oscar newbee

[nhrata]

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I recently upgraded from a S9 and I feel more tired then normal .
I'm new to using Oscar and not sure what I'm looking at.
I've been waking up a few time at night feeling like I'm not getting enough air.
It feels like I'm pulling air in and it's not pushing but all my setting are the same as my old unit

[Dog Slobber]

The only thing that looks off about your therapy is your leaks. You are over the leak threshold for one third of the night.

Recognizing that with too much leaks, the device looses accuracy, your pressure appear to be treating your apnea's fine.

No event's, minimal increases in pressure. With a pressure line that flat, you might even consider reducing your minimum EPAP. That might also help reduce some of the leaks.

[Miss Emerita]

To build on Dog Slobber's post: You do need to deal with the leaks. They look like they might well be mouth leaks. Does your mouth open during the night? If so, we can make suggestions for dealing with that.

Getting used to a new algorithm can be disconcerting, and the "feel" can be fairly different even though the settings are the same.

You could definitely try lowering your EPAP, as Dog Slobber suggests, because your lack of obstructive events means that just can't hurt you as an experiment. A different idea might be to increase the PS to 4. The increased PS might help you feel as though you are getting more air with less effort as you inhale.

I would say pick one change to make and give it a couple of days. Keep us posted!

[Julie]

Her previous (and only other) post was a couple of yrs ago when she asked for help with Oscar, but while one person gave advice, the OP never returned until now. She's actually not an 'Oscar newbee'.

[nhrata]

Thanks very much for the help. I will for sure keep you posted . i

[nhrata]

Her previous (and only other) post was a couple of yrs ago when she asked for help with Oscar, but while one person gave advice, the OP never returned until now. She's actually not an 'Oscar newbee'.

I'm not sure if you are taking about me. but my name is Tim so I'm a he LOL. I am new to Oscar I just down loaded it last week I think . I have posed once on here and it was when they first put me on a Bipap and I had a question about that . I'm sorry I didn't reply back then but I was having a lot of health problems at that time . I'm a long time cpap user( since I was 25 ) but I'm New to the high tech stuff

[nhrata]

To build on Dog Slobber's post: You do need to deal with the leaks. They look like they might well be mouth leaks. Does your mouth open during the night? If so, we can make suggestions for dealing with that.

Getting used to a new algorithm can be disconcerting, and the "feel" can be fairly different even though the settings are the same.

You could definitely try lowering your EPAP, as Dog Slobber suggests, because your lack of obstructive events means that just can't hurt you as an experiment. A different idea might be to increase the PS to 4. The increased PS might help you feel as though you are getting more air with less effort as you inhale.

I would say pick one change to make and give it a couple of days. Keep us posted!

I never use to open my mouth. But I've been waking up with a very dry mouth so I believe I am now . I did try a chin strap but it didn't seem to help my leak numbers and my mouth was still dry. I think I open my lips .
I'm going to try PS 4.00 for and few days.

[zonker]

I never use to open my mouth. But I've been waking up with a very dry mouth so I believe I am now . I did try a chin strap but it didn't seem to help my leak numbers and my mouth was still dry. I think I open my lips .

there are two things you may want to try. the first is a foam cervical collar, which you can find in most drugstores. this will keep your jaw up.

secondly, to help keep those lips together, try this-

viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296

both of this things used together has helped me tremendously. maybe they can help you too?

good luck!

[Pugsy]

You know it doesn't take very much mouth breathing to cause dry mouth. I know I have experienced it and seen maybe as little as 10 or 15 minutes of big leak that is probably related to mouth breathing.

A chin strap doesn't really provide (nor is it intended to provide) enough tension on the lower jaw to really prevent mouth opening.
A chin strap is supposed to be a gentle reminder to the jaw not to drop. It really doesn't do much to help the lips stay closed.
Clench your teeth together...but open your lips and breathe...it's easy to do and even having the teeth clenched together doesn't prevent the breathing.

My own open mouth issues appear to happen more often when I am on my back (which I normally try to avoid since it makes my back issues worse) So you might also look at sleep position factors being involved with the potential open mouth issues.

To make sure though...you could try taping your mouth for one night and then look at the leak graph and also evaluate your own dry mouth issues. If the leak line clears up and the dry mouth clears up...you have your answer.

I have also had really bad leaks simply from mask movement...not all big leaks are mouth breathing leaks. So I have been there myself as well. If you want to fix a problem...you first have to try to identify the problem.

[nhrata]

Thanks again for the help . you guy's are great

[Miss Emerita]

To follow up on Pugsy's comment, you could try Somnifix tape. It is very gentle on the skin but does keep the lips from parting. One other possibility: start training your tongue to help keep you from mouth breathing.

Place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth, and let your tongue spread all the way across your palate. Then use a little suck or swallow to produce a bit of suction between your tongue and your palate. You should then be able to open your mouth wide and yet breathe entirely through your nose.

Now, that's not too hard during the day, but what about at night? A fair number of people find that if they practice this during the day and then position their tongues before they drop off to sleep, eventually their tongues stay in place pretty well.

(Full disclosure, the tongue thing would not be a total solution to mouth breathing for me, but it prevents "chipmunk cheeks," which I appreciate. I do need to use tape as well.)

[nhrata]

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Here is last nights re I ordered Somnifix tape today . I feel better todayport. I ordered Somnifix tape today . I feel better today

[Miss Emerita]

It's good to hear you're feeling better. I'll be curious how Somnifix works for you. I find that I do best with it when I make sure my lips are dry and turn them in a little before I put it on.

[nhrata]

It's good to hear you're feeling better. I'll be curious how Somnifix works for you. I find that I do best with it when I make sure my lips are dry and turn them in a little before I put it on.

I tried Somnifix strips for a few days they helped a little with leak number

[nhrata]

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