New CPAP, new thread

[midwestguy]

Not sure if a tilt to one side is head rolling. But my reaction to the little pillows or towels on either side is, “Boy, more stuff that will move during the night.”

Tha Valpeau collar with the external rigid piece might work. I can see McGyvering a wider version and adding more Velcro in the middle.

[midwestguy]

Hi Red,

You misunderstand. If a soft collar allows my chin to move toward my chest, it’s too soft. A rigid collar would seem to work better. 

This is therapeutic only in the sense that it’s preventing positional apnea. 

Best,

Harv

I’m wrong about the rigid collars. They have to precisely fitted by a physiotherapist or they’re downright dangerous. 

I sit corrected.

[Geer1]

By therapeutic he meant they are for neck therapy (fractures etc). I don't think you need a hard collar because as you noted your data starts out good and then changes. That is because something is physically changing whether it be head tilting to side or whatever it may be. The tricky part is just figuring out what is changing and how to avoid it. 

Last night was one of your better nights other than the few flurries of positional apnea. In total it looks like you had around 3.5 decent hours and your ventilation numbers were better than average because of it.

Instead of a pillow on each side you could try a towel. Roll it up from both ends to create a flat section in middle (under neck) and a roll on each side. Whatever works to try and stabilize position of neck and head so it isn't changing during the night.

[midwestguy]

Rolling a towel up at each end with my head holding it in place will work.

Thanks.

[midwestguy]

Tip of the hat to:

cathyf for the MacGyver reference.

[midwestguy]

Here's last night's data.The 15 minute break around 5P was
both a bathroom break and replacing the loosened tape.

The second set is expanded near the end of the session.
The flow shapes aren't nice and smooth. I forget what
the term is for that flattening. But it's not good.

As on earlier nights, the leaks start piling up near the
end of the night. The tape is probably loosening again.

The towel under my head with rolled-up sides kept my
head pretty still. Maybe less positional effects this time?

Bought recommended tape (Hypafix). Should arrive
tomorrow. Between the new tape and the new collar,
expect more tests

[Geer1]

I think it is worth trying a lower fixed pressure to see what happens. 8 min, 8 max is what I would use.

[midwestguy]

Okay, I'll try that tonight.

Usual setup: cervical collar, towel rolls on both sides of head, mouth taped, on the wedge. None of the new stuff has arrived yet.

The night overall shows a leaky mess. The second graph is of a CA, of which there are many. A clear airway with an apnea? I don't understand.

[Geer1]

Interesting you have had the odd CA before but I don't remember seeing large amounts like this. They might be real or the machine might be labelling them incorrectly due to leaks. It is not uncommon for these machines to mislabel some events in cases like this.

When an apnea is occurring the machine sends out pressure waves to try and determine if your airway is open or closed. An open airway apnea is caused by lack of respiratory drive (body taking a break from breathing), a closed airway apnea is usually due to some form of obstruction.

For now we will just chalk this up as a bad night. If it becomes a trend then we can consider other things. The lower fixed pressure being trialed is something that would potentially help if these were central apnea.

[midwestguy]

Hey geer1,

The Velpeau collar is here. Will wait to start with it until the after the fixed 8 pressure
test is done. One change at a time.

Called Supplier#1 to return the F&P Vitera mask. They said to toss it. If lots of people are using their 30 day trial with free returns, and the masks get tossed, they’re probably losing money on that arrangement. But maybe getting clients for life.

What time zone are you in?

Best,

Harv