What to do when all methods of sleep apnea treatment are exhausted?

[zoocrewphoto]

I would get a nasal mask again and then post data from a typical night here.

It is possible that any leaks you had were minor or could be resolved. If you weren't having major leaks during that first year, then leaks may not be a big problem. Many doctors do not know how to get the best results. For example, many believe that an ahi under 5 is great, but that is the line where insurance will pay. Most people need to get under 2 to feel a noticeable improvement.

Since you are not able to sleep well with a full face mask, give a nasal mask another try. And this time, let a bunch of experienced (been there, done that) people help you to deal in success. Most people who come here, post graphs and try the advice do have pretty good improvements. I know it feels like you have tried everything already, but it is possible that your previous coaches didn't quite have the right experience to help you succeed. Most doctors have not slept with a cpap themselves, so they don't really understand how to make it work at its best.

[reader2580]

To be clear, I have always had an APAP. I might need to get a new machine because it seems fairly noisy compared to when new.

I suspect the reason I wake up has nothing to do with my mask or CPAP. It is just that it seems to take a lot longer to fall back asleep with the mask on so that I end up taking it off.

[ChicagoGranny]

That might be the problem. You took the doctor's advice.

I see you have 41 posts here so far. Have you posted SH charts for review by members?

I have no reason not to believe the doctor.

Here's a big one: The doc has not pored over your SH Daily Details reports.

[reader2580]

Here's a big one: The doc has not pored over your SH Daily Details reports.

The doctor uses the Philips Respironics software to look at the data from my machine. This doctor has longer appointments than any other doctor I have ever seen. My last appointment with him was almost an hour.

If one can't trust a medical professional then why see them? The first sleep center I went to was a joke. They only had a part time MD who only seemed interested in selling CPAP machines and supplies. The second appointment I had there was with a PA because the MD had moved on. After that I found my current doctor who I like very much. I can look at the data with SH, but I am not trained to analyze the data like a sleep medicine MD.

[Miss Emerita]

As zoocrewphoto suggests, one method to try is to post a chart or two so the resident experts can take a look. I glanced back through your previous posts, and I might have missed it, but I think that’s something you haven’t ever done. There are lots of people on the forum ready to help if possible!

[Pugsy]

I am still trying to figure out how you expect us to help if your apparently good doctor hasn't been able to sort out your problems and he has a lot more information about you than we do.

Did you really only want to know about alternatives to cpap therapy for sleep apnea or are you wanting to try to fix whatever problems you are having?

I don't mean to sound rude or uncaring but I can't figure out if you are just wanting to vent your frustrations or only wanted an answer to the "other alternative" question or get some ideas on how to make you happy with the mask.

Until you can sleep all night with a mask...you don't stand a snowball's chance in hell of ever feeling rested. It's hard enough when we can sleep all night with our masks to feel better. If we can't or won't keep the mask on all night...we can't expect to feel better. Just isn't going to happen.

Mask issues are critical to successful therapy though...gotta get that sleep with the mask on all night to have any chance of ever feeling better.

[ChicagoGranny]

If one can't trust a medical professional

What does your own testimony say? ------------------->

The first sleep center I went to was a joke. They only had a part time MD who only seemed interested in selling CPAP machines and supplies. The second appointment I had there was with a PA because the MD had moved on.

[ChicagoGranny]

As zoocrewphoto suggests, one method to try is to post a chart or two so the resident experts can take a look. I glanced back through your previous posts, and I might have missed it, but I think that’s something you haven’t ever done. There are lots of people on the forum ready to help if possible!

That's exactly what he has missed so far. He needs to post a Daily Details chart of a recent night.

[Dog Slobber]

That's exactly what he has missed so far. He needs to post a Daily Details chart of a recent night.

He also needs to answer questions asked of him.

For example, he was asked if he had tried a nasal mask and taped his mouth. He didn't mention tape.

So you have taped your mouth shut and worn the nasal mask and looked at the data to see if your still leaking air ?

I no longer have a nasal mask as it has been over five years since I switched to full face. I used the nasal mask for at least a year without any relief.

[katestyles]

We are happy to help.

We are happy to hear your frustrated vent.

How can we help?

[palerider]

Here's a big one: The doc has not pored over your SH Daily Details reports.

The doctor uses the Philips Respironics software to look at the data from my machine. This doctor has longer appointments than any other doctor I have ever seen. My last appointment with him was almost an hour.

If one can't trust a medical professional then why see them?

If everyone could trust their medical professionals to properly manage their treatment,

THIS FORUM WOULD NOT EXIST.

We'll be here whenever you decide you actually want to do something to help yourself.

[reader2580]

I wrote a big long reply earlier, but I apparently I closed the tab in my browser too quickly and it never finished posting. I hope to post some stuff from SleepyHead tonight.

I don't recall if I ever tried taping my mouth with a nasal mask. If I did do it previously it was maybe one or two nights. I don't know how well I would tolerate tape over my mouth, but I suppose I could try it for a few weeks to see if it helps. It wouldn't be a big deal to order a new nasal mask.

I am still wondering if there are other treatments for Sleep Apnea that aren't CPAP/APAP, mandibular advancement, or Inspire? I have an appointment for a follow-up with the ENT surgeon on Tuesday and I'll see if there are other surgical interventions that make sense. I've read here that a lot of the other surgical options are not great and there is at least one surgery that has a side affect of a chronic sore throat.

[ChicagoGranny]

I wrote a big long reply earlier, but I apparently I closed the tab in my browser too quickly and it never finished posting. I hope to post some stuff from SleepyHead tonight.

Don't worry about a long reply. Just post one night of SH using the instructions in the thread at the top of the forum index page - "Pugsy's Pointers...SleepyHead Tutorial and TX Hints".

The first thing people here want to see is the SH chart. Long discussions, if at all necessary, come later.

[babydinosnoreless]

I wrote a big long reply earlier, but I apparently I closed the tab in my browser too quickly and it never finished posting. I hope to post some stuff from SleepyHead tonight.

I don't recall if I ever tried taping my mouth with a nasal mask. If I did do it previously it was maybe one or two nights. I don't know how well I would tolerate tape over my mouth, but I suppose I could try it for a few weeks to see if it helps. It wouldn't be a big deal to order a new nasal mask.

I am still wondering if there are other treatments for Sleep Apnea that aren't CPAP/APAP, mandibular advancement, or Inspire? I have an appointment for a follow-up with the ENT surgeon on Tuesday and I'll see if there are other surgical interventions that make sense. I've read here that a lot of the other surgical options are not great and there is at least one surgery that has a side affect of a chronic sore throat.

I have not heard of any other treatments. I occasionally see those little anti snoring things advertised on facebook but I don't think anyone here has actually made something like that work. We all wouldn't be here if we had. Finding the right mask and getting my settings optimized made a word of difference for me.

Mouth taping doesn't sound very fun but a lot of people do it to avoid the full face masks. Others use chin straps, cervical collars or just scrunchies to keep their mouth closed at night.

I also have to wonder if your doctor thinks your apnea is being treated correctly by the machine if there are any other issues causing your sleep to be fragmented ? Medicines you might take, limb movements while sleeping, or other things keeping you from getting a full nights sleep?

[Dog Slobber]

I don't recall if I ever tried taping my mouth with a nasal mask. If I did do it previously it was maybe one or two nights. I don't know how well I would tolerate tape over my mouth, but I suppose I could try it for a few weeks to see if it helps. It wouldn't be a big deal to order a new nasal mask.

You may want to try a set of ResMed P10 Nasal Pillows.

Very minimal and a very popular mask. You probably will have to tape.

https://www.cpap.com/en/ca/productpage/ ... k-headgear