Wild stats with new Oracle oral mask

[TooGroggy]

Hi all, it's been a while since I've been on the board. And it's good to see that the "regulars" that helped me when I started on CPAP four years ago are still around.

A couple of years ago, I started treatment for allergies. For those that don't know what is involved, the treatment is based on Allergen_immunotherapy. Each week the doctor shoots me full of a cocktail of the 40-odd things I am allergic to, under the apparent premise that what doesn't kill me will only make me stronger. Once side effect of that treatment, is that every day is a spring day for me and my nose alternates between dripping or being totally obstructed. Needless to say, this has made it all but impossible for me to use my nasal pillow mask for longer than 30 or 45 minutes at a time. And I have not had a good night sleep in months.

Last week, I started using an Oracle oral mask. Once I got used to how my mouth dried despite humidity being full on, I was able to sleep for stretches of two to four hours. Although this is far from ideal, I feel more rested than I have felt in a long time. And life would be good, or at least on its way to returning to normal, except for the wild statistics the machine is reporting.

This morning, for instance, the machine reported an Apnea Index of 6.4 (5.1 Obstructive and 1.2 Central) and a Hypopnea Index of 10.0. Also, % time in CSR is listed as 8.5 (it's always been 0). Most of the events occured in the first hour of the three and a half hours I slept (went to bed too late and woke up too early when I felt the beginnings of an allergy attack).

My last sleep study (over two years ago) recorded 12 or so events per hour and the recommended pressure was around 10 cmH2O (the machine is currently set to a max of 13). Before allergies got this bad, I averaged at most 2 events per hour and saw pressures around 11.5.

Can anyone help me understand what might be going on? I have Rescan 5.1, but I have not needed to examine the data for a long time. So I have forgotten much of what I learned when I was getting started about how to read the detailed graphs.

Thank you.

[archangle]

Post a copy of your SD card to Dropbox, if you're willing.

[JDS74]

The only suggestions I have without seeing the leak data is to get a soft cervical collar and use it and to use the pre-heat function on your machine to get the humidity up to snuff before you mask up.

I read a study some time ago in which the humidity being supplied took 30-40 minutes to get to the set value. I didn't keep a copy I can find right now but I'll keep looking.

With only 3-4 hours of sleep, your machine won't run out of water at the max settings.

[ChicagoGranny]

the treatment is based on Mithridatism

No it is not.

Allergen Immunotherapy

[TooGroggy]

the treatment is based on Mithridatism

No it is not.
Allergen Immunotherapy

Thanks for reminding me that my sarcasm might mislead. I've corrected the original post.

Post a copy of your SD card to Dropbox, if you're willing.

I've posted the data for the day in question to a file sharing site. I'll send the URL in case you're able to have a look.

... get a soft cervical collar ...

What would the collar do in this situation?

[JDS74]

One of the issues with the Oracle 452 mask is jaw drop as the facial muscles relax with sleep. When that happens, excess leaks occur and can interfere with therapy. Without your post of leak data, I cannot tell if this is a problem for you.
Since I don't have the ability to look at raw ResMed data, a link to the sharing site will not help me. Perhaps it will for others.

Sometimes, folks who have been using a different mask and have been using a chin strap to help them with leaks, will continue to use the chin strap with the Oracle mask. This is a no-no for this mask and using a chin strap does have a tendency to increase the number of obstructive events.

For more information, look at my link in the signature block.

[photonic]

I agree with JDS74. I found that a soft cervical collar definitely improved my numbers especially when on my back. I also turn it upside down so that the chin notch faces down to give further support to my chin which will sag when I relax. PM of you want a link to my device on Amazon .

[ChicagoGranny]

What would the collar do in this situation?

Most people will bend their head forward a bit when sleeping. A soft cervical collar will help to keep your head straight in line with your spine. This tends to open up the space (airway) behind the tongue. Just a small amount can make a good improvement in airway patency.

Gramps and I have both had good results with them along with our CPAP therapy and wear one similar to this every night - http://www.amazon.com/Carex-Health-Bran ... ollar+soft

[ChicagoGranny]

Once side effect of that treatment, is that every day is a spring day for me and my nose alternates between dripping or being totally obstructed.

BTW, those are not common side effects of allergen immunotherapy. You should talk to your doctor about a temporary program to treat this while you wait for the immunotherapy to become effective.

There are lots of things that can help - oral antihistamines, cortisone nasal sprays, nasal rinses.