NewlyDiagnosed therapy thread

[NewlyDiagnosed]

Thank you, Dormeo! Some great ideas here.

I don't know that the leaks I'm having with the Dreamports are disturbing my sleep. They don't seem to wake me up. With the nasal pillows, they definitely did. On July 7, I seemed to sleep soundly for a while with constant low pressure, then something caused the pressure to rise, I had leaks (I assume from the pillows), and I woke up. This happened twice. With the Dreamports, the pressure was high much of the time and leaks were there much of the time, but I didn't wake up. What baffles me is the increase in leaks with the Dreamports.

On both of the last two nights, I tested the Dreamport connection by blocking the hose and blowing into it. I heard no leaking and there was no leaking from the adhesive. When I had the system connected to the CPAP machine, it was very quiet. I did hear soft breathing sounds on inhalation - could this be a sign of leaking?

I tested the tape just now. I can blow air through it but only if I blow very hard. I can't believe I'm doing this while sleeping. I'll try a double layer of tape tonight, maybe the 2nd layer can be a different kind. I bought several kinds to try.

My water tank is seated well. I think the long hose was connected well, but I re-did it just now. I've been traveling so it was taken apart a few days ago. When I'm connected tonight I'll check for leaks along the hoses.

Hope I can solve this. I find the Dreamports very comfortable.

[NewlyDiagnosed]

Oh, and if I don't find any hose leaks tonight, and if I still have leaking with a double layer of tape, I'll try reducing the maximum pressure tomorrow.

[Dormeo]

All sounds like a good plan. I get the same sound when I inhale that you do; I think that's just a Bleep feature. Keep us posted.

[NewlyDiagnosed]

I will, thanks!

[NewlyDiagnosed]

I checked the hoses and connections with pressure on and didn't find any leaks.  The leaking was somewhat better last night, except for the last segment after 6 am, when I woke up, took off the mouth tape, and tried the SCC.  Clearly that didn't stop the leaks, and it was uncomfortable.  It might be the wrong size, I will check on that.  For the very last segment, after 7 am, I took off the SCC and had very bad leaking.

I think that the leaking must be coming from my mouth, through the tape. I'll try reducing maximum pressure tonight.  It's not clear to me why the machine is ramping up the pressure.

I'll also move the tongue exercise method up on my priority list.

The good news is that I'm sleeping much longer with the Dreamports than with the nasal pillows.  They are so much more comfortable.

[Dormeo]

The machine is increasing pressure in response to your flow limitations. I'll be curious what happens when you lower your maximum.

I agree that mouth leaks must be the culprit. Let's see if a somewhat lower max helps. And yes, do start trying out the tongue positioning during the day. When it's in the right position, give a little suck or swallow to create a bit of a seal.

[NewlyDiagnosed]

I have only a vague idea of what flow limitations are. I know that they're bad, and I see the graph, but is this based on the shape of the flow rate curve? I know that flattening at end-inspiration is bad. Is that what prompts the machine to increase pressure?

[NewlyDiagnosed]

And if that's true, then what causes flattening of the curve?

[Crimson Nape]

Please see these 2 Wiki help articles:
https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph...imitations
https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph..._and_BiPAP
- Red

[NewlyDiagnosed]

Thank you so much for the pointers, Crimson Nape! Very interesting and useful, especially the article by the doctor.

I'm trying to learn as quickly as possible by reading other threads and wikis, but it seems like a mountain of information.