wickedsleepy - Sleep Therapy Analysis

[wickedsleepy]

Thanks, DaveL.  The supplier I have tells me I need to wash the cushion every night.  I do, though sometimes I get lazy and just use a fragrance-free baby wipe.  

"It ain't easy being compliant"

You got that right.  This is a whole world of suck that I never knew existed until this year.  I really feel for all of you.  There are worse things out there, for sure (my son had leukemia, so I've seen it first-hand), but this is pretty horrible, too.  The fact that so many deal with this chronically is like a grief of it's own.  It's depressing sometimes to think this is it, it's not going to get much better.

[DaveL]

It really gets better.

You're in the right place. There are so many people here with wonderful knowledge.

My take--key is right settings. (OSCAR is wonderful. I don't have the skill to interpret OSCAR so I ask for help too.)

Good treatment requires a good mask that seals. So a good supplier will make all the difference.  I've had masks from all makes. Now I prefer ResMed. And F&P for my full face mask. Machines. I prefer ResMed. I won't ever use Respironics again.

Get a good mask; use OSCAR and ask questions.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Thanks, DaveL.  The supplier I have tells me I need to wash the cushion every night.  I do, though sometimes I get lazy and just use a fragrance-free baby wipe.  

Cleaning frequency is a personal choice. I wipe my masks daily with baby bum wipes, wash the mask, heated hose, water chamber every 6 months in soapy water using dish soap. My hose is 5 years old, my last mask was about 4 years old, my last mask cushion lasted over a year. Headgear is replaced about once a year. Yes, I am cheap and lazy. No ill effects other than this third eye and extra limb.

Good heavens. I sound like SarcasticDave94. Maybe I should change my nom de plume to PizzaDave.

[SarcasticDave94]

Good heavens. I sound like SarcasticDave94. Maybe I should change my nom de plume to PizzaDave.

Ah so close. You missed the sarcastic font.

[DaveL]

@wickedsleepy

equipment cleaning....
I've used a mask and machine for over 35 years.
I use cpap wipes now when it's convenient. I'm the other extreme end of the cleaning schedule. I've never had a health related issue because of the cleaning schedule I use.

seems to me that lawyers wrote the schedule that you were quoted.

[wickedsleepy]

Ok so I got my soft cervical collar. I had it fairly loose, but it gave me a whopping neck ache so I took it off. So not sure if that is gonna work. Otherwise, my Evora ffm is tighter than I previously had it and leaks are mostly controlled. I still have a burst here or there when I roll onto my back and my jaw relaxes. But I keep myself shaved around my mouth with seems to help some. Not great and it’s less comfortable with bottom straps this tight.

Anyway, I am still getting a nightly AHI score close to three and feel like hell. Can’t think straight, depression, falling asleep while sitting in chairs during the day. From reading these posts, I think another knob to tweak is pillow choice. I have used a pretty flat pillow, which seems to lessen chin tucking when on my back but is bad when I roll onto my side. I wind up curling over onto myself (half on side , half on stomach) which I think contributes to hypopnea because the flesh around my chest, shoulders and neck seems compressed on my neck. (Btw it’s ironic that autocorrect wants to put “happiness” in place of “hypopneas”).

For those who are active sleepers, what do you use for a pillow? Seems like the pillow needs are different on back versus on side.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

If your collar is hurting your neck it is either the wrong size, wrong height, or it is too tight. It takes a bit to find the right size for keeping your neck at the proper angle and for comfort. I also use a Caldera Releaf collar in the large size, which leaves room around my neck so it does not get too hot and is about a 3.5” height cushion.


If you are having to tighten the mask to the point it hurts, it is either not the right mask for you, the wrong size cushion, or wrong size headgear. With the Evora there are only two sizes. At 6’2” the large is way big for me so I use the standard headgear and s/m mask. It took me a month or so to find the right tautness, but once I did I marked it on the straps ans DaveL suggested and have no real consistent leaking issues. 

I use a Contour CPAPmax 2.0 pillow, which works well for me. It is adjustable height and has a cool/warm side, which is nice.

Please post some new charts for folks to review. Hang in there.

[DaveL]

I had the same issue with a soft cervical collar that was too high for me.  I used the tape I use for my lips and wound it around the collar where my chin sits.  There's maybe 5 bands of tape there....and it works for me.  Cheaper than buying another soft cervical collar.

Mask straps: If I adjust my mask while I'm lying down I destroy the fit. But it's a start. What I need to do then is make the two top straps the same length (lengthen the short one; shorten the long one.) And same for the two bottom straps. 

Then as someone suggested here (thank you! I didn't respond well when you suggested it. I truly appreciate your advice now.) I do a mask fit test with my ResMed S10.

Finally, I need to remember to do small, small changes in strap length. And with the F&P Evora Full I now *Lengthen* the straps allowing the cushion to fill up more.  My old reaction was to tighten it thinking it was too loose.

Hope this helps.

DaveL

[UnicornRider]

Everything PL&P and Dave L have said is true.

I had good results with the Caldera Neck Cushion, I have recently purchased a "Velpeau Neck Brace -Foam Cervical Collar" They have several versions, you have to look very close for minor visual differences. I purchased the "Enhanced" version.

I wear a Pulse/Oximeter/Motion "Checkme O2 Max" every night. I was surprise to see my Highest, Average and Lowest  O2 data recorded, all increased by at least 1%. Now 5 days do not make a trend, but it is a start of a trend.

I originally bought the"Velpeau" for possible comfort and support,( and the model looked good wearing it, could it do the same for me?) my old Caldera was several years old and worn, getting too soft to provide the neck support. Previously I used an "Eliminator" (no longer available) that I thought was the final answer.

Now I realize that just like your Mask, as we age, change weight, lose or gain muscle tone, our "Cervical Collar" size/firmness requirements change.

As for Pillow, a month and a half ago I purchased "IKSTAR Cervical Neck Pillow" I like it!

The Evora FFM, Once you get the fit. it is Fantastic! Do as Dave L described, tighter is not always better.

  Now for the funny Evora FFM story, My Sleep Doctor has embedded one of his staff in the DME store for his clients to see for fittings and supplies. I enquired about cleaning supplies as my "Orange Scented Lefty Lanky juice" was low. The DME staff walked over to the shelves with all of their CPAP cleaning supplies and started to explain all of the virtues of their products, My Doctor's embedded staff politely waited for her to finish then commented "Baby shampoo, delicate soap or household Vinegar. I use Vinegar, first thing in the morning everyday"  You could see the DME representative FUME.

Hang in there, these little things all add up, then one day it will come together for you.






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[DaveL]

When I made a mistake and tried a new DME supply store, I asked and they lengthily explained the advantages using the cpap wipes they sold.  I got to pick the lovely scent!  
I really appreciate your post.  
The only advantage with the cpap wipes is they are so easy to use. The only reason I don't is because I'm lazy! Well I'm still alive after over more than 35 years as a hoser.

I don't go to that Milton Sleep Management Group store anymore. And I didn't buy my new F&P Evora Full full face mask from them.