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Wearing a cervical collar along with cpap has helped me tremendously
Just thought I'd post this, since it has been a wonderful breakthru for me. I've been on the cpap for a year and a half now. It has helped alot, but until recently it was still hit and miss. I increased my pressure, tried different masks, but still had lousy days where I felt like I had apneas the night before.
This changed two months ago, when I went to bed wearing a firm foam 3 1/2 cervical collar. I work in the medical profession and when we do CPR on patients, we tilt the head backward to open up the trachea. So I thought I would do this on myself. My head really isn't tilted backward, but the tip of my chin is at about a 90 degree angle from my chest while wearing the collar. I also use a cloth--a wash cloth and place it between the front of my neck and the collar to give my chin firm support, so it can't push down the collar at night.
It takes a few nights to get accustomed to the feel. And make sure you don't make the collar too tight. It almost feels like you are getting strangled--and that's not good.
But I honestly can say that wearing my cpap with my cervical collar, I have had the best sleeps in 30 plus years.
I'm hoping my discovery can help others too.
All the best, Noah Calderon.
Views: 2807
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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Are you willing to put up some numbers for us? Before and after would help if possible. I do not know if I could ever get comfortable sleeping in a collar. I have trouble with high necked shirts.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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Very interesting, Noah. Do you have a data capable CPAP and check your numbers? I'm with Rock, it would be good to see some comparison numbers. It would be great if it helped even 25%. This is out of the box thinking, like the power lung mentioned in another new discussion.
Please let us know if you've compared data, or are just going with subjective findings, which are not easily dismissed. If you're sleeping better that's pretty straight forward.
Thanks, Noah,
Mary Z.
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If you google cervical collar and OSA there are a lot of mentions, but I could not find any studies, just anecdotal information.
They can be relatively inexpensive (around $15) and may well be worth a try for some of us who just can't get our numbers down.
Mary Z.
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Permalink Reply by Noah Calderon on
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Mary, no I don't have any data. My last sleep test was over a year ago. Slept for over 5 hours but only had 15 minutes of deep rem sleep even with the cpap on. All I know is I am sleeping much, much deeper now with the cervical collar. Much heavier dreaming. Feel alot more rested and mentally clearer when I wake. I have alot more energy when I work out and swim. I also have alot more sexual energy and no longer have problems with erectile dysfunction. So, I don't think it is all subjective. Why not give it a try. I am using a 3 1/2 inch firm/foam collar. I''ve googled this also and have found no studies on tilting jaw upwards to increase 02 levels. I'm wondering if this is an oversight in the apnea community, and am wondering how many others would have results like mine.
Good luck, Noah
Mary Z said:Very interesting, Noah. Do you have a data capable CPAP and check your numbers? I'm with Rock, it would be good to see some comparison numbers. It would be great if it helped even 25%. This is out of the box thinking, like the power lung mentioned in another new discussion.
Please let us know if you've compared data, or are just going with subjective findings, which are not easily dismissed. If you're sleeping better that's pretty straight forward.
Thanks, Noah,
Mary Z.
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Well Noah, it does make sense. I think this is the theory that lies behind oral mandibular devices, and CPR, lift the lower jaw to open the airway. The collars are pretty inexpensive and if it worked and you were inclined you could always opt for a deluxe version! Who can argue with more sexual energy- that alone is worth a try. I have the perfect opportunity to test this out. I have been off my CPAP due to a badly broken down nose for about three weeks. I'm expecting a new mask today. I can get two weeks of data with just the mask and then try the collar and see if my numbers improve. They are normally all over the place and rarely under the "normal AI or AHI of five events". I will report back in about a month. By the way, Noah, thanks for the tip.
Mary Z.
Noah Calderon said:Mary,
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Well good luck Mary. I hope you see improvements also. Noah
Mary Z said:Well Noah, it does make sense. I think this is the theory that lies behind oral mandibular devices, and CPR, lift the lower jaw to open the airway. The collars are pretty inexpensive and if it worked and you were inclined you could always opt for a deluxe version! Who can argue with more sexual energy- that alone is worth a try. I have the perfect opportunity to test this out. I have been off my CPAP due to a badly broken down nose for about three weeks. I'm expecting a new mask today. I can get two weeks of data with just the mask and then try the collar and see if my numbers improve. They are normally all over the place and rarely under the "normal AI or AHI of five events". I will report back in about a month. By the way, Noah, thanks for the tip.
Mary Z.
Noah Calderon said:Mary,
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Permalink Reply by Banyon on
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Of course we know that pulling the jaw forward can open up the airway. I asked a sleep doctor, whom I respect, if head and neck repositioning alone could make my CPAP therapy more effective. He said CPAP therapy could not be made more effective by varying head and neck posture.
If someone has access to this study, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9586490 , I would appreciate if you post the conclusion summary.
BTW, note that Noah only claimed better, deeper sleep not improved airway flow.
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Well, Mr. Banyon,
I work with doctors every day of my work week. And they are often wrong. And I would say from my experience, that this MD is also wrong in his accessment. Prior to the cervical collar, while wearing my cpap I was also using a mouthguard that pulled my lower mandible forward. The cervical collar has a far better effect on my deep level of sleep compared to the mouthguard. I also can feel more air going down my trachea compared to when I was wearing a mouthguard. I believe that the positioning opens up my trachea and soft palate. So Yes, I am claiming improved airway flow also. I wish I had a take home sleep study kit to prove my point.
Note: If I followed to a T what every doctor has told me, I probably would not be alive today.
Why not try it yourself and not always rely on studies or doctors opinions. I do know what is definately helping me. You cannot discount me here.
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I am still working on getting the leaks down with my new FitLife mask (wow, hit 22 and the seals blow right out!). As soon as I get that fixed I'm going to give it a week to let things equalize- try to negate the effects of inefficient CPAP due to not using it and leaks.
Then I will do two weeks without the cervical collar, then two weeks with the cervical collar. I will post the results here.
Mary Z.
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I've recently changed to the CpapCap from a plethora of other chinstraps to address mouth breathing with a nasal pillow. After a couple of unsuccessful nights, I moved the strap as far back on my jaw as I can. The result was a lot less apneas and vibratory snore marks on my morning report!! I think the strap is supporting my airway not ulike maybe the collar is. For me, the collar sounds hot and sweaty during teh summer nights...jmo!!
Kelvin
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Mary, hope it helps you too. Be interesting to see the results. Matt t>Mary Z said:I am still working on getting the leaks down with my new FitLife mask (wow, hit 22 and the seals blow right out!). As soon as I get that fixed I'm going to give it a week to let things equalize- try to negate the effects of inefficient CPAP due to not using it and leaks.
Then I will do two weeks without the cervical collar, then two weeks with the cervical collar. I will post the results here.
Mary Z.
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Kevin, all right! Can I ask what you use to monitor your sleep?
Kelvin said:I've recently changed to the CpapCap from a plethora of other chinstraps to address mouth breathing with a nasal pillow. After a couple of unsuccessful nights, I moved the strap as far back on my jaw as I can. The result was a lot less apneas and vibratory snore marks on my morning report!! I think the strap is supporting my airway not ulike maybe the collar is. For me, the collar sounds hot and sweaty during teh summer nights...jmo!!
Kelvin
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