DanM

Hi Pickle. I've only seen pictures of the mask you mention, but I have heard some good things. Hopefully, you continue to improve and have some relief and healing of the sores on your nose. Keep us posted!

Hi Dee. Please be careful if you make adjustments to your APAP machine. You do not want to increase the pressure to the point that the machine is delivering pressures you do not need during certain stages of your sleep. Have you talked to your sleep physician about the continued snoring?

Hi Que. Glad you're going to talk to sleep physician about your results, and congratulations on the didgeridoo. I have never tried one. As for measuring at home, probably the most important thing to note is how you are feeling when you wake up each morning (still tired, refreshed, etc.) and how you're feeling throughout the day. Most of the home O2 units are meant for spot-checks of O2 and do not record a full night of oximetry. If you can find one that records a full night and lets you review, that would be the better option. You could also consider asking your physician about ordering oximetry monitoring at home. Good luck!

Hi Pickle. I would really like to know the name of the mask you are wearing if you can find out. A nasal pillow system is a mask type with small pillows that fit just inside the nose and have headgear that hold them in place. If you do an internet search for cpap nasal pillows, you should be able to see pictures. Nasal pillows are a good option for people who breathe primarily through their nose, or for people who can control mild mouth breathing with a chin strap.

Hi Dee. Dealing with fatigue can be very difficult, and your diagnoses can definitely contribute to your sleep problems. Based on the AHI numbers in your post, your sleep apnea seems to be controlled. Do you find that C-Flex is helpful? While APAP usually helps eliminate or control snoring, there are some users who still snore even while on treatment from time to time. APAP starts at a low pressure adjusts to eliminate your respiratory events. Is it possible that snoring is happening at the lower pressure levels and then resolving as the pressure increases? If you feel comfortable sharing with others in the forum who might also have Fibromyalgia, have you found ways that at least help manage your pain? Thanks.

Hi ResourcefulCoralSquirrel. I understand not wanting to add another drug. Have you considered trying saline rinse? Many CPAP users have also reported improvements with breathing strips worn across the nose. If neither of these work, I would encourage you to talk to your doctor about the congestion. One other thing I will mention is that CPAP users should also empty and wash the humidifier daily and allow it to air dry. Masks and tubing should also be clean and dry before use. This helps keeping bacteria or other nasty things from growing that might contribute to infection.

Hi Pickle. I wear nasal pillows and do not have much mask leak. A mask should never cause sores. Has your home care provider tried fitting you with other full face mask options? Some of the newer options are soft and sit lower on the nose and have less hard plastic beneath the seal. I've never heard of the "pig nose" you mention, but if you are able to wear it through the night and not have it cut into your nose, that is great improvement. You might also try moleskin or other types of mask liners/pads that fit between the mask and the face. They can sometimes increase comfort and help reduce leaks.

Hi Pickle. Unfortunately, many people have sleep apnea. Some studies estimate that between 17% and 26% of adults have sleep apnea, and between 1 and 4% of children have sleep apnea. The National Sleep Foundation reports on their website that more than 18 million adults have sleep apnea (http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems/sleep-apnea). I checked in with one of the clinics here in Boston today, and they are also booked until late November. You are not alone! I hope you start to feel better, and good luck with your appointments. Have you asked about being put on a waiting list in the event a patient cancels? I'm not sure if that is a possibility for you, but clinics here often maintain wait lists. -Dan

Hi Pickle. I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time getting scheduled to see a sleep physician. I'm not sure what area of the country you are in. If it was in a post, I did not see it. I also hope you do prove your cardiologist wrong! Let me now if you feel we can help provide resources that might be helpful in locating a sleep physician. Some are easier located by contacting sleep labs and asking for the sleep clinic or the sleep physician's phone number. You might have already checked this resource, but this link will provide AASM-accredited facilities: http://sleepeducation.org/find-a-facility. Not all physicians practice in these facilities, as there are other accrediting agencies, but this might be helpful.

Hi Que. Congratulations on completing your sleep study. That's the first step to making an informed decision about your condition. Have you considered seeking a second opinion? That might help ease your mind about your doctor's recommendation. For patients in a situation like yours, I think different providers might feel differently about whether to treat. It might also be important to talk about how you feel physically and how you feel about your sleep. Some people with mild sleep apnea choose treatment for several reasons. Examples are that it helps stop snoring, they feel like they get deeper sleep, or they feel more rested in the morning. Have you considered asking your sleep doctor, if you are interested, if you can try treatment to see if it makes a difference in how you feel? Let us know how you're doing, and maybe other forum users who have had similar experiences might share them. Good luck!