So, why haven't you pursued CO2 re-breathing?

[Drowsy Dancer]

You want more O2. However, we know your body is not very sensitive to fluctuations in O2 levels.

"We" certainly do not know that about my body. You have never even been introduced to my body.

Judging by the RERAs observed in my PSG, I would say that my body is quite sensitive to fluctuations in oxygen levels. Ergo, CO2 rebreathing was not an avenue for me to pursue. Rebreathing CO2 does nothing to clear the obstruction caused by airway collapse. CO2 rebreathing targets a problem I do not have.

[mollete]

We can do without the condescending responses, folks.

I see no condescending responses.

You simply have NFI what you're talking about.

[BlackSpinner]

It is sort of like having a really fast car. However if the road is washed out you are still not going to get there fast.

[Somnolence]

I think it's ok to describe your personal experience with a procedure, but not ok to encourage others to try something that may harm them.

I'm not encouraging other people to experiment on themselves. I asked what reservations people have about pursuing it. By "pursuing," I meant legitimately seeing a doctor to evaluate candidacy.

Other than that...I agree with mollete.

XPAP is infamous for low compliance. People primarily consider sleep studies in light of health complaints. They then proceed to treatment for sleep apnea as efforts to address those complaints. Many are quick to blame the unsavory nature of the treatment as cause for lack of compliance. However, that begs the question of why people don't find the treatment compelling enough to tolerate its downsides. There may be something intrinsically lacking in the standard treatment.

It's also the reason why several prominent, Harvard affiliated doctors are investigating this. One of those avenues is through CO2 rebreathing.

None of that helps if your airway is collapsed. I stop breathing ONLY because the muscles have let go.

The goal of your sleep/titration studies is to maintain the airway. If your airway is still collapsing with treatment, then that treatment is not completely effective. Considering CO2 rebreathing beyond establishing effective therapy for the obstructive component seems premature, barring serious underlying complexity.

[Somnolence]

You simply have NFI what you're talking about.

Mollete, you've demonstrated you're far too interested in assuming and denigrating before gathering information. If I had a better impression of you, your response might well matter.

[mollete]

If I had a better impression of you, your response might well matter.

GFY.

How's This For An Impression?

[BlackSpinner]

None of that helps if your airway is collapsed. I stop breathing ONLY because the muscles have let go.

The goal of your sleep/titration studies is to maintain the airway. If your airway is still collapsing with treatment, then that treatment is not completely effective. Considering CO2 rebreathing beyond establishing effective therapy for the obstructive component seems premature, barring serious underlying complexity.

But it isn't collapsing with my cpap treatment.

Like I said no amount of CO2 treatment will stop muscle collapse. You can SEE people trying to get air into their lungs when they have an obstructive apnea.

[nanwilson]

deleted

[Somnolence]

None of that helps if your airway is collapsed. I stop breathing ONLY because the muscles have let go.

The goal of your sleep/titration studies is to maintain the airway. If your airway is still collapsing with treatment, then that treatment is not completely effective. Considering CO2 rebreathing beyond establishing effective therapy for the obstructive component seems premature, barring serious underlying complexity.

But it isn't collapsing with my cpap treatment.

Like I said no amount of CO2 treatment will stop muscle collapse. You can SEE people trying to get air into their lungs when they have an obstructive apnea.

It was a figurative "you," to be used for the person being treated. And, I'm not arguing that it would be appropriate for those whose airways still collapse, thus causing their persisting issues, despite CPAP.

[chunkyfrog]

A very small subset, to be sure.
I would still question the credentials of any doctor suggesting this be tried on human beings
until a requisite number of lab animals have survived the process.

[Stormynights]

There are people that think drinking their own pee is good for them.

[Goofproof]

There are people that think drinking their own pee is good for them.

Some have Doctorates and PH D's in their titles and publish papers, but I still prefer my H2O straight. I don't follow a herd to the cliff. Jim

[archangle]

I think it's very promising. Especially when combined with CPAP use. It should be possible to cause a considerable increase in CO2 in the inhaled air without significantly decreasing O2, since O2 is so much higher than CO concentration in air.

I would not be surprised to see some degree off CO2 rebreathing becoming a standard part of CPAP and mask design in the future.

However, I don't think it's a do it yourself thing for right now. Trying to set it up yourself could easily end you up with too little O2. I'm afraid some dummy will cover up the vent holes on his mask and not provide adequate alternate ventilation and harm himself. Or someone will simply screw up his CPAP therapy.

[NateS]

… I don't think it's a do it yourself thing for right now. Trying to set it up yourself could easily end you up with too little O2. I'm afraid some dummy will cover up the vent holes on his mask and not provide adequate alternate ventilation and harm himself. Or someone will simply screw up his CPAP therapy.

+1

Nate

[Tom W]

I'm somewhat interested as even ASV hasn't helped as much as I hoped for (AHI still slightly higher than 12) and my flow patterns indicate that I experience some type of breath holding and/or VCD.

Where did you have your calibration done?