Newly diagnosed with lots of centrals and feel suffocated
Hi folks. I'm new here. Diagnosed with mild OSA (AHI 12.4) with an at-home sleep study, got my Airsense 10 on August 10, 2021. I sleep with a big U shaped body pillow and alternate each side with being on my back. I did the positional apnea test (chin tuck does obstruct my breathing somewhat as does pushing on the soft tissue just in front of my throat). I've only tried a soft collar one night but felt claustrophobic so took it off, but will try it looser tonight. I have trouble breathing through my nostrils but I also don't breathe through my mouth! And I rarely snore.
Without the CPAP, I slept restlessly. With the CPAP, I sleep even more restlessly. And some nights I wake up feeling like I'm suffocating with the CPAP on and only feel I get good sleep without it. However, I wear an Oura ring and know that CPAP is the only thing that gets me precious, restorative deep sleep. On good nights with the CPAP I wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy. So I am determined to figure this out.
I have tried MANY masks, in order: QuattroAir (DME started me with), AirTouch F20, AirFit F30, AirFit F30i, Dreamwear Nasal Cushion and Full Face, DreamWisp nasal and the Resmed nasal, ResMed N30i. Currently I'm using a ResMed N30i with mouth tape, as if I don't use mouth tape the pressure will blow the air out of my mouth during the night. This is the best mask I seem to have found so far. The Dreamwear nasal wasn't the right shape and the silicone would block my nostrils.
The nasal and full-face masks are extremely uncomfortable on my sinuses the next morning (pain all the next day, worsened over stretches of days to the point of unbearable) and the F30 and F30i and Dreamwear Full Face would leak a lot in the middle of the night somehow - mouth dropping open or chin dropping back? I think again the pressure would blow my mouth open and then I'd mouth breathe.
To add to the fun, I have Sjogren's Disease and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. So I think I have UARS which is common with hEDS. I also might have craniocervical instability, and am 6 months post-op from tethered cord release surgery.
The Sjogren's means that my nose and mouth are pretty dry to start with. I did get a heated ClimateAir tube and set humidity to 5 and that helps. And the mouth tape helps. However, I'm allergic to silicone, so now I have red marks on my skin from where the nasal cushion touches. Tried lanolin, then I get acne.
Oh I also have a very small head so I use the ResMed N30i with a small frame and small wide cushion, though M cushion also works, so does S but I don't get as much air.
I use azelastine, an antihistamine nasal spray, and Xlear nasal spray before bed because I do feel I have some issues with my nose and/or sinuses blocking my breathing somewhat. I have an ENT appointment at the end of this month that I've been waiting for since August.
I never had an in-lab study because the requirement was lifted bc of covid. The sleep center my PCP sent me to says if I want one, I'll have to pay out of pocket. My PCP is at a loss and doesn't seem to know a sleep doctor who can help me. The sleep center, I never actually saw a physician. Did everything via mail and had one visit to the office to pick up the machine and a mask, was told I'd never get used to it and with my mild numbers I may as well not try to treat it (by the center director!).
My study showed no centrals, but some nights, I have tons of centrals and some hypopneas. The rare RERA. My flow curves are extremely jagged if I zoom into a two-minute view.
I'm going to attach my sleep study and a few representative nights, good and bad (sometimes one night to another with no rhyme or reason!). If you'd like a different screenshot with things zoomed in, just let me know.
I'm wondering what my next best step would be. I haven't messed with my settings at all; it is just how the sleep center set it up for me.
Thank you in advance! I've been reading here and trying to get up to speed. Sorry, I have to start dinner but I just noticed my chart is in the wrong order. I reordered them and I don't know how tidal volume snuck up there.
Without the CPAP, I slept restlessly. With the CPAP, I sleep even more restlessly. And some nights I wake up feeling like I'm suffocating with the CPAP on and only feel I get good sleep without it. However, I wear an Oura ring and know that CPAP is the only thing that gets me precious, restorative deep sleep. On good nights with the CPAP I wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy. So I am determined to figure this out.
I have tried MANY masks, in order: QuattroAir (DME started me with), AirTouch F20, AirFit F30, AirFit F30i, Dreamwear Nasal Cushion and Full Face, DreamWisp nasal and the Resmed nasal, ResMed N30i. Currently I'm using a ResMed N30i with mouth tape, as if I don't use mouth tape the pressure will blow the air out of my mouth during the night. This is the best mask I seem to have found so far. The Dreamwear nasal wasn't the right shape and the silicone would block my nostrils.
The nasal and full-face masks are extremely uncomfortable on my sinuses the next morning (pain all the next day, worsened over stretches of days to the point of unbearable) and the F30 and F30i and Dreamwear Full Face would leak a lot in the middle of the night somehow - mouth dropping open or chin dropping back? I think again the pressure would blow my mouth open and then I'd mouth breathe.
To add to the fun, I have Sjogren's Disease and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. So I think I have UARS which is common with hEDS. I also might have craniocervical instability, and am 6 months post-op from tethered cord release surgery.
The Sjogren's means that my nose and mouth are pretty dry to start with. I did get a heated ClimateAir tube and set humidity to 5 and that helps. And the mouth tape helps. However, I'm allergic to silicone, so now I have red marks on my skin from where the nasal cushion touches. Tried lanolin, then I get acne.
Oh I also have a very small head so I use the ResMed N30i with a small frame and small wide cushion, though M cushion also works, so does S but I don't get as much air.I use azelastine, an antihistamine nasal spray, and Xlear nasal spray before bed because I do feel I have some issues with my nose and/or sinuses blocking my breathing somewhat. I have an ENT appointment at the end of this month that I've been waiting for since August.
I never had an in-lab study because the requirement was lifted bc of covid. The sleep center my PCP sent me to says if I want one, I'll have to pay out of pocket. My PCP is at a loss and doesn't seem to know a sleep doctor who can help me. The sleep center, I never actually saw a physician. Did everything via mail and had one visit to the office to pick up the machine and a mask, was told I'd never get used to it and with my mild numbers I may as well not try to treat it (by the center director!).
My study showed no centrals, but some nights, I have tons of centrals and some hypopneas. The rare RERA. My flow curves are extremely jagged if I zoom into a two-minute view.
I'm going to attach my sleep study and a few representative nights, good and bad (sometimes one night to another with no rhyme or reason!). If you'd like a different screenshot with things zoomed in, just let me know.
I'm wondering what my next best step would be. I haven't messed with my settings at all; it is just how the sleep center set it up for me.
Thank you in advance! I've been reading here and trying to get up to speed. Sorry, I have to start dinner but I just noticed my chart is in the wrong order. I reordered them and I don't know how tidal volume snuck up there.
Here's that link. (Honest, I used preview!)
