I have a very mild case of OSA, and went for the CPAP titration study last night. I feel like the CPAP drastically changed the way I breathe, and I couldn't sleep.

For background on my first study:

10.3 events/hour (60 total; 20 apneas)
47 awakenings
131 arousals (83 spontaneous)
no snoring, normal sinus, normal stage progression
89% sleep efficiency
89%/lowest O2

I did not really sleep at all last night with the CPAP at the study. I woke up what felt like a million times. The tech said the mask definitely lowered the number of events, but I'm not sure what to do -- stick with it for a few weeks, try a different mask right away, or try something else.

But here's my issues, and I don't know if they will make any sense. I feel like I want to find out what's causing the apneas ... I just feel like there's something else in that area that needs to be fixed. So, who is best equipped to answer that for me? I haven't talked to my sleep doc too much, so I don't know if he will just brush me off and tell me to just get used to the CPAP. My primary physician is absolutely wonderful, but would he have the specialized knowledge that I could talk to him about it? Or should I talk to an ENT?

So the CPAP I used was one that went in my nostrils. The tech said she had me up to 8. It's not that the mask itself was uncomfortable. I tried on the other ones, and this one was the most unobtrusive to wear. (although it still feels like it's in my nose, 11 hours later!)

When I did finally relax in sleep, my mouth dropped open and the tech came in to give me a chin strap. I guess it helped but not enough, but I wasn't opening my mouth enough for her to use the nose/mouth mask. My jaw is very mobile, and I feel like it slides back to my throat. When I sit, sometimes it gets relaxed and slacks down so I feel like a dork with my mouth hanging open.

Before I went for the CPAP study, I noticed that I feel like I breathe through my nose two different ways. Is that normal? Most of the time when I breathe, my mouth is closed but it feels like when I exhale that the breath goes into my mouth before coming out my nose. And my shoulders raise more when I breathe that way. And my mouth is still closed. (Well, lips are closed but teeth are not shut because they just don't fit well that way).

Other times, when I concentrate and take a deep breath, my shoulders don't move as much as my chest/abdomen do. During these deeper breaths, the air being exhaled doesn't seem to detour into my mouth but instead goes straight up through my nose.

I don't know how to explain that, and if it's how everyone breathes then I apologize for being dumb! I just feel like something is going on with my ear/nose/throat, and I thought you folks would be able to help! :)

(I have allergies, and I take Allegra-D for them which helps immensely. I've always had ear problems, with fluid and dizziness and such. Had tubes in, adenoids out as a child, tonsils out as a teen.)

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

BaseballNut my suggestion is to just give the CPAP a chance, I don't think there are many of us who thought the first night was any fun and I am sure most of us felt the way you do. But look at it from the positive side, it is an easy simple fix to a real problem. All it is doing is blowing enough air into your throat to keep it open enough for you to breath while you are sleeping. It really is a simple and effective treatment that is noninvasive and really harmless. With that said there is nothing easy about receiving the treatment, but nothing all that hard either, it just takes time, patients, attitude, and persistence. If you think you can handle CPAP you can! Why not just give a try, use it for a few months, and use it all night, every night, tell yourself, your going to make it work, and it will! And if you have problems, you have a bunch of folks right here, willing to help you and give you support! Good Luck to you and Welcome aboard the CPAP adventure!


_________________
White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

Thank you for the encouragement; I appreciate it!!

I am just worried that it won't work because of my mouth hanging open, and if I should start out with the nose/mouth mask instead. But I will take your advice and try the one I used last night. If I want to change, do I have to buy a new one or can it be exchanged? Not sure how all that works.

Also, does it change the way you breathe for anyone else? Or am I just crazy?! :)

Hi BaseballNut,
 
(cute username)

I don't know about the breathing, but for me, breathing changes when I concentrate on how I'm breathing, so I never really know for sure.

I tend to agree that getting and using the cpap is the best first course of action.  It's the quickest form of treatment.
If you want to see an ENT who will scope your throat and look at your nasal passages, go for it.  BUT, remember, ENTs are in the business of surgery.  That's why we usually push for folks to at least start with cpap.  And if someone suggests surgeries, be sure to read up on it here, there are plenty of topics posted here on the subject.

Getting the right mask sure helps.  When you meet with the equipment provider, ask about their policies on trying masks, if you can exchange your first mask for another in a short time, if it doesn't work right.  It's best to ask your questions up front so that there are few surprises.  A full face mask might be worth looking into (covering nose and mouth).  There is another type of mask for mouth breathers -- they cover the mouth but use the nasal pillows (the ones at the nostrils).  And there are two brands of those:  the Hybrid and the Resmed Liberty.  They work the same way but there are slight differences.

Breathing with the machine should be easy, once you have a good fitting mask.  If there are still breathing problems, it could be a machine thing, and it may need some adjustment, or maybe another brand machine might be better.  When you meet with the equipment provider, ask about their exchange and repair policies.  


Linda