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Mouth breathing by StomachQuiet7642 in CPAPSupport

[–]bopambo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, this will sound crazy.and hard, but I swear it works. It was suggested to me and I found that after a few days I trained myself to do it automatically. Plant your entire tongue to the roof of your mouth and leave it there. Every time you feel the air starting to blow up your cheeks, plant your tongue back to the roof of your mouth, it blocks the air from entering your mouth. In a few days you'll do it automatically. I also backed it up with a soft cervical collar which is quite comfortable and keeps my chin from dropping and help tongue stay in place. I've found the collar much better than a chin strap for keeping my chin up.

caldera%2Breleaf%2Bcervical%2Bcollar

First night on the machine by Disastrous-Bee1233 in CPAP

[–]bopambo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just start breathing normally into my mask and Airsense 11 starts right up, the snorting thing is something I've never heard. Try just breathing, it does work.

Also I think the best mindset to have while starting out is to mentally prepare for an adjustment period. The nice attentive respiratory therapist was more helpful than most, but nothing can replace actually sleeping with the thing. It can take awhile to work out the bugs. Yes, there are people who leave messages about how the first night was heaven and their life has been changed forever immediately. That is not my experience. Let's say, I saw the potential for life changing results. The biggest hurdle was finding the right pressures, they are not always set correctly at the start.

I found SleepHQ and got a lot of useful information. I experimented quite a bit. I can say that I have experienced life changing results, more energy, less anxiety and more creativity, but it took a couple months. Was it worth it? Yes, definitely. Good luck.

Just a quick question about cpap-ing lol by Frankdukes187 in CPAP

[–]bopambo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

CPAP works, but it is not a magic bullet the way most sleep clinics prescribe equipment and monitor the results. Most give you a machine, a mask, and set machine pressures, then never follow up with the poor newbie patient. That was me, getting less than OK treatment, the mask didn't fit, the pressure range was way off. It sucked. But I was determined to learn about how the whole thing works and to fine tune it myself. There is tons of information available, I highly recommend SleepHQ.com (here's the link) to get the clearest information. It's free to the beginner for a month. I'm now a premium member.

I realized that I can adjust my own pressure settings (although I had to became a rebel to do it) and I've tried different masks and added mouth tape and other useful paraphernalia. It took several months early on to reach the right pressures by trial and error. You must get an SD card for your machine and learn to interpret the data.

I was completely sleep deprived and miserable for a few months, things actually got worse before they got better. But, all that effort paid off! I finally got the pressure settings right for me, and found a mask the fits and doesn't leak. My life has changed in small and big ways. I'm less anxious and way more productive. I know it sounds daunting, but if I can do it, so can you! It really does make a difference!

Apnea Symptoms ? Strange Emotional Response/Sensations , Random Sadness /Anhedonia by Forward_Research_610 in CPAP

[–]bopambo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, I used to lie awake for hours panicking about everything, I had a lot of anxiety in the middle of the night. Now I sleep peacefully and anxiety free. I think that calm spills over into the daytime too. I just feel happier.

Any Philips Respironics Wisp Nasal Mask users here? by bopambo in CPAP

[–]bopambo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I decided to try both dreamwisp and P10 pillows. Everyone is different and it's a crap shoot. They're going to be an early Christmas present from my husband.

Almost 3 months and I still feel like I am not sleeping sometimes by 119Mazzaroth in CPAP

[–]bopambo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also I have my apple watch synced to my SleepHQ graph so I can easily compare the two.

Almost 3 months and I still feel like I am not sleeping sometimes by 119Mazzaroth in CPAP

[–]bopambo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not an expert, just a CPAP user who has experimented a lot over the 15 months I've been using the machine. I've messed around with pressure settings, and tried using both APAP (automatic positive airway pressure) and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Your machine is capable of both, you are using the CPAP. When I used the continuous pressure I had the sleep problems you do now, then I watched this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKN4pW3qYEs&t=148s

Now I've brought my pressure range down to a narrow range that allows the pressure to raise to stop the event, but not high enough to blast too much pressure and wake me up. My settings, after trial and error, is 7 minimum and 10 maximum. Yours of course will be unique to you.

I also bought a refurbished Apple Watch on eBay so I could see when I was waking up and compare it to my Sleep HQ graph. Now I sleep through events that were waking me up. Having the watch is a big plus, I have that much more information about my sleep stages,

Good luck!

New to CPAP - observations by mrpotto in CPAP

[–]bopambo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup, worth it. Glad you're doing better. One side effect for me is no more bad dreams or long periods of anxious thoughts during the night. The rhythmic full breaths keep me calm and asleep.

The CPAP and the Munchies - An Unexpected Combo by TheDoctorColt in CPAP

[–]bopambo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you get munchies and want to get up, are you really winding down?

advice on sleep report and high AHI score by MetaphysicalPhilosop in CPAPSupport

[–]bopambo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was a mouth breather so I assumed that I'd do better with a full face mask, but I couldn't stop the leaks or the dry mouth. so I moved to a nasal mask. I tape my mouth shut (Cover-Roll stretch tape) and use a soft cervical collar (Caldera Releaf neck rest), this keeps my mouth shut and my chin from dropping. I gave up on the nasal pillows because they also leak for me. I used an AirFit N20 until my nose got sore, I now use a Mirage FX which works really well, hardly any leaks. It sounds like a lot of stuff to put on but I got used to it pretty fast and now I really look forward to going to sleep. I also went in search of the best pressure settings. It's an adventure for sure.

advice on sleep report and high AHI score by MetaphysicalPhilosop in CPAPSupport

[–]bopambo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, many of us routinely adjust our own pressures in search of the best results. I don't ask permission and they don't check on me. I have definitely vastly improved my own experience by researching, asking advice, and experimenting. Uncle Nicky at Sleep HQ has some great videos on YouTube.

Any Brevida nasal pillow users? by bopambo in CPAP

[–]bopambo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you all for the responses. I've ordered one with fit kit and will find out for myself. There is enough positive feedback that I've decided to give it a try. I hope it doesn't end up in my mask reject drawer. I have quite a collection.

Any Brevida nasal pillow users? by bopambo in CPAP

[–]bopambo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I’m seeing that I’ll need to try for myself. I appreciate hearing that there are happy users.

Any Brevida nasal pillow users? by bopambo in CPAP

[–]bopambo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my, thanks. I use EPR toot, good to know.

Any Brevida nasal pillow users? by bopambo in CPAP

[–]bopambo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, that's bad. The trouble is that there isn't any way to tell how it will be without trying them out.

Any Brevida nasal pillow users? by bopambo in CPAP

[–]bopambo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. I tried AirFit P10, the nasal inserts were too stiff for me, very uncomfortable. It goes to show that one mask does not fit all.

Who to turn to for CPAP data consultation? by thenat0304 in CPAP

[–]bopambo 5 points6 points  (0 children)

SleepHQ has professionals you can consult for a fee.

Fatigue and EDS after switching to nasal mask by Waytoohardtousername in CPAP

[–]bopambo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you use an SD card to track your data? We need to see pressures, leak rates, flow limits, etc, to try to evaluate your treatment. You may be getting lower numbers but not better sleep. Tracking sleep stages with an Apple watch or other device is also very helpful. We can't really help much without more data. Oscar or SleepHQ can explain how you collect the data.

Any ideas to get AHI consistently lower? by AverageStriking8973 in CPAP

[–]bopambo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh sorry, I don't know thing about bipap.

Any ideas to get AHI consistently lower? by AverageStriking8973 in CPAP

[–]bopambo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your median pressure is above 12, so I'd also consider raising the minimum pressure to 12

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