Going in for titration: moustache and afrin Q's

[director373]

I am going in for titration later this week- I'm new to all of this. I have a moustache- should I shave it off so mask fits better and they can better titrate? Also, should I use a nasal spray such as afrin, prior to titration, so I can breathe easier thru my nose, as I'm accustomed to mouth-breathing. Any advice would be sincerely appreciated.

Thank-you.

[mindy]

Hi,

Have you tried calling your sleep lab? I'm not trying to pass the buck, but different sleep labs may have different policies. I asked ahead of time if I could take my sleeping pills since otherwise I couldn't sleep and they ok'd that.

Mindy

[6PtStar]

If you are a mouth breather they will more than likely put you in a Full Face Mask in which case a moustache won't make any difference unless it is in the handle bar class and extends out to the sides of your face a long way. A full beard will sometimes cause problems but some of the folks on this board have found ways to work around some of them (depends on how heavy). I used a nose spray (it is a bad thing because you become adicted to it to easy, sometimes just a few days) when I went in just because I slept better which was a chore with all the wires attached. On CPAP I have not had to use a nasal spray in over 6 months. A lot of folks do take a sleep aid before they go in but to be sure you might take mindy's advise and call and see what they advise.

Jerry

[Suz-E-Q]

When I went in they assumed I took my Ambien, which I didn't because they didn't tell me I could and I thought it might interfer with the results. They said Ambien is fine to take and actually not taking it interfered with my results because I had a 2 hour awake time in the middle of the study. The RT told me that Tylenol PM is the worst though because it activates some, calling the sleep center is a good idea.

Also when i went for the titraition I was a little stuffy and she had me rinse my nose with saline drops. It seemed to help.

Good luck

[Perchancetodream]

I used both Ambien and Afrin during my sleep studies. Mostly because I had been using them at home and I wanted my study to reflect, as closely as possible, my actual sleep, not my ideal sleep.

Still use the Ambien, with my doctor's okay, as I grow accustomed to sleeping in a mask, and occasionally I even, gasp, use the Afrin.

Susan

[LyleHaze]

I have a mustache which I normally keep pretty short. When I went in for titration the RT and I decided to try a swift mask, which doesn't cause problems with my facial hair. I still use a Swift today, and as long as I keep reasonably trimmed, all is well.
I have never used a nasal spray, and I refused a sleeping pill when I was titrated, as mood altering drugs are dangerous for me.

Good Sleep!
Lyle

[GumbyCT]

Echoing again to call the lab. I have a mustache & the second nite I did trim it cuz he tightened up that nasal mask way tight, when I asked why, he mentioned the mustache & trying to make a seal. For me, I am not opposed to shaving it completely OFF. After all it will grow back, plus it does give more options for a leak free interface.

Knowing what I know now, I would make arrangements to get a "mask fit" BEFORE the study. If not the same nite then a separate appt. Why? Because when they just slap a mask on you during the middle of the nite, and it leaks (it will), and it keeps you awake (it will) you not only don't get very good sleep results; you don't get much sleep either. If you make this request and the lab says it's not a big deal; I would ask to reschedule to give yourself time to find another lab.

Seriously, the mask fitting correctly is THE MOST critical part of the CPAP therapy which helps immensely in compliance. If the lab thinks this is trivial, they will likely think many other things are trivial also. Just imagine air blowing in your eyes or out of your nose while you try to sleep (the rest of your life).

For you to put anything in your body before your study, I feel is counter-productive. Consider that even if you use sleep meds every nite, if you want to get off the meds, how will you be sleeping? That is what I would want to know.

As for Afrin or other nasals sprays - I mention this because I didn't know this until I created a recipe that almost killed me. YOU should know that nasal sprays, (& OTC decongestion tabs) raise your b/p. If you have undiagnosed high b/p, this could lead to many other problems (study or not). The lab should be taking your vitals both before sleep and after. If they are not, then run. They MUST be in it for the money. If you must use something, use nasal saline spray. Yes, I laughed too, but used some yesterday morning and I was quite impressed just how well it did work. If you are experiencing rebound from the sprays, the saline may not be as effective.

The bottom line is that meds (incl. OTC), coffee, tea, soda, and other things affect us all differently. If your lab doesn't ask you to write down every med you are taking, I would get up & leave. And if you are not being completely honest with them, YOU can expect to get back just what YOU gave them.

I think it would be a bad idea to take any sleep meds or other herbs, or spices the lab cannot factor into your results. Esp. should they see something they are not accustomed to seeing during your sleep cycle.

Making sure you are extra tired the nite of the study will help to make sure you fall to sleep during the study. It is critical that you do sleep during the study not just lay there.

If you are on Medicare, it is required that you sleep not less than 2 hrs. in diagnostic (before they put any CPAP equip. on you) to be covered for any equipment that may be required. Ask the lab about this too.

Consider taking a trip to the lab BEFORE your study; Meet the staff, lay of the beds, check out the rooms, the environment, showers, etc. If you get there early in the morning you may be able to ask patients a few Q?'s to get their impression of how things went.

Life consist of a series of choices, this is your chance to choose wisely.