Problems and Solutions

I have been on CPAP since August 2005. Initially I was very encouraged by the results. Most remarkably my nearly daily morning headaches went away and I felt better rested. But my nose was too narrow to use a nasal mask so I was forced to use an Ultra Mirage.

What I have noticed is that it seems that solving one problem is leading to the next problem. The Ultra Mirage pressing on the face has caused a shift in bite, which has caused teeth grinding and now I have headaches again.

So I had a turbinate reduction using cauterization. That has been quite effective and now I am able to sleep regularly with my Aura mask and my mouth taped shut. The headaches have lessened again and I hope they disappear.

I wonder if others out there have had symptoms improve and then worsen again. In my case due to TMJ which was aggravated by the FF mask.

Thanks for posting, dkeats. You just confirmed my own hypothesis. I have been using the Ultra Mirage FF Mask for six weeks and in the last couple of days concluded that it has worsened my apnea as I have tightened it down to decrease leaks. Last night I loosened the lower straps quite a bit and my AHI dropped to half what it's been for a week or so. I also had a large leak for about an hour during the night. Oh well . . .

Regards,
Bill

P.S. I probably didn't make it clear, but in the above I was referring to the lower part of the mask pushing my lower jaw backward thereby causing a decrease in the windpipe and an increase in apnea. (There, I hope that's clearer.)