Can Palatal Prolapse be treated with CPAP

[Motomom]

I'm happy to say I think I'm making progress.  I'm pretty sure that I have discovered that I'm experience Palatal Prolapse on Exhale based on what my waveforms look like from Sleepyhead.  Right now, I'm using a TAP PAP mask, which I truly love (I've modified it by the way by adding a store-bought mouthpiece which I've glued to the TAP PAP mouthpiece creating my version of TAP PAP's CS.  I just wasn't willing to fork out the money since I'm still experimenting and trying to treat my apnea.  I mouth tape too and use Polygrip on the bottom portion of the mouthpiece to help me keep my Damned mouth shut.  I had slowly increased my CPAP pressures from the original 8cm as prescribed from titration study to 15cm trying to open up the pathway to correct the breathing pattern as shown in these pictures and as much as I've increased pressure, it seems the pattern still occurs and was making me more uncomfortable (chipmunk cheeks, stopped up ears, etc.).  I've read on the forums and elsewhere about Palatal Prolapse on exhale and am still following Terrigal's post here as she seems to have the same thing.  My question now, is will the CPAP machine I have treat this?  I've changed my settings to C-Flex+ on my Dreamstation Auto, to allow for 3EPR and that seemed to help a little with the Chipmunk Cheeks.  Looking for any input from all you more knowledgeable folks, and whether I should try and convince my Doctor to put my on BIPAP.  My insurance sucks (OBUMMERCARE), so I'll probably have to do this out-of-pocket as I have so far.

[Motomom]

I just noticed that my uploads didn't show my AHI.  It was .47, so glad.

[Motomom]

Hope I get some replies to this

[Sleeprider]

Really interesting chart, especially the close up of the flow rate. You have very crisp inhales with no suggestion of flow limitation, then exhale just flat-lines. The air has to go somewhere, and I suspect it is somewhat accounted for in the leak rate, however in the image you posted the excess leak is essentially zero. This is kind of rare, so it would help to hear your explanation of what this feels like and what is happening to the exhaled air.

[Motomom]

I wish I had an explanation.  Was hoping you guys would be able to shed some light.  The only thing is out my mouth or my......well, you know.

Last nights data attached

[OMyMyOHellYes]

What was I thinking?

[Sleeprider]

Here's the thing. We're aware of PP as an issue, and have seen in in a few individuals. At the "forum science" level we rely on everything from anecdotal to journal reports of success and failures, cause and effect, or whatever you want to call it. We have no primary research capability, and in this case, the professionals have not researched the issue, and not enough members have experimented with alternatives to let us draw the anecdotal conclusions. In other words, we are not terribly smart, but we have gathered the experience of many members and are aware of the published studies enough to sometimes appear to be smart. That was an apology or another way of saying I don't know.

The logical options for experimentation are either increased pressure or pressure support, but we don't know which one, or if either will be effective.

[Motomom]

Thank you for your reply, SleepRider.  I was beginning to think that I had P*ssed you off somehow or just got off on the wrong foot with you guys.  That has not been my intention.  I'm still taping my mouth, and even though I do still have some leak issues, they don't seem to be happening during these periods.  Attachments below.  I turned on the PRS01 fields which seem to do some flagging, but can't tell if its related or not.  Right now I'm researching Pulse Oximeters to see if that will give me an indication of what is happening during these timeframes.  Was hoping on buying the Contec CMS50IW, but can't find it anywhere online.  Maybe I could buy directly from the company, but they don't post prices on their website.

Anyway, thank you all for your time, and I will continue to post from time to time so that others may stumble across my post and either gain insight into their own issues or offer direction.

Hope you have a good day and God Bless!

[Sleeprider]

I still can't find any articles or helpful suggestions on treating the PP. I would be interested to see if something like a nasal stent might work (search Alexo Stent), but the device is not specifically recommended other than for obstructive sleep apnea.

[sheepless]

if you haven't already, search username yrnkrn who reported on this topic a while back and I believe determined through experimentation that pressure had little effect in their case. disappointing to me because both my wife and I have sporadic problems exhaling through the nose, presumably due to a floppy soft palette.