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+--- Thread: 6 month absence, new machine, need help. (/Thread-6-month-absence-new-machine-need-help)
6 month absence, new machine, need help. - michael9346 - 01-04-2025
My AS10 died last May, and I have been off cpap and away from the Board for 6 months and now have a new AS11 and need some help evaluating my graphs for a better result. I've spent the last few days just re-familiarizing myself with getting around the Apneaboard. It seems almost all my graphs show mask leakage, which was my problem with the 5 year old AS10. I've used and tested over 15 different face masks and a few nasals as well, but leakage is still a problem. I have lost 25lbs. since May-2024. Since I don't think my face has changed much since the weight loss and tightening doesn't help, you think maybe because it's that I'm getting uglier? I have used the F30 for 3 years and the VA is sending me a new F40, but I can't see much difference from the F30 to F40.
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RE: 6 month absence, new machine, need help. - Old Steve - 01-04-2025
It appears that you are having Positional Apnea, the clusters of apneas are a sign of it. Pressure will not help, it is caused by chin tucking, it's like bending over a garden hose to stop the water. You will have to change your sleep position, If you sleep on your back try sleeping on your side, use a lower pillow, if nothing helps try a soft cervical collar to help keep things aligned. The only way I could stop my positional Apnea was to sleep on my side all night, every night. There is a link below that will give you more info on Positional Apnea. So work on the Positional Apnea then post more charts and then I or someone else can make setting recommendations.
Good luck and welcome back.
RE: 6 month absence, new machine, need help. - staceyburke - 01-04-2025
Old Steve is spot on the positional apnea. I will add that the large leaks are mouth leaks. There are 2 main ways to stop mouth leaks, tapping or full face mask.
RE: 6 month absence, new machine, need help. - michael9346 - 01-04-2025
Stacey & Old Steve,
Thank you both for your suggestions. I am a side sleeper all the 9 years I've had sleep apnea, and I already wear a
full-face mask. I have no luck with chin straps or soft cervical collars. Since I do wear a full-face mask, and I have some stomach issues, taping a mouth with a full-face mask could be extremely dangerous if one regurgitates. I swear my mouth gets so dry I feel like my lips are welded together and it charts rarely shows snoring. I may be wrong, but like everything else in this world is getting cheaper and cheaper, so goes the F30 mask.
RE: 6 month absence, new machine, need help. - Old Steve - 01-05-2025
I have been using CPAP since 2000, I have had perhaps 15 different masks, both nasal and full face. I use the f30 now most of the time and it is the only mask I have ever had that I rarely have a leak. I used to wear a mouth guard with one of my FF masks to keep the straps from pulling my mouth down and open causing a leak. You just have to keep trying till you find a mask that will work for you.
As to the Positional Apnea you are having, have you tried other sleeping positions?
RE: 6 month absence, new machine, need help. - michael9346 - 01-06-2025
I tried sleeping on my back recently, however I rarely fall asleep that way. Never tried sleeping in a recliner but that would surely drop my chin. On another subject my start time on my graph shows a 9:00 PM start time when it is actually 8 PM. Do you know how I can get it set on the right time>
RE: 6 month absence, new machine, need help. - Deborah K. - 01-06-2025
You will probably need to use a soft cervical collar. Most drugstores carry a few and Amazon carries loads of them. You need to get one that fits around your neck and that is high enough to keep your chin up.
Also, your pressure levels are too low. Try 11 to 14. This is because your median pressure is over 11 and you need more headroom as you are bumping against the 12 you are now using.
RE: 6 month absence, new machine, need help. - michael9346 - 01-06-2025
Thanks Deborah,
I'll try the 14 tonight and see what happens. As I told Old Steve, I have tried soft cervical collars and still have two in my drawer, but they don't help. Also have about a half dozen chinstraps the VA keeps sending. (but they are great for holding my socks up)
RE: 6 month absence, new machine, need help. - Deborah K. - 01-06-2025
There is one other thing that can deal with positional apnea. I bought a child-size pillow that has a raised front edge. This keeps my head tipped back slightly and solves my positional apnea. My pillow is no longer made but there are two on Amazon that look like they might work.
Here are the links:
https://www.amazon.com/MLILY-Adjustable-Sleeping-Sandwich-CertiPUR-US/dp/B09J54Q5GW/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2YVE3UPAQQ3RC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lx_wmsg6pvQJRd1iqLqAH-aRufCvSSMnx4OfFLDzh30Bilgwh9XgqUVxqvalt2yTUKquXEkgSEBZ0JwyiBvKq_Sqajaay1VmjJBX2sJG5Ar5PZZt9FCL88Qb0MaZB6WfRoTDyjKn0IA5WQImhukS9fnrchriKRi5Yt5YiWtqhq9Mi-Jvvy2goPDmdfqzbqiAs-BvrTE9oiWf9u4lApRPUNh9aeJ-3-5vl1N2vAczDzMVGwWxHCAG4pKWfKjjU0Y0Cogrs5eDQenggmPTieT-rmH9I0Cyk_njRpfl-CuGD2xi12IqfYBqYQ8j_SYNWTA_-SfI4kSzR1QahkRF9DT_7eA2_gN9c6b1mO3lhetEEbr5qXUsdW1NEKTBCRenvncgXjwgoxFyMCxlk8xej3CvHQpYiKHSdcFpzzyP-GHmTJbDt1Sv3GWnVG04zXzIIo2c.rLccqUfq7TdXC_tgfzGlgqgiGn2yXW6Yga_iEHfzm-0&dib_tag=se&keywords=children%2Bopen%2Bcell%2Bgel%2Bcervical%2Bpillow&qid=1736207159&sprefix=children%2Bopen%2Bcell%2Bgel%2Bcervical%2Bpillow%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-9&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/LOFE-Layer-Height-Contour-Pillow/dp/B0BZRTGVQQ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2YVE3UPAQQ3RC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lx_wmsg6pvQJRd1iqLqAH-aRufCvSSMnx4OfFLDzh30Bilgwh9XgqUVxqvalt2yTUKquXEkgSEBZ0JwyiBvKq_Sqajaay1VmjJBX2sJG5Ar5PZZt9FCL88Qb0MaZB6WfRoTDyjKn0IA5WQImhukS9fnrchriKRi5Yt5YiWtqhq9Mi-Jvvy2goPDmdfqzbqiAs-BvrTE9oiWf9u4lApRPUNh9aeJ-3-5vl1N2vAczDzMVGwWxHCAG4pKWfKjjU0Y0Cogrs5eDQenggmPTieT-rmH9I0Cyk_njRpfl-CuGD2xi12IqfYBqYQ8j_SYNWTA_-SfI4kSzR1QahkRF9DT_7eA2_gN9c6b1mO3lhetEEbr5qXUsdW1NEKTBCRenvncgXjwgoxFyMCxlk8xej3CvHQpYiKHSdcFpzzyP-GHmTJbDt1Sv3GWnVG04zXzIIo2c.rLccqUfq7TdXC_tgfzGlgqgiGn2yXW6Yga_iEHfzm-0&dib_tag=se&keywords=children%2Bopen%2Bcell%2Bgel%2Bcervical%2Bpillow&qid=1736207159&sprefix=children%2Bopen%2Bcell%2Bgel%2Bcervical%2Bpillow%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-3&th=1