New CPAP User, Long time sufferer...

Some DreamWear packages have the fleece side wraps including...some packages don't.
I guess yours didn't or you would know what I am talking about.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... bric-wraps

You can make your own from a little scrap of fleece.

It might just be dry skin but why just where the frame is? So I would try the fleece wraps as a barrier...plus they help prevent dents on the cheeks and feel good.

Karen at Padacheek.com makes some really nice strap/frame covers....I like hers even better.

https://www.padacheek.com/

The one at padacheek.com looks pretty good. My only worry is that it would make the mask fit funny. But if you recommend them, I'm sure they're good.

Wonder if they give cpaptalk.com members a discount!

Boshwash wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 19, 2018 9:14 am

I have began to notice two things, sometimes even with my chinstrap I end up opening my mouth and air escapes, this wakes me up. If not for that, I may not have woken up at all (that I remember) last night. I may try tightening the chin strap just a little bit to see if that helps.

i'm way too lazy to check back on this, but has anyone suggested a foam cervical collar? it helps keep the jaw closed and helps keep your airway open.

Hey zonker,

Yeah - I've actually been reading about people using the foam collars. The chin strap I have right now is so minimal and non-invasive. That being said, if slightly tightening it doesn't help, I'll start looking at other options, including the foam collar.

Maybe I need to look at some pics of them too...

Covers will add just a little tiny bit of extra snugness to anything. I rather like it...less mask movement but it's like anything else with cpap or supplies....YMMV.

It does make a nice barrier but if it's too much...maybe just a simple DIY cover made out of an old Tshirt would be sufficient.
I like soft and cushy....but someone else might not.
Plus I tend to get dents easily from straps so soft and cushy helps prevent dents better than a thin cover does.
I learned that years ago with the ResMed supplied little covers on the Swift FX. ResMed supplied strap covers were too thin to help me much with the dents.
Plus I would rather feel soft and cushy against my skin than sticky silicone.
I am all about comfort with everything.

I definitely have problems with face dents. Sometimes I can still see them by noon. They don't last as long I've noticed with the nasal mask though. When my pressures were lower, I kept the mask just tight enough to prevent leaks, which on that style of mask was pretty easy. Now that's I've tightened it a little more, the dents last a little longer. I should probably get a cover and try it.

Speaking of pressures... I'm starting to think about turning off the auto feature for a while and letting my pressures stay solid through the night at 11/14. There shouldn't really be an adjustment period on something like that... I just want to see if it helps me sleep through the night, maybe I'm being disturbed when the pressure jumps... I guess it couldn't hurt to try right?

Won't hurt to try.
I have always tried a lot of different things...some big changes and some tiny changes just to see if some little something made any difference.
You never know until you try and you always learn from an experiment....even if all you learn is not to do that again.
Did that once years ago with the AFlex experiment...Had been using the setting of 2 for years and really liked it. Decided to turn it off...don't remember why I decided to do that...anyway...horrible results. Bad sleep, bad aerophagia, extremely high pressures for some unknown reason. Ill all the next day from the aerophagia (one of the few time I have ever had aerophagia bother me) and that night I turned AFlex back on and set it to 2 and never repeated that experiment.
For some reason my body likes and needs exhale relief and since I am all about comfort...that's what I give it no matter what machine I am using.

Just remember....you always learn something with any experiment...good, bad or even if nothing changes that you can spot..you do learn.

Oh...if you have bad dents...for sure go with cushy and soft. World of difference in how your face looks in the morning.

Boshwash wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:32 am

Speaking of pressures... I'm starting to think about turning off the auto feature for a while and letting my pressures stay solid through the night at 11/14. There shouldn't really be an adjustment period on something like that... I just want to see if it helps me sleep through the night, maybe I'm being disturbed when the pressure jumps... I guess it couldn't hurt to try right?

No harm trying it out. But I'll point out that a wise member here informed me that it's more likely the apneas waking me up, not the pressure. In my case I've found this to be true. It's easy to tell in SH.

I will probably place my order for the 'soft and cushy' frame wrap at padacheek.com today.

Thanks for stopping by djams. You are probably right about the apneas. The only thing that makes me want to try it is the air leaking from my mouth. This hasn't been a problem since I got the chin strap. Until I turned the pressures up higher. That being the case, I wonder if the air leak is only happening when the pressure spikes. Plus, when reviewing my charts - most of the events seem to be SWJ. In addition, there doesn't seem to be any correlation between increases in pressure and decreases in events. The scientist in me wants to remove variables to gain more ..... accurate? results.

I can also tighten the strap a bit, it's a single strap chin support and elastic doesn't last for ever, if the elastic is given just a bit - that could also explain the air leakage.

I've also started to experience what I believe to be aerophagia at these higher pressures. even at the initial pressure of 11/14. It feels kind of like a backwards burp in your throat if that means anything. Sounds kind of weird, I know.

Boshwash wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:58 am

The only thing that makes me want to try it is the air leaking from my mouth. This hasn't been a problem since I got the chin strap. Until I turned the pressures up higher. That being the case, I wonder if the air leak is only happening when the pressure spikes. Plus, when reviewing my charts - most of the events seem to be SWJ.

This all sounds very reasonable. Most important to stop the things that wake us up. Give it a try - that's what's great about being in control of your own therapy.

Boshwash wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:58 am

It feels kind of like a backwards burp in your throat if that means anything. Sounds kind of weird, I know.

I DO know what you're talking about! I get these occasionally when starting therapy. Had one last night in fact. It may be associated with aerophagia. But in my mind, if it doesn't hurt it isn't aerophagia. I've always felt that it was related to my weak esophageal sphincter. I just shrug these off. Mine are harmless. May go on all night, I don't know. Reverse burp is a great description.

Haha, well at least I know I'm not alone. Last night was the first time I noticed it. We'll see what kind of crazy new reactions take place tonight

Good morning everyone.

So, I did as I said I would. I turned off the auto setting and fixed the pressures at EPAP 11cm and IPAP 14cm. The only other change was that I slept longer that usual (went to bed early, was super tired). After one night on these settings, I didn't have any air leaking through my mouth (that I can remember), so that's a bonus. Also, I don't remember waking up but maybe once or twice all night. After loading up the charts this morning, I do see some interesting developments.

For starters, my AHI dropped by a decent margin, but I'm not going to count that until I can produce it several times in a row. Aside from that, there are more 'Vibratory Snores (VS2). Usually, I might see one or maybe two, most of the time none. There were 4 last night. Also, they didn't seem to coincide with any obstructive events, which it seems like they would. I also saw a longer period of 'periodic breathing' which I'm not familiar with. That's an event that rarely shows up along with RERA. The PB was around 1.5 minutes.

I'm also curious why my EPAP pressure didn't stay at 11, it showed 11.5 on average, which made my PS 2.5 through most of the night.

Below is the chart for anyone who is interested:

12/19/2018

Are you using any BiFlex exhale relief? I think maybe you are and that explains the EPAP variations. No big deal.

The VS2 snores...not enough to worry about one way or the other.
Read this. Scroll up to the top to where RobySue starts the thread.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=155478&p=1182872#p1182872

Flow Limitation flagging is turned off in Fixed mode...so the lack of FL flags is meaningless.
Let's continue the fixed experiment but do it in auto mode with some pressure tweaking...so you don't lose FL flagging. May or may not be important.
Go back to auto mode..
Set minimum EPAP to 11.0
Set maximum IPAP to 14.0
Set PS minimum to 3 and PS maximum to 3
The machine will now function like the fixed bilevel with the settings you used last night but FL flagging is now turned on.

Do this for 2 or 3 more nights...
If the obstructive stuff in your AHI (OAs, hyponeas) still is running 1 to 2 ish AND you are still seeing very many RERAs and/or snores or FLs...increase the EPAP and IPAP 0.5 cm...and do another 3 or 4 nights with more pressure.
The Centrals/CAs...we ignore for the time being...go in and check to see if you think they are SWJ or not...make a mental note and that's it. Primary goal with this experiment is see if you can sleep more soundly with less arousals or wake ups.

I am telling you this in advance because I may not be around for a few days. Going to Vegas for the holidays tomorrow and as much as I love you all....I will be with grandson and my daughter and just have more fun stuff to be doing than hanging around the forum.