I just 'celebrated' (?) my first year of using a CPAP machine. Yea. I'd like to ask for suggestions for further reducing my AHI number. I was diagnosed with an AHI of 40. In the last month it averaged 6.6. Recently (in the last 2-3 months), I haven't felt as rested, and am again tired and sleepy somewhat during the day.
I've attached my Overview chart, as well as a Daily chart that was more or less typical, from last night. Last night shows my typical pattern of rising pressure and leak rate, followed by awakening and resetting my machine to get back to a lower pressure, then going to sleep again.
I sleep on my stomach, and ball up my pillow under my head, so that my chin and nose are kind of hanging in free air. However, eventually my nose-piece rubs the mattress or pillow and disturbs it enough that I can feel air rushing by it. I use the Phillips Respiromics DreamStation and DreamWear nasal mask (medium headgear, small nose-piece).
My questions are:
1. Is this the best mask for a stomach sleeper? Are there any other masks compatible with the DreamStation that work better for stomach sleepers?
2. Another poster on this forum recently ask if she was replacing the components too frequently. I have the opposite situation; I've never replaced the headgear or nasal portion for a year. Do these components wear out? I'm fairly conscientious about cleaning them out weekly, and once a month with a brush that I can run throughout the headgear and nose-piece. Should I replace these items? On what schedule?
3. Any other suggestions for a stomach sleeper to lower AHI? I've tried a cervical collar, but after a couple of weeks, I couldn't see a benefit. Any other suggestions?
Thanks for your advice and suggestions.
-Kevin