Aroma Therapy with CPAP - Is it helping?

18th night – 3rd night with the Pur-Sleep EO Peace aroma:

I love the Peace aroma. The same amount was used on the diffuser pad last night – about two drops. I find it very pleasant and welcome. There has not been a night wherein I found the aroma therapy to not be welcome.

Though my short sleep-night night was filled with multiple, long Large Leak durations and considerable tossing and turning I feel reasonably well this morning. Mask-off episodes did not occur.

I woke absent noticeable headache, had minimal head-fog, clear vision and stable gate upon rising. I also remember having several pleasant dreams – no names though <G>. Despite quite a few flag events last night and the long Large Leaks, it was not a bad therapy night judging by how I feel.

The Encore Pro charts can be seen at:
viewtopic/t23593/Encore-Pro-Daily-Charts--082007.html


At twenty-one (21) days I'll stop posting daily updates to this thread.

19th night – 4th night with the Pur-Sleep EO Peace aroma:
Not unexpected, the Peace aroma was again very pleasing as I drifted off to sleep. It seems to be no less beneficial for me than the Clear or Spice aromas.

My days are extremely stressful at this time and it shows on the Encore Pro charts, regardless of anything I try to do to calm.

The night was eventful, as the chart reveals, but there were no Large Leaks. Though, the leak rate was far too high much of the time. Readjusting the Hybrid mask headgear could help that. But tossing and turning in reaction to body pain is a prime cause of the mask leakage.

Most, or many, of the flag events were probably triggered by pressures increasing to compensate for the mask leakage.

Waking was not great, but far from my worst mornings – moderate headache was present, vision was good and my gait and vertical steadiness were good. Body ache, however, was more pronounced than on some other recent mornings.

Still, even mornings like this are far above my mornings before adding Pur-Sleep aromas to my regimen. I’m getting more sleep, longer solid sleep periods each night… and waking each morning with generally less severity of the OSA hangover problems.

The Encore Pro charts can be seen at:
viewtopic/t23593/Encore-Pro-Daily-Charts--082007.html

I loved my trial (thanks again sleepguy) Pur-Sleep oils so much I bought the Deluxe Starter Pack (I believe it's called starter because it has all the scents, diffuser, and pads.

It's like a scent buffet each night. Hummm, which will it be tonight. My husband likes all but Spice, Paradise, and both of us don't like Rosa (which I traded for a Clear with another forum member).

I do find myself reaching for Comfort over and over as I get such great sleep and low AHI.

20th night – 5th night with the Pur-Sleep EO Peace aroma:

According to my chart I had a great night. There were very few events, the leak numbers were low and my tossing and turning was at a minimum. I had no mask-off episodes.

A headache was present when I woke, though not too bad. Vision was good and there wasn't any head-fog. Upon standing my balance and gait were good, and I had minimal body ache and pain.

For most of the night I do not remember sleeping, and that’s a good thing. The aroma certainly helps in getting to sleep faster and apparently with staying in beneficial sleep for longer periods.

Since adding Pur-Sleep to my regimen I have had more consecutive nights of decent sleep than at any time in the past years of PAP therapy.

If you haven’t tried it I suggest that you do. I wasn’t a skeptic, but I wasn’t one of the first to jump on the product. Looking back, I wish I had tried the product sooner.

The Encore Pro charts can be seen at:
viewtopic/t23593/Encore-Pro-Daily-Charts--082007.html

gasp wrote:It's like a scent buffet each night. Hummm, which will it be tonight. . . .

I do find myself reaching for Comfort over and over as I get such great sleep and low AHI.

gasp, I really like that one: a Scent Buffet. I completely relate to your experience with Comfort. There's something special about that sweet marjoram with a little lavender, though for some people it's something of an acquired taste. My sleep with Comfort is consistently fantastic. It's nice to have so many flavors though it's too bad your husband doesn't like Spice--that's one of my favorites, too.

21st night – 6th night with the Pur-Sleep EO Peace aroma:

Three weeks of using Pur-Sleep aroma therapy, and I am thoroughly convinced it is highly beneficial for me in PAP therapy. I regret not trying the product sooner. While it is not a cure-all, it proved to be a fantastic tool to assist in achieving quality sleep. I have enjoyed thirteen straight nights of compliance, a first for me in over two years.

Throughout this 21-day trial run (my limit on reporting daily Pur-Sleep results) I did have some rough nights. The product can’t remedy every problem. But what it did for me was to allow or encourage sleep enjoyment. Sleep came faster and easier on all but two of the twenty-one nights. Night-wakings were shorter and the return to sleep was much faster. My unintended mask-off episodes are at their lowest frequency in years of therapy.

Since starting the product I have had several whole nights, and periods on almost every night of not remembering sleep -- that signals to me that the sleep was deep and beneficial.

Last night, there were no surprises. It wasn’t a best night, but it was eons above a worst one. The Peace aroma was again very pleasant and helpful. There was much tossing and turning, but no mask-off episodes. Each very brief waking, only several occurred last night, was easy to return to sleep from.

Waking today was not a best morning, but it was not far below the best mornings I’ve had in the past recent years. Most of the OSA hangover symptoms were at minimum level or absent.

I could tout the product on-and-on, but the simple fact is…. it worked for me. I sincerely thank Bret for including me in the Pur-Sleep Trial and providing the product. He has a convert and client that quickly learned the value of a quality, cost-effective, non-prescription tool to use in helping me achieve better treatment results.

Bret, I thank you for your foresight, insight and for designing and marketing a quality product that can benefit untold thousands or millions of sleep disorder sufferers.

The Encore Pro charts can be seen at:
viewtopic/t23593/Encore-Pro-Daily-Charts--082007.html

[quote="Nodzy"]20th night – 5th night with the Pur-Sleep EO Peace aroma:

According to my chart I had a great night. There were very few events, the leak numbers were low and my tossing and turning was at a minimum. I had no mask-off episodes.

A headache was present when I woke, though not too bad. Vision was good and there wasn't any head-fog. Upon standing my balance and gait were good, and I had minimal body ache and pain.

For most of the night I do not remember sleeping, and that’s a good thing. The aroma certainly helps in getting to sleep faster and apparently with staying in beneficial sleep for longer periods.

Since adding Pur-Sleep to my regimen I have had more consecutive nights of decent sleep than at any time in the past years of PAP therapy.

If you haven’t tried it I suggest that you do. I wasn’t a skeptic, but I wasn’t one of the first to jump on the product. Looking back, I wish I had tried the product sooner.

The Encore Pro charts can be seen at:
viewtopic/t23593/Encore-Pro-Daily-Charts--082007.html

gasp wrote: It's always interesting to see someone else's charts. Wow, you have large leaks and a high leak rate - AND low AHI. I didn't know that could happen. Whenever I don't have a seal, my AHI numbers are high.

BTW, tonight is cremecicle even though I have my best nights on comfort, I just want to mix it up. Tempting fate and my latest all-time low numbers.

Gasp,

Yes, it is odd for a lifelong SDB sufferer who was untreated until about 6-years ago to have such low event numbers while having above nominal leak rates. My leak rates were much worse with the nasal interface that I preferred -- mouth breathing, wrong machines and wrong pressure settings were also culprits in the years of ineffective therapy.

Joining the board, learning a huge amount from posts and getting valid advice from people here…. all helped. I bought an M-series Auto A-FLEX, eventually switched to a Hybrid FF mask… and finally managed to achieve advantageous therapy.

The M-series Auto obviously can compensate for the leak rate, under 75cmH2O. I would like to get the large leak flag periods elminated or down considerably.

The Hybrid FF mask has a higher passive exhalation vent rate than nasal interface masks. Too, I suspicion that the anti-asphyxiation valve, a simple flapper, is leaking air out under certain conditions of my position and breathing. I’m not experiencing much noticeable face seal or nasal pillow leakage during the nights when the higher leak rates are evident on the charts.

Still, I’m now having more routine compliance than I ever achieved before, more back-to-back nights of good sleep, longer sleep periods, fewer events each night, far fewer unintended mask-off episodes and feeling very close to human on many mornings.

Many of my various OSA-associated ailments are lessening in severity. I wake on most days now with less of the head-fog, body pain, headache, skewed vision and other OSA hangover symptoms. My blood pressure is steadily lowering and stabilizing at acceptable levels, my Type-2 diabetes is now controlled only by food intake.

All of those things convince me that the therapy is finally benefitting me, even with higher leak rates. While it may be below perfect therapy, it is significantly good therapy. Especially considering the past years of me being oblivious to what proper and good therapy could and should have been.

Without this board and the kind and generous people here posting their knowledge, experience, tips and encouragement I would still be in the pit of OSA hell. Medical professionals certainly were of little benefit in the achievements in therapy I’m benefitting with and from. In fact, they are miffed that I made “unauthorized” changes. Oh well... it's my life dangling by a hose.

Nodzy

Nodzy wrote:

gasp wrote: It's always interesting to see someone else's charts. Wow, you have large leaks and a high leak rate - AND low AHI. I didn't know that could happen. Whenever I don't have a seal, my AHI numbers are high.

BTW, tonight is cremecicle even though I have my best nights on comfort, I just want to mix it up. Tempting fate and my latest all-time low numbers.

Gasp,

Yes, it is odd for a lifelong SDB sufferer who was untreated until about 6-years ago to have such low event numbers while having above nominal leak rates. My leak rates were much worse with the nasal interface that I preferred -- mouth breathing, wrong machines and wrong pressure settings were also culprits in the years of ineffective therapy.

Joining the board, learning a huge amount from posts and getting valid advice from people here…. all helped. I bought an M-series Auto A-FLEX, eventually switched to a Hybrid FF mask… and finally managed to achieve advantageous therapy.

The M-series Auto obviously can compensate for the leak rate, under 75cmH2O. I would like to get the large leak flag periods elminated or down considerably.

The Hybrid FF mask has a higher passive exhalation vent rate than nasal interface masks. Too, I suspicion that the anti-asphyxiation valve, a simple flapper, is leaking air out under certain conditions of my position and breathing. I’m not experiencing much noticeable face seal or nasal pillow leakage during the nights when the higher leak rates are evident on the charts.

Still, I’m now having more routine compliance than I ever achieved before, more back-to-back nights of good sleep, longer sleep periods, fewer events each night, far fewer unintended mask-off episodes and feeling very close to human on many mornings.

Many of my various OSA-associated ailments are lessening in severity. I wake on most days now with less of the head-fog, body pain, headache, skewed vision and other OSA hangover symptoms. My blood pressure is steadily lowering and stabilizing at acceptable levels, my Type-2 diabetes is now controlled only by food intake.

All of those things convince me that the therapy is finally benefitting me, even with higher leak rates. While it may be below perfect therapy, it is significantly good therapy. Especially considering the past years of me being oblivious to what proper and good therapy could and should have been.

Without this board and the kind and generous people here posting their knowledge, experience, tips and encouragement I would still be in the pit of OSA hell. Medical professionals certainly were of little benefit in the achievements in therapy I’m benefitting with and from. In fact, they are miffed that I made “unauthorized” changes. Oh well... it's my life dangling by a hose.

Nodzy

From viewing your EncorePro reports, you are obtaining pretty good treatment with that machine, I didn't see a single night over AHI=5, most were under 2.0. However, there were periods of lots of leaks, 8/28 being the worst I seen, keep in mind when those solid BLACK tics are shown at the top of your leak chart that means "Large Leak", during those periods the auto algorithm ceases to function, if pressures are higher the machine will stop detecting SDB events, drop pressure by 2 cm (if range allows it) until the leak subsides.

Think I read where you got the "fix" for the Hybrid supplier to lower the intentional leak rate? That fix would help from the looks of the reports I've seen, or is those reports with the Hybrid fix?

Snoredog wrote:From viewing your EncorePro reports, you are obtaining pretty good treatment with that machine, I didn't see a single night over AHI=5, most were under 2.0. However, there were periods of lots of leaks, 8/28 being the worst I seen, keep in mind when those solid BLACK tics are shown at the top of your leak chart that means "Large Leak", during those periods the auto algorithm ceases to function, if pressures are higher the machine will stop detecting SDB events, drop pressure by 2 cm (if range allows it) until the leak subsides.

Think I read where you got the "fix" for the Hybrid supplier to lower the intentional leak rate? That fix would help from the looks of the reports I've seen, or is those reports with the Hybrid fix?

Snoredog,

Yes, Innomed sent a new mask shell because the persons I spoke with there were not sure about the Hybrid exhalation vent revision. They chose to err on the safe side.

Oddly, the replacement shell was almost identical to the original shell that came in the Hybrid mask kit I bought. The six (6) passive exhalation vent ports appeared identical in size on both shells. Apparently the original mask shell I had was the revised one.

The only difference between the shells that I could discern was the attitude of the anti-asphyxiation valve seal differing between the two. On the original shell the at-rest flexible seal was almost at horizontal centerline of the shell… and would be pointing toward the teeth. On the replacement shell the at-rest flexible seal was canted significantly downward from the shell horizontal centerline… and would be pointing toward the chin.

Both shells seem to work identically, as best I can tell. Each has yielded similar nights of low and steady vent rates and nights of elevated vent rate periods. Neither seems better than the other.

Charts you saw for the past eight days were results while wearing the replacement shell – nights of at, or very close to, nominal vent leak rate and nights of elevated periods of leak.

I’m finding that the anti-asphyxiation valve seal may not be seating, or reseating, fully for some reason depending on my breathing, body position and tossing and turning. It has occurred on both shells. At times I hear extra air hiss, beyond that of the passive exhalation vent ports. Then I reach and check the mask, and feel air passing out through the AA valve port.

To quell that… I put a finger over both sides of the port at once for a second or so, then remove the finger and hear the valve seal snap shut. The extra air hiss stops, until something during my sleep starts it to leaking again. Usually, I sleep through the extra small hiss noise. At the pressures I am using I wouldn’t think the anti-asphyxiation valve seal could remain unseated for very long. But it obviously can and does with me.

The small tail-tang of the AA valve seal extends out the front of the inlet 90-degree elbow. I’m wondering if I somehow touch it, or it touches a pillow… and that somehow causes it to not seat or reseat properly. Though, after toying with that for a bit I find that I cannot intentionally recreate the occurrence while awake.

Regardless, some of the leak rate is caused by the AA valve seal not being fully seated. It’s troubling, but not critical at this time. Well, not critical considering that I’m currently receiving the best SDB therapy I’ve ever had, and results that scream…. “yippie!!!”

Thanks, Snoredog… your help is greatly appreciated.

Nodzy

Nodzy wrote: The Hybrid FF mask has a higher passive exhalation vent rate than nasal interface masks. Too, I suspicion that the anti-asphyxiation valve, a simple flapper, is leaking air out under certain conditions of my position and breathing. I’m not experiencing much noticeable face seal or nasal pillow leakage during the nights when the higher leak rates are evident on the charts.

Ah ha! You have gave me much to think about. I wondered how on nights when I know the nasal mask was sealing to my face well it could have high leakage rates of around 30. The Mirage Vista has quite the steady stream of air coming from the exhaust port. Whereas, my first and no longer used ComfortGel mask, provided a great seal, had a much reduced stream of air coming from the exhaust port, and had a much lower leakage rate of around 17. I always attributed the lower leakage rates to the superior seal, whereas now I think the level of air leaving the exhaust port can affect the leakage rate. Very interesting.

Nodzy wrote: Still, I’m now having more routine compliance than I ever achieved before, more back-to-back nights of good sleep, longer sleep periods, fewer events each night, far fewer unintended mask-off episodes and feeling very close to human on many mornings.

Being "very close to human on many mornings" is wonderful! I'm so glad you have had such good results! Wouldn't it be great if everyone did all the time?

Nodzy wrote: Many of my various OSA-associated ailments are lessening in severity. I wake on most days now with less of the head-fog, body pain, headache, skewed vision and other OSA hangover symptoms. My blood pressure is steadily lowering and stabilizing at acceptable levels, my Type-2 diabetes is now controlled only by food intake.

All of those things convince me that the therapy is finally benefitting me, even with higher leak rates. While it may be below perfect therapy, it is significantly good therapy. Especially considering the past years of me being oblivious to what proper and good therapy could and should have been. . . .

You have had to tolerate quite the variety of symptoms! You have achieved quite a feat in maintaining acceptable blood sugar levels with just food! That's not easily done. My mother has Type II and as I know nutrition quite well, have spent much time helping her learn how to track her intake to control blood sugar with food alone.

Nodzy wrote: Without this board and the kind and generous people here posting their knowledge, experience, tips and encouragement I would still be in the pit of OSA hell. Medical professionals certainly were of little benefit in the achievements in therapy I’m benefitting with and from. In fact, they are miffed that I made “unauthorized” changes. Oh well... it's my life dangling by a hose.

I agree with you, it is wonderful to have this forum. It encourages me to learn and try new things. Without it, I know my AHI wouldn't be as low as it is today. MY RT said as long as my numbers were 5.0 or below he was happy. I saw others on this forum reporting 1.x and below and wanted that for myself so forged on to make changes that helped me get regular 1.x and 2.x AHI.

I just ordered the basic starter kit. I've been contemplating this for a LONG time. I don't have a problem sleeping with the CPAP (well, Bi-PAP for me) and I've been 99.99% compliant but I'm always up for trying something new. (Especially if it could help me sleep deeper....)

Kimberly

Hey Nodzy,
really liked your note re: all the fragrances we have in life.
It echo's my opinions exactly. If I was going to worry about everything that could give me cancer, I'd live in a bubble and experience nothing.
I certainly prefer the pur-sleep to pine-sol....
Life is short. Live it. Enjoy it as best you can, and leave contented!!!!

I've been doing the pur-sleep for a while now (4-6 weeks?? Bret would know). I purchased some additional oils, but to be honest the 3 that are in the starter pack are still my favorite -- Peace, Spice and Clear....I bought Fresh, Paradise and Deep.....(got a couple packs of extra pads also -- that way I don't have to wash 'em quite so often )

I've mixed 'em, sometimes 2 or 3 at a time and to be honest I seem to prefer them single fragrances on the pad....Peace will mix well with Spice or clear. Paradise realllllly had to grow on me. It's probably my least favorite (I still use it though)...Deep and Fresh are also good....It's a toss up between Spice and Peace for my personal fav.....

I can't say that it has made my sleep any deeper or longer, but it sure is more pleasurable nodding off. Being rid of that plastic smell of the machine, hose and mask makes it well worth the effort!!!
Interestingly enough, before CPAP I could fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Since CPAP, it takes me a while to shut it all off -- I know I sleep better once I get to sleep though -- but saying that, I get to enjoy the fragrances longer!!!

Sleep Guy, in searching for his own compliance, has turned his discovery into a winner for a lot of us, and I for one truly appreciate it!!!!!

cheers
goose

KimberlyinMN wrote: I just ordered the basic starter kit. I've been contemplating this for a LONG time. I don't have a problem sleeping with the CPAP (well, Bi-PAP for me) and I've been 99.99% compliant but I'm always up for trying something new. (Especially if it could help me sleep deeper....)

Kim,

You've done great! Too few have that rate of compliance, or maintain it without much extra trial and error effort and worry. I'm not sure how much assist the aroma will provide for you, but a try can't hurt.

Nodzy

Goose wrote:It echo's my opinions exactly. If I was going to worry about everything that could give me cancer, I'd live in a bubble and experience nothing. I certainly prefer the pur-sleep to pine-sol....
Life is short. Live it. Enjoy it as best you can, and leave contented!!!!

I've been doing the pur-sleep for a while now (4-6 weeks?? Bret would know). I purchased some additional oils, but to be honest the 3 that are in the starter pack are still my favorite -- Peace, Spice and Clear....I bought Fresh, Paradise and Deep.....(got a couple packs of extra pads also -- that way I don't have to wash 'em quite so often )

I've mixed 'em, sometimes 2 or 3 at a time and to be honest I seem to prefer them single fragrances on the pad....Peace will mix well with Spice or clear. Paradise realllllly had to grow on me. It's probably my least favorite (I still use it though)...Deep and Fresh are also good....It's a toss up between Spice and Peace for my personal fav.....

I can't say that it has made my sleep any deeper or longer, but it sure is more pleasurable nodding off. Being rid of that plastic smell of the machine, hose and mask makes it well worth the effort!!!
Interestingly enough, before CPAP I could fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Since CPAP, it takes me a while to shut it all off -- I know I sleep better once I get to sleep though -- but saying that, I get to enjoy the fragrances longer!!!

Sleep Guy, in searching for his own compliance, has turned his discovery into a winner for a lot of us, and I for one truly appreciate it!!!!!

Goose,

You said it well, and I hope that Pur-Sleep remains effective in assisting you. Without it I would probably still be struggling to not be peeling the mask off in my sleep multiple times each night. It sure beats calming drugs to help me sleep. I'm one who avoids as much of the prescribed medications as possible anyway. Good luck, and keep posting.

Nodzy

Just wanted to share some thoughts that someone posted on cpap.com:

I was skeptical of this product and purchased the cheapest package to see if it worked. I have to say, I really like it! It is kind of like taking a long warm bubble bath. Yeah, you could take a shower but sometimes you want a little pampering. This scenting set brings just that-lots of comfort for little price. I recommend this to every man and women out there. Even your spouse will enjoy it-it does create a nice mood! I was concerned that my very sensitive nose might be bothered (and I would develop one of my migrains) if I used a product such as this. Instead, I have found the opposite. These scents are well done. While they are potent and last longer then you would expect (you are advised to use a very tiny amount), you are never overwhelmed with its fragrance. I love it and consider it "bubbly for my bipap." Don't miss out any longer-pick some up!

I liked that one: bubbly for my bipap!