Resmed 10 and "Events Per Hour"

[Nick Danger]

I sleep on my side a lot and don't have problems with mask leaks. Everyone is different, so making broad statements isn't helpful. I have problems with mouth breathing - I've never learned to sleep with my mouth closed despite years using CPAP. I tried chin straps with varying success. Even the idea of taping makes my skin crawl - so I'm glad I have not had to resort to that. Now I am using a soft cervical collar which is working well at controlling my leaks. There is no "one size fits all" or "one approach fits all" to this therapy. Many of us took weeks or months to get to the point that we were adequately treating our apnea.

Don't give up, you are making progress. Having said that, your numbers from your sleep test suggest that the mouth appliance might work - those can reduce mild apnea somewhat and in your case that's all it would take. I'll leave it to someone else to quote the results of studies of mouth appliances in treating sleep apnea - it seems sort of hit or miss. The one thing about mouth appliances is that they are expensive - the professionally fitted appliances tend to cost well over $1,000 - and you've mentioned difficulties affording masks which are much less expensive. I think there is also a problem getting insurance to cover the mouth appliances in many cases.

As you've noticed, there is a wealth of talent on this board. Pugsy and Palerider are particularly knowledgeable and I trust them more than I trust any sleep professional I've met.

[MimiLou]

I am going through similar and tried the dreamwear nasal pillows yesterday at the DME and @ pressure 8 it started blowing up my Eustachian tubes and I yanked them off. Yesterday afternoon I again tried the Dreamwear FFM, the Amara View, and ultimately slept again with the AirTouch F20 FFM for Her. Interesting to me is that as I struggle with these not staying in place with position changes (yes, waking up to high pressure air blowing everywhere but that doesn’t register as a leak) my numbers are getting better because I am doing better staying off my back....so maybe like you I will try an oral appliance.

[Sluggish]

Yes I’m sure some of the oral appliances are quite expensive. So much about (the cost of) this treatment seems like a bit of a racket to me. I’d love to see the actual manufacturing cost of a Dreamwear nasal mask and headgear because to me it looks like they could charge about $40 and still have at least a 500% profit.

To be clear I am using a $15 device from Amazon that pulls my tongue forward via suction. Even this device should only cost about $5 but I was willing to give it a try at $15 vs. $100+ every time I want to try a new Cpap mask.

[Sluggish]

For anyone interested..here is the device I'm using:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B4 ... UTF8&psc=1

Pulls and holds your tongue forward which clears the airway at the back of the throat.

I noticed a huge improvement in my ability to breathe right away. Not sure about AHI's because I'm not currently sleeping hooked up to anything that can measure. I don't recall waking up during the night. I still feel tired in the morning and all day but it's only been a week so I'm giving it some time. A few times it has come loose during the night and I find it on my pillow in the morning. Reviews are mixed but trust me, if it stays in/on, it will work like it's supposed to. Also, as people mention, your tongue will feel a bit odd for about 30 mins in the AM but goes back to normal.

[Muse-Inc]

To Sluggish and Mimilou (sp?) both of you might try a hybrid-style FFM like the one I wear. Click on the one listed in my signature for details. It has pillows and an oral cushion that covers the mouth, comes with 3 sizes of both.

[Sluggish]

To Sluggish and Mimilou (sp?) both of you might try a hybrid-style FFM like the one I wear. Click on the one listed in my signature for details. It has pillows and an oral cushion that covers the mouth, comes with 3 sizes of both.

Thanks for the tip!
I was waiting for my prescription to come via mail so I could order from cpap.com.
Something came today but I now realize it's all wrong and probably won't even work. Everything takes weeks. Back to square one I go.

[MimiLou]

I thank you, also, and was reading about the hybrids yesterday...when I tried the pillows alone as soon as it got to 7 my head exploded from the inside and I jerked them off...would the hybrid solve that "I am blowing up" feeling? I really really liked the Amara View and new Dreamwear FFM but with my face shape could not get the seal to stay in place...the memory foam in the AirTouch F20 For Her has solved that...I keep thinking I will get some stick on foam insulation strips to seal the Amara and Dreamwear edges, hahahaha!!

[Muse-Inc]

I was waiting for my prescription to come via mail so I could order from cpap.com.
Something came today but I now realize it's all wrong and probably won't even work. Everything takes weeks. Back to square one I go.

Sorry! If you can get them to write the correct script, it can be FAXed to cpap.com. That's what I did, saves some time.