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New to CPAP therapy—less than a week in. Using a ResMed AirSense 10 with an N30 nasal cushion.
I’ve attached an OSCAR screenshot. From what I understand, flat plateaus on high leak spikes often indicate mouth breathing.
Last night, I stopped using my CPAP around 2:30 a.m. because my mouth and nose were very dry, even though half the humidifier water was still remaining. At 3:30 a.m., I got up and had some tea, hoping it would improve my nasal breathing, but it didn’t. As a result, I didn’t return to using my CPAP.
I've just ordered a chin strap to see if I get some improvements.
I'm of the belief the attributes of rather elevated, wide and flat leak patterns will point to mouth leaks. Opposite is short spikey patterns will point to the mask.
Given that, you have some that indicate the mouth leak pattern. The answer would seem to be yes, you mouth breathe some, given what we see.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Machine: Lowenstein Luisa Mask Type: Full face mask Mask Make & Model: Resmed Quattro FX Humidifier: separate F&P humidifier CPAP Pressure: Epap 4-20 PS 4-20; "auto" rate CPAP Software: Not using software
Other Comments: Using 45 degree angle upper body wedge (36"x36") and 4.5"soft cervical collar; 500 assured tidal vol
Advisory Members serve as an "Advisory Committee" to help shape Apnea Board's rules & policies.
Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
Thank you all for the replies and the mask resource link.
My ordered chinstrap won't be delivered until Thursday (5 Dec, afternoon). Last night, I taped my mouth. I only taped about half to reduce the risk and act more maybe as a reminder. I stayed hydrated in the day, and by night I was having zero difficulty breathing through my nose. I had a good seal on my nasal mask. I checked the seal with the machine's test. I had almost 7 hours of use. HOWEVER, I was saddened to see all my leak spikes. Ugh!!
I am a side sleeper. I don't typically/knowingly toss around. I did change to the other side maybe twice. My nasal mask felt as sealed as when I went to bed. A few times while sleeping, I checked for leaks by feeling for air. Nothing extreme was felt. My humidifier (filled to max) still had a small layer of water left.
I did increase humidity from auto (4) to a 5. I also changed response from standard to soft.
Of course, as of yet, I feel zero improvement compared to pre-CPAP nights. myAir says I am doing wonderful. Crazy.
phattyre - Your thread has progressed from a software topic to a therapy topic. For this reason, I have moved your thread to the Main forum. Please use this thread for all your therapy related posts. To provide a more inclusive title, I have renamed it to, phattyre - Therapy Help.
- Red
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Machine: Lowenstein Luisa Mask Type: Full face mask Mask Make & Model: Resmed Quattro FX Humidifier: separate F&P humidifier CPAP Pressure: Epap 4-20 PS 4-20; "auto" rate CPAP Software: Not using software
Other Comments: Using 45 degree angle upper body wedge (36"x36") and 4.5"soft cervical collar; 500 assured tidal vol
Your leak charts shows that your leaks are mouth leaks. Some people tape. Some use chinstraps. Your mouth his opening during sleep with your nasal mask.
You just tried taping to some extent. Your call on how you want to proceed from here. If a soft cervical collar is high enough and fits good, it can keep the jaw from dropping and mouth opening as well.
Advisory Members serve as an "Advisory Committee" to help shape Apnea Board's rules & policies.
Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
