Why doesn't everyone use a cervical collar?

Thanks for all the posts.

I ordered a cervical collar from Amazon. Wrong size; I ordered wrong. Sent it back... I haven't tried again.
My local drugstore doesn't stock much and collars are horribly expensive there.

I ordered a Knightsbridge Dual Strap chinstrap. It's worked for me. I have a ResMed N20 nasal mask. I had to replace the headgear with a LARGE headgear to clear the Knightsbridge. Then I had to replace the large insert/cushion, because it wasn't the right size.

This life experience is complicated.

2mnycars wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 28, 2020 12:17 pm

I ordered a Knightsbridge Dual Strap chinstrap. It's worked for me.

If that works well for you, good. But, for people whose neck bends forward during sleep, a chinstrap will not prevent it. A cervical collar will, and it holds the neck in the best position for airway patency.

Collar vs CPAP. I've used a CPAP FOR 5 years, and was losing ground (my AHI numbers were in the 20's). I had scheduled a sleep study but before I could do it, I had a ski accident and broke a cervical bone (fused 3). Wearing both a cervical collar and a mask was a real exercise (some nights I couldn't rip them off fast enough, thank you, claustrophobia). So here is my take-way: my AHI numbers with the collar and the CPAP were now in the mid single digits. I still need to do the sleep study, but I'm going to start it with the collar by itself.
Dan3skiiis

DanofBend wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 01, 2021 8:35 pm

I still need to do the sleep study, but I'm going to start it with the collar by itself.

Assuming you are talking about an in-lab study, I would be interested to know if the lab allows that. Good luck!

GrumpyHere wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 02, 2021 1:02 am

GrumpyHere » Mon Aug 02, 2021 3:02 am

This seems to be a classic thread and could help people who find it.

Cervical collars rock! Even my sleep doctor admits this.

I may just use this new device, and see if it suits me. I sounds like it may be useful, since my SA is fairly mild. The FDA has approved it and says that it will do marvelous things for those like me and others, such as stopping snoring and so forth. Of course it won't add much to my sex appeal.

However, if I can get the reaction as depicted in the ad for it, I'm all for it, but I doubt that my wife of 53 years will see it this way. What do you think?


https://imgur.com/SBSPzFF

packitin wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 02, 2021 9:59 am

What do you think?

If you believe everything you see in ads or on the internet I have some ocean front property just outside my Missouri home that I want to talk to you about selling to you.. Dirt cheap for oceanfront property.

Now if my husband's use of that weird little gadget caused me to look like the wife in the ad....give me a dozen of them for hubby. Damn she looks good.

Sheffey wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 05, 2013 5:16 pm

I have worn a cervical collar for years while sleeping with CPAP.

I learned this from the forum years ago. It makes such a big difference in my therapy. I quit reading here for years because the collar has made my therapy so easy. Just coming back now to see what model machines are available. I think I will buy a low-hour ResMed that my neighbor has offered me. Great forum!

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 02, 2021 7:30 am

GrumpyHere wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 02, 2021 1:02 am

GrumpyHere » Mon Aug 02, 2021 3:02 am

This seems to be a classic thread and could help people who find it.

Cervical collars rock! Even my sleep doctor admits this.

Agree! Had really bad mouth leaks and the cervical collar was, all around, the best way to reduce them.

However - the leaks started to get worse even with the collar when the weather got warmer this past Spring. I attribute it to an increase in nasal congestion due to more humidity.

Was on vacation last week at relatives' place who did not have air conditioning and it was very warm at night. The collar got uncomfortable so I stopped wearing it then and when I got home. There has been no difference in the leak rate without the collar!

The only change is that my AHI went slightly above 1 on a couple of nights (in one case it shot up to 5). Maybe the collar somehow stabilizes breathing. Who knows?

A cooler alternative to the foam cervical collar is the
"brandy keg" device invented by Kiralynx.
I probably need to look for a fat pool noodle before the season is gone.
Recent events may increase my need for one.

ElusiveSleep wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:09 pm

Maybe the collar somehow stabilizes breathing.

These collars hold the neck in an optimal position for airway patency. That is the stabilization factor you are wondering about.

They also help prevent jaw-drop.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 06, 2021 2:41 pm

ElusiveSleep wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:09 pm

Maybe the collar somehow stabilizes breathing.

These collars hold the neck in an optimal position for airway patency. That is the stabilization factor you are wondering about.

They also help prevent jaw-drop.

The patients in this study wore a full face mask with and without a soft cervical collar.

Efficacy of the Addition of a Cervical Collar in the Treatment of Persistent Obstructive Apneas Despite Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5695995/

ElusiveSleep wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 13, 2021 4:39 pm

Efficacy of the Addition of a Cervical Collar in the Treatment of Persistent Obstructive Apneas Despite Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5695995/

Great find! I never thought to look for a study.

This has been a topic of great interest to me. My first titration study was crap. I switched to a different lab for the second. Their results showed I needed a BiPAP with auto EP of 18 - 24. That was untenable to me. I added a foam collar to my CPAP therapy, and my pressure runs from minimum of 10.0 to a 95% of 11.5 - 12.5. Nice. I notice there were similar results in this study.

I notice in this study they found no mandibular retrusion when wearing a FFM with or without a collar. This is evidence against an oft-made claim in this forum that FFMs push the lower jaw back.

I am critical of this statement by the study authors - "a chin strap, which would certainly be more comfortable, reduces mouth leaks, and is associated with better adherence".

I find a foam collar more comfortable that a chin strap. A chin strap interferes with the mask headgear, makes a mess out of my hair, and has to be cinched tight to achieve its purpose.

Thanks for sharing!

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 13, 2021 5:00 pm

ElusiveSleep wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 13, 2021 4:39 pm

Efficacy of the Addition of a Cervical Collar in the Treatment of Persistent Obstructive Apneas Despite Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5695995/

I am critical of this statement by the study authors - "a chin strap, which would certainly be more comfortable, reduces mouth leaks, and is associated with better adherence".

I find a foam collar more comfortable that a chin strap. A chin strap interferes with the mask headgear, makes a mess out of my hair, and has to be cinched tight to achieve its purpose.

me too, all of that.

two years ago, we went to an overnight at the grand canyon. (overnight from our home in flagstaff) i was proud that i'd packed all my cpap stuff including all my extras. well, ALMOST all. i forgot the collar. was a terrible night.

not only does the collar help keep my airway open and my jaw up, i find that having that all "pushed" up from the bottom actually helps keep my p10 in place.