cervical collar and what a difference!!

[bbridge_GA]

I stumbled upon a thread on cervical collars improving flow limitations. After 6 days of graphs showing low AHI but crazy breathing or lack of breathing, I wore a collar and got two night of much more normal graphs. No more "ghost of Nixon". Notice that the AHI is similar on each graph, but wow what a difference. My only problem with the collar is that I wake up in the middle of the night with a painful stomach full of air. Tips on how to control that would be greatly appreciated.

[sunnyway]

Thanks for the tip. I have a "ReLeaf" collar, which is softer than a medical grade cervical collar. I've never tried it for sleeping, but I will tonight.

[bbridge_GA]

Third night with a collar and third night of success. I dropped my pressure to 11-14 and pulled my chin down into the edge of the collar and that stopped the air in the stomach.

[Go-dog-go]

by sunnyway on Wed Sep 25, 2013 9:50 pm

Thanks for the tip. I have a "ReLeaf" collar, which is softer than a medical grade cervical collar. I've never tried it for sleeping, but I will tonight.


How did it work sunny way? I wonder if it will help stop my leaks?

[sparkles]

Curious to hear how it went for you...

[JDS74]

Two weeks ago I started using a soft cervical collar.
The results were dramatic.
With the mask I use, mouth drop is a serious issue causing major leaks. A chin stap is not permitted for this mask and causes lots of OSA's (shot me up from 1-2 per hour to 15 the last time I tried one before I found out F-P says don't use one).
Encore reports virtually no leaks at all since I started using the collar. My recent sleep study reported zero leaks as well.

[Kitatonic]

Third night with a collar and third night of success. I dropped my pressure to 11-14 and pulled my chin down into the edge of the collar and that stopped the air in the stomach.

Like you, I found that I was swallowing air with the collar. This only happens if I sleep on my side, never of the back or if I position the chin to prop up on the collar. After 9 months now,my pressures & leaks continue to be significantly lower, all leading to comfortable nights. To compensate for the collar's warmth, I just wear a tank top and keep the windows open.