Newbie Needing Help w/ Sleepyhead ?

[TedVPAP]

Thanks all. I taped my mouth up last night with duct tape (carefully...ha). The tape stayed on all night so I think it's safe to say last night was not mouth breathing. I did use the ace bandage which is a bit tighter than the chin strap.

I had worse leaks than usual. I don't recall waking up to anything, but I did not sleep particularly well. I did try to add a "half-caffeine" coffee back in yesterday (at 1 pm), so I don't know if that could have any role, I've always been a little caffeine sensitive. The pressure seemed to fluctuate a bit more. Overall, not a great night.

Thoughts on what to try next? I feel like I would like to give it another night with just the bandage / chin strap and this mask and see what happens. I feel like this mask has been a lot better, but obviously, the leaks / flows are inconsistent night to night.

https://imgur.com/a/uTG9u

If you try taping again, it is easy to determine if the tape was successful. In the morning, try exhaling through your mouth. If you can, then your lips were not sealed.

[palerider]

If you try taping again, it is easy to determine if the tape was successful. In the morning, try exhaling through your mouth. If you can, then your lips were not sealed.

That's not a very good test, since the tape could have come lose at some point, and resealed, or stayed sealed all night until just before waking.

[FoggyBrain24]

https://imgur.com/a/uTG9u

Used the under the nose mask and ace bandage, slept pretty well, but not as long as the machine was on. Numbers are looking good.

I will probably try the nasal pillows tonight and see which gives me the better numbers and then hopefully make a decision.

I slept on Saturday night with only the under the nose mask and I had a less than stellar night. Mouth breathing, etc. Haven't adapted yet.

Thanks all.

[FoggyBrain24]

https://imgur.com/a/uTG9u

Looks like the leaks keep going down......very happy. This is still using under the nose mask.

Thoughts??

[Pugsy]

Looks great except for the frigging VS2 snores. They bug the crap out of me.

I am probably not going to be on the forum as much for a while. So if I miss something and you really want my thoughts just send me a private message. I will try to keep up with the PMs as best I can.

A family member has just been diagnosed with cancer so I am going to be very busy in the coming months.

I won't abandon those I have tried to help but I may be slow to respond and if I miss a thread...send me a PM because I will deal with PMs first.

[FoggyBrain24]

Thanks. They bug me too. Went down slightly last night, with AHI staying under 1.

https://imgur.com/a/uTG9u

I will plan to try the nasal pillows out a bit more over the coming days and see if anything improves with those.

Very sorry to hear about the family situation. You have been incredibly supportive and valuable so I hope I can repay the favor.

Good luck, medicine gets better every year!

[Pugsy]

I don't know what you are doing for leak management but it's working quite well as long as you are sleeping as good as those reports look like you should be sleeping.

Thanks so much for the concern. In this situation it isn't so much medicine but surgery involved and fairly traumatic surgery on a very old and frail and in not greatest of health 85 yr old. We are actually hoping no meds are involved because the chemo meds would kill her.

[FoggyBrain24]

https://imgur.com/a/uTG9u

Another good night, best night as far as leaks go. I continue to use the ace bandage to ensure my mouth is closed tight, then have just been trying to sleep as much as possible. Popped out of bed this AM. Need to keep this going consistently.

Thanks for all your help.

[FoggyBrain24]

I've been stringing together a few nights of very low AHI and minimal leaks. Happy with my progress.

https://imgur.com/a/uTG9u

Thanks all!