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Stoaty
+0 points
·
about 6 years
ago
Original Poster
I have mild sleep apnea (AHI - 6.7) which is strongly positional. Left side sleeping - 2, Right side sleeping - 16, Back sleeping - 56. I have thought about getting a pillow to maintain and optimal position and keep me from sleeping on my back to see if that would bring down my AHI into the normal range instead of using CPAP machine. The problem is that I need a way to monitor to see if constraining my sleep position alone improves my apnea. Is there anything available to do this?
I'm not aware of such a device, other than the machines used for the at home sleep testing, like the Phillips Alice NightOne. The only other thing I can think of is just using a CPAP set at the minimum pressure of 4 cm. But, that is still giving you some treatment. Some people sew a tennis ball in the back of their PJ's to discourage sleeping on their back. Sounds like torture to me though. Another device that is sometime used is a soft cervical collar. Again, may not be the most comfortable thing to wear.
Another thought may be to use that Android App, Snore Lab, that is discussed in another thread here. The degree of snoring may be some what of a proxy for apnea.
And I don't recall whether or not you have considered a dental appliance. It can be effective in the mild apnea range, and doesn't use pressure so should not cause central apneas. They are expensive though, and short of a sleep study you don't really know how well they are working.
Stoaty
+0 points
·
about 6 years
ago
Original Poster
I read there was some concern about the dental appliance loosening teeth. That was enough to dissuade me from looking in that direction. I suppose I could buy the Alice NightOne for a few thousand dollars, but that seems like killing a gnat with a sledge hammer.
SleepDent
+0 points
·
about 6 years
ago
Sleep
Commentator
I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. If a patient has normally solid teeth and gets a high quality, properly professionally fitted oral sleep apnea appliance, loosening of the teeth should not be a concern. If a person has active periodontal(gum) disease or has lost a significant amount of bone support due to past periodontal disease, then it could be a concern. You would need a professional consultation with an experienced sleep dentist to find out. Oral sleep apnea appliances are a very good alternative for people with mild sleep apnea, as they tend to be quite effective, with better comfort and portability. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D.
I have some questions: my AHI is usually around 2 per hour, or less. I am wondering if I need to continue to use my CPAP? It has been recommended that I try an overnight oximeter device (without the CPAP), to make sure that the oxygen level in my blood doesn't get too low, while I'm sleeping. Does such a device have a special name (I already have an oximeter that is just for occasional measuring of blood oxygen level)? Where can such a device be "rented"? Where would the data from the device go?
Thanks for any advice --Judy B
wiredgeorge
+0 points
·
about 6 years
ago
Sleep
Enthusiast
The device you are looking for is a PULSE OXIMETER. There are a number of types but the ones that just clip to your finger will fall off while you sleep. They are also sensitive to movement and you can use one while awake and sitting on the sofa to practice using the software supplied but any wiggling will mess up results. The best one is the one is strapped to your wrist like a wristwatch and has a rubber gizmo that fits over your finger. They stay put while asleep. The main drawback to these devices is that the instructions are pretty horrible as they were likely written in Chinese then machine translated by google or the like. I was able to figure out how to use mine but it takes a bit of practice. I was concerned about my SPO2 as it dropped right down to about 70 during my sleep study and stayed there for long periods; hence the lack of working brain cells today! Here is the gizmo I bought:
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