Put my mind to rest about the Headrest--Please!

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:23 pm

OK, so I'm pregnant. That is my only excuse for being so incredibly paranoid.

I'm worried because the co2 vent is so far away from the nose on this mask and that is the only thing keeping me from using it. It just seems like the flow of air would just keep pushing the co2 back toward the nose without ever getting out the vent.

Being pregnant, I am afraid to take any risks, no matter how slight, that my O2 sats might go down at night.

I know a lot of you use this mask, can any of you speak to my fears? Anybody use oximetry overnight with this one?

Sorry I'm such a hypochondriac. I can't help it.

Jen

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:28 pm

Hmmm... I'll be watching for answers to this. It's crossed my mind, but I like having the vent going upward and being where it wasn't blowing on me or my covers, so I put my head in the sand. Would love for someone to have evidence of the vent's effectiveness.
Kathy

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:29 pm

I called Aiomed just now and they said it had to go thru testing with the fda and meet certain standards. That I have no reason to worry.

I feel a little better. But not completely. I mean, of course they are going to say that.

I can't help it. I am crazy. Help!

Jen

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:30 pm

kteague wrote:Hmmm... I'll be watching for answers to this. It's crossed my mind, but I like having the vent going upward and being where it wasn't blowing on me or my covers, so I put my head in the sand. Would love for someone to have evidence of the vent's effectiveness.
Kathy

Oh, Kathy, Bless you, Bless you! You make me feel not so crazy! I keep struggling with my old swift II when i have a perfectly good headrest just sitting there. Even bought an Aussie Hose to use with it.

Jen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:47 pm

Just remember the air pressure is still flowing while you exhale -- This moves about 90% of the co2 out if not more so the worries are small to none!!

Congrats on getting PG if thats in order ?? If not I can recommend a building that needs pushing abound the block! P.S. the wife is a OB nurse.... so I hear all kinds of stories.

If you live in the city your getting more co2 than the people in the country unless they have a herd of cow / pigs / ect. -- you get the idea

BERT

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:52 pm

socknitster wrote:I know a lot of you use this mask, can any of you speak to my fears? Anybody use oximetry overnight with this one?

I used my Aeiomed Headrest mask two nights in a row while hooked up for full PSG titrations at an accredited, hospital based sleep lab. SpO2 sensor taped around my finger each night. My O2 stayed up fine both nights.

And, I might add...I taped my mouth securely shut both nights to prevent any mouth breathing at all.

I've also used a recording pulse oximeter at home a few nights while using the Headrest mask. No problems at all. O2 stayed up just like it's supposed to...all night. Was using the Aussie heated hose, of course.

I think you can rest easy about that, Jen. And rest comfortably.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:56 pm

I had a sleep study in late Oct of this year. It was a full night (not a split-night study) and I wore my Headreast. Before the test began, I mentioned to the tech. that I was particularly concerned about O2 saturation, CO2 blowoff and cardiac load relative to the Headrest. The tech. was quite interested in this as we don't have the Headrest here in Ontario and she had never seen a mask with the vent holes so far from the pillows.

I got results from the study, including specific O2 / CO2 data...

The mask performed beautifully. My O2 saturation ranged from 99.8 to 95.3 with zero EKG arrhythmia (my heart did not race at any time in an effort to deal with CO2 overload.)

So, I'm not a Dr., blah, blah, blah but, based on MY results in this full-night sleep study, the Headrest performed great. I use the mask with complete confidence.

Hope your pregnancy goes well!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:58 pm

Will ! How wonderful to see you, good friend!

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:59 pm

My experience in the sleep lab while using the Aura/Headrest mask was like RG's. O2 never went below 90%.

I would say you could ask your doctor about using an oximeter yourself a couple of nights. That would demonstrate your own results. Usually the DME will not charge for an overnight oximetry test if the doc writes the Rx. You could do it on a monthly basis to see how things progress as the baby grows and takes up space.

I think it is great that you thought of this possible risk to you and the new baby. Good for you!

Good luck.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:18 pm

Right back at you, RG. I'm hoping that you and yours are happy and well!

LyleHaze · Post by **LyleHaze** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:28 pm

I don't have my headrest/aura/twilight yet, it's on the way. So I'm asking, 'cause I'm not sure..
The "air circuit" appears to come down one side of the nose, across both nasal pillows, then back up the other side. Is that correct?
If so, then it wouldn't matter how far away the vent holes were, as your "exhaust" would be joining the directional airstream, always moving towards the vent.
Can anyone confirm this?

Oh, and congratulations on your wonderful news!

LyleHaze

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:35 pm

Here ya go, Jen. Bear in mind I'm a smoker, so the sats might have been even higher if I didn't have that habit:

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 4:47 pm

LyleHaze wrote:I don't have my headrest/aura/twilight yet, it's on the way. So I'm asking, 'cause I'm not sure..
The "air circuit" appears to come down one side of the nose, across both nasal pillows, then back up the other side. Is that correct?

You made me take a second look at my Headrest just now.

Looks like the air travels down both sides at the same time. I think the reason CO2 gets vented is because new air is always being pushed in, constantly. So our exhaled breath simply gets mixed with the air that's constantly being pushed out the exhaust. As with any mask.

But I'm not an engineer or anything. That's just what how it looks to me.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:41 pm

Ok, Ok, You have talked me down from the imaginary ledge.

Of course, I had THOUGHT all of those things. It seems all I do is think lately. Being sick with fatigue and morning sickness my activity has been involutarily restricted. It gives my mind a chance to go into overdrive!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for being kind and not making fun of me.

And yes, Bert (and everyone else), I will accept your congratulations and say thank you for them! I am overjoyed to be adding to my family. My son is 4 and I wanted my children to be closely spaced, but OSA and all its debilitating side effects kept me from attempting another pregnancy until now. One day about 3 1/2 months ago, when I had just realized I was completely healed from my tonsilectomy, I said to myself (and my husband), "Hey, what is holding us back now?" So, now I'm about 1/3 of the way thru and things are smoothing out and getting easier.

Will, RG and Catnapper, you really reassured me with those reports of psg's and oximetry with the headrest. And, Catnapper, the suggestion for overnight oximetry once a month would really go a LONG way to putting this overactive imagination to rest. I think I'll call my OB tomorrow and ask if he can do that.

Thank you everyone, I truly appreciate the support!

jen

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:07 am

Jen,
Pour some water into a measuring cup, pour it into the seal and see what a small volume it really has.

And then think of all the air pouring into it constatntly and clearing it.

O.

Put my mind to rest about the Headrest--Please!

Put my mind to rest about the Headrest--Please!

Headrest Vent

Re: Headrest Vent

Re: Put my mind to rest about the Headrest--Please!

Aura