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Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2022 10:07 am
by earlvillestu
PMA = positive mental attitude

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2022 12:03 pm
by joepublic23
Of course. Thanks!

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2022 1:08 pm
by zonker
why are some threads deemed to go off topic and others aren't?

because clearly, this one has drifted.

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 3:38 pm
by Janknitz
joepublic23 wrote:
Tue Aug 02, 2022 8:49 am
What does PMA stand for?

I am trying to figure out when perseverance becomes wasteful.

Before I got the sleep study done I was 99% sure that I had sleep apnea due to my lifelong snoring AND that I could not sleep with a CPAP machine (and in all likelihood a dental device).

Since having missed the equivalent of a day of work to go to two doctors appointments, 2 trips to the sleep lab (the second was to return the equipment) and 2 trips to the DME I have confirmed that I have sleep apnea AND that I cannot sleep with something strapped to my face. This feels very wasteful and pointless. The machine is reducing the amount of sleep that I get since I will wear it for 20-30 minutes when I try to go to sleep but then I have to take the mask off so my body can adequately relax enough to fall asleep.

I know that I have a much harder time falling asleep than most people, but reading about all the challenges of correctly using a CPAP even if you CAN actually fall asleep makes me wonder if this effort is pointless.
It took me a solid three sleep-deprived MONTHS before I could fall asleep and stay asleep with CPAP--about 5 trips back and forth to the sleep clinic trying different masks and different strategies, and whole lot of aggravation. But I realized that for my health and my husband who couldn't sleep in our bed anymore because of my snoring, failure to adapt to CPAP was NOT an option.

YOU may be sleeping through the night without CPAP, but evidently you are keeping your wife awake:
I have always had a hard time falling asleep, but once I do, I am usually able to stay asleep for the rest of the night. If my wife wakes me up due to snoring I can usually fall back asleep fairly quickly, but I do have difficulty when I try to sleep on my side or if I prop myself up with 2 pillows.
. It's true, it's DAMN hard, but sleep apnea isn't just affecting you now or later. The downstream effects of untreated apnea are hard, too--it will be a while before you get there--but your wife is living it now.

Our OP Harryno seems to have gone MIA. I hope he didn't give up, as he had a much better attitude than Joe, but the struggle is real.

And Zonker, I don't think this thread has gone "off topic". It's no secret that getting used to CPAP is incredibly hard for many people. People come in all flavors as far as attitude and willingness to do something hard, so this thread has been a good illustration of that point.

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 4:39 pm
by joepublic23
My AHI was only 6.4, so the doctor didn’t think treatment was essential, especially since I strongly suspected that I would be unable to fall asleep with a CPAP. I am only making an attempt to treat this for the sake of my wife.

This board HAS been helpful thus far, despite my ongoing inability to fall asleep. I originally only figured that I would do the sleep study and attempt to use a CPAP so I could get Inspire. But this website made me aware that it unfortunately might not be the miraculous solution that I have been looking for, due to ugly scars and the potential for constantly being woken up from electric shocks.

I am wondering if the dental device might be better, but I doubt I can fall asleep with it holding my mouth propped open in an unnatural position. I am also concerned about ruining my bite and requiring lots of expensive dental work down the road.

The whole snoring thing is awful

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:03 am
by GrumpyHere
joepublic23 wrote:
Fri Aug 05, 2022 4:39 pm
I am wondering if the dental device might be better, but I doubt I can fall asleep with it holding my mouth propped open in an unnatural position. I am also concerned about ruining my bite and requiring lots of expensive dental work down the road.
They do not prop your mouth open.

Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) attempt to open the airway by moving the mandible (the lower jaw) and your tongue forward.

Along the same line but without moving your jaw, there's iNap.

It didn't work for me, but given you're looking for alternatives.
They do have trials at ~$90 per month.
https://shop.inapsleep.online/shop

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 5:42 am
by joepublic23
Thanks for telling me about that, I hadn’t heard of it before. I doubt it would work for me, as the problem is that I can’t stand anything touching my face.

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 5:49 am
by GrumpyHere
joepublic23 wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 5:42 am
I can’t stand anything touching my face.
Nothing touches your face. It's mouthpiece with a hose attached to a vacuum pump.

Image

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:17 am
by joepublic23
The mouthpiece would touching my face, although it looks like it might be less uncomfortable than the CPAP mask or the dental device, so it might be worth a try, before I get the nasty scars from Inspire.

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:36 am
by GrumpyHere
The mouthpiece is wholly in your mouth with only the hose protruding through your lips.

A hose manager could keep the hose away from you face and body.

Also consider the Bleep mask system ( again with a hose manager) for minimal stuff touching your face. They basically use band-aid material to attach the hose to your nose.

No straps at all. Lots of forum members love them including our awesome moderator, Pugsy.

There is the improved Eclipse coming in a few months.

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:41 am
by joepublic23
I will keep it in mind, but I don’t think iNAP is available where I live. I was unable to fall asleep with the mask on again last night even after taking melatonin.

Also the problem is if ANYTHING is touching me, like a wedding ring or a watch, I can’t fall asleep.

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:43 am
by Pugsy
joepublic23 wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:17 am
The mouthpiece would touching my face, although it looks like it might be less uncomfortable than the CPAP mask or the dental device, so it might be worth a try, before I get the nasty scars from Inspire.
From what I have heard about the INAP and a similar Winx (now defunct) excessive salivation can be a problem.
Lots and lots of drooling.


Have you got your appointment set up to be evaluated for the Inspire program?
I repeat.....just because you think you want the Inspire procedure doesn't mean you qualify for it.

Looks to me like you are going to have a problem with 2 of the needed criteria.
1...your AHI of 6.4 barely meets the criteria for a diagnosis for OS. Moderate OSA means an AHI of 16 or higher. You are far from it.
2...Your general problems falling asleep...so the "you do not have significant trouble falling sleep" qualification for being a candidate could be an issue

https://www.uhhospitals.org/services/Ea ... a#eligible
You are eligible for Inspire Sleep Surgery if:

You are interested in a surgical option for your obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
You have moderate to severe OSA with a diagnostic sleep study in the past 2 years
You tried CPAP therapy and it didn’t work
You do not have significant trouble falling asleep
You have a body mass index (BMI) of 32-35 or less

Schedule a Consultation Today

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:50 am
by joepublic23
I am seeing my MD on 8/11, we are going to talk about Inspire then.

A different post on this forum IS making me reconsider Inspire as I am concerned that the shocks might wake me up (although my problem is falling asleep, not staying asleep) I am also concerned about my appearance from getting those scars.

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:46 am
by GrumpyHere
joepublic23 wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:41 am
Also the problem is if ANYTHING is touching me, like a wedding ring or a watch, I can’t fall asleep.
Hmmm … so you sleep commando without any blanket or such?
Or are you ok with cloth?

There are cloth masks.

https://www.circadiance.com/sleepweaver

They press very very very lightly on the skin. The straps are confining compared to the P10 though.

I use the 3D when I have irritated skin due to the Nuance Pro or the P10.
Pugsy wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:43 am
From what I have heard about the INAP and a similar Winx (now defunct) excessive salivation can be a problem.
Lots and lots of drooling.
Yep, there is a lot of drooling.
BUT the vacuum pump unit sucks the saliva into a gel absorption pack.

I keep spitting out the mouthpiece.
And my AHI of 29 is probably too much to be effectively treated.
His low AHI might stand a chance.

If joepublic23 is in Canada the option of aerSleep might be available.
https://www.massdevice.com/sommetrics-w ... ea-device/
https://sommetrics.com/aersleep/

Re: Just can't sleep with my mask on!

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:59 am
by Pugsy
GrumpyHere wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:46 am
His low AHI might stand a chance.
True in terms of AHI but I am betting with the ultra super sensitive sensory issues and general problems falling asleep....it wouldn't work out well.
If he can't stand a wedding ring touching him....I doubt seriously that having something attached to his tongue, sucking on it, is ever going to happen and have sleep happen with it.

Like I always say....gotta get the sleep first and foremost for any of it to matter.

And remember the main complaint is the snoring that bothers the wife and threatening to drive the wife out of the bedroom and he doesn't want to sleep alone. That is his main goal here...keeping the wife in the bedroom.
Even if the INAP (or really anything) could reduce the AHI....the snoring is potentially still a problem in terms of bugging the wife. There's no guarantee that cutting the AHI in have is going to resolve all the snoring issues. Maybe it will but maybe it won't because we can have problems with snoring absent of any OSA diagnosis.
Not all OSA patients snore and not all snorers have OSA.