DanM

Hi @ModestIvoryHedgehog2007. It sounds like you have a lot happening, and we are glad to have you at MyApnea.Org. I'll start by trying to answer your questions about sleep apnea and overnight oximetry. Even though the supplemental oxygen has corrected your overnight blood oxygen saturation problem, it does not rule out sleep apnea. As a technologist who has worked in sleep labs, I have seen patients in your situation who have been placed on overnight oxygen but still must have the underlying obstructive sleep apnea treated. Obstructive sleep apnea still causes stress on the body, even in the absence of poor blood oxygenation. I encourage you to see an ENT or a sleep physician to discuss their recommendations for next steps. The emphysema is another issue, and you might also consider discussing this with a pulmonologist. Many sleep physicians are from the field of pulmonary medicine, so finding a pulmonologist who is also board-certified in sleep medicine might be a good start! I hope this information is helpful, and please keep us posted on your progress. Best -Dan

Hi @WarmheartedCrimsonGoldfinch3069. I'm sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time adjusting to treatment. It is definitely a process, but I do encourage you to discuss the symptoms you mention with your physician. Pain, headaches and a hung-over feeling may not necessarily be associated with CPAP. In fact, many patients report improvement in morning headaches and feeling more clear in the mornings after being treated. If the pain you mention relates to the mask, it may be that a mask change or adjustment is needed. If the pain symptoms are elsewhere, further exploration of the symptoms may be needed. Best wishes, and please do let us know how you progress.

Hi @wiredgeorge. There have been numerous papers published on CPAP adherence. Here is a link to one article, and the first 12 references at the end of the article are in some way related to CPAP adherence. I would need to do some digging to sort out how much of the research relates to the various issues you mention. While PAP therapy has been around for a long time, the issues with leak, mask fit and some of the other factors that impact patient tolerance remain the same. Mask fit and mask pressure, speaking solely from personal experience of years working in sleep centers, seem to be the top 2 issues that cause problems for patients. Education is often key to correcting these problems, and we definitely need more education. Hopefully, MyApnea.Org can help with some of that! -Dan

Hi @UnassumingOrangeRedCormorant9252. Mask leak can be difficult to troubleshoot. I looked back through the posts and could not find the type of treatment you are using (CPAP, APAP, BiPAP, etc.). I wonder if your leak is happening when you machine titrates up to a higher pressure during sleep, or whether you might be disloding the mask in some way. I have seen patients move masks during overnight titration, start to immediately have respiratory events or snoring, and self-adjust to correct the seal. Is it possible that your mask is becoming dislodged and you are self-correcting at some point so that the problem is fixed by the time you wake up? This would result in elevated AHIs on download. I'm not familiar with the Simplus mask, but full face masks are traditionally the most difficult to seal. Can you provide any info on what masks you have tried? Maybe some of our member community have some ideas or some experience with the same masks. -Dan

Hi @papawmedjic. BiPAP, along with other types of treatment, can take some time to get used to. I would encourage you to keep the appointment with the ENT to see what other options may be available to you, but I would also suggest having your machine checked to make sure the settings are all correct and you are not getting too much air. I'm sorry you are experienced such discomfort. Hopefully, some of our other members will chime in if they have had similar experiences.

Hi @FearlessWhiteMouse3686. Along with Sherry and Wiredgeorge, I encourage you to speak with your primary care physician about a referral for a sleep study. I was in your shoes many years ago, and I understand the fear. I can tell you that diagnosis and treatment of my own sleep apnea has been a game-changer for me! Keep us posted on your progress, and please do ask any questions! -Dan

Hi @wiredgeorge. Inspire therapy is one of the surgical options that involves implanting a small device. You can read about hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the Research section on MyApnea.Org at https://myapnea.org/blog/new-frontiers-in-the-treatment-of-sleep-apnea-unilateral-hypoglossal-nerve-stimulation. Dr. Strohl wrote a very nice article. Thanks!

Hello @Newdiag, and welcome to MyApnea.Org. We are happy you visited. A new diagnosis can be overwhelming at first. Mine certainly was. CPAP has changed my life, but it did not come without some initial struggles. The key is persistence, education and working with a good sleep physician and equipment provider. I encourage you to learn more about your condition by visiting our "Learn" pages. Of course, feel free to come back to the Forum and post any questions you have. Our members have a wide range of experience with sleep disorders and treatment options, and we have some great sleep professionals who often read and respond to posts. Best wishes, and keep us posted on your progress! -Dan

Hi @UnassumingScarletWolf4732. I have experience with the P10 but have never had problems with it whistling. In fact, I wear the P10 myself. You might consider contacting your equipment provider and talking to them about the noise. It is possible that you have a defective mask or a small leak in a seal somewhere. Can you tell if the whistle is occurring somewhere along the mask, like at point where the tubing attaches? Or is it occurring at the nostril where the mask enters your nose? If it the whistle is at the nostril, you may need to try a different pillow size. The P10 has several pillow sizes that can be placed on the mask frame. Best wishes!

Hi @GeoVoice. I agree the pull on the hose causes mask leak for some. I tend to tuck my tubing under the covers with some slack in it to try and help prevent this. Some patients report that using a tube stand or holder that suspends the tubing above the head is very helpful.