Once again, helpful JNK. Thank you ...
I have learned as JNK informed, that not over tightening the mask is an important tip. I try to keep the straps just tight enough to stay in place. For me, when the pillows are not jammed tight against the outside of my nostrils it is much easier to breathe comfortably, very comfortably actually feeling like "normal breathing" and improving the quality of sleep. These new to me type of pillows that have individual nostril buds for lack of a better description, do a much better job of staying in place when on my side where I prefer to sleep. Not perfectly, but much better. They do a very good job when on my back ...
JNK - I am new to this forum too, any forum actually and am learning how to interact. You and others here are very kind to make thoughtful efforts to help people improve their medical challenges which in turn improves their lives. Like all small acts of kindness, they initiate big ripple effects you will not get to see. That's no small thing. Thanks again for your help .... (And by the way, I am still learning which numbers are the important ones to monitor on my ResMed, all of them I am sure, but last night my sleep events dropped to below two an hour).
To Jnk .. Sorry, I really did think you were replying to my post. I am disappointed to see it is not all about me! Ha ha. I was so impressed with my improvement after switching to the new product. So far my event numbers have been consistently cut in half and I am waking up way less. A good thing I wanted to share with kekern and others considering the nasal pillows. It was nice of you to take the time to provide your YouTube link for this forum, I learned a lot from the videos I saw there ...
The dreamwear and probably similar type pillows do not go inside your nostrils. I don't see where it was said "they stick all the way into your nostrils" ... : ). They sit on the outside of your nostrils but do form a gentle seal around the outside of the nostril, emphasis on gentle. The standard pillows I found leaked a little more than I would have liked. And yes, take care to get the right size for your nose. I am 6' 4" and 200lbs but the small size was best for me. The new version so far for me have done a significantly better job of staying in place especially when sleeping on my side. It's worth checking out ...
I am new to this world, in it about a month now and if it would assist you to hear, I would share an initial experience that was helpful to me. I have a ResMed Air sense 10. At the Medical supply store I was given the option of a full mask or the nasal pillows like yours probably. Of course in the store the pillows route was way more comfortable and less imposing so that was my choice. However at home I found that on my back the pillows were great but I prefer to sleep on my side and in that position I found the pillows would slip out of position. That caused a little leakage and enough discomfort to keep me from sleeping soundly, the whole point of this exercise. My friendly sleep equipment advisor offered a new type of pillow that snapped right into the tubing aparatus. I think were called "Dreamwear" that has a nasal bud for each nostril and found they fit snug and comfortable. Also happily, they don't slip out of place when in my favorite fetal position. It is still early, about a week with the new product, but my "event" numbers went from an average of 7-8 per hour to 3-4 and my sleep can be described as restful. So yee haw ... Maybe my experience is worth you giving this new pillow device a looksee. Note: I have seen similar after market products on Amazon ... Good luck my friend.
From what I have read here the dental option is probably not a solution to severe cases. It appears that would leave Cpac alone for that category of unfortunate suffering apnea victims. Semantically speaking, that makes it what many in this forum refers to as the "gold standard". So for those severe category of folks the definition really means only option. It's fantastic that Cpac has been effective for them. It appears though that if the dental opportunity actually works well, and it looks like there is evidence that it might, that folks new to this process be availed as much information regarding this choice as the Cpac. I definitely was not, but I am just one guy. How great would it be for what appears to be the majority that have do deal with the totally messed up effects of chronic interrupted sleep that the dental device could circumvent the intrusiveness of the masks? How many more people would actually do something about this issue if that was a reality? I mean, come on, that would be outstanding .... right? I am not a money hater, I love what it can bring, but I am smelling the influence of big money here being one of the reasons it may be de-emphasized by the Cpac industry. If it is in fact .. is. I could certainly be wrong. I am just saying to new people like me, be cognizant of the dental and any other side of this when checking out your options ...
I am only been participating in Sleep Apnea therapy via a Cpac machine for a couple of weeks so admittedly, I don't know didly at this point. I was steered toward the Cpac by the sleep professionals I first encountered. The dental option was not given much credence in my interview process. I had to ask a few questions about it to have it addressed with any earnestness. My medicare and supplemental insurance would cover only one chosen option at 100% so I just went for the Cpac. Too bad that previous to seeking medical advise I didn't realize that forums like this was out there. Silly of me, it only stands to reason there is. I say that because thanks to Dr. Luisi who specializes in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine there is information worth careful consideration in regards to the dental device. Had I read his and other posts I might have very well have opted for the dental option especially since I meet at least 75% of the criteria ... Back on the Cpac path however, I was lead to a medical supply business. Taking my first glance at the Cpac I was highly skeptical I would be able deal with this ordeal. Besides air being forced down my wind pipes the Cpac masks resemble something you might see in a "B" movie. A person would have to see the humor in that visual, but I was definitely feeling uncertainty with my willingness to stay with the program. Despite being diagnosed with mild S. Apnea my symptoms really are severe in the fatigue department so I made a pact with myself to stick it out for at least 30 days before issuing judgement and have been living up to that. I am guessing 6 months to a year would be a better evaluation period as I attempt to dial it in. I should note that I have noticed nothing life changing ... yet, but some subtle benefits. Therefore, "so far - so good" ... My point in my very short experience and for the uninitiated in the realm of therapy options, I wish I would have given the dental option a much more thorough once over. And not just with my neighborhood dentist. My dental office seemed very uninformed on this subject and my dentist is otherwise excellent. I really think I may very well have payed out cash for the dental device first and if it was not effective, then gone the route of insurance and the Cpac. And of course, it does seem the "Gold Standard" is Cpac for severe cases of Sleep Apnea. To those that fit that category I feel for you, and hope the Cpac is everything it is meant to be ....
Speaking of money Sleeptech, I am brand new to this world and when I was going through the evaluation process I was first sent to a sleep clinic and later I was sent to a separate sleep center for my study which yielded I had pretty mild Sleep Apnea. Mild, but they were still recommended Cpac therapy. Dental devices were offhandedly mentioned but I had the distinct impression I was being steered toward the Cpac machine. They told me a medical supply store they had in mind would be contacting me to be fitted. I was not sure what to think about the whole Sleep Apnea thing but mild diagnosis or not, I have pretty severe symptoms like falling asleep in dentist chairs and even traffic lights for example, so I am just going along for the Cpac ride for now. Anyway to make a short story long, because I had this nagging feeling I was being steered away from the dental solution a question popped in my mind that maybe you can answer; At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, do sleep clinics and/or sleep centers get a cut from Cpac devices that are sold to their patients? If so, it wouldn't stop me from trying to alleviate the mentioned symptoms before I drift out into a intersection in a state of slumber. (Actually, if I know its a long light I will put my car in park just in case). So for fun, I am interested in what your answer to this question might be ... Thx
Hey Wired, there are too many really serious things going wrong in our world to find offensive. The truly silly and absurdly unproductive "idiot" labeling of all the good folks that work in Sleeptech's world and maybe yours, was so ridiculous that it was comical, as was Sleeptech's first few words in his astute response. Your commentary on the subject matter was wise also, but finding a laugh or smile wherever and whenever you can, is as useful as a great night sleep ...
