Changed Mask to Nasal Pillow - Big AHI Drop

[Deborah K.]

On the night of the 7th, you had your EPR set to 2, and your flow limits were high.  On the 11th you had EPR set to 3, and your flow limits were virtually gone.  I think the big difference was because you had loads of Positional Apnea on the 7th and only a tiny bit on the 11th.

PA shows on your charts where events are clustered tightly together, like on the 11th.  This cannot be fixed by a setting change, as the problem is your chin dropping towards your chest causing something very like a kink in a hose.  As a hose kink hinders water flow, chin tucking hinders airflow.  Some folks can fix this by simply using a flatter pillow.  Lots end up wearing a cervical neck collar, which when it is the right height, will hold your chin up in any sleeping position.  Most drugstores carry a few, and Amazon sells loads of different ones.

[Dodies]

On the night of the 7th, you had your EPR set to 2, and your flow limits were high.  On the 11th you had EPR set to 3, and your flow limits were virtually gone.  I think the big difference was because you had loads of Positional Apnea on the 7th and only a tiny bit on the 11th.

PA shows on your charts where events are clustered tightly together, like on the 11th.  This cannot be fixed by a setting change, as the problem is your chin dropping towards your chest causing something very like a kink in a hose.  As a hose kink hinders water flow, chin tucking hinders airflow.  Some folks can fix this by simply using a flatter pillow.  Lots end up wearing a cervical neck collar, which when it is the right height, will hold your chin up in any sleeping position.  Most drugstores carry a few, and Amazon sells loads of different ones.

Hi Deborah, yes since the 7th July I have adopted sleeping wearing one of the air-travel pillows and no longer use an actual pillow, but I am now sleeping on my back, however when I had my sleep study they found that I had OSA whether sleeping on my back or my side. But 100% I agree I have a problem with positional apnea and this pillow is helping a lot. But, i think I have a problem with my nose, I feel that my nostrils collapse when I sleep and that's why the air-pillows help. I found I could make my 02 results better by using those nasal dilators.

Is there anyway I could test this theory? I would really like to understand what exactly is causing my apneas. Do I need a doctor or can I figure it out alone?