Chin Tuckers

[Hrdhittin]

I am new to the Board and CPAP and grateful for this resource.  I was diagnosed last Fall with mild sleep apnea and was put on a machine with no guidance.

My Sleep Dr/Pulminolgist suggested the Resmed 11 and basically put it on Auto pilot and the wrong mask.  As a result, I was being woken with massive pressure spikes and leaks.

I ultimately gave up on the process and ended up with palpitations that got me to a Cardiologist and ultimately another sleep test a few weeks ago.  

I did not appreciate where even mild sleep apnea could lead me.  The new test suggest I was "severe" which was a shock as I am in very good shape and healthy.

I was not able to reconcile the new diagnosis until more recently.  

A few nights ago I woke up an hour after falling asleep with a high AHI all of which were obstructed airways.  After some research and contributions from members here, I realized I had positional apnea due to chin tucking.  The night of my most recent sleep test I was sleeping more upright using my sleep number bed and on my back even though I am a side sleeper. 
I was under the impression that this was a good posture for someone with Apnea.  I had an awful night sleep that night which I attribute to chin tucking and lots of OAs.

Thanks to all of the contributions by members here, I have been able to dial in my CPAP needs and making great progress.  Thanks to members I was able to identify a condition that the CPAP will not resolve.  I experimented with a collar and manipulating my pillow that mostly resolved the issue along with wearing a soft backpack to keep me on my side.  I have not yet optimized.

I just got an Amazon delivery that I have not tried yet but looks very promising called the BCOZZY neck brace pillow and wanted to share.  Positional Apnea is a real thing and I would still be on the struggle bus if it were not for this forum.

 

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Well done. You are thinking like a CPAPer.

Don’t forget to consider pillow height as well. That will add to the problem if too high. Some of us use CPAP pillows that have a cutout for the mask to sit so it is not getting jostled around by the pillow. Just one more thing to ponder.

[Sleeprider]

Please include a review of any soft cervical collar you find that helps. Your insights already put you way ahead of most that land here.

[HalfAsleep]

What was the "wrong mask"? In what respects was it "wrong"? Someone here could perhaps help you with some suggestions for adjustment that might make it passable if not perfect.

IMO the DME's get a bad rap when it comes to issuing masks. The first mask style is kind of a crap shoot, and most folks require a lot of adjustments to approximate okay, or they may end up needing a different style. What I don't think the DME's are good at is helping you figure out adjustments. In my experience, they just hand one over, and leave you to it. That's not everything that's needed, but that's why IMO user input is a good idea. I also like Lanky Lefty on YT for demonstrating all the popular masks.

I see you're using an F20? My impression is there are lots of users. You should be able to get some tips, or else input about why, indeed, it could be exactly the "wrong" mask for you. E.g. a beard would be a complication, or if the bridge of your nose gets nerve pain.

[Hrdhittin]

Half Asleep, I did not mean to imply that I was misled on the mask which is clearly personal and requires some trial and error.  

I came back to the F20 as my mask of choice after I realized the dream wear FFM was not giving me good flow because of how the air is fed as a side sleeper.
I am very happy with the mask now but only after upgrading to the Memory foam version which I highly recommend.


My sleep doctor never even discussed that most of my events were occurring on my side.  I learned that from the dentist when I was exploring a mandibular device.
I don't think most of our health care providers or "sleep specialists" know jack about titrating to our needs or really understanding the CPAP data as many people on this forum do and adjusting accordingly.

[Sleeprider]

Hrdhittin, take a look at the new Resmed Airfit F40 mask. Lots of members have found this new mask really works well for side sleepers, and does not rely on an over-the-nose bridge fit.

[Hrdhittin]

Hrdhittin, take a look at the new Resmed Airfit F40 mask. Lots of members have found this new mask really works well for side sleepers, and does not rely on an over-the-nose bridge fit.

Thanks Sleeprider, I ordered one last night.  I also followed your advice about using my pillow in a prior thread to support my chin which seems to be working well after two nights with no need for the collar.

One issue I have is that one side of my nose seems to be partially blocked and then shifts to the other side during the night and the F20's coverage seemed to compensate.
I originally started with Dreamwear FF but had some leak issues and went to the F20.  

I have tried a Flonase the last few days with some success and going to try a Lavage today to see if I can get clear.  
I am hoping the F40 will work better than the Dreamwear as it would be nice to have my large shnoz free.


I did not appreciate the importance of nose breathing in generally but especially with Apnea.  Years ago someone was talking about "mouth taping" to improve breathing generally and it sounded crazy.

[wxmcpo]

I have a sleep number bed as well and found the higher I lifted the head the more chin tucking I was doing. I am also a side sleeper (90% of the time spent sleeping on my right side). I would typically take my right arm and jam in under my pillow and under my head lifting my head even higher than my pillow did. The last couple of nights I've been experimenting with still putting in under my pillow, but instead of tucking it under my head I keep it towards the edge of the pillow. My pillow doesn't have a lot of height to it because increased height leads to more chin tucking. This has helped significantly with my positional apnea and my AHIs have been in the 1s since starting this new position. How that helps some.

[Hrdhittin]

I have a sleep number bed as well and found the higher I lifted the head the more chin tucking I was doing. I am also a side sleeper (90% of the time spent sleeping on my right side). I would typically take my right arm and jam in under my pillow and under my head lifting my head even higher than my pillow did. The last couple of nights I've been experimenting with still putting in under my pillow, but instead of tucking it under my head I keep it towards the edge of the pillow. My pillow doesn't have a lot of height to it because increased height leads to more chin tucking. This has helped significantly with my positional apnea and my AHIs have been in the 1s since starting this new position. How that helps some.

I am using the sleep number pillow which is low profile and a cut out for your head and allows support for my chin.  

It's a great feeling putting the puzzle pieces together.

[Sleeprider]

I'm glad to hear the pillow support under the jaw is working. The alternately obstructed nose is a common issue, and I know several members have experience dealing with it. The F40 mask applies pressure more directly to your nasal nares, and may resolve this problem. The Flonase solution tends to get better after several days or a week of use, so give it time.