DanM

Hi @azpatsmr (Pat). Were you provided with a heated humidifier? If so, have you attempted to adjust the humidity level? Dryness caused by lack of humidity while using CPAP can irritate your sinuses. If you do have a humidifier and have tried increasing the humidity level, then I would encourage you to contact your equipment provider so they can verify the humidifier is working correctly. Some patients also find that a saline mist or CPAP moisture creams help. A quick Google of "cpap moisture cream" should return some results for you. Thanks for posting on the forum, and I hope you are able to resolve this quickly! -Dan

Hi @Jorja, @UsernameNumber, @MikeJ and @rjpeeb. I read an interesting article about some RLS research this morning on my way in to the office. I'm posting the link because, based on recent forum posts, I thought you might find it interesting. The article can be found here: http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2015/09/rls-migraine-bruxism-triad/ Best, Dan

Hi @UnassumingOrangeRedCormorant9252. As a technologist who has worked in sleep labs and clinics, I have seen lack of compliance for many reasons--uncomfortable masks, intolerance of air pressure, and not being able to afford therapy are only 3 examples of many. We have learned that lack of proper education and lack of early intervention can contribute to a lack of compliance, and these are areas where clinicians and home care companies can improve. Have you considering proposing a research question here on MyApnea.Org?

Hi @DeeperSleeper, and welcome to MyApnea.Org. I'm happy to hear you think your CPAP is working well. Is there a particular reason you feel unsure about it?

Hi @TooTall. I'm not sure if that could be contributing to your AHI, but I do wonder if you have tried other mask options that might better accommodate your mouth-breathing? This might be something to discuss with your doctor or your home care provider. There are full face options that allow you to open your mouth, and chin straps can sometimes help support the chin and keep your mouth closed if you prefer a nasal mask. Best of luck!

Hello Allison (@DeterminedIvoryCurlew7935), and welcome to MyApnea.Org! It sounds like you are finally finding some answers related your fatigue and poor sleep, and I hope you start feeling better soon. Please keep us posted on how things progress and about how your conversion to BiPAP goes. We have a great group of members here on the Forum, so please post any questions you may have and continue to share your experiences. Thanks!

Hello @ResourcefulPeriwinkleHorse2611. It is possible to have some leak without experiencing dry mouth. However, people with larger leaks who tend to be mouth-breathers frequently experience dry mouth when on PAP treatment. When this occurs, a chin strap or a full face mask is usually used to either try to correct or accommodate the mouth breathing. As for your sleep study, there are many things that contribute to an increase in AHI besides weight. Medications that promote relaxation can cause the airway and breathing muscles to become more relaxed and a change in body position (usually to supine) can increase events. There are other possibilities as well. It is great that you are sticking with treatment and trying to find answers. I have no personal experience with surgical options, but there are some options out there. The new Inspire implant has recently created a fair amount of excitement in the field, and that is just one option. Your sleep physician should be able to talk with you about other options and potentially refer you for further evaluations. In the meantime, best of luck as you continue your search for better sleep!

Hi @TooTall. It is possible that your OSA has changed or that you might be having increased events due to a specific sleep stage (such as REM) or due to changes in body position. As CPAP settings go, 6 cm is a low pressure. If you are having events related to REM sleep or related to body position, it is possible that you might now require a bit more pressure. OSA can worsen as we get older, and it tends to worse in REM sleep and in the supine position. I would encourage you to speak to your physician and show him the Sleepyhead printout.

Hi @UsernameNumber. Do you have any idea why you take the mask off at night? Do you suspect that it becomes uncomfortable from the mask pressure against your face? Is there possibly an air leak that develops? Have you tried other masks with the same result? I wonder if trying to determine the reason for mask removal might lead to a solution.

Do any other members have thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

Thanks for sharing your experiences @rjpeeb and @MikeJ. Good advice to discuss any interventions with your physician, as people do react differently to treatments. You might find some helpful information at www.rls.org, the website for the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, or from the NIH at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/restless_legs/detail_restless_legs.htm.