Montacute's Therapy Thread

[Montacute]

I think I did do better with my mask last night.  And the CPAP is set to FF mask!  

Here is last night's Oscar data.  Any help with interpretation would be appreciated.

[Montacute]

I think I did do better with my mask last night.  And the CPAP is set to FF mask!  

Here is last night's Oscar data.  Any help with interpretation would be appreciated.

P.S.  One other thing--my nose kept getting itchy last night, sometimes on the side by my nasolabial fold, sometimes in the front near my eye.  This is new.  Anyone else experience itchiness with a FF mask?  What did you do?

[sarahsleeps]

I get a little itch here and there too and I find if it doesn’t go away after a second, I’ll just unclip my mask, quickly scratch it, and then close the mask back up. I don’t take the headgear off or anything, just open up the mask and then close it again. Sometimes a large leak line will show up in my Oscar data and I have to remember, oh yeah I had an itch.
I do the same thing to take a pill at 6am every morning. It’s just easier than stopping and starting the machine.
Keep at it, I can say from my own experience over the last few months, it does get easier, you do get more used to it, and consistency seems to be key. Also when/if you try different settings I suggest giving them at least a week before analyzing. That’s helped me take a step back and not over think my sleep as much. After a week you’ll know if you’re feeling better or worse from any given setting.

[TechieHippie]

I get reactions to the plastic softeners in new masks. I wash with soap and vinegar several times.

It looks like you had different settings for the nap, and then you turned it down. Probably the nap was less comfortable but less effective...Maybe somewhere in between? I think the lowest end is just a little too low.

[Montacute]

            Hello everyone, I am still here struggling with CPAP months later.  I can't get it right.  A quick recap--I am the person with the deviated septum despite 2 surgeries, frequent sinus infections and lots of trouble breathing even without a mask.  I took the group's advice to use a full face mask, the AirTouch F20 and if anything I feel worse.  Waking up frequently and exhausted all the time.   I fall asleep on the couch every night watching TV until I get up and go to bed. 

I started getting a bad headache 3 days ago I can't get rid of, along with general nausea and stomach gurggling with mild diarrhea.  Last night I woke up choking with the mask on.  My ears felt pressurized, like being under water and my head was pounding.  I felt sick to my stomach.  I threw the mask off as fast as I could and it took me some time to calm down enough to fall back asleep.  I thought I had done something wrong and was dying.   This was not a panic attack.  I don't get them and it woke me up.  I still feel very unwell today.  What the heck is going on?   I desperately need some guidance here.  I am not going to use the CPAP for a couple of nights to see if the nausea, headache and ear feeling will stop.   I am about ready to give up on CPAP.   I feel horrible.  I've posted 3 nights of OSCAR.  I know I had a bad leak the night before last.   I sleep on my side and the mask gets knocked around.

All help appreciated.  My pressure is at 8 to 10 with EPR of 3.  Ramp is off.  Thank you for any help.   I'm really scared and down about this.

[Nightynite]

If you can’t breathe even without a cpap mask on then you need to see your ENT. You are describing problems that a Dr. needs to address.

[Old Steve]

Have you tried raising your maximum pressure higher, if not I would go up at least 2cm and see if it helps.  Are you using nasal strips to help you breathe better? Are the charts that you posted your full nights sleep?

[Old Steve]

I'm sorry, I didn't see the part of not being able to breath properly without a mask.  Pressure adjustments may not help you at all, I agree with Nightynite, see a Doctor.

[Montacute]

Thanks for the replies. I am followed by my ENT and see him every few months. He thinks there is little more that can be done for me, other than having extensive reconstructive surgery on my septum. I am petrified about that, given my prior unsuccessful surgeries. I do have a consultation scheduled with the surgeon. I'll make an earlier appt. with my ENT too.
I feel at the end of my rope. My sinus/breathing issues are no doubt resulting in my sleep apnea and my sinus/breathing issues are keeping me from treating the sleep apnea successfully.
Yes, these are my whole nights. I either can't stand anymore and take off the mask or that is it and I get up and fall asleep during the day.

Can anyone tell me what that event was last night based on OSCAR? I am not skilled enough to interpret it. I would like to know.

[Nightynite]

If you think you have congestion that is clogging your nasal passages up and preventing you from breathing, Flonase helps many on here with that problem. It is a steroid that shrinks the Turbinates
and helps one breathe. It takes a little while to get full benefits, so be patient and follow the directions. I use it nightly after my shower , it’s a nasal spray also know as Fluticasone Propionate .

I just buy it by that name on Amazon, 5 little spray bottles for under$30. It was the missing piece of the puzzle for me. I hope you get this figured out. Keep us posted.