Started well enough - had decided to use Breeze nasal pillows. Was hoping I had learned to keep mouth shut.
Also had upped pressure 2 nights back, to 15. Mask seemed fine but it quickly became clear I couldn't stop air exiting mouth. Then I was aware of a soreness in my nose so after 1.5 hrs had to abandon Breeze & revert to Mirage f/f.
Then for next 1-3/4 hrs keep grappling with mask 'rasberrys' - got a bit frustrated. So at 1:40am reset pressure to 14 & clamed mask a fraction tighter.
Anyway, it wasn't so bad that I didn't get up at 5:30am for daily exercise walk. But am not feeling as perky as usual.
I now have even more sympathy for newcommers who can't get their masks right.
Cheers
(Hoping Dr Sue comes through soon )
DSM
Well last night was my turn for frustration :(
Well last night was my turn for frustration :(
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
Re: Well last night was my turn for frustration :(
[quote="dsm"]
I now have even more sympathy for newcommers who can't get their masks right.
[quote]
Only the newcomers??? What about the rest of us???? Only kidding.
I'm sorry you had such a tough night. I truly can't imagine waking up at 5:30 a.m. to take a walk...what's that all about??
What made you decide to increase your pressure to 15? Did you still blow raspberries when you reset the pressure to 14? It sounds like 15 may be a little too much for you.
Sleepless on LI has been saying that she's blowing air out of her mouth at night...I wonder if lowering her pressure would help her with that?
I'm sure you'll get a much better night's sleep tonight and will be your perky self tomorrow Hang in there.
Amy
I now have even more sympathy for newcommers who can't get their masks right.
[quote]
Only the newcomers??? What about the rest of us???? Only kidding.
I'm sorry you had such a tough night. I truly can't imagine waking up at 5:30 a.m. to take a walk...what's that all about??
What made you decide to increase your pressure to 15? Did you still blow raspberries when you reset the pressure to 14? It sounds like 15 may be a little too much for you.
Sleepless on LI has been saying that she's blowing air out of her mouth at night...I wonder if lowering her pressure would help her with that?
I'm sure you'll get a much better night's sleep tonight and will be your perky self tomorrow Hang in there.
Amy
Hi Amy,
Yes I should have included everyone
My titration study was for 15 & my advisor keeps saying to me she thinks I may need even higher.
But, I keep hitting this threshold (as it seems do a few others) where at 15cms, the leaks exceed the comfort. At 14 I seem able to contain them.
I had the breeze mask on standby to try & since I am now free to experiment more widely (completed 1 month clinical study participation) I was ready to try the Breeze, I had intended waiting until either Dr Sue delivers his device or I manufacture the F&P 452 mod, but last night I went ahead & proved conclusively I need a reliable long term mouth sealer other than tape.
Tape was excellent for proving the point but as with others, my mouth starts to suffer after a few days of tape use.
Here (in Aust) we are just a couple of weeks from the official start of spring - last week were some of the coldest nights/mornings of the year - 2 weeks back I resumed exercising (up at 5:30 am & 40 min walk). This has been remarkably easy since I started CPAP. Last year & into early this year I lost 20lbs doing these walks but because of OSA effects, would sometimes come back from the walk & promptly sleep another 1 or even 2 hours. Not any more. CPAP changed that bad habit.
My goal is to lose another 14lbs by end of this year.
Cheers
DSM
Yes I should have included everyone
My titration study was for 15 & my advisor keeps saying to me she thinks I may need even higher.
But, I keep hitting this threshold (as it seems do a few others) where at 15cms, the leaks exceed the comfort. At 14 I seem able to contain them.
I had the breeze mask on standby to try & since I am now free to experiment more widely (completed 1 month clinical study participation) I was ready to try the Breeze, I had intended waiting until either Dr Sue delivers his device or I manufacture the F&P 452 mod, but last night I went ahead & proved conclusively I need a reliable long term mouth sealer other than tape.
Tape was excellent for proving the point but as with others, my mouth starts to suffer after a few days of tape use.
Here (in Aust) we are just a couple of weeks from the official start of spring - last week were some of the coldest nights/mornings of the year - 2 weeks back I resumed exercising (up at 5:30 am & 40 min walk). This has been remarkably easy since I started CPAP. Last year & into early this year I lost 20lbs doing these walks but because of OSA effects, would sometimes come back from the walk & promptly sleep another 1 or even 2 hours. Not any more. CPAP changed that bad habit.
My goal is to lose another 14lbs by end of this year.
Cheers
DSM
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
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I'mSewTired
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:17 am
Re: Well last night was my turn for frustration :(
dsm wrote:Started well enough - had decided to use Breeze nasal pillows. Was hoping I had learned to keep mouth shut.
How would I know if I opened my mouth in my sleep?
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SnoreNoMore2005
- Posts: 228
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 12:58 pm
using autopap
DSM, I hope you're using an autopap.
My titration study said I "responded well at 20cm". The RT administering the study said I actually needed more than 20cm but the machine only went up to 20 (thank God).
I started OUT with a CPAP and during the first couple of weeks I worked my way from 10cm up to 14cm as I continued on my way to 20cm.
Then I switched to an AUTOPAP with a setting range from 5cm to 15cm. I monitor myself with Encore Pro and My Enccore and for the last two months, my autopap says my 90% range is at 8cm. I have never gone above 11cm with the AUTOPAP.
Can you imagine if I would have relied on my $1200 misdiagnosed titration study and a CPAP? I'd still be trying to work up to 20cm and wondering why I felt so miserable.
I hope you are able to verify independently that you even need 14cm or higher. I'm afraid there might be many people out there who are using cpaps with higher settings than they really need.
IMHO an autopap and self-monitoring software is the ONLY way to go.
SnoreNoMore2005
My titration study said I "responded well at 20cm". The RT administering the study said I actually needed more than 20cm but the machine only went up to 20 (thank God).
I started OUT with a CPAP and during the first couple of weeks I worked my way from 10cm up to 14cm as I continued on my way to 20cm.
Then I switched to an AUTOPAP with a setting range from 5cm to 15cm. I monitor myself with Encore Pro and My Enccore and for the last two months, my autopap says my 90% range is at 8cm. I have never gone above 11cm with the AUTOPAP.
Can you imagine if I would have relied on my $1200 misdiagnosed titration study and a CPAP? I'd still be trying to work up to 20cm and wondering why I felt so miserable.
I hope you are able to verify independently that you even need 14cm or higher. I'm afraid there might be many people out there who are using cpaps with higher settings than they really need.
IMHO an autopap and self-monitoring software is the ONLY way to go.
SnoreNoMore2005
Re: Well last night was my turn for frustration :(
My wife nudges me & says "your mouth is open" - Perhaps I'm lucky she doesn't say something like "Your hissing again"I'mSewTired wrote:dsm wrote:Started well enough - had decided to use Breeze nasal pillows. Was hoping I had learned to keep mouth shut.
How would I know if I opened my mouth in my sleep?
Cheers
DSM
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
Re: Well last night was my turn for frustration :(
My wife nudges me & says "your mouth is open" - Perhaps I'm lucky she doesn't say something like "Your hissing again"I'mSewTired wrote:dsm wrote:Started well enough - had decided to use Breeze nasal pillows. Was hoping I had learned to keep mouth shut.
How would I know if I opened my mouth in my sleep?
Cheers
DSM
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
Re: using autopap
I have an AutoPAP but had it 1st in CFLE mode then CPAP mode. I am now in a position I can experiment more than I have.SnoreNoMore2005 wrote:DSM, I hope you're using an autopap.
SnoreNoMore2005
Reason I am on 14 is that I dropped to 12 in 1 increments at 12/13 I slept ok but did not feel as good next day as I do with 14. So I am quite happy to leave it at 14. I don't have any clear reason other than it was my perception of decreasing benefit as I lowered the pressure. I think some others have posted here with similar impressions (lower pressure, less zing next day).
I may try AUTO set at 13-16.
Cheers & thanks
DSM
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
ImSewTired posed a very good question:
2. waking up with a dry mouth is usually a good indication of mouth breathing or mouth air leaks -- unless you're wearing a full face mask.
3. if you have a machine that can give more information than just hours of use, and if you have software for it, moderate to high leaks indicate one of two things - mouth leaks or mask leaks. Doesn't tell you which, but people are usually aware of whether their mask leaks badly or not. If the mask doesn't usually leak, then it's most likely mouth air leaks zig-zagging up and down on the leak graph line.
Actually, the mouth can be open during sleep and not leak at all...if the tongue maintains an airtight seal inside. That wouldn't cause drying either, unless the mask exhaust was blowing directly past the outside of the mouth, swirling air somewhat into the mouth.
1. if there's a bed partner, make him/her SWEAR to not go to sleep all night - and watch you. (Seriously.)How would I know if I opened my mouth in my sleep?
2. waking up with a dry mouth is usually a good indication of mouth breathing or mouth air leaks -- unless you're wearing a full face mask.
3. if you have a machine that can give more information than just hours of use, and if you have software for it, moderate to high leaks indicate one of two things - mouth leaks or mask leaks. Doesn't tell you which, but people are usually aware of whether their mask leaks badly or not. If the mask doesn't usually leak, then it's most likely mouth air leaks zig-zagging up and down on the leak graph line.
Actually, the mouth can be open during sleep and not leak at all...if the tongue maintains an airtight seal inside. That wouldn't cause drying either, unless the mask exhaust was blowing directly past the outside of the mouth, swirling air somewhat into the mouth.
I can relate to the question and scenario that SnoreNoMore2005 raises here.
"Can you imagine if I would have relied on my $1200 misdiagnosed titration study and a CPAP?"
"I'm afraid there might be many people out there who are using cpaps with higher settings than they really need."
I've been wondering how many users are being "over-prescribed" on their settings.
I know I'm doing quite well on about half of what my pulmonologist prescribed. After a couple of days, my apneas almost disappeared and my hypopneas started dropping. In the last two weeks I've had two 0.0 AHI nights and my weekly average is about .7. My Snore Index average is now about 1/4 of what it was in the first week.
Den
"Can you imagine if I would have relied on my $1200 misdiagnosed titration study and a CPAP?"
"I'm afraid there might be many people out there who are using cpaps with higher settings than they really need."
I've been wondering how many users are being "over-prescribed" on their settings.
I know I'm doing quite well on about half of what my pulmonologist prescribed. After a couple of days, my apneas almost disappeared and my hypopneas started dropping. In the last two weeks I've had two 0.0 AHI nights and my weekly average is about .7. My Snore Index average is now about 1/4 of what it was in the first week.
Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
Today got worse
At 3pm I was to attend a presentation by a large telecom company along with several senior execs, I was sitting beside one of our company directors (a large large national distribution company) and on the other side was my manager's manager.
I started to feel like I was going to fall asleep. Oh horror, I had images of having a micro sleep and during it falling forward on to the company director.
I was close to biting a finger to shock myself awake but then after about 30 mins of wavering seemed to come around. This is what I prayed CPAP would take me away from.
Part of my shock/horror is how one bad night's sleep could do this.
I have heard that CPAP is an everyday treatment & never to skip it.
Today was my reinforcement of this.
Cheers
DSM
(suitably frightened)
At 3pm I was to attend a presentation by a large telecom company along with several senior execs, I was sitting beside one of our company directors (a large large national distribution company) and on the other side was my manager's manager.
I started to feel like I was going to fall asleep. Oh horror, I had images of having a micro sleep and during it falling forward on to the company director.
I was close to biting a finger to shock myself awake but then after about 30 mins of wavering seemed to come around. This is what I prayed CPAP would take me away from.
Part of my shock/horror is how one bad night's sleep could do this.
I have heard that CPAP is an everyday treatment & never to skip it.
Today was my reinforcement of this.
Cheers
DSM
(suitably frightened)
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
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I'mSewTired
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:17 am
I recently got encor pro So, I have leak graphs, but am not sure if my lines are "normal" or not. Below is one of my leak graph lines. Do you think it is showing an open mouth problem? Oh, I have an average was 13.5rested gal wrote:3. if you have a machine that can give more information than just hours of use, and if you have software for it, moderate to high leaks indicate one of two things - mouth leaks or mask leaks. Doesn't tell you which, but people are usually aware of whether their mask leaks badly or not. If the mask doesn't usually leak, then it's most likely mouth air leaks zig-zagging up and down on the leak graph line.
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I'mSewTired
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:17 am
The FlexiFit HC407 Nasal Mask, I have others, but am trying to do testing, so am trying to use just this mask. My main concern is that I wake up in the night. Some nights more than others. Therefore wondering if I open my mouth and this makes me wake up.th wrote:I'mSewTired......What mask are you using?