Test if CPAP improves results of Dental Device
CONCERN & QUESTION. Per pulmonologist direction I am using a dental mandibular device after the recent prolonged 4 months poor results with CPAP/APAP. In the end the pulmonologist found that the dental device apnea sleep tested better than CPAP in addressing mild AHI 8 Apnea. The AHIs with CPAP were mostly near 20, though pulmonologists found them to reflect apneas at mostly awake levels; the Dental device AHI tested near 5-7. Nevertheless, I have a concern based on AFIB diagnosis last year (addressed by cardioversion) that I may somehow be able to better address the Apnea with a CPAP/APAP. I have a ResMed Air Sense 11 Auto thanks to the recent Apnea testing process. . Amazingly I also recently received without request a Dreamstation II APAP-CPAP from Philips as a recall replacement for REMStar Pro Cflex+ AutoIQ used successfully 2008-2014.
What is the best way I can use either of these machines to occasionally check my sleep Apnea with and without the mandibular device to see if, over time the CPAP/APAP can be more successfully lower the AHI? Both machines can report to OSCAR, and I continue to report into OSCAR my overnight O2 Ring oxygen and heartrate as well. O2 generally 97 with approx. 2, 4% drops per hour. I am a nose breather during the day but mouth breathing and dry mouth often during the night both with Mandibular device or earlier with CPAP. Recent use of a soft cervical collar (thanks to Apnea Board) seems to help with this. Note that I sleep on my back due to my left shoulder but am very comfortable on my back and easily fall back asleep after BPH bathroom break(s).
What is the best way I can use either of these machines to occasionally check my sleep Apnea with and without the mandibular device to see if, over time the CPAP/APAP can be more successfully lower the AHI? Both machines can report to OSCAR, and I continue to report into OSCAR my overnight O2 Ring oxygen and heartrate as well. O2 generally 97 with approx. 2, 4% drops per hour. I am a nose breather during the day but mouth breathing and dry mouth often during the night both with Mandibular device or earlier with CPAP. Recent use of a soft cervical collar (thanks to Apnea Board) seems to help with this. Note that I sleep on my back due to my left shoulder but am very comfortable on my back and easily fall back asleep after BPH bathroom break(s).
