PS [Pressure Support]

[LarryRapp]

Thank you Sleeprider!  Tomorrow I will widen the left side.  I do know how to do that!  What bothers me is what you said about positioning.  I use a full face mask.  It is a Quattro Pro.  If anything, it is too tight and I want to loosen the lower straps but now I don't know what to do.  Should I try another mask?  I have a pretty good DME but if he says no (doubtful since he's never done so) I'll buy one myself.
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Larry

[MitchS]

Larry,

To widen the left column, just put your mouse pointer on the area between the left side and the charts, click the right mouse button and while holding the button, drag the pointer to the right. Stop when the column is wide enough the statistical data isn't wrapped.

As far as masks, Sleeprider and I both use the ResMed P10 nasal pillow mask. It is by far the most comfortable I have used. You might consider it if you decide to change, even if you are a mouth breather. I am a mouth breather and go to great lengths to deal with the mouth breathing so I can use the P10. It is the only mask I've been able to get low unintentional mask leaks with.

[Sleeprider]

The mask is not a problem and your leak rate is low. Higher pressure will lower your obstructive events even more. What we are suggesting is a soft cervical collar. It loosely fits around your neck and helps prevent your chin from dropping towards your chest. It can help stabilize the mask. The main idea is to keep your airway aligned. To give you an idea, try this exercise. While sitting and breathing normally, allow your chin to drop towards your chest. Do you feel increased airway resistance or difficulty breathing? The soft cervical collar prevents that restriction.

For your mask, don't over-tighten. It fits best when allowed to float a bit.

[kiwii]

The mask primer has a section that tells about using and sizing the cervical collar:

Cervical Collar. A "soft" Cervical Collar. This helps support and align the neck and keeps the jaw/mouth from dropping. This is becoming a very popular option. Rarely used prior to mid 2016. Users are posting a high success rate with this device. When OA tends to occur in clusters at different times of night. It's an indication that an obstruction may have occured when the chin tucks towards the chest. It's common, and the solution is either an ergonomic pillow or soft cervical collar that prevents the neck and head from being out of alignment and cutting off the airway, but they can be comfortable, prevent leaks and prevent an airway from closing up due to tucking your chin to chest and other issues. You are looking for a comfortable fit 2-inches larger than the circumference of your neck and just tall enough to support the jaw when your head falls out of alignment (measure your neck from collarbone to jaw and subtract 1". It's a very small investment that has worked very well for some people. More pressure may solve the obstruction, or it might go away with positional therapy.

I'm glad you got the charts figured out. Sorry that I couldn't be more helpful (I use a WinXP desktop for SleepyHead).

[LarryRapp]

Thanks all of you guys!  I want to get a cervical collar.  Do you get it at a DME (Keene Medical Supply in my case) a drug store (Rite Aid in my case) or what?  I will adjust the screenshot tomorrow as well as loosen my mask straps tonight.  Again thanks!
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Larry

[kiwii]

The OTC brand is popular because it is soft and it comes in a lot of different sizes. It is available on Amazon, if you cannot find it otherwise.

The ones available to me locally were not suitable (but I'm in a small town).

[Crimson Nape]

Do you get it at a DME or a drug store

They are available from local drugstores and Amazon.

[kiwii]

There was another brand that was being talked about recently... I'll hunt it out and edit this when I find the info.

Woohoo! Found it! It is Caldera brand, and is mentioned in this thread:

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-How-to-use-a-cervical-collar?

[LarryRapp]

My wife is going down to the Rite Aid drug store to get one now. Thanks!
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Larry

[ajack]

they come in 3 sizes, they are only $10, so start with a medium one, if you aren't going to measure it up in the shop.
this should help you fit your mask
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeFoOCUuKIE