Renamed: DurtGurl's adventures in therapy

[zonker]

Sorry about opening a new post, zonker. I will stick to this one from now on as I sort out my troubles. The nasal pillow masks are the one type I have not tried yet. I see how they would help with a thin face as they only touch at the nasal holes. But, good face cleaning with the AirTouch F20 minimized the leaks last night so I will stick to that one as I increase pressure to control apneas.

sometimes with masks, you gotta dance with the one that brung ya!

[zonker]

I am not a mouth breather during the day. but boy is my mouth all dried out after a night with the FF mask. My next step in the experiments after raising the pressure will be to tape my mouth within the FF mask to see if apneas settle down.

for dry mouth, i suggest xylimelts. it's a small lozenge that fits between teeth and cheek. a slightly tacky side helps it adhere to the teeth. it melts slowly through the night, promoting saliva.

found in the oral care section of your drugstore(for sure at rite aid and cvs) or at amazon.

good luck!

[DurtGurl]

I will try leaving all the same but raising the max pressure tonight to 15 or 16 (20 seems like too big a jump) following Okie bipap's advice.

Only difference last night from the previous screen grab was setting max pressure set to 17 (I went for a big move). Looks like I maxed out only a few brief times so this might be a good max setting? However, my sleep was more interrupted with a few leaks and general discomfort with extreme dry mouth; I woke up numerous times. Tonight I'm going to try the same pressure settings with the AirTouch F20 but will tape my mouth.

[Chris8243]

No advice from me on machine settings, but I can talk about masks.

I also have a thin face and apparently a small head - cause many headgear straps with Velcro end up overlapping. Some masks offer a “For Her” size but they’re not much smaller.

Anyway, I used a FFM for several years, tried many (5?) and settled on Air Touch as my favorite. My problem with every mask is eventually leaks which wake me up.

Last time I went to sleep doctor, he suggested I try both Dream Wisp and Resmed N-30i with a chin strap. He said many DME’s offer FFM to those who say they are mouth breathers when in fact, they might be able to use a nasal mask. He explained that the FFM’s have a lot more surface touching the face - so a lot more places it can leak from. I did not think the nasal masks would work, as I know I breathe through my mouth more than my nose.

But guess what? After just a few days of using a chin strap (and feeling like my head was in a clamp) I tried without it. Voilla! I can use a nasal type with no problem keeping my mouth shut. I like them both, and use both. When I’m mad & frustrated, I switch. Happy for a while, then switch back. Less leaks for sure with both.

[Chris8243]

Now I see you from your notes that you tried the N-30i. Was it too wide for your nose?

[zonker]

I will try leaving all the same but raising the max pressure tonight to 15 or 16 (20 seems like too big a jump) following Okie bipap's advice.

Only difference last night from the previous screen grab was setting max pressure set to 17 (I went for a big move). Looks like I maxed out only a few brief times so this might be a good max setting? However, my sleep was more interrupted with a few leaks and general discomfort with extreme dry mouth; I woke up numerous times. Tonight I'm going to try the same pressure settings with the AirTouch F20 but will tape my mouth.

you adventuress, you!

try to make one change at a time and give it a few nights to sink in. i know, i know...you are eager to get this therapy dialed in and who can blame you? but our bodies can be stubborn about changes coming too fast. it can take time to adjust.

i think you are doing great.

and you'll continue to do so!

[DurtGurl]

Now I see you from your notes that you tried the N-30i. Was it too wide for your nose?

Yeah, the N-30i leaked at the sides around my nose during the night. I had the starter kit and tried all sizes with the same results. I then went to the F30 and F30i and had side leaks AND a bad skin rash in reaction to all the silicone. I still wonder about the P30i Nasal pillows - less silicone and seal IN nose instead of around nose.

[ChicagoGranny]

I still wonder about the P30i Nasal pillows - less silicone and seal IN nose instead of around nose.

Yeah, that mask has a small footprint. However, nasal pillows do not seal inside the nose. They seal on the outside of the nares.

BTW, silicone allergies are very rare. You might consider that you are experiencing contact dermatitis.

[DurtGurl]

you adventuress, you!

try to make one change at a time and give it a few nights to sink in. i know, i know...you are eager to get this therapy dialed in and who can blame you? but our bodies can be stubborn about changes coming too fast. it can take time to adjust.

i think you are doing great.

and you'll continue to do so!

I have always lived on the edge and been a risk-taker . Mouth taping with the AirTouch F20 made last night much more comfortable but it did nothing for the # of events. Noting one of your previous posts, I have a thin pillow so I doubt chin tuck due to a fat pillow is an issue. Last night I maxed out the 17 pressure setting (see below) so tonight I will set a higher max pressure (20?). I know you said give it a few days, but that maxing out looks like a clear sign for increasing pressure.

I actually find the AirTouch FF mask quite comforting and I now fall asleep right away once it is on my face, so I think I am on the right path and just need to get those events under control.

[Pugsy]

The bulk of your AHI...OAs and hypneas...cluster at the times where your pressure was maxed out.
The machine wanted to go higher (and needed to go higher) but couldn't.
Using a higher pressure is going to be what is needed to reduce the AHI numbers.

[ChicagoGranny]

I have a thin pillow so I doubt chin tuck due to a fat pillow is an issue.

Chin-tuck can happen with the flattest of pillows.

Like you, I started out requiring very high pressures. The doc prescribed bilevel, pressures - IPAP 24, EPAP 18.

I started wearing a foam cervical collar, and my pressure runs auto 10 - 12. This is much more comfortable and easier to control mask-leak. The cervical collar holds the neck in the optimal position for airway patency. It also helps prevent jaw-drop.

[LeonardoDR]

Yes, for the dry mouth/mouth leaks try a mouth tape (I like Somniflex) or a chin strap. If you go the chin strap route, get the Knightsbridge Dual Band. It lifts vertically from below the jaw. (The traditional elastic ones wrap around the tip of your chin and force the jaw into the jaw joint, which is painful and ineffective.)

[DurtGurl]

I have a thin pillow so I doubt chin tuck due to a fat pillow is an issue.

Chin-tuck can happen with the flattest of pillows.

Like you, I started out requiring very high pressures. The doc prescribed bilevel, pressures - IPAP 24, EPAP 18.

I started wearing a foam cervical collar, and my pressure runs auto 10 - 12. This is much more comfortable and easier to control mask-leak. The cervical collar holds the neck in the optimal position for airway patency. It also helps prevent jaw-drop.

I'm not liking the chin strap, don't really want to tape for eternity, and am ready to try the cervical collar route to keep my jaw in check. There are so many cheap variations of the cervical collar on Amazon... Might you have a recommendation for something comfortable and non-itchy?

[ChicagoGranny]

There are so many cheap variations of the cervical collar on Amazon... Might you have a recommendation for something comfortable and non-itchy?

I would start out with a 3- or 3.5-inch, soft DMI (or similar) brand. Eventually, I moved up to a 4-inch, firm Carex. The latter is more effective for me, but I would advise getting accustomed to wearing a smaller, softer collar. And, it might work well for you. If it is not effective enough for you, you can move up later.

With a little price-shopping, I've been able to find them for about $7.00 shipping included. Most pharmacies - Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and independents - carry a small selection at cheap prices. (Beware of breathing COVID air.)

If you have trouble finding a good price online, I can look for you when I get some more time.

[DurtGurl]

There are so many cheap variations of the cervical collar on Amazon... Might you have a recommendation for something comfortable and non-itchy?

I would start out with a 3- or 3.5-inch, soft DMI (or similar) brand. Eventually, I moved up to a 4-inch, firm Carex. The latter is more effective for me, but I would advise getting accustomed to wearing a smaller, softer collar. And, it might work well for you. If it is not effective enough for you, you can move up later.

With a little price-shopping, I've been able to find them for about $7.00 shipping included. Most pharmacies - Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and independents - carry a small selection at cheap prices. (Beware of breathing COVID air.)

If you have trouble finding a good price online, I can look for you when I get some more time.

Thanks Grannie! I feel if I can just keep my mouth shut then I'll be on my way to proper therapy and good rest. The AirTouch F20 is super comfy and when it is sealed I feel like I'm in a warm hug all night. I'm hoping the collar gives me the same sense of comfort and care. Thanks for your (and everyone else's) help on this journey. As with everything I do, I'm a bulldog and will not give up until I get it perfected!