Can't get AHI down :(

[Michellebeyer]

Hi!  I took the advice from here and added a cervical collar. Unfortunately, my AHI hasn't  changed!  I'm wondering if at this point I should try a new mask? I would really like to get some good sleep. Thanks in advance!

[jdougc]

You median pressure is 9.30 cm, close to you maximum pressure. Please raise you minimum a bit to 7 or 8 cm, but more importantly raise your maximum up to 11 cm and see if that is better. This higher maximum pressure might help lower your Flow Limits.
Also please add your Flow limit graph, which is more important than your leak graph right now.
Are you a side sleeper? Are you on any medication or do your have any medical conditions that might effect your sleep?
Hopefully some else can give some advice.

[Michellebeyer]

I am a side sleeper. I’m on a few meds (sertraline, migraine meds) but they shouldn’t be affecting my sleep. I’ll raise my max up, I’ve been trying to raise it gradually as I get terrible Aerophagia.

[LuminousOne]

Hello Michelle,

I too get bothersome aerophagia. I've found that peppermint oil capsules taken before bed help with this (and also help with the, erm, "scent" of expelled air. 
I would not change your mask at this time if it's comfortable since your leaks are not a problem. Once you get dialed in to an effective range of pressure you will be in good shape. You are almost there!

[staceyburke]

You are having positional apnea.  You can see positional apnea where either H or Oa events are clustered together.  Getting rid of as many as you can will lower your AHI.  Positional apnea can NOT be controlled by pressure changes.  You have to find out what position you are getting into and cutting off your own airway.  Have you changed your sleep position?  Sleeping on your back?  Using more (or new) pillows?  These things can cause positional apnea by chin dropping to your sternum and cutting your airway.  Think of it of a kinked hose – nothing can get through – you have to unkink the hose…

IF you can’t make a simple change like changing to a flatter pillow helps then you will need a collar.  I have a link to collars in my signature at the bottom of the page.  It shows people who are not wearing a collar and the SAME person wearing a collar.  There is a huge difference between the two.

[Michellebeyer]

Thanks! Glad I’m not alone with that issue! I’ll give the peppermint a go

[Sleeprider]

Minimum pressure 7.0, max pressure 12.0, EPR full time at 3 and mind the positional apnea.

[LuminousOne]

Hi Michelle,

You can get the peppermint oil capsules at healthy food stores and common drugstores as well as online. As long as they are ok for oral use you are fine. Caveat: if you have GERD they are not recommended.
You are definitely NOT alone. Search aerophagia here and see how many posts come up.

Wishing you good sleep!

[Deborah K.]

Try Sleeprider's settings. He's an expert at this.