"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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Dy Mouth
I am using a Phillips machine with the humidifier built in, and also have the humidification on it's highest level, but I believe I am still snoring most of the night, even using the mask that covers both my nose and mouth. I wake up in the morning with a mouth that feels like the Chinese army has marched through in their sock feet!! My chronic pain symptoms have also increased significantly in the morning, and when I wake up now it looks like I have torn the bed apart, I am tossing, rocking and rolling so much.
I have only been using the machine for a couple of weeks, but man, I am beginning to wonder if it is all worth it. My sleep apnea was diagnosed as mild: it is my oxygen levels that are very low when I sleep. Am I in the wrong treatment?? I would love to hear the thoughts of others on this.
Thanks very much!!
Gary
I have only been using the machine for a couple of weeks, but man, I am beginning to wonder if it is all worth it. My sleep apnea was diagnosed as mild: it is my oxygen levels that are very low when I sleep. Am I in the wrong treatment?? I would love to hear the thoughts of others on this.
Thanks very much!!
Gary
Views: 103
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris H on
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Hi Doc, Is the tank any lower than when you filled it after using it all night? Are you using distilled water?Still snooring...what pressure does your sleep study have you titrated to?Can you check your data to see what your leakage level is?what your AHI and AI levels are? Knowing your data can give clues as to what is malfunctioning : mask may be leaking too much,humidifier may not be enabled in the clinical side of the software ,machine may not be making enough pressure youre dme or sleep doc can check calibration.is your co2 expiratory / pressure ok? It is a process to get dialled in but it is well worth it.Good Sleep ,Chris
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Permalink Reply by Rooster on
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Gary, I am guessing you don't have a data-capable machine that will report daily such items as apneas, hypopneas, snores, mask leak, and pressure. Without this data you cannot know if your therapy is effective.
It is common for patients to start out with ineffective therapy due to some combination of wrong machine/wrong mask/wrong machine settings/improper use of equipment. The solution is to have a data-capable machine, preferably with software for analysis, and use the data to correct the process.
From what you have said (snoring, chronic pain, bed torn apart), I say the dry mouth is a second priority. The first priority is to get data capability and find out what is going on with your breathing at night.
What do you say?
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Thanks for your input guys. I am using the latest Phillips machine, that does have data input, humidifier, etc. I have the humidity set at the highest level, but it still doesn't help. Last night I woke up after two hours, wearing the mask that covers both nose and mouth, and couldn't stand it any longer, my mouth was so dry. I am going to go to the shop and have the data read to see if improvements can be made. Perhaps I need a higher level of air pressure. My sleep apnea is categorized as mild, but the main problem is that my oxygen level in my blood is very low when I sleep. The machine does seem to help, if I could only stand using it. Maybe I will just have to try a different machine. It sure isn't doing me much good this way.
Thanks very much for your input, guys.
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chris h said:Hi Doc, Is the tank any lower than when you filled it after using it all night? Are you using distilled water?Still snooring...what pressure does your sleep study have you titrated to?Can you check your data to see what your leakage level is?what your AHI and AI levels are? Knowing your data can give clues as to what is malfunctioning : mask may be leaking too much,humidifier may not be enabled in the clinical side of the software ,machine may not be making enough pressure youre dme or sleep doc can check calibration.is your co2 expiratory / pressure ok? It is a process to get dialled in but it is well worth it.Good Sleep ,Chris
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Yes, the tank is lower after sleeping, and I am using distilled water, but the problem seems to be getting worse rather than better!!
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I have to get the software so that I can check the output daily, instead of when I take the machine to the Sleep Store!!
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Ok so you are getting humidification. On and getting are not the same. Is it a heated humidifier or a pass over?My heated humidifier helped put out nasal burning.What is your ramp time?It is like going under water and wating to come up for air with a long ramp time.You say the bed is torn apart .My legs thrashed because I was not exhaling and co2 levels were climbing.What is your EPR expiratory pressure relief set to?What is your titrated pressure?IS your mask leaking ?Is it getting up to your titrated pressure?Not having proper pressure ,no air splint, no theraputic benifit .Do you have facial hair?A good shave helps the mask seal.You should not be getting worse with treatment.It is a process to get dialed in.Good sleep ,Chris
Gary R. Munn said:Yes, the tank is lower after sleeping, and I am using distilled water, but the problem seems to be getting worse rather than better!!
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Permalink Reply by RL on
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Hi Gary -
I just read your post - was wondering how this is going for you now? You may get more help if you could post your specific PR model name/number. I currently use a PR REMstar Auto A-Flex with heated humidifier. It has an "efficacy data" card, not just a "compliance" data card (big difference). My DME has the software to read the card for my doc and I like to get my own copy too. If you have a machine that gives efficacy data, you should be able to read some of it daily, on the led screen, and you can write that down in between card readings from your supplier. This would include AHI, mask leak, average pressure (if variable), as well as hours used.
One thing to think about is whether you could be having some acid reflux while you sleep - you may not be aware of it. This can cause a raw throat in the morning, though I'm not sure if you experience this with your dry mouth. They recommend we eat nothing, 3-4 hours before going to bed, to help prevent this problem.
Dr. Steven Park has some good info on this on his website, and there are other discussions on Sleep Guide about this as well.
My understanding is that the apnea process can actually cause a great suction effect which draws the stomach acid up through the throat and even into the sinuses and lungs, causing damage when we are unconscious, and not able to recognize what is going on. Getting your equipment well adjusted to your needs would be important, and also try stopping the food intake early enough. It is worth a try - that raw throat feeling can feel bad and gradually cause other problems.
I was also curious if you had an overnight oximetry test. (How do you know your oxygen is low?) It just takes a small device clipped to a finger to test this while you sleep. Your doc may be able to prescribe this for you for a short term test (equipment rented from a DME), or you may want to get your own if oxygen levels are an ongoing issue. Do you have OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) or Complex Sleep Apnea (a combo of obstructive & central sleep apnea)? This could make a difference too.
It is hard to deal with all of this when you don't feel good, but keep at it until something works for you. Good Luck!
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The dry mouth is caused by leaks. When the air is leaking there is not enough pressure to go to the passage ways so the air just goes into the mouth and causes it to dry out. This has been my experience.
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Thank you to everyone who replied!!! I have been back to my Doctor, who has suggested increasing the pressure. I am making the purchase this afternoon, so I will have them check the pressure AND the mask, to be sure that there is no leakage, and that I am wearing it correctly. Surely I am not supposed to wake up in the morning with deep red "gouges" on my face where the mask has been pressing on my face??!! I will report back to everyone as to what the recommendations were.
Thanks again!!
Gary
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