didn't help the sleep apnea as it was predicted to do, and mostly my pressures have been adjusted up since when I had just a bipap. Take care!