[Pressure] Pressure Adjustments

[unrested]

I agree with genes about the mouth breathing and need of a chin strap. When I did my overnight sleep study using a nasal mask, the same model as I now own, I began mouth breathing and the first I knew of this was when the nurse woke me to put a chin strap on me.

GeneS and Allen,

Thanks! I will look at a chin strap as I'm willing to try anything as I am determined to feel better for the long term.

[PaulaO2]

I never snore with my mouth open. Yet I could rattle the windows and get complaints at hotels. The DME gave me a chin strap (just a simple band) so I tried to use it. I hated it. I was struggling with trying to find the right mask and trying to get used to it all.

My point is that unless you know you for sure that you breathe with your mouth open, a full face mask or a chin strap is a waste of money and a piece of equipment you do not need.

[zonk]

I wear my chinstrap quite loose ... doesn't stop me from opening mouth but it does serve as a reminder

see leak graph (page 57)
http://www.apneaboard.com/ResScan_Interp...-Guide.pdf

critical leak threshold > 0.4 L/s or 24 L/min

This detailed leak graph shows significant leak episodes in some periods and none at all in other periods.

The high level of leaks (> 24 L/min) and their characteristic plateau shape (steep rise, flattening off then returning to the base line) indicate the presence of significant and variable leaks, most likely mouth leaks.

[vsheline]

I need to read up more on the centrals as they seem to be my primary downfall. I was never given a copy of my sleep study report, only an AHI number and a diagnosis of severe sleep apnea

Hi unrested,

I suggest you keep an eye on your Flow waveforms to see how long your apneas last. I think apneas of 10 to 20 seconds (although destructive to sleep quality and contributing to fatigue) might not affect O2 saturation much (unless they occur one soon after another), but events of 30 seconds or longer might.

I suggest asking your Dr what you should watch for and what type of events should you immediately report to him.

Regarding your sleep study results, simply call the place up and ask that a copy be mailed or emailed to you. They should do this without charge.
Take care.

[vsheline]

Hi unrested,

Also, I think a few weeks ago some wonderful soul posted on this forum a paper reporting clinical results that supplemental oxygen may help improve AHI in some types of central apnea. I've been meaning to find it again and print it out and discuss with my doctor if we can try supplemental O2 to see if this helps reduce my CA events. Might be worth a try.

Take care.

[unrested]

I wear my chinstrap quite loose ... doesn't stop me from opening mouth but it does serve as a reminder

see leak graph (page 57)
http://www.apneaboard.com/ResScan_Interp...-Guide.pdf

critical leak threshold > 0.4 L/s or 24 L/min

This detailed leak graph shows significant leak episodes in some periods and none at all in other periods.

The high level of leaks (> 24 L/min) and their characteristic plateau shape (steep rise, flattening off then returning to the base line) indicate the presence of significant and variable leaks, most likely mouth leaks.

Thanks Zonk. This will be tonight's leisure reading.

---

I need to read up more on the centrals as they seem to be my primary downfall. I was never given a copy of my sleep study report, only an AHI number and a diagnosis of severe sleep apnea

Hi unrested,

I suggest you keep an eye on your Flow waveforms to see how long your apneas last. I think apneas of 10 to 20 seconds (although destructive to sleep quality and contributing to fatigue) might not affect O2 saturation much (unless they occur one soon after another), but events of 30 seconds or longer might.

I suggest asking your Dr what you should watch for and what type of events should you immediately report to him.

Regarding your sleep study results, simply call the place up and ask that a copy be mailed or emailed to you. They should do this without charge.
Take care.

Thanks for the info vsheline!

I'm using SleepyHead software now and I'm still learning how to read the data. I have also discovered there is a CPAP support group in town so I need to get in touch with them as well.

I'll contact the sleep center on Monday to see about getting a copy of that report.

[unrested]

I never snore with my mouth open. Yet I could rattle the windows and get complaints at hotels. The DME gave me a chin strap (just a simple band) so I tried to use it. I hated it. I was struggling with trying to find the right mask and trying to get used to it all.

My point is that unless you know you for sure that you breathe with your mouth open, a full face mask or a chin strap is a waste of money and a piece of equipment you do not need.

Thanks for the additional input PaulaO2!

I found a $6 chin strap so it won't be a big cost to try it out. I don't think I'm opening my mouth, but I guess I truly don't know. The full face mask was tried during the sleep study and it caused much anxiety / claustrophobia.