AHI is on average 11

Is this good or do I need to make some adjustments to get it lower? There was a few days when I hit 5 or so but that was weeks ago and never been able to get those numbers again. Why is it that this is a constant battle you would think after a certain amount of time you would have a constant not these fluctuations.

You could be mouthbreathing, and not being treated part of the night. If you don't take steps to control that, Taping or a FF mask, used correctly will control that. Jim

sleepyhead63 wrote:Is this good or do I need to make some adjustments to get it lower? There was a few days when I hit 5 or so but that was weeks ago and never been able to get those numbers again. Why is it that this is a constant battle you would think after a certain amount of time you would have a constant not these fluctuations.

Hi

I am afraid you need to do better

Under 5 is normal.

At 11 you still have mild sleep apnea

Sleepdeprived

you need to bump up the Minimum pressure by 1 cm.

Thanks, snoredog I did what you said and bumped it up 1 and this morning my numbers went down to 7 AHI in one night

Do you have your sleep study findings, such as your titrated pressure? If so, and you wish to post them, there are forum experts who may help you sort this all out. Snoredog's suggestion seems to have worked. Many of us have had to experiment with different pressures to get the best results, but your titration pressure may be a good place to start. Goofproof is also right about mouthbreathing.

[quote="sleepyhead63"]Thanks, snoredog I did what you said and bumped it up 1 and this morning my numbers went down to 7 AHI in one night

My titrated pressure was 14cm and that was what I orginally set my pressure at and still my numbers were alittle high so I bumped it up to 15cm and my AHI went do to 7 from 11 the following night. Now as far as mouth breathing goes I think your right because I woke up last night and my throat was bone dry and had to drink a glass of water and it still felt alittle scratchy and dry. I know alot of people tape there mouths shut but I worry about lets say I got sick in the middle of the night and had to vomit and my mouth was taped shut or had to sneeze.I assume the only other option is to get a full face mask and I don't know if I can tolerate it, The night of my study they woke me up in the middle of the night and slapped a full face mask on me and I had to remove the mask because I felt cloustophobic and never put one on again. So where does this leave me? I am trying to stay positive because I do notice some good results from this therapy, I don't take afternoon naps anymore and when I wake up in the morning I don't feel as groogy and sleepy so I am greatful for that but I don't want to stop there. Thanks for any help you can give!!

You have valid concerns about taping.
Would it help you to know that when we tape, we fold the tape in on both sides creating tabs that area easy to grab and pull off quickly in case of emergency?

Have you ever in your life thrown up while you were half asleep?

Can you try getting used to a full face mask while you're sitting and doing something pleasant?

O.

There are many people here more expert than me, especially about mouthbreathing, since I prefer full face masks. I expect you'll hear from them, but my understanding is that your options other than full face masks include:

1) Taping,
2) Polident strips, and
3) Chin straps (not held in high regard here).

You might want to consider a Hybrid, since it seems less likely to induce claustrophobia.

The mask is probably the most difficult part of the circuit. I had to go through about a dozen before I found some that suited me, and I still try out a new one from time to time.

I think I will give the full face mask a try, I just don't feel comfortable taping my mouth shut. I had a hard time finding a mask that works for me and I finally found one and am 100% compliant with (ultra mirage II nasal mask) and now have this mouth breathing problem, never ends. Its funny I just called my dme a week ago and told her I had a defective mask (had it for 30 days or so) and got her to agree to send me out a replacement mask,so it should arrive sometime next week, which I really can't use now because of my situaton. I am due another mask in september and I will ask for a full face, I know she will him and haul saying she just sent me out a nasal mask, its not easy dealing with these people. It took about 6 weeks to receive a mask I order from them so by the time you get it and test it out its time to get another one(not really a bad thing, new one every 3 months) but everytime I change a mask she will say to me you need to give it more time and try to talk me out of it. Sometimes you just get frustrated and feel like giving up but I know I won't I can't.
Can anyone recommend a good ff mask, I do like to side sleep so keep that in mind. Thanks!!

SleepyHead,

You will get a full and varied range of opinions on "favorite full face masks". Everyone is different when it comes to masks.

Having said that, I've tried a bunch of them, and will offer my opinion. You can also go to cpap.com and see what masks are most popular, and use their sizing tool.

I think the Resmed masks are of higher build quality than Respironics, but cost much more. After I fixed the leaking elbow in the Quattro, I find myself using it most of the time, because it's comfortable and gets a low AHI. The Ultra Mirage Full Face is about as good in both regards.

The Respironics Comfort Full was my main mask for a long time, because I get the lowest AHI with it compared to any other mask. However it hits on my bottom gum line, and is not very comfortable for my particular face. I tried a M and a L. The L did not fit.

I liked the FlexiFit 431/432 for a while, and still use them sometimes, but found them prone to leak, and higher AHI.

I tried hard to like the Hybrid (most people here do), but it appears that I do not like things in my nose. I used the original Hybrid, and a beta shell supplied by them, all combinations of pillows and cushions, the new headgear, and so forth. I still think it's a great design, just not for me.

The reason I use more than one mask is that I like to rotate them, because it spreads the tissue insult around. My upper pressure is fairly high (19.5, but I don't hit that very often), and so I have to strap a little tighter than some.

Lastly, I got a Respironics Total Face yesterday (room breaks out in laughter), because I've been curious about the thing forever. It is a really good look for me, particularly with the racing stripes. I can't imagine that it will work, but at least I won't be curious anymore, and I can use it to store the half dozen nasal masks there in the drawer'o'failed masks.

With full face masks you still have to breath through your nose and not your mouth, correct? I assume it covers your mouth to prevent leakage?

Thanks cwsanfor for advice, I think I will look into the quattro ff, I have to start somewhere, the search continues.

With a full face mask you can breathe through you mouth - and not lose treatment pressure. You don't have to breathe through you mouth.
O.