Marked increase in CA ???

[CRM]

Hi All. Was doing fine but in the last couple of weeks have seen some weird results. At the same time started waking with a very dry mouth so have tried a chin strap. I've included two nights of data, one with chin strap, one without. (9/3 Without, 9/4 With) Unless I'm really interpreting the leak data wrong, not sure how this is impacting the reporting of Clear Airway Events but it seems to lower with strap. Similar results when I tried same experiment a couple of weeks ago so assume it's not a fluke.

As I reported previously I do use pain medication (tramadol, Norco) although relatively minimal on these two days. Nothing 4-6 hours prior to sleep.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Don't like the chin strap

Many thanks, Cindy

Without Chin Strap

With Chin Strap

[Julie]

I'll leave the centrals to someone else to comment on (no, they don't look good), but will mention that straps are not necessarily effective as a lot of air can escape through your lips and straps don't address that.

[Wulfman...]

Hi All. Was doing fine but in the last couple of weeks have seen some weird results. At the same time started waking with a very dry mouth so have tried a chin strap. I've included two nights of data, one with chin strap, one without. (9/3 Without, 9/4 With) Unless I'm really interpreting the leak data wrong, not sure how this is impacting the reporting of Clear Airway Events but it seems to lower with strap. Similar results when I tried same experiment a couple of weeks ago so assume it's not a fluke.

As I reported previously I do use pain medication (tramadol, Norco) although relatively minimal on these two days. Nothing 4-6 hours prior to sleep.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Don't like the chin strap

Many thanks, Cindy

My guess is that the machine is interpreting/flagging your mouth leaking/breathing as CAs. Your dry mouth is the possible clue.

Were there any Central Apneas noted in your sleep study? If not, the probability that it is mouth breathing/leaking goes up.

Mouth taping or full face mask might help to rule those possibilities in or out.


Den

.

[CRM]

I'll try taping tonight and see what that does to the data. If it is the mouth breathing, any tips for a comfortable FFM? Did I mention that I really like my AirFit P10?

Regarding my sleep study... I'm going to have to get a copy. Considering the wide open settings on my APAP, gotta wonder if my sleep doc even looked at it. No mention of complex or central apnea in the brief visit I had with the neurologist.

Thanks!

[Wulfman...]

I'll try taping tonight and see what that does to the data. If it is the mouth breathing, any tips for a comfortable FFM? Did I mention that I really like my AirFit P10?

Regarding my sleep study... I'm going to have to get a copy. Considering the wide open settings on my APAP, gotta wonder if my sleep doc even looked at it. No mention of complex or central apnea in the brief visit I had with the neurologist.

Thanks!

The full face mask thing is a real subjective thing. What works for one, may not be worth a darn for someone else. If you like the P10, I think there's an F10, too.

Yeah, get a copy of the study and confirm whether or not there were any Centrals noted. That will kind of help narrow down what may or may not be showing up in your nightly reports. However, the "coincidence" of your dry mouth makes the probability of it being "mouth leaking" or "mouth breathing" a higher probability that it's confusing the data reporting.

Hang in there.

Den

.

[Guest]

Tried taping last night and although the P10 crawled off my face for a bit, the tape stuck.

I'll try again tonight with the tape. As frustrating as the process sounds, for me it's much better than the idea of dealing with more plastic and straps than my, dare I say beloved, P10.

Thank you for responding to the old conversation about mouthing taping Sir Nod. Timely and helpful. If only I could invent a tape that includes a wrinkle reducer and hair remover, I'd be golden.

Thanks again all!

[CRM]

From last night...

[Julie]

Have you ever tried a soft cervical collar (can be found at pharmacies) to sleep? Many people on Cpap do it because it keeps your head up higher (vs on your chest) and allows your airway to open up more... I have no idea why I think it could help you, but I do!

[Wulfman...]

Looks better.
I think the shorter sleep time kept the AHI higher, but it appears that the CAs are fewer.


Den

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[CRM]

Thanks Julie. I really don't like the idea of more apparatus but would try the collar before more plastic on the face. Started out with the Eson and had welts on my face from the silicone. Liners helped solve that problem but never fit precisely enough where they didn't slip and wake me from flapping around like a flag.

Using the lanolin cream with the P10 and no skin irritation.