[Diagnosis] Ridiculously-high AHI - I Comply or I Die an Untimely Death

[Walla Walla]

If those are really obstructive events than I'd say you need to try a soft cervical collar. It might be caused by head position. The collar would help keep your airway clear. There's not much else you can do pressure wise. Now if those are really clear airway events than the answer is to drop pressure. Can you do a close up on the flow chart?

[Angstromicus]

I just dream of a time where I will not be sustaining cumulative neuronal cellular death and having my memory and cognitive faculties hopefully return back to normal . So no worries about having to struggle with Bi-Pap forever for me ; it has gotten better and easier to breathe since I first started therapy, and I'm sure things will improve .

I'll have to check out that cervical collar in a bit but so far the chin strap I use is working excellent .

And here's a close up of the flow chart.

   

Thanks for all the help so far !

[Sleeprider]

Chances are the soft cervical collar will replace the need of the chinstrap, and may even allow for lower pressure. The collar prevents your chin from dropping toward your chest which severely obstructs the airway in some people. We call it positional apnea, and the collar can resolve apnea no amount of CPAP pressure can cure. I'm sure you will hear from some of the success stories.

Meanwhile, let me show you how it works. Sit in a comfortable chair and relax while breathing normally. Now relax more and allow your chin to drop by gravity. If you feel increased breathing resistance, or an inability to breathe, snoring etc. this is what happens when you sleep, and what the collar can fix. Try it and let us know your results. Your OA is the most severe I have seen on high pressure, but a number of members have overcome AHI in the 30s and 40s using a collar with their PAP.

On your charts, please minimize the monthly calendar by clicking on the triangle in the date line, otherwise a good chart.

[ardenum]

Why are you on clonazepam anyway?

[Fats Drywaller]

I just saw my pulmonologist yesterday and he informed me that I now have basically purely obstructive sleep apnea (the machine reports central though with airway-open events, but I've read this can be inaccurate), with a profound AHI of 107.

Not unusual at all. Mine was 134, also purely OSA. Now, treated, it's 0.x and I'm a happy camper. My case is otherwise normal & average & boring.

Moral of the non-saga: Sometimes things aren't as bad as they seem.

As for "comply or die", that's true for all of us who use CPAP (or ASV). No problem; we comply. Not a difficult choice to make, I'd say.

[Angstromicus]

Ok thanks for the replies everyone .

I't looks like I can pick up one of these collars from walgreens or walmart even, but those are the top internet results will have to look further.

My psychiatrist prescribed clonazepam for sleep because vraylar wasn't sedating enough. It might be making my AHI worse so I'll be trying my backup medicine olanzapine unfortunately. Will just have to figure out how to lose weight on it like some of his other clients do.

And thanks Drywaller, that's a bit of a relief . My pulmonologist was quite alarmed so that alarmed me. But yeah compliance is tough for me so far as it has always been, even more so because of the high pressure. If I could snap my fingers and comply 100% , easy - but building strong commitment has only been half the battle. Having that alarm is about as best assurance I have for compliance, be darned about bloating or panicking. But the worst part, like this morning, is I'll like be there like in twilight sleep instead of having the peace of unconsciousness - while at the same time having no relief the sensation the mask pressing against my face. Even the software indicates I'm asleep with a change in breathing patterns, even a couple of times the techs at the lab said I was asleep on my eeg, but I was defnitely in a weird twilight sleep like being half-there or something. Will this get better with time I hope?

[Walla Walla]

Try Amazon also.

[SarcasticDave94]

FWIW Angstromicus, my AHI was only in the mid-70's which has a high ratio of Central Apnea. I had LOTS of compliance struggles. I had to MAKE it a habit to slap the mask on before I even thought I'd fall asleep or I'd miss those hours as untreated.

I am not suggesting cheating, but you do have I assume time you should invest in getting the mask straps adjusted, time to get used to functions, features as well. Do so while it's on. Sit, relax while listening or reading books, newspapers. Find out what the settings for humidity and heated hose (if you have one) are to your liking or need. Adjust these and experience/experiment what happens if I set it to X.

I failed both CPAP and BPAP compliance. CPAP failed because I didn't try. BPAP failed because it made central events spike. There's no shame in failing if it's due to something you cannot control. Oh, and even if you fail to meet your goal on one day, do NOT beat yourself up over it. Just get back up and dust yourself off. And be more determined to do what you must the next time. Best advice given to me was BUILD THE HABIT OF ALWAYS WEARING THE MASK EVERY TIME YOU MAY FALL ASLEEP. Do likewise and best wishes for the success I know you can obtain.

BTW look at the Apnea Board members and I'd guess we all have had to conqueror this enemy. Join the ranks of the winners.

[Angstromicus]

Onward to victory ! Thanks SarcasticDave94 !

Found a couple really good cervical collars for sleep on amazon too, thanks Walla Walla !

[SarcasticDave94]

Plan on winning with a winner's plan.