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My doctor prescribed an Ambien to help me sleep during the sleep study. I am a night owl, so I normally go to bed between 4 and 6am. The sleep study was intended to have me asleep between 11 and midnight and up around 8am. Much earlier than my normal sleep schedule. It worked very well.

In the past, I have discovered that I sleep better when I take a muscle relaxer (prescribed for back pain). So, sometimes, when sleeping in a hotel and trying to sleep at a normal time, I would take a half or whole muscle relaxer to help me sleep. The one I take is very mild, (10mg flexeril, or half of one).

When I was having trouble adjusting to the machine at home, I did use a half pill a couple nights to help.

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Avi, From what I read here, chinstraps don't work for most people. He should stay with a FFM.

ChicagoGranny wrote:Avi, From what I read here, chinstraps don't work for most people. He should stay with a FFM.

I don't think reading the discussion here is a statistically sound way of evaluating the effectiveness of chinstraps.

Mouth breathers for whom chinstraps work tend not to post much about it. Think how boring the "chinstrap works for me" threads would be. Mouth breathers for whom simple chinstraps don't work generate many interesting threads discussing alternatives and adjustments, because, for them, it is an ongoing problem.

pats wrote: Mouth breathers for whom simple chinstraps don't work generate many interesting threads discussing alternatives and adjustments, because, for them, it is an ongoing problem.

Don't they just get FFMs and some even start taping their lips? I don't think they worry with chinstraps too long.

don't think reading the discussion here is a statistically sound way of evaluating the effectiveness of chinstraps.

Mouth breathers for whom chinstraps work tend not to post much about it. Think how boring the "chinstrap works for me" threads would be. Mouth breathers for whom simple chinstraps don't work generate many interesting threads discussing alternatives and adjustments, because, for them, it is an ongoing problem.

Good point-as they say its usually the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. Having said that, a lot of patients that we deal with that tried the nasal mask/chinstrap route ended up having to go to FFM in the end. Seems like chinstraps are not that effective...better than nothing but overall not as effective as a FFM

Give it a little more time; I struggled for months, two problems at the same time: [a] getting used to all of this d*mn cheap leaking masks that made my nights horrible (and none of these 'doctors' and 'sleep technicians' couldn't care less about problem .b.). The problem .a. is something we all have to go through, and it takes time for our brains to accept this new way of life. The problem .b. is a problem I've noticed 'comes with the package'; as every person is different, with a different face and different sensitivity to stuff on your face, masks have to be tried until you have found one that works for you. I wasted 8 masks (well, I didn't have to pay for it, the 'doctors' had to pay ) untill I finally found one that indeed is superb. For me. Recommended to me on fora for months, but the 'doctors' refused to provide these because of 'too expensive'. I finally got one, and now stuff is starting to work for me. In my time zone it is 8.25 PM, only one month ago I would have been exhausted at 3 PM already, and here I am now, stuff is progressing.

Keep the faith and follow your instincts if it doesn't work - move on to the next trial of something that does work

teachcsg wrote:

don't think reading the discussion here is a statistically sound way of evaluating the effectiveness of chinstraps.

Mouth breathers for whom chinstraps work tend not to post much about it. Think how boring the "chinstrap works for me" threads would be. Mouth breathers for whom simple chinstraps don't work generate many interesting threads discussing alternatives and adjustments, because, for them, it is an ongoing problem.

Good point-as they say its usually the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. Having said that, a lot of patients that we deal with that tried the nasal mask/chinstrap route ended up having to go to FFM in the end. Seems like chinstraps are not that effective...better than nothing but overall not as effective as a FFM

I get better numbers, less leaks, and am more comfortable with nasal pillows and a chinstrap than with a FFM, although I do have an FFM as a backup in case of colds. On the other hand, if I leave off the chinstrap I get major leaks and worse numbers, so I know I'm at least a part-time mouth breather.

As with so much else in apnea treatment, it seems to be an individual thing.

teachcsg wrote:

don't think reading the discussion here is a statistically sound way of evaluating the effectiveness of chinstraps.

Mouth breathers for whom chinstraps work tend not to post much about it. Think how boring the "chinstrap works for me" threads would be. Mouth breathers for whom simple chinstraps don't work generate many interesting threads discussing alternatives and adjustments, because, for them, it is an ongoing problem.

Good point-as they say its usually the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. Having said that, a lot of patients that we deal with that tried the nasal mask/chinstrap route ended up having to go to FFM in the end. Seems like chinstraps are not that effective...better than nothing but overall not as effective as a FFM

Reply,

I wasted a full year of treatment by using full face masks (many kinds). Lots of leakes. Since the leaks in a mask are proportional to the seal's linear length, no wonder that it is so for FF masks. In addition, Fisher & Paykel, and a few others, have yet to learn the technological advantage of the double layers of the silicone seals on the cushions for sealing. They don't use it yet!

Since the leaks in a mask are proportional to the seal's linear length

I assure you it is much more complicated than that.

I started out using nasal pillows and chinstrap and then mouth taping. Tending to toss and turn a lot the headgear would be pulled and the pillows would leak and rub my nostrils causing irritation.

Then I switched to an F&P FFM and later added a Quattro to my arsenal. Both are more stable than the nasal pillows under my actual sleeping conditions and pulling on the headgear does not cause the seal to break. Leaks are no longer a problem.

Bottom line, you have to work with masks to find one that will work with you.

Try wearing the CPAP and mask while reading, watching TV, etc., if that's practical. It may help you get used to it.

Good luck.

Chinstraps work pretty well for me. They either stop or reduce leaks.

I hate, hate, hate anything to touch the bridge of my nose. Immediate nasal congestion. The only possible full face mask that would work for me would be the Hybrid type. I also have cervical spine problems and the lower strap placement at the base of the skull created immediate several neck pain and headaches. I did try the Innomed Hybrid as its lower strap placement was least offensive to my neck. I thought I had to have one (this was early on in my therapy) because everyone made out like I would die a thousand deaths slowly if I caught a cold and couldn't breathe through my nose.
The Hybrid was a big disaster. Gave it away. Decided if I caught a cold I would just deal with it and if I had to go without the mask then so be it. I would use that mummy chin strap "The Ultimate chinstrap" before I would ever go down the full face mask road again. I was fortunate. My mouth breathing was just a habit from all the nights with gasping for breath because of the apneas. A couple of months of taping (my choice because tiny head caused most of the chin straps to slide off) and I unlearned the habit of opening my mouth so I quite taping. Should it ever be needed again...I would tape or use the mummy chin strap before I would ever put a full face mask on my face.

Well..

Well I had an appt with the dr.. he is still trying to tell me to wear the mask w/o air to get used to it.. I cant, gets to hot.. I am using it in the evenings watching tv etc.. He doesnt think trying ambien/Lunesta is a good idea.. I tried OTC, and I was sooo tired the next day..

As far as sleeping.. I have fallen asleep with it on, but will wake up an hour later and take it off..

I am trying to keep at it, as I know I need to and want to..

traveling Utz wrote:Well..

Well I had an appt with the dr.. he is still trying to tell me to wear the mask w/o air to get used to it.. I cant, gets to hot.. I am using it in the evenings watching tv etc.. He doesnt think trying ambien/Lunesta is a good idea.. I tried OTC, and I was sooo tired the next day..

As far as sleeping.. I have fallen asleep with it on, but will wake up an hour later and take it off..

I am trying to keep at it, as I know I need to and want to..

Question,

Why your Doc does not prescribe sleep Rx if you can't fall asleep with the mask?

He doesnt think it will help..

Frustrating..