Tonsils & Uvula gone, but back to Square One……and struggle with CPAP.

[Knackersyard]

64yo Male in UK.
Sleep difficulties as long as I can remember. Hyperactive as a kid. Busy brain.
Prolific snorer since teens (I’m told..).


Had my first Sleep Studies in 2011, which resulted me being sent down the ENT route. Had Tonsils, Uvula & some flappy tissue removed by Laser. That worked immediately! Snoring gone & best sleep ever!

Unfortunately, after 2 years the snoring returned. I started on CPAP more for my wife, as my sleep was still acceptable at the time. I tried for months & several masks & nose pillows, but I just couldn’t tolerate it. I gave up & haven’t used it for years.

My sleep quality is now back to where I started, so I’m booked in for a new Sleep Study in 3 weeks time.

I still have the CPAP (Resmed Airsense 10) & am going to try again starting tonight.


I just wonder if there’s been any advances in the last 10 years?
Are there better CPAP machines than the Airsense 10?
Better masks?

Or what about alternatives? I’ve been reading about these Implants. Is that the way forward?


Thanks!

[ChicagoGranny]

I still have the CPAP (Resmed Airsense 10) & am going to try again starting tonight.

To help you, data is needed. It's easy to get. ---->

1. Create a free account at SleepHQ.com
2. Import the data from your machine's SD card to SleepHQ.com
3. Post the link in this thread
4. Any personally identifying data in the link is redacted by SleepHQ.

Are there better CPAP machines than the Airsense 10?

No, unless you need a bilevel. Let's look at your charts first.

Better masks?

Yes, peruse cpap.com and read the rankings and reviews.

Welcome!

[Knackersyard]

To help you, data is needed. It's easy to get. ---->

1. Create a free account at SleepHQ.com
2. Import the data from your machine's SD card to SleepHQ.com
3. Post the link in this thread
4. Any personally identifying data in the link is redacted by SleepHQ.

Thank you CG

Unfortunately, when I went to bed last night I couldn’t get the Mask to seal at all, so gave up. I’ll dig my 3 masks out today & try to sort it out.

I opened an account on SleepHQ.com. Hopefully the rest is straightforward.


Thanks

[ChicagoGranny]

Unfortunately, when I went to bed last night I couldn’t get the Mask to seal at all

Find your mask model on YouTube and watch three or so videos about fitting and adjusting.

You can make this work. At some point, we need to talk about the mouth-breathing issue and solutions. I have the same problem. This forum led me to a solution.

BTW, have you seen your ENT recently to scope your nasal airway?

[Knackersyard]

Unfortunately, when I went to bed last night I couldn’t get the Mask to seal at all

Find your mask model on YouTube and watch three or so videos about fitting and adjusting.

You can make this work. At some point, we need to talk about the mouth-breathing issue and solutions. I have the same problem. This forum led me to a solution.

BTW, have you seen your ENT recently to scope your nasal airway?

Thanks again CG

The mask is ResMed AirFit F10. I’ve got 2 other masks, incl a Nasel Pillow somewhere, that I can’t find at the moment, so it’s just the F10 for now.

The problem seems to be the head strap part is old & stretched, plus the Velcro isn’t sticking that well, so I couldn’t get a tight enough fit. I need to get a new Head Strap. In the meantime, I’m going to stitch or tape the straps.


My first appointment with the ENT (since 2013) is on 28th Oct.

[ChicagoGranny]

My first appointment with the ENT (since 2013) is on 28th Oct.

Make sure she scopes your nasal passages. It takes three minutes or less.

Ask for an opinion on why you mouth breathe. This is a dumb question, but sometimes it yields helpful answers.

[Knackersyard]

My first appointment with the ENT (since 2013) is on 28th Oct.

Make sure she scopes your nasal passages. It takes three minutes or less.

Ask for an opinion on why you mouth breathe. This is a dumb question, but sometimes it yields helpful answers.

I will do thanks!

BTW, I don’t have an issue mouth breathing. Not when awake anyway. Although I remember when using the Nose Pillows the pressure would build up & blow my mouth open.


I’ve been looking on the SleepHQ site at these O2 Rings. Is that the only Oximeter that will upload to the SleepHQ site? They’re very expensive!!!

[ChicagoGranny]

I’ve been looking on the SleepHQ site at these O2 Rings. Is that the only Oximeter that will upload to the SleepHQ site? They’re very expensive!!!

Do you have any lung or heart dysfunction?

If not, let's get a good CPAP process running, and you will have no need for an oximeter. Without long breathing events, you won't have any desats.

[ChicagoGranny]

I don’t have an issue mouth breathing. Not when awake anyway. Although I remember when using the Nose Pillows the pressure would build up & blow my mouth open.

Ask the ENT why. I doubt she will have an answer that makes sense, but it's fun to ask.

[Knackersyard]

No Lung or Heart issues I know of, thankfully.


I’ll be trying the CPAP again tonight.

[Knackersyard]

Well I bought a new mask, an AirFit F30i, which I’ve managed to use much more comfortably for 2 nights. The head-top connection definitely an advantage for a wriggling face-down sleeper like me!

Interesting that the results over 2 nights suggest that OSA is NOT my problem, with AHI of 2.05 & 1.63….

Maybe no surprise considering I had my Tonsils & Uvula removed. The only positive so far is for my wife, who said I didn’t Snore at all. Although, she’s not too impressed with the cold air blowing in her face

One metric I absolutely dispute is the “Vitality” rating. If I’m 98%, I wouldn’t want to experience 50!!!! If I were to rate my sleep quality & how rested I feel, I’d say 50% at very best!

How do I post my results?


So my search goes on…. My biggest problem has always been falling to sleep & staying asleep, so maybe it’s just simple insomnia.

Many years ago during my sleep studies, I was struggling with a really swollen tongue, which was raw & painful & scalloped. Tests showed I had deficiencies in Zinc & Folate. I will bring this up at my ENT appointment.

Thanks!

[ChicagoGranny]

scalloped

A scalloped tongue is due to pressing on the teeth in a jaw that is underdeveloped. Underdeveloped jaws are a (maybe the) major cause of OSA.

How do I post my results?

1. Create a free account at SleepHQ.com
2. Import the data from your machine's SD card to SleepHQ.com
3. Post the link in this thread
4. Any personally identifying data in the link is redacted by SleepHQ.