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+--- Thread: Help me survive until surgery (/Thread-Help-me-survive-until-surgery)
Help me survive until surgery - zodbog - 10-16-2024
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Hello,
I have a severely narrow airway (3mm) and hoping surgery (BSSO+MMA) next February resolves the issue, but in the mean time, just want to optimize this for this last stretch as I'm feeling more tired every day as my lower teeth are being pulled backward.
I've felt the best when my AHI is under 1 but I've been struggling with it for months now. It's always 1.5+ and I wake up feeling tired and get headaches nearly daily. I previously used P10 at the start of my journey several years ago, but it was making my nose sore so I'm currently using a Dreamwear Nasal cushion. Partner is complaining about loud air sounds at night and it shows in oscar being in LL for 10-15% every night. Last night (Oct 15) I tried taping. It seemed to help some in the beginning but oscar shows leaks popping up later in the night. Either I taped it wrong or it just didn't work for me. I'll try again tonight with some different tape. If that doesn't work, I'll think I need to evaluate other mask options.
I've also been tinkering with clinical settings. The best setting per the summary seems to be 7, but it felt constricting and uncomfortable. I first changed minimum to 8, then 10, which was a lot better for a while, I am trialing out 12-17 and it feels way less suffocating for first night.
RE: Help me survive until surgery - G. Szabo - 10-16-2024
You can reduce the leaks a bit by setting EPR=3.
I suggest using at least one-inch-wide Nexcare tape and placing two crossing pieces (like an X) over your mouth.
RE: Help me survive until surgery - Deborah K. - 10-16-2024
I found that I need to use good quality 2-inch wide mouth tape that is cut about 5/1/2 inches long. Narrower or shorter and I still leak. Maybe you are like me. Cover Roll Stretch tape works well. I like Theraband Kinesiology tape better because it conforms better to my face and is more comfortable, but it is more expensive.
Good luck at finding a good solution for your needs!
RE: Help me survive until surgery - Phaleronic - 10-16-2024
Rather than turning up something that reduces apnea control (EPR) please turn min pressure to 8cm)
Mouth tape is a tough one, I can't stand it, I'm not sure how the people on here can use it when they can move to a full facemask and not deal with the tape issue, have you tried a full face?
RE: Help me survive until surgery - zodbog - 10-16-2024
I haven't tried a full face one yet. I'm not quite sure if it will fit right. Basically, I have no chin and my lower jaw sits far back so I'm not sure how well it will seal, but I guess it's worth trying. Any recommendations?
RE: Help me survive until surgery - Deborah K. - 10-17-2024
From your facial description, I think you should stick with nasal pillows. They leak the least and are more comfortable. I also like that they blow the air up my nose, not on my face.
RE: Help me survive until surgery - zodbog - 10-17-2024
Here is last nights run, dropped the min pressure to 8 and used wide strips of cover roll. Felt more energized today, I will say. Leaks still happening it seems but LL is way down which is nice. Any more tips?