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+--- Thread: Brazen Therapy Thread (/Thread-Brazen-Therapy-Thread)
RE: Brazen Therapy Thread - DaveL - 12-21-2022
Meditate
Happy to help
RE: Brazen Therapy Thread - villarst - 12-25-2022
I have been struggling too with my machine and how therapy is going so far. I was diagnosed with severe OSA and had an AHI level of 107! IK YIKES, I have been able to bring it down to 3 or so but now I am regularly at around 20+ AHI which is starting to affect me like having daytime sleepiness and not being able to wake up early and just feeling very tired. I hope that you will find settings that will help you! Just stick with the therapy! I can't sleep without my mask and machine as if I do it will be unbearable to wake up aha.
RE: Brazen Therapy Thread - Brazen - 12-26-2022
Villarst - Sorry you're struggling right now.
I highly recommend using the OSCAR software and asking the experts here for suggestions.
They are often incredibly helpful.
Also read through the wiki articles and posts that seem related to your issues, tons of good info.
I'm really trying to stick with it. 220 nights in, without improvement, make it frustrating.
RE: Brazen Therapy Thread - Brazen - 01-07-2023
Experts. I need help, please.
235 nights of cpap.
I've tried the doctor's settings, the AB Expert's settings, and another doctor's settings. Sleep hygiene, new bed, cozy blankets, new pillows, meditation, stress management, lavender.
I am not getting restful sleep. I am exhausted all the time. I am making mistakes at work.
What can I do?
Attached is what I have tried and daily shots of what currently isn't working.
[attachment=46858][attachment=46859][attachment=46861]
RE: Brazen Therapy Thread - Brazen - 01-07-2023
[attachment=46862][attachment=46863]
RE: Brazen Therapy Thread - DaveL - 01-07-2023
I'd answer; however, I'm not an expert.
RE: Brazen Therapy Thread - DaveL - 01-08-2023
Thinking….you don’t sleep long enough. What’s preventing that?
Your flow limits are far better than mine
I forget what mask you use Is it comfortable? Any mask strap marks when you wake?
Could you use a Fitbit band or watch? Or a video camera to see how you are really sleeping?
Just thoughts. Focus on comfort. Sleep longer if you can. Or nap to get in more time
RE: Brazen Therapy Thread - Brazen - 01-08-2023
Thanks Dave, your input is helpful for all the sleep stuff not related to cpap settings.
I fear the experts have given up on me for setting adjustments.
In response to your questions...
My flow limits are consistently quite low. I've been told I don't qualify for a Bilevel because of that. (AB expert recommendation was Bilevel machine).
My current fixed setting, 9cmw, was recommended by the sleep doc with the thought that pressure changes were disrupting my sleep. I didn't consciously note that as a concern. I feel like I sleep straight through the night. Less soundly on cpap but still sleeping until my alarm goes off.
I do have a fitbit and it reports I'm averaging 7.1hrs sleep/night over the last three months.
7hrs seems like it should be close to adequate, no?
I would love to get more but there just aren't enough hours in the day.
I don't believe the fitbit is accurate for much more than hours slept. It does suggest I run a little low on deep and REM sleep. Don't know what could be done about that.
I am working on a more consistent sleep schedule. My work makes that a little difficult but I'm making an effort to do what I can to get to bed at close to the same time every night. I've been setting an alarm to start getting ready for bed at night.
I'm getting better about it but there are some nights I unconsciously take my cpap mask off in my sleep after around 4hrs.
I use a F&P Vitera FFM. It's not terribly comfortable but it very rarely leaks. I tolerate it for the leak control.
I don't believe there is such a thing as a comfortable cpap mask.
I do wake up with mild marks on my face from it (and every other mask I've tried) but they fade away ~20mins.
My bed is very comfortable.
I tried a buckwheat hull pillow, as I've read it's supposed to be good for OSA folks. Oof. Pained my neck.
I've switched to just one low loft soft pillow.
I sleep on my side and hug another pillow up to my chin to prevent chin tuck.
I wake up in the same position I fell asleep most nights.
I have started meditating for a few minutes at night before sleep. It does seem to relax my mind a bit.
I also see a therapist to help with any mental/stress related causes for fatigue.
My doctor checked my Vitamin B level. It was low and I've been on injections for about 3 months.
She also checked my iron. Also low. Supplementing that and rechecking at the end of this month.
(I have IBS which interferes with absorbing nutrients from my diet even though I eat well)
She also checked my thyroid. Testing suggested severe HYPERthyroid but she didn't feel I clinically fit that diagnosis and just wants to wait and recheck that at the end of this month as well.
My last sleep study showed some tachycardia requiring follow up with my primary doc and likely a referral to a cardiologist. My pulse has always run high so I don't know that they will do much about it at this point.
I think the most frustrating part to me is that I don't believe cpap is helping my fatigue but since I have an OSA diagnosis my doctors will not look into other potential causes unless I continue to use the cpap.
Sorry, that was long winded.
RE: Brazen Therapy Thread - DaveL - 01-08-2023
Wonderful response.
I often think if I have to wear all this gear it better work
On bad days I think osa is intended to sell equipment and gear because compliance standards make no sense.
If we were simply talking about sleep we would be talking about quality of sleep
How can one wear a mask if it’s uncomfortable?
My first thought is you should get help picking a better mask. Make sense?
Dave
RE: Brazen Therapy Thread - Brazen - 01-08-2023
I don't think the intent of OSA is to sell stuff. I think that was an unintended consequence of broken healthcare systems.
The breathing issue is a true concern. How can a body rest if it's fighting to breathe?
But, for lack of research maybe, there is no better solution than xpap and humans chose to take advantage to make $$ selling overpriced and excessive supplies.
Then throw in doctors who are too busy or burned out and who have insurance companies who look only at compliance and we get our current mess.
There is no comfortable mask.
I don't want a mask on my face and I don't want to be attached to a hose.
I tolerate the one that doesn't leak. Because leaks disturb my sleep even more.
I would fight it less if it actually made me feel better.