[CPAP] My Sleep Apnea is Worse than Yours... plz Help!!

[memoryNada786]

Dear Friends, this is BS and I'm sharing my BIPAP Story with some screenshots in seeking desperate help before I runaway to InspireSleep methodology. I've had it with APAPs used for 5 years, now BIPAP used for 1 year ITS all bothersome, same masks same leaking, just had a sleep study (which I'll share below) with literally 8 hours and 0% deep sleep and 6% REM sleep which according to specialists should be 13-23% deep sleep, 20-25% REM sleep.... no wonder I can't remember what I've studied previous day, please tell me how many of you have memory issues as well due to this damned OSA? 

{Small Tangent .... 10 years ago i had even worst symptoms, I literally took my GMAT 10 times (humans should only take it 3 times max) b/c I knew I could do better than my score which was like stuck at a level.... After having non invasive procedures done like palatal implants, RF Turbinate Redu ction, and RF Tongue Reduction procedures that gave me dreams first time in 10 years I recall.... right after that in 3 months or so I again took GMAT and my score literally EXPLODED HIGHER....nothing else can explain the reason}

Back to Reality.... However, since 2017 I'm again stuck with bad RDI scores around 74 (previously 83) including in my last sleep study earlier this week. I've tried 5 mask changes (currently I'm on full face mask Airfit F30i SW version) and switched to BIPAP since last year but I still feel nasal leakage, I even bought the Mask Liner from Pad A Cheek company, but that's also not helping reduce the leaks. 

Please look at the OSCAR screenshots and my sleep study dear CPAP heroes, and tell me what the fudge is really going on or anyway to temporarily improve it? I'm seriously considering INSPIRE sleep implant thingy long term if this keeps exacerbating.

Yours Truly,

Ray

[Jay51]

Hello Ray.  The leaks have to be corrected or else it will be the same old story.  80% + of the night your therapy is compromised because of the leaks (when leaks get above a certain level, therapy is affected).  

Specifically, what FFM do you use?  Your profile says AirFit F10.  Have you ever tried any other types of masks?  Nasal?  Pillows?  Hybrid?  What do you think is causing the massive leaks?  I read above where you have tried 5 different masks.  Have you seen an ENT lately to see if you have something anatomical after all of those surgeries that may be contributing to your leaks? 

Here are some tips if you have not read this yet:  Mask Primer

[memoryNada786]

Yes, I've tried several others, here's some of the list:  Current One: [DME Link Removed] airfit f30-

[DME Link Removed] resmed quattro
[DME Link Removed] [ResMed AirFit N20

So when I've had nasal mask issues, my mouth opens up for air and was told to wear this but it makes me sweat like crazy.
[DME Link Removed]  black adjustable chinstrap

I also mentioned earlier I've used following to no help:
https://www.padacheek.com/product-page/m...-ffg-style

The air blasts in my face right in my eyes even with this full face mask via leakage. 

I'm considering the one with nasal pillows, but then again the compromise will be I'll need a mouth guard or a duck tape on mouth to stop opening, a need to cleanse my nose every night before bed, and then its also a may possibly work.  

Any advice on the best path forward for styles or choices?

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[cdplatt]

Taping sounds like your best option, something like 3M micropore works well.  A mouth guard won't do much to stop mouth leaks.  A nasal pillows type mask that delivers air directly into your nostrils is easier to seal and tends to inflate your nasal passages as well; perhaps lessening the need to cleanse your nose every night.

[HalfAsleep]

I had an F10 back in the day. “Back in the day” are the operative words: I don’t believe this mask has been around for a while. So, if you’ve had it buried in your drawer for several years, yep, it would be age-weary and likely leaky. So, that would be a bad mask choice.

Do at least something to stop the leaks, then post new Oscars. Even if it means using a cervical collar for a night or two.

IMO having poor sleep is common during sleep tests. I wouldn’t put too much stock in having little REM during one of those. Sometimes, you don’t even sleep enough hours to end up with REM, especially if the night includes both diagnosis and titration, so you have to be woken in the middle of the night.

Your situation is impossible to evaluate unless your leaks are under control. Plus, they will make your sleep awful.

Did you get issued a mask for titration during your sleep study? They must have been satisfied that it wasn’t leaky. Try using that one.

[memoryNada786]

I wonder what the best nasal pillow mask is currently??

[alemon]

Ray, while all mask needs are individual, I believe the P10 is often recommended as a starting point.

[memoryNada786]

on my way to ordering that with a mouth tape so there's no more excuses for heavy leaks and since these are nasal pillows, that's another new mask type I've ordered. Hope this works!!

[memoryNada786]

Man, this mouth tape sucks, I'm using 3M Micropore.... it opens up my mouth, perhaps not strong enough.... Any better brand or type of mouth tape preference?