Still New, Making Some Progress

I received my card reader today and just installed it and the software with no real issues. I am trying to interpret the data, but I think I am making progress. For the last 5 nights, reading the LCd (Remstar Pro M Series) and clearing it daily, my AHI index has been, in order, 17.9 13.8 11.7 4.8 4.7. My LPM is averaging 37-41 with Large Leaks at 0.0 Mins and 0% every night. That's good right ? I started out with AHI index as high as 69 in sleep study.

The last 2 nights I started taping my mouth with 2" paper tape, and using breath right strips. The tape keeps my big mouth shut. But the breath right strips keeps the nasal pillows sealed no matter how much I move and turn. Before those, every time I rolled to my side or moved my head I had to reseat or adjust the mask as it would lose seal. The strips keep my nostrils open wider so the pillows sits deeper without making the mask uncomfortably tight. Between the tape and strips, you can see the last 2 nights above.

I still can't get off the Afrin. I am trying everything but without 1 spray per nostril, I cannot breath through my nose. I use or have tried a netti pot daily, vicks inhaler, all levels of the humidifier, sudafed, saline spray, prescription steriod spray from doctor, allergy medicine, and several over the counter remedies such as "sinus blaster" (Do NOT Try this one).
I guess the only way will be to find a FF mask that works and use it a week or 2 until my sinuses get used to no Afrin. Maybe the Liberty.

Welcome to the message board, Don.

It does sound like you're making good progress tweaking your treatment. Very good!

Please keep us posted on how it goes.

I am guessing that the nasal pillows are the wrong size for you or you wouldn't be having to use the Breath Rights. Have you experimented around with the different size pillows/

Page,
I have tried all sizes of pillows. I am using the medium and without the breathe strips they fit very well and feel very comfortable. If I slept on my back they stay in place perfect. But when I turn on my side and my face shape changes and the head gear moves, the pillows lose seal. So I don't think it is a size thing or they wouldn't fit so well when still. They are just sensitive to movement. The only other way I can prevent leaks is to tighten the gear but then it is very uncomfortable. When they fitted me they said the loser I could keep it the better. It is not meant to be used tight. I suppose one of those fancy shaped pillows may help, but I can't bring myself to spend $50 on a pillow to find out.

Hi,

Maybe you don't need to spend $50 to find out. Do you have a foam store or a large craft store in your area? You might be able to buy a piece of foam and cut it out as needed, then cover it with a pillowcase. It shouldn't cost more than a few bucks to give it a try. In my case, all I needed to do was keep my cheeks off of the pillow, yet have it support the side of my head. If this experiment works, then you might want to get one of the expensive pillows, or hunt for some medical grade foam to use for a permanent pillow.

-john-