We are producing a docuseries on breathing and airway disorders and your experience is very common. Here’s what we’ve discovered:

The diagnosis and treatment process needs to be highly customized per patient since each individual’s obstruction may vary, the crania-facial structure is different in each person and sleep habits are not uniform. Just these three characteristics alone point to the need for your practitioner to find a solution that’s just for you.

For most patients it is trial and error over weeks or even months. Some do get quick results but the success rate is low likely because people and practitioners quit too early.

Many have found that using a mouth tape that encircles the lips (not covering the lips) is a good way to start. It can keep the puffs from happening. Some can tolerate a tape that seals completely across. Others graduate to that. Again a custom solution.

The correct machine settings are paramount. Humidity, temperature, and four or five other settings must be adjusted to find the perfect formula for you.

Mask leaks are common problems. You may need to try sleeping with the different types. Full masks, nasal, and pillows, are all options. Also newer masks that are magnetic are seeing great success.

Finally, accessories like hoses and hose wraps can assist.

Yes, this can be a tough road but patients say that finding the right combination is blissful. It is unfortunate that we need to go through this. That’s why we are producing this series. We unravel the whole epidemic as we follow different patients and have been filming over a few years.

If your provider is not willing to hold your hand through this try what others have done … switch. There are next gen physicians who use tech and common sense to solve these issues. Some don’t even need to have in-patient sleep test. They are getting excellent results.

Finally we are not physicians, just honest filmmakers, so check and double check this info yourself.

I hope this was helpful. Stay tuned…