Need help, suspect UARS. Want to try APAP - need advice and guidance.

[tan]

The for Her mode blows air while awake exactly like the regular mode.
If you had difficulty while awake with air movement and comfort....it was the congestion not the mode.

Ah, okay that's good to know - thanks pugs!

Current battle is fine tuning my diet to alleviate it enough to use it. So far today I've not had an anti-histamine, the pollent count is very high and currently my congestion is pretty low - so fingers crossed if that carries over to tonight I might have more luck.

Currently it looks like the soonest ENT appointment might be September, which is a bit dissapointing. Waiting to hear from another clinic to see if they can see me sooner.

You journey for conquerring UARS reminds me of my experience. (A visit to ENT was part of it, too). I was also given P10, which I, unlike some of our esteemed members, couldn't tolerate well for several period of attempts. I also had noticeable leaks and FLs.

I may not have that level knowledge of members posting here, but I have successfully taken my UARS under control (diagnosed with RDI 18)

[canyouhearmeaya]

The for Her mode blows air while awake exactly like the regular mode.
If you had difficulty while awake with air movement and comfort....it was the congestion not the mode.

Ah, okay that's good to know - thanks pugs!

Current battle is fine tuning my diet to alleviate it enough to use it. So far today I've not had an anti-histamine, the pollent count is very high and currently my congestion is pretty low - so fingers crossed if that carries over to tonight I might have more luck.

Currently it looks like the soonest ENT appointment might be September, which is a bit dissapointing. Waiting to hear from another clinic to see if they can see me sooner.

You journey for conquerring UARS reminds me of my experience. (A visit to ENT was part of it, too). I was also given P10, which I, unlike some of our esteemed members, couldn't tolerate well for several period of attempts. I also had noticeable leaks and FLs.

I may not have that level knowledge of members posting here, but I have successfully taken my UARS under control (diagnosed with RDI 18)

Well, don't leave me on a cliff hanger!! How did you manage to resolve it? Could you tell me more about your experience? Thanks!

[canyouhearmeaya]

The for Her mode blows air while awake exactly like the regular mode.
If you had difficulty while awake with air movement and comfort....it was the congestion not the mode.

Ah, okay that's good to know - thanks pugs!

Current battle is fine tuning my diet to alleviate it enough to use it. So far today I've not had an anti-histamine, the pollent count is very high and currently my congestion is pretty low - so fingers crossed if that carries over to tonight I might have more luck.

Currently it looks like the soonest ENT appointment might be September, which is a bit dissapointing. Waiting to hear from another clinic to see if they can see me sooner.

You journey for conquerring UARS reminds me of my experience. (A visit to ENT was part of it, too). I was also given P10, which I, unlike some of our esteemed members, couldn't tolerate well for several period of attempts. I also had noticeable leaks and FLs.

I may not have that level knowledge of members posting here, but I have successfully taken my UARS under control (diagnosed with RDI 18)

I notice you're using BiPAP.. I was able to get hold of a the Airsense 10 APAP but AFAIK I can't get hold of a BiPap.

I know people say using the Airsense 10 auto with EPR of 3 is close to BiPAP, did you ever try something similar? I do wonder if the Airsense 10 Auto + EP3 set to 3 is suffice for UARS or not.

[tan]

The for Her mode blows air while awake exactly like the regular mode.
If you had difficulty while awake with air movement and comfort....it was the congestion not the mode.

Ah, okay that's good to know - thanks pugs!

Current battle is fine tuning my diet to alleviate it enough to use it. So far today I've not had an anti-histamine, the pollent count is very high and currently my congestion is pretty low - so fingers crossed if that carries over to tonight I might have more luck.

Currently it looks like the soonest ENT appointment might be September, which is a bit dissapointing. Waiting to hear from another clinic to see if they can see me sooner.

You journey for conquerring UARS reminds me of my experience. (A visit to ENT was part of it, too). I was also given P10, which I, unlike some of our esteemed members, couldn't tolerate well for several period of attempts. I also had noticeable leaks and FLs.

I may not have that level knowledge of members posting here, but I have successfully taken my UARS under control (diagnosed with RDI 18)

Well, don't leave me on a cliff hanger!! How did you manage to resolve it? Could you tell me more about your experience? Thanks!

I already wrote on the previous page that you must address your sleep disruptors, leaks. They may seem within the norm to some, but for UARS, they are a factor. After trying to make p10 work (leaks, not comfortable), I had to switch masks and that several times I wish I could use P10, because it expands nostrils much better than nasal strips, by the way. But I couldn't fix the leaks, even with full mouth taping.

I eventually found out that a combination of partial vertical mouth taping with a full face mask does the job. Full face mask along resulted in a dry mouth (another sleep disruptor). So i had to limit mouth breathing, but not completely. Even tape's type mattered (waterproof, rite aid brand). Surgical tapes didn't work

[canyouhearmeaya]

The for Her mode blows air while awake exactly like the regular mode.
If you had difficulty while awake with air movement and comfort....it was the congestion not the mode.

Ah, okay that's good to know - thanks pugs!

Current battle is fine tuning my diet to alleviate it enough to use it. So far today I've not had an anti-histamine, the pollent count is very high and currently my congestion is pretty low - so fingers crossed if that carries over to tonight I might have more luck.

Currently it looks like the soonest ENT appointment might be September, which is a bit dissapointing. Waiting to hear from another clinic to see if they can see me sooner.

You journey for conquerring UARS reminds me of my experience. (A visit to ENT was part of it, too). I was also given P10, which I, unlike some of our esteemed members, couldn't tolerate well for several period of attempts. I also had noticeable leaks and FLs.

I may not have that level knowledge of members posting here, but I have successfully taken my UARS under control (diagnosed with RDI 18)

Well, don't leave me on a cliff hanger!! How did you manage to resolve it? Could you tell me more about your experience? Thanks!

I already wrote on the previous page that you must address your sleep disruptors, leaks. They may seem within the norm to some, but for UARS, they are a factor. After trying to make p10 work (leaks, not comfortable), I had to switch masks and that several times I wish I could use P10, because it expands nostrils much better than nasal strips, by the way. But I couldn't fix the leaks, even with full mouth taping.

I eventually found out that a combination of partial vertical mouth taping with a full face mask does the job. Full face mask along resulted in a dry mouth (another sleep disruptor). So i had to limit mouth breathing, but not completely. Even tape's type mattered (waterproof, rite aid brand). Surgical tapes didn't work

Thanks, fired you a PM also!

[tan]

The for Her mode blows air while awake exactly like the regular mode.
If you had difficulty while awake with air movement and comfort....it was the congestion not the mode.

Ah, okay that's good to know - thanks pugs!

Current battle is fine tuning my diet to alleviate it enough to use it. So far today I've not had an anti-histamine, the pollent count is very high and currently my congestion is pretty low - so fingers crossed if that carries over to tonight I might have more luck.

Currently it looks like the soonest ENT appointment might be September, which is a bit dissapointing. Waiting to hear from another clinic to see if they can see me sooner.

You journey for conquerring UARS reminds me of my experience. (A visit to ENT was part of it, too). I was also given P10, which I, unlike some of our esteemed members, couldn't tolerate well for several period of attempts. I also had noticeable leaks and FLs.

I may not have that level knowledge of members posting here, but I have successfully taken my UARS under control (diagnosed with RDI 18)

I notice you're using BiPAP.. I was able to get hold of a the Airsense 10 APAP but AFAIK I can't get hold of a BiPap.

I know people say using the Airsense 10 auto with EPR of 3 is close to BiPAP, did you ever try something similar? I do wonder if the Airsense 10 Auto + EP3 set to 3 is suffice for UARS or not.

Good point. epr3 is close but not the same as Vpap with ps=3 in my config. VPAP has other settings (trigger and cycle, which I set to Very high). But APAP is good start. While looking for my pressure setting, I jacked up to 10/13 but I start having aerophagia with epap around 9 and above. So, I had to lower.

EPR certainly helped in my case. Other people switch it off.

[canyouhearmeaya]

I certainly can't imagine turning EPR off, exhale seems to be the only real problem still.

Tonight I'm going to try using the Optivin spray which seems to majorly clear up my sinuses and then see if I have any more luck. Unfortunately the optivin spray isn't a long term solution, but at least it might give me a better idea as to how I go with the CPAP with the congestion issue out of the way.

Maybe I can't get enough relief from congestion with diet and anti-histamines alone, and so should also try a FFM.

[canyouhearmeaya]

My other option is to pay £500-600 and go privately to see an ENT, which means I could see them next week. I do wonder if it's something like Polyps causing my nasal issues, I don't know if it's possible something like that could be the cause of my RDI of 15? Or if it's just preventing me using the mask if that's the case.

I think I need to ask some family members if I can look up their noses with a torch Looking up each nostril, it appears the airway opening does become MUCH smaller probably a centimeter or two up, which then looks like a narrow slit almost. I need to try and determine if that's normal, or something like a polyp!

[prodigyplace]

]
I already wrote on the previous page that you must address your sleep disruptors, leaks. They may seem within the norm to some, but for UARS, they are a factor. After trying to make p10 work (leaks, not comfortable), I had to switch masks and that several times I wish I could use P10, because it expands nostrils much better than nasal strips, by the way. But I couldn't fix the leaks, even with full mouth taping.

I eventually found out that a combination of partial vertical mouth taping with a full face mask does the job. Full face mask along resulted in a dry mouth (another sleep disruptor). So i had to limit mouth breathing, but not completely. Even tape's type mattered (waterproof, rite aid brand). Surgical tapes didn't work

If mouth taping worked for the leaks, perhaps the P10 would work with mouth taping.

I have to watch my mouth leaks too with the P10, especially since I have sinus allergies at times/

[tan]

damn, I thought UK has a free healthcare...

going to ENT route may be even more expensive. I have been to mine twice (2008 and 2015) was recommended surgeries (rhinoplasty) both the times. Except that in 2015, I was NOT recommended to have UPPP by the same doctor, like it was in 2008 go figure. Instead he suggested that I have a MAD. Fortunately, I made my VPAP work right at that time, which I bought on a black market (it went at night, like a drug deal). I am now wondering whether I could have made my APAP work as well, which I had returned to DME (with its deficient EPR3), but since I had proof that VPAP with PS==5 work for me, my insurance covered a second VPAP for me. PS==4-5 was more comfortable, so was setting Trigger/Cycle to Very High.

Whether to keep or return your APAP is a tough question, considering the expense. I would keep it. But remember that unlike in sleep apnea, the problem is rather in your sympathetic nervous systems. In my case, I had mild apnea (AHI 4.95) and moderate UARS (RDI 18), so the question whether to keep the machine was easier for me. You have 2 AHI and 15 RDI, 2 AHI isn't competely horrible, but people here don't like it either.

I very seldom use Nasal drugs. I noticed that somehow the CPAP makes my nasal passages clear (passover humidity). With higher humidity and temp, they become congested. Also, once I remove the mask in the morning, my nose becomes congested right away.

Different types of MAD didn't help me, I even had a separate thread here.

[tan]

]
I already wrote on the previous page that you must address your sleep disruptors, leaks. They may seem within the norm to some, but for UARS, they are a factor. After trying to make p10 work (leaks, not comfortable), I had to switch masks and that several times I wish I could use P10, because it expands nostrils much better than nasal strips, by the way. But I couldn't fix the leaks, even with full mouth taping.

I eventually found out that a combination of partial vertical mouth taping with a full face mask does the job. Full face mask along resulted in a dry mouth (another sleep disruptor). So i had to limit mouth breathing, but not completely. Even tape's type mattered (waterproof, rite aid brand). Surgical tapes didn't work

If mouth taping worked for the leaks, perhaps the P10 would work with mouth taping.

Yes, it reportedly does work for some people. Not in my case. First, I could not achieve a reliable seal with my nose. However, when I did accomplish that a few times, I had puff cheeks. Damn... Then I theorized that FFM could help balance the external and internal pressures (mouth cavity), my theory may be flawed, but somehow that approach worked out.

[canyouhearmeaya]

damn, I thought UK has a free healthcare...

going to ENT route may be even more expensive. I have been to mine twice (2008 and 2015) was recommended surgeries (rhinoplasty) both the times. Except that in 2015, I was NOT recommended to have UPPP by the same doctor, like it was in 2008 go figure. Instead he suggested that I have a MAD. Fortunately, I made my VPAP work right at that time, which I bought on a black market (it went at night, like a drug deal). I am now wondering whether I could have made my APAP work as well, which I had returned to DME (with its deficient EPR3), but since I had proof that VPAP with PS==5 work for me, my insurance covered a second VPAP for me. PS==4-5 was more comfortable, so was setting Trigger/Cycle to Very High.

Whether to keep or return your APAP is a tough question, considering the expense. I would keep it. But remember that unlike in sleep apnea, the problem is rather in your sympathetic nervous systems. In my case, I had mild apnea (AHI 4.95) and moderate UARS (RDI 18), so the question whether to keep the machine was easier for me. You have 2 AHI and 15 RDI, 2 AHI isn't competely horrible, but people here don't like it either.

I very seldom use Nasal drugs. I noticed that somehow the CPAP makes my nasal passages clear (passover humidity). With higher humidity and temp, they become congested. Also, once I remove the mask in the morning, my nose becomes congested right away.

Different types of MAD didn't help me, I even had a separate thread here.

I suppose my dillema is: I have AHI 1/2, RDI 15. Is there a possibility that actually my RDI is caused by a nasal defect (e.g. polyps etc), in which case might some sort of treatment alone remove the need for CPAP. We have free healthcare here, but the issue is the waiting times. I can see an ENT for free, but wait 3 months, or pay £500-600 and see them next week. My dillema is that which I mentioned before.

All I know is I have an RDI of 15 with suggested 'upper airway flow limitation'. Is that flow limitation caused by some nasal defect, which I can potentially fix, and would that resolve my RDI of 15 therefor voiding the need for CPAP in the first place. Equally, is the reason I can't breathe great with CPAP CAUSED by a nasal defect.. so kind of a double edged sword.

I can't seem to find any real clear answer online as to whether an RDI of 15 could simply be cause by some sort of sinus issue, which when resolved could solve the problem in the first place.

[canyouhearmeaya]

The other factor is, I think my congestion probably always gets worse at night. I'm fairly certain I never wake up with a clear nose, allergies or not. In the winter I recall just cold weather (without me being remotely sick) causing me to wake up stuffy. So maybe there's a chronic sinus issue going on, which regardless of humidity is resulting in congestion, again preventing compliance with CPAP, because regardless of how much I minimize congestion, once I'm led down it inevitabley leads to a build up.

[tan]

The other factor is, I think my congestion probably always gets worse at night. I'm fairly certain I never wake up with a clear nose, allergies or not. In the winter I recall just cold weather (without me being remotely sick) causing me to wake up stuffy.

This is where you and I differ significantly: cold weather usually clears my congestion. So yeah, a visit to ENT could help clarify. In the meantime, check for Dr. Falcon suggestions on UARS http://www.uarsrelief.com/uarsreliefebook.pdf

[canyouhearmeaya]

The other factor is, I think my congestion probably always gets worse at night. I'm fairly certain I never wake up with a clear nose, allergies or not. In the winter I recall just cold weather (without me being remotely sick) causing me to wake up stuffy.

This is where you and I differ significantly: cold weather usually clears my congestion. So yeah, a visit to ENT could help clarify. In the meantime, check for Dr. Falcon suggestions on UARS http://www.uarsrelief.com/uarsreliefebook.pdf

Hmm, I've just read the first bit, about Claritin. I've tried using anti-histamines lately, which haven't really made much odds. Anti-histmaines don't seem to fix my congestion entirely, the only thing I've ever used AFAIK that's really made it notabley better is Otrivine. Having said that, I haven't tried 'Claritin' or that particular compound recently, so maybe it works differently to other anti-histamines. I'll be sure to pick some up and give it a go, who knows!