CPAPtalk.com

RubySnooze wrote:Mouth taped -- two layers of tape from 3:40 on

Looks like you are getting closer to finding the answer for those pesky leaks.

OkyDoky wrote:Looks like you are getting closer to finding the answer for those pesky leaks.

LOL...yeah, learning way more about tape than I ever wanted to know. I think tonight we'll start with a full layer of 3M Micropore ('cuz it sticks to skin No Matter What) with a topper of painters tape across the lip area ('cuz air can't get through that stuff No Matter What).

I'm gonna make this work or die trying!

When I wear my hybrid mask, I always wear a stretchy headband around my head that covers the tip of my nose and extends down to the bottom of the nasal pillows. This stabilizes the nasal pillows when I sleep on my side and prevents leaks.

M'ohms wrote:When I wear my hybrid mask, I always wear a stretchy headband around my head that covers the tip of my nose and extends down to the bottom of the nasal pillows.

Sounds like a great idea. I never would've thought of putting it there. It doesn't push the pillows too firmly against your nose?

Unfortunately, I have chronic pain in my cheekbones and jaw joints that has been very aggravated by any headband or chin strap. So had given up on any strapping. Will play around with this arrangement and see if it irritates the bones!

Thanks for another interesting idea, M'ohms!

RubySnooze wrote:July 28
Pressure 8.5 /8.5
Swift FX
Mouth taped -- two layers of tape from 3:40 on

something else is leaking, badly. (thought I'd posted this already, but must have spaced...)

the posted leak rate for your mask at 8cm is 29lpm. and with a single pressure, that should *stay* at 29lpm all night long, flat. your leaks are getting up to twice the intended vent rate for that mask.

RubySnooze wrote:Sounds like a great idea. I never would've thought of putting it there. It doesn't push the pillows too firmly against your nose?

I bought my headbands from Walgreen's, I think (in the hair section with combs, rubber bands, etc.). I believe there were 3 in a package. Compare lengths as some are longer than others. I bought the longest ones they had. They're 2 inches wide and made of a thin stretchy knit. Plain and cheap. It doesn't put any pressure on my nose at all. It just cradles the tip of my nose and the pillows without readjusting anything. The headband creates a smooth surface that keeps the nasal pillows securely in place as you move around at night. After a week or so, the headband becomes a little stretched out, so I just wash it, let it air dry, and it shrinks to its original size again.

Hope this helps,
M'ohms

July 29
Pressure 4/4 [there ya go, OSAHell ]
3M Micropore tape AND painters tape until @ 5:15
Bareback after 5:15

July 30
Pressure 4/4
Swift FX
3M Micropore tape + painters tape on top

Count down to the big day...just 2 more days till you see the new doc.
FWIW...I don't think 4/4 is doing much. If we are to believe the machine the OAs alone are too numerous.
Interesting that they seem to be clustered in what very well could be REM stage sleep which is fairly common.
How about a repeat trial of 8ish with the double taping?

Pugsy wrote:Count down to the big day...just 2 more days till you see the new doc.
FWIW...I don't think 4/4 is doing much. If we are to believe the machine the OAs alone are too numerous.
Interesting that they seem to be clustered in what very well could be REM stage sleep which is fairly common.
How about a repeat trial of 8ish with the double taping?

Thanks, Pugsy!

I was wondering the same thing. Will this new tape technique hold at 8ish?

Also see periodic breathing both nights of 4/4.

See new doc tomorrow at 9:30, so only one more night of wild, uninhibited experimentation.

Re last night:
* That last sleep segment was 4hrs 40mins long.
* I got up at 3:30 and removed the tape to drink some water. The last segment is with the same tapes stuck back on. Not quite as good as fresh tape. Woke up this morning with the painters tape hanging off my chin. Looks like the weakest link is keeping the painters tape stuck to the 3M Micropore.

RubySnooze wrote:July 29
Pressure 4/4 [there ya go, OSAHell ]

Thanks!

I really hope your new doc will be of good help and support and make sure to share your impression with us tomorrow! As for the last night of wild, uninhibited experimentation, I'll leave the choice to you (as always) but I surely am curious as to what a third night of 4/4 will look... At that point it's not really a question of whether it's the perfect pressure as much as collecting data. The problem when your leaks are too hight is that your Flow rate become so thin that it's hard to really conclude anything without doubts.

I'll think of you tomorrow and I'm sure I won't be the only one!

July 31
Pressure 8.5 / 8.5
Swift FX
3M Micropore and painters tape
Felt like very little decent sleep

BUT an AHI record, nonetheless!

RubySnooze wrote:July 31
Pressure 8.5 / 8.5
Swift FX
3M Micropore and painters tape
Felt like very little decent sleep

BUT an AHI record, nonetheless!

Congrats! Actually you had 2-3 nights with lower AHI in the past but this one look the best with very little flow limitation, RERAs and basically no Vibratory Snore. Now you have to repeat that tonight, that would definetly be a record if you AHI stay below 3! When you say "very little decent sleep" do you mean less decent sleep than the last week or just a little more decent? Sorry, I think it's your "nonetheless" that confused me...

Did you finally see your new doc this morning?

OSAHell wrote:Actually you had 2-3 nights with lower AHI in the past but this one look the best with very little flow limitation, RERAs and basically no Vibratory Snore.

Ah...I keep forgetting there were months and months that I never saw any stats. Before I met my favorite sleep experts and found Sleepyhead!

And apologies: after I saw your earlier post, I planned on spending last night at 4/4 pressure. Went to bed completely forgetting that I had changed it to 8.5/8.5 earlier in the day. 'Fraid senility rules over here.

When you say "very little decent sleep" do you mean less decent sleep than the last week or just a little more decent?

Crappy sleep. Worse sleep than usual. Felt like I was awake, or sleeping very shallowly, most of the night.

Did you finally see your new doc this morning?

Yes. Will post about that shortly...

Met with Doc 2 this morning. For about 12 minutes.

He agreed that APAP is not working for me, but wants his own tests before he starts to consider what is going on. He's scheduling me for a chest xray, a breathing study, and a three-night in-home sleep study. I'll see him again the middle of September.

He didn't really want to hear what I thought about anything, but I left him a stack of printed materials, all nicely organized, in case he gets bored some night and can't help taking a peek.

So another six weeks of treading water.

Guess I'll continue tape and pressure experiments. Any requests?