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Permalink Reply by K. S. on January 8, 2013 at 10:55am

Ginny, I am very thin, athletic, and according to multiple doctors, don't look like I have OSA. Maybe this contributes to our anger? My doc said that most thin folks have a tougher time getting accustomed to CPAP, so he was surprised that I adapted. It's always a struggle, but I try to not focus on all the little adjustments. Like one of my supportive (ha!) friends said, "don't talk about this unless you have something like cancer".

I really hope that the Wisp allows you to be more comfortable. Just keep it up. We're be that successful 20% of all those diagnosed that continue with CPAP after five years.

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Permalink Reply by Ginny Edmundson on January 8, 2013 at 4:29pm

I know, my primary care physician always says she never would have thought I had it!  Aren't we lucky? At least we are not obese! Is it only 20%?  Wow!  Not good at all. And think of all the ones that are not diagnosed at all.Or have no insurance.

K. S. said:

Ginny, I am very thin, athletic, and according to multiple doctors, don't look like I have OSA. Maybe this contributes to our anger? My doc said that most thin folks have a tougher time getting accustomed to CPAP, so he was surprised that I adapted. It's always a struggle, but I try to not focus on all the little adjustments. Like one of my supportive (ha!) friends said, "don't talk about this unless you have something like cancer".

I really hope that the Wisp allows you to be more comfortable. Just keep it up. We're be that successful 20% of all those diagnosed that continue with CPAP after five years.

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Permalink Reply by K. S. on January 8, 2013 at 8:37pm

I don't know if you still use your Phillips machine or not. My husband just could not get adapted without sleeping pills, until he switched five months ago to the ResMed VPAP machine. He needs more exhalation relief being asthmatic. His theory is that the Phillips machine pulsed him with pressures, hence he never got the deep sleep like the gentle increase in pressure that the ResMed machine is programmed to do. He thinks for a light sleeper the Phillips interfered. If our power ever goes out, I get to try out the Phillips and could better tell you firsthand. I doubt I would notice much difference as my pressures are low (6-7).

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Permalink Reply by ZolliStar on January 14, 2013 at 8:56am

 Like one of my supportive (ha!) friends said, "don't talk about this unless you have something like cancer." >>

 

To your point, K.S.: I have two friends dying of cancer even as I type.  Their circumstances help me to keep my sleep apnea problems in perspective. 

 

K. S. said:

Ginny, I am very thin, athletic, and according to multiple doctors, don't look like I have OSA. Maybe this contributes to our anger? My doc said that most thin folks have a tougher time getting accustomed to CPAP, so he was surprised that I adapted. It's always a struggle, but I try to not focus on all the little adjustments. Like one of my supportive (ha!) friends said, "don't talk about this unless you have something like cancer".

I really hope that the Wisp allows you to be more comfortable. Just keep it up. We're be that successful 20% of all those diagnosed that continue with CPAP after five years.

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Permalink Reply by ZolliStar on January 14, 2013 at 9:00am

For whatever reason, I find that I do best if I alternate between my nasal pillow mask and my nasal mask. Sometimes I go as many as four nights using one style or the other, but not often. Usually I change every two nights. I don't know what makes the difference but I do find that there is a difference re: fit and comfort if I switch the mask styles around.

 

I also switch between the masks themselves. I have two nasal pillow masks and two nasal masks. So if I'm "on" nasal pillows, I'll wear one (that's clean and ready for me) one night and the other (clean and ready one) the next night. Ditto when I switch to my two nasal pillow masks. Maybe part of the difference is that masks are thoroughly dry each night.

 

Again, I don't know what makes the difference but I notice a difference in comfort and wearability when I switch the masks around.

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Permalink Reply by K. S. on January 14, 2013 at 9:05pm

I was switching from the nasal to  the pillows until my nostrils finally adapted to the pillows. Now I thinking about giving the Bella loops another try. Just like you, I rotate between two pillows, and I think having them fully dried out might increase their wear-span to six weeks. When I ran every day for 29 years, I always rotated running shoes, so maybe it's a personality quirk.

On a serious note, yes, we do have to keep OSA in perspective since it is treatable. OSA (if you desat) increases cancer risk five-fold, another reason to be compliant. 

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Permalink Reply by Ginny Edmundson on January 14, 2013 at 9:54pm

I did not know about the increased risk for cancer.  wow!   YOu know, if I could find a chin strap that did not hurt my neck, give me a head ache I would stop complaining about the CPAP (I think!)   It seems to me that the nasal pillow part of the Pilairo only lasts me 2 weeks.  Then I start having increased problems.  Happened last night.  Was so tired of the "fiddling" and decided to put new pillow on and it was fine.  I think the Bella Loops might be fine with a Pad a Cheek cover for the loops.  Have a good night!

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Permalink Reply by K. S. on January 14, 2013 at 11:41pm

I'm considering using a soft cervical collar to prevent my chin from dropping and leaking. Some folks use a collar in lieu of a chin strap.The one I bought seems to come up too far onto my chin, so I'm looking at the 2 1/2 inch collar instead of the 3 inch to wear all night. Reluctant to add the nightly ritual since I am sleeping and AHI averages 0.2.

The Pilairo has had complaints related to quick deterioration. Have you tried other pillows?

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Permalink Reply by Ginny Edmundson on January 15, 2013 at 1:56pm

I think it does deteriorate quickly  (Pilairo)   Have tried the Swift FX and could not get to feel comfortable. My AHI averages 1.3 but when the

chin strap is not "just right it can go some higher (this AM 1.6)  Going to look in to the cervical collar.  Wonder if is very uncomfortable when trying to sleep???

K. S. said:

I'm considering using a soft cervical collar to prevent my chin from dropping and leaking. Some folks use a collar in lieu of a chin strap.The one I bought seems to come up too far onto my chin, so I'm looking at the 2 1/2 inch collar instead of the 3 inch to wear all night. Reluctant to add the nightly ritual since I am sleeping and AHI averages 0.2.

The Pilairo has had complaints related to quick deterioration. Have you tried other pillows?

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