06-12-2018, 02:11 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-12-2018, 02:13 AM by sleeplover69.)
RE: Best soft collar?
I just ordered an Eliminator for my Dad before you got to reply. I couldn't even find much info on its measurements and ordered it anyway. His neck is like 4" high and 17.2" around so I wonder how it'll work out for him come judgment day. It sucks that it wasn't high enough for you being one size.
The Releaf is only 3.5" high at the center and goes up to 4" on either side, so it's only slightly higher than the Eliminator. I don't know if that's high enough for you. It's very soft and surprisingly comfortable. You don't feel it too much once you lie down to sleep. But given its material it can wear hot though if the AC in your room isn't adequate. I wish it were more breathable. So far I've only taken it off once but always managed to put it back on before falling asleep.
RE: Best soft collar?
I am trying the Eliminator with a folded face cloth between the cushion and my collarbone to prop it up another 1" or so. Doing so is comfortable. Last night it happened I had a high leak rate but that's not unusual with my FFM so I can't blame it on the cushion. So I'll try with the nasal cushion or pillows tonight to see if I can replicate my best numbers with the foam collar. More later...
RE: Best soft collar?
(06-12-2018, 05:14 PM)gregger Wrote: I am trying the Eliminator with a folded face cloth between the cushion and my collarbone to prop it up another 1" or so. Doing so is comfortable. ...
Hey gregger, it would be good if you started a new thread for this. That will have two benefits: a) keep this thread exploring different collars; and b) let me keep updated on your experiments! 
RE: Best soft collar?
(06-12-2018, 07:28 PM)ShaunBlake Wrote: Hey gregger, it would be good if you started a new thread for this. That will have two benefits: a) keep this thread exploring different collars; and b) let me keep updated on your experiments!
Hey SB, I get your point and I appreciate it. As it happens, I'm ready to complete my findings for this thread. (I have linked other people to this thread for basic advice and alternatives on Soft Collars; at Sleeprider's suggestion I'll be posting a review of a couple of devices to the correct forum.)
Regarding the Eliminator, the rolled-up face cloth worked like a charm. Note, it was a thin, cheap "motel variety"...Hampton Inn to be precise...with a rubber band around it to keep it rolled up. I slept like a baby last night thanks to Afrin, gel pillows nasal mask and the Eliminator+Roll-Up. I got 0.5 AHI which tells me mouth leak was fully controlled.
"And in conclusion, your honor...." I agree with others that soft collars are perhaps the least expensive, least complex and least frustrating way for many users to immediately improve their therapy, by eliminating a common yet major source of OA! They're easier and more comfortable for many users than a chin strip for eliminating slack-jaw / open-mouth / chin-tuck / whatchacallit. (And yes, I had trained myself to prevent mouth leaking most of the night, by closing my mouth or sleeping with tongue-to-palate...but...when I'm really tired and sleeping soundly, anything can happen.)
No need to take my word for it...$15 and a visit to the corner drugstore can get anyone started; fine tuning with the "collar of your dreams" can come later. Good luck and good sleep!
06-13-2018, 06:21 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-13-2018, 06:22 PM by Sleeprider.)
RE: Best soft collar?
Great post Gregger. We strive to make CPAP therapy comfortable, and I have seen people present on this forum with in excess of 30 AHI, with incredible clusters of obstructive apnea, end up with less than 2-AHI by simply adding a collar to their therapy. Better therapy at lower pressures for less than $20. Hard to beat, and it happens time and time again.
RE: Best soft collar?
(06-13-2018, 05:20 PM)gregger Wrote: (06-12-2018, 07:28 PM)ShaunBlake Wrote: Hey gregger, it would be good if you started a new thread for this. That will have two benefits: a) keep this thread exploring different collars; and b) let me keep updated on your experiments!
Hey SB, I get your point and I appreciate it. As it happens, I'm ready to complete my findings for this thread. (I have linked other people to this thread for basic advice and alternatives on Soft Collars; at Sleeprider's suggestion I'll be posting a review of a couple of devices to the correct forum.)
Regarding the Eliminator, the rolled-up face cloth worked like a charm. Note, it was a thin, cheap "motel variety"...Hampton Inn to be precise...with a rubber band around it to keep it rolled up. I slept like a baby last night thanks to Afrin, gel pillows nasal mask and the Eliminator+Roll-Up. I got 0.5 AHI which tells me mouth leak was fully controlled.
"And in conclusion, your honor...." I agree with others that soft collars are perhaps the least expensive, least complex and least frustrating way for many users to immediately improve their therapy, by eliminating a common yet major source of OA! They're easier and more comfortable for many users than a chin strip for eliminating slack-jaw / open-mouth / chin-tuck / whatchacallit. (And yes, I had trained myself to prevent mouth leaking most of the night, by closing my mouth or sleeping with tongue-to-palate...but...when I'm really tired and sleeping soundly, anything can happen.)
No need to take my word for it...$15 and a visit to the corner drugstore can get anyone started; fine tuning with the "collar of your dreams" can come later. Good luck and good sleep!
Glad to hear your solution works. How do you keep the face cloth fastened to the underside of the Eliminator collar?
RE: Best soft collar?
sleeplover69, I believe he mentioned rubber bands; maybe that was only to keep the towel in place and the collar traps the towel without needing to fasten it to the collar?
06-19-2018, 10:17 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-19-2018, 10:18 AM by JesseLee.)
RE: Best soft collar?
I am writing an article in the wiki addressing soft cervical collars. We have seen how effective they are and the collar is raised as a potential solution for a lot of complaints/issues nearly everyday.
I would like for anyone with ideas that they feel are important to include in the wiki to please post their thoughts. The idea of the wiki is to introduce folks to collars and how they are sized and fitted so that we can continue to see success of this very useful tool.
Most people think of collar use in neck injury and rehab patients, but it has been proven successful, in many, to prevent clustered apnea and mouth breathing.
I look forward to everyones recommendation and I thank everyone that has posted to this thread already because you all have educated me and inspired me.
Jesse
RE: Best soft collar?
Thanks for all the great replies to this thread so far. I finally ordered the "Eliminator" soft collar from Amazon. I tried it on today and it's way too small for me. I'm 6'3" and lanky. I ordered the Dr. Dakota LARGE collar, it arrives tomorrow. To be continued....
RE: Best soft collar?
Good to know MrZennie. What size shirt collar do you normally wear?
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