New to this- Husband vpap III 5 days but not taking breaths

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:46 pm

Interesting this topic has come up again as just these past 2 days have experienced a sudden bout of nasal congestion but th\e only thing that has been unusual here (winter onset) is that we have had record cold nights the past 2 nights. The night before last was listed as the coldest April night for 25 years & the AI score jumped to 4.0 from what was previously like 0.1.

Interestingly the data from the Bipap AutoSV shows a sudden jump in AI numbers (still showing 0 HIs).

So the only thing I can attribute this to is the sudden change in nightly temp.

Last night I double dosed on Nasonex & had a good sleep but AIs still up but not like the night before.

This problem of nasal airflow seems to be varied as to trigger & seems to be more common than I had though.

DSM

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:21 pm

Hi Casiesea,

Double check that his Quattro fits properly. I just slept with a small Quattro last night vs. the medium Quattro I have been sleeping with for the past 8 months. What a difference. Absolutely no leaks and no adjusting it throughout the night. It's like two totally different masks! The bottom cushion of the mask has got to ride directly in the valley of his chin. The upper cushion should not be too high on his bridge. Eye-point or better yet, slightly below eye-point for the upper cushion is fantastic! Anytime an RT looks at a man they will say 'medium'. Try the 'small', but keep the medium head-gear.

Banned

Casiesea · Post by **Casiesea** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:35 am

You know, I have been wondering about that quatro mask! It is ruining my sleep. I am constantly having to wake him up to fix leaks. He really likes the mask but maybe it is too big!

I have not been able to harass the DME this week because of sick children. I am not going to be able to do it today either. Starting tomorrow they will be getting hourly calls until we get that reslink and software.

New GP#2 just found low serum testosterone. I think that causes fatigue if I am remembering correctly, possibly depression and heart issues? I may be wrong. I will have to look it up later.

He is wearing the event monitor. It has gone off quite a few times, esp when he was mowing the lawn and when we went hiking on sunday. He still has a couple more days.

So should I find an ENT?

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:02 pm

Casiesea wrote: So should I find an ENT?

Casiesea, my own take is that this question is really impossible for any of us to answer. I suspect that question can only be answered by your husband---perhaps with the help of his RN wife or primary physician (regarding whether to visit an ENT).

My hunch is if there's a bona fide nasal impedance problem, then it makes sense to address it. The central question is whether nasal impedance is truly a therapy-impeding problem for your husband. That question is where we all inevitably fall short IMO.

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:43 pm

Lubman wrote:Interestingly enough, I just went to the Allergist, who said I had very narrow nasal valves, that tended to collapse when breathing in. Perhaps this is the change in Nasal Impedence that SWS mentioned that is contributing to apnea effects. Time to see a good ENT ...

None of this stuff happens independent of other effects.

Lubman

Lubman, I wonder if something like this might solve that collapsed nasal valve problem:

Nasal Support Inserts

I would think theoretically this should work for some nasal impedance issues such as rhinitis or collapsed valves.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu May 01, 2008 3:28 am

-SWS wrote:
Lubman wrote:Interestingly enough, I just went to the Allergist, who said I had very narrow nasal valves, that tended to collapse when breathing in. Perhaps this is the change in Nasal Impedence that SWS mentioned that is contributing to apnea effects. Time to see a good ENT ...

None of this stuff happens independent of other effects.

Lubman
Lubman, I wonder if something like this might solve that collapsed nasal valve problem:

Nasal Support Inserts

I would think theoretically this should work for some nasal impedance issues such as rhinitis or collapsed valves.

SWS

I only needed one look at those little devices to know they are what I have been looking for.

I bought 2 lots of the 2 pair packs (2 different sizes in each pack).

I had looked at other devices to expand the nares but these look just right & am very keen to see what a dif they can make.

I can hold my nares open with my fingers (when congested) and notice a massive difference in the air I can get in through my nose. I have always felt that my nose was not constructed well nor as it should be. It looks ok to other folk but they don't have to breathe through it

Many thanks for that link

DSM

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Thu May 01, 2008 8:36 pm

DSM, I truly hope those nasal inserts work out. But please let us know either way. Good luck with those, my friend!

A More Permanent Link With eBay Auctions Offering the Above Nasal Inserts

[On Edit 5/8/08: My less-than-favorable results with these nasal inserts are described in this thread]

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:14 pm

-SWS wrote:DSM, I truly hope those nasal inserts work out. But please let us know either way. Good luck with those, my friend!

A More Permanent Link With eBay Auctions Offering the Above Nasal Inserts

I actually bought 2 lots & without asking they refunded me the postage for the 2nd pack so that impressed me before they even got sent

DSM

Lubman · Post by **Lubman** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:48 am

Lubman, I wonder if something like this might solve that collapsed nasal valve problem:

Nasal Support Inserts

I would think theoretically this should work for some nasal impedance issues such as rhinitis or collapsed valves.

SWS - What a good idea. Thank you.
I'm going to show this info to my allergist.

DSM - Let us know what you think of them.

Lubman

goose · Post by **goose** » Sat May 24, 2008 1:33 pm

Bookmarked the site so will await a review.....

Let us know Doug -- very curious!!!! However, no rush!!!! Understand personal issues take priority!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

take care
cheers
goose

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sat May 24, 2008 4:06 pm

Re Nasal inserts.

I got 2 lots of them & the seller refunded me the extra postage I paid (that impressed me).

I have used the smaller ones every night for the past 3 weeks and I would say they do help but I still need nasonex & over the past 3 nights am battling a head cold with severe nasal congestion & am adding Otrivin as well as Nasonex.

Also still using the inserts.

I tried the larger ones but they tended to irritate my nose a bit.

One odd aspect is that they do allow more air through and I am finding that a bit strange - it feels odd in my nose to have so much air passing through the nostrils. It feels like they are cooling my nose & that it might hurt (but it doesn't seem to). Just an odd feeling.

My take on them is that the difference they make is enough that I want to keep using them.

DSM

Casiesea · Post by **Casiesea** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:32 am

Hi guys! I know it has been forever! Things have been crazy around here.

Hubby has been sleeping more soundly for the past two months. Lately he has started snoring with the mask on (usually around 5-6am). We go back to doc #1 in 2 weeks.

We have the reslink but STILL no software. His RT will not give us the software (even though the doc said she would order it).

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:39 pm

Casi,

Have been wondering how hubby was going. Glad you are back & keeping us informed.

DSM

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:04 pm

Hey Casiesea! Glad to see you!

Wonder if hubby is finally starting to hit more REM at 5 or 6 in the morning. The bad news is that obstructions can be heavier in REM. The good news is that perhaps this is a sign that his sleep architecture is improving.

Give hubby our regards! And please keep us in the loop!

Casiesea · Post by **Casiesea** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:10 pm

Does that mean that his pressure would need to go up to prevent the REM obstructions?

He really is doing much better than he was! He doesn't fall asleep during the day anymore and has lost about 10 lbs in the past 2 months.

BTW I was just diagnosed with sleep apnea (hypopnea), too. What a pair!