Clenching caused by Positional Apnea (or vice versa)?

[SteveIsTired22]

            Hi, long story short:

25M, 5'11 165lbs, exercise frequently (when I'm not too tired).

I wake up feeling like complete crap every single day. Sleep study came back with minor sleep apnea and I started CPAP but eventually moved to BiPAP because I had a harder time tolerating it.

My main symptom (besides terrible sleep quality) is that I clench my jaw a lot during sleep. I don't grind whatsoever but I can definitely feel myself during sleep basically like *Chomp...rest...Chomp...rest*.

I got botox for my jaw muscles and a nightguard but I haven't gotten any relief from it.

I think it is my neck position during sleep that is causing my issues but I am not totally sure, does my OSCAR data look like it's positional apnea?

[Deborah K.]

Did you do this clenching before you used a pap machine, or only since you started therapy?  If you had it before, it's probably not treatment-related.  If you developed it after therapy began, maybe it has to do with anxiety.  Are you anxious and worried about your treatment?  That might cause it.  In any case, I hope you find a way to solve it soon!  

[Jay51]

I just did an internet search:  

1. Possible Mechanisms:
   
   • Although the exact relationship isn’t fully understood, some theories suggest that:
     • During an apnea episode, tissue collapse in the airway leads to airway instability.
       
     • The brain signals the jaw muscles to tighten, attempting to stiffen the softer sides of the throat.
       This increased muscle activity in the jaw may cause grinding or clenching.