Treatment all of a sudden became less effective in July

[Green Eyes]

Quick background:
Initiail sleep study found 72 apneas per hour but CPAP brought those down almost nothing however I still remained tired. After another sleep study last September my settings were changed and for the first time in my life I woke up feeling rested and actually had energy.

Around the beginning of July this month something changed and I returned to feeling exhausted when I woke up and my energy level has dropped signifigantly.
I have replaced all hoses, filters and water tubs including the inlet seal thinking it may be an issue but it wasn't. I have even begun trying different types of sealents as suggested in another thread with less than spectacular results.

I have noticed an increase in my allergies the last month and nasal congestion and I bought an air purifier for my bedroom and have been trying different allergy medicines and nasal sprays.

I have been trying to find all the variables but I have been unsuccesful thus far. After September 2018 my energy level was at 90 to 95 percent. After July 4th of this year it went down to 25 percent. Now its around 75 or so.

In the last 3 months since I have had energy I have been consistently running, lifting and excercising and Im not sure if that has played a part in all of this.

Any insight or wisdom would be appreciated. I have included some data and will provide anything else.

Aircurve 10
Optilife mask with medium pillows
37 Year old male

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Please review this thread with examples for showing the detailed data reports in a format that helps us help you.
viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html

How's your sleep quality? Waking often? If so, any idea why?
Do you take any medications? If so, what kind?
Do you wake with a dry mouth?

The main thing that stands out right now on the report shown is the of leak going on? Are those leaks waking you up?

Have you ever tried a different mask from the OptiLife? IMHO there are much better alternatives out there.

[Green Eyes]

How's your sleep quality?
Sleep quality has been down since early July as evidence of my tiredness during the day

Waking often? If so, any idea why?Occasionaly I have woken up during the night the last month but nothing major.
Do you take any medications? If so, what kind?
Do you wake with a dry mouth?Not really

The main thing that stands out right now on the report shown is the of leak going on? Are those leaks waking you up?Leaks are not waking me up but the average leak rate has doubled since July and other than climate and pollen I havent been able to pin down another cause.

The leaks aren't waking me up. It's almost entirely a question of getting a good nights rest - which I did before July came around.

Have you ever tried a different mask from the OptiLife? IMHO there are much better alternatives out there.I started out with the full face mask but couldint tolerate the leaks in the eyes. Moved to the P10 then the optilife which worked exceptionally well for 10 months.

Intially I believed it was a problem with my machne as the change was so sudden. But I believe I have replaced anything that could leak on my machine below the mask. Also as far as I can tell I have trained myself not to open my mouth at night but it has happened a few times over the years.

I have approached this ordeal rationally and almost scientifically trying to elimate as many variables and without much success.

Thank you for the reply

[Pugsy]

The leaks are big enough and frequent enough and prolonged enough to be a factor harming sleep quality even if they aren't waking you up to remember it. We don't always remember every awakening.

How do these leaks compare with what you were having say in May or June? Worse? Same?

Something is messing with your sleep quality but figuring out what it might be isn't always so easy.

Medications????

[Ograx]

I’m going to chime in we’re because the leaks look very similar in length and total duration as to what I was experiencing. After going with mouth tape and virtually being leak free I sleep quite a bit better. Definitely more refreshed as well even though AHI was unchanged. I think there is so many factors to sleep quality that we have to look at every angle. Recently I’ve read quite a bit of scientifically studies that say sleepi on your side is hands down the best as far as being alert and focused and for the health of your brain. I’ve now taken steps to force the side sleeping to be the dominant way I sleep and hopefully that helps as well.

[Green Eyes]

Sorry, forgot to answer: no medications.

As I look at the overall leak rat eof the past 10 months or so it appears my leak has been increasing the past few months and perhaps it only reached the tipping point in July. The mystery becomes why it started leaking

[Pugsy]

How old is the headgear?
I have briefly used the OptiLife in the past. The headgear is real easy to stretch out.
The leak is intermittent so I don't think a hole in the hose or something like that. Usually when that happens the leak is constant and doesn't come and go.

[Green Eyes]

How old is the headgear?
I have briefly used the OptiLife in the past. The headgear is real easy to stretch out.
The leak is intermittent so I don't think a hole in the hose or something like that. Usually when that happens the leak is constant and doesn't come and go.

I just replaced the entire head gear.

I have been scratching my head to find any change or variables.

Couple of thoughts I have:

Since i've had more energy I have been working out consistently and as a result I have lost weight. Not sure as to whether this may be a cause.

Not sure if perhaps my pillow lifts my head too high and restricts my air flow when I sleep on my back

[Green Eyes]

I’m going to chime in we’re because the leaks look very similar in length and total duration as to what I was experiencing. After going with mouth tape and virtually being leak free I sleep quite a bit better. Definitely more refreshed as well even though AHI was unchanged. I think there is so many factors to sleep quality that we have to look at every angle. Recently I’ve read quite a bit of scientifically studies that say sleepi on your side is hands down the best as far as being alert and focused and for the health of your brain. I’ve now taken steps to force the side sleeping to be the dominant way I sleep and hopefully that helps as well.

What type of tape do you use and how do you aply it?

[Ograx]

I use micropore tape 2” in 2 layers over my lips and from cheek to cheek. Gotta be careful taking off as it is pretty sticky. Bought it off amazon. It’s worked well with the only side effect being some days I have mild aerophagia.

[Miss Emerita]

Another tape option is Somnifix, which does the job and is very gentle on the skin. A bit pricey, but for me it’s worth it.

[chunkyfrog]

Allergies can do it for/to me.
Pollen is everywhere green things bloom.
See your doctor or an allergist.

[Jay Aitchsee]

Here's a link to an old thread of mine: viewtopic/t85888/Correlation-of-Sleep-w ... al#p781664

What my data seemed to show was that my sleep was better in winter than in summer.

[zonker]

Here's a link to an old thread of mine: viewtopic/t85888/Correlation-of-Sleep-w ... al#p781664

What my data seemed to show was that my sleep was better in winter than in summer.

thanks for posting this. it was in "the before times" of my forum use.

while not backed by any data, i too feel i sleep better in the winter. when the temperature in the room is at a natural overnight low of 64 is when i feel i get my best sleep.

neither a/c nor fans can replicate it, though fans DO help.

last night, bedroom temp with fans lowered to 68. not too bad and i did sleep fairly well.

[D.H.]

To the OP:

Are you using a BiPAP due to Central (or mixed) Sleep Apnea, or only because you need such high pressures?

Also, you might want to try a regular nasal mask. Your pressures are very high, so nasal mask might be less leaky.