Is there a mask without those straps?

[marilyn3013]

I have recently started using the resmed machine and bought a new mask from your company. The Gel mask and I wake up in the middle of the night with the feeling that I am suffocating. I try to remove the mask in my sleep and panic when I can't get those clips at the base of the mask off. It is a horrible feeling and I was wondering if CPAP has a mask that is more open, without so many straps and clips. A mask that is lighter and easy to put on and to remove. Even with the Gel I wake up looking as if my face was sandwiched, marks everywhere. I am careful to put it on correctly and after an hour of adjusting, wait 15 minutes and find that it needs more adjustments, regardless of how loose or how snug I wear it, it is incredibly uncomfortable. Is there a mask that does not have those intimidating straps?
Marilyn Perez

[Hawthorne]

Since you have not posted your equipment, I don't know if you are using a full face mask or a nasal mask.

If you are using a nasal mask, then you might want to try a nasal pillows or nasal prongs mask. I have the Swift LT and the Snapp. Both have very limited headgear and are very easy to get on and remove. The OptiLife is also very easy to put on and remove. Go to cpap.com and look for these mask so that you can see the headgear setup. I think you will see that they can be put on and removed with one hand even.

If you are using a full face mask, I don't know of one that doesn't have a lot of headgear.

[Julie]

There are tons of different masks, but you haven't said which one you're using, or whether you've ever tried other ones, plus whether or not you need a full face one (that covers your mouth along with your nose so you don't lose the 'good' air if you sleep with your mouth open). BTW, Cpap.com is the company you probably got your mask from, but this forum isn't 'the company', though Cpap.com sponsors it. This is a public forum and does not 'sell' anything. If you register and fill in the Profile information re your equipment, then someone will likely help you with the different masks (and there are ones without the same kind of straps, though of course all need some form of attachment.

[KengEsq]

I have recently started using the resmed machine and bought a new mask from your company. The Gel mask and I wake up in the middle of the night with the feeling that I am suffocating. I try to remove the mask in my sleep and panic when I can't get those clips at the base of the mask off. It is a horrible feeling and I was wondering if CPAP has a mask that is more open, without so many straps and clips. A mask that is lighter and easy to put on and to remove. Even with the Gel I wake up looking as if my face was sandwiched, marks everywhere. I am careful to put it on correctly and after an hour of adjusting, wait 15 minutes and find that it needs more adjustments, regardless of how loose or how snug I wear it, it is incredibly uncomfortable. Is there a mask that does not have those intimidating straps?
Marilyn Perez

Hi Marilyn,

There is an oral mask available from Fisher & Paykel called the Oracle 452. It comes with one strap but its use is optional so you do not need to use it. It also comes with nose plugs forcing you to breathe exclusively by mouth. After using the Oracle with nose plugs, you might be able to stop using the nose plugs once you become accustomed to breathing exclusively by mouth. You need humidification to use the Oracle. I've tried one and it is not bad. I did not use the strap and had no difficulty keeping the Oracle in place. I prefer my Zzz-Mask (full face) even with its straps. Most masks have easy quick release straps. Some have them just on the bottom straps and some have them on all the straps. The Zzz-Mask bottom straps are quick release and of course, you only have to release one bottom strap to remove the mask.

[Perchancetodream]

I have recently started using the resmed machine and bought a new mask from your company. The Gel mask and I wake up in the middle of the night with the feeling that I am suffocating. I try to remove the mask in my sleep and panic when I can't get those clips at the base of the mask off. It is a horrible feeling and I was wondering if CPAP has a mask that is more open, without so many straps and clips. A mask that is lighter and easy to put on and to remove. Even with the Gel I wake up looking as if my face was sandwiched, marks everywhere. I am careful to put it on correctly and after an hour of adjusting, wait 15 minutes and find that it needs more adjustments, regardless of how loose or how snug I wear it, it is incredibly uncomfortable. Is there a mask that does not have those intimidating straps?
Marilyn Perez

I experienced the same sensation at the sleep lab when they put me on the comfort gel nasal mask. I opened my mouth and felt like I was suffocating.

A full face mask will have straps, but most of them have quick release clips. There is a product called Pad a Cheek (I think) that helps reduce the strap mark. Look for Comfort Items under the mask list on CPAP.com

There are a lot of different masks with different headgear configurations, I suggest you start at the first topic in the forum: Where a CPAP Newbie Should Start (viewtopic/t35702/Where-A-CPAP-Newbie-Should-Start.html) Rested Gal's links will be especially helpful with fitting nasal (and full face) masks.

Good luck
Susan

[Babette]

Consider the Nasal Aire II. It is infinitely customizable.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=2672&PAID=517

You can read more about my experiences with this mask in the links below in my signature block.

I also run a free trial for this mask. Please PM me if you are interested.

Cheers,
B.

[Mebake]

I have similar feelings. I currently use the Swift LT and love it is like not having any thing on my face at all. Easy to put on and take off. I never feel claustrophobic with it on and even forget sometimes that I am wearing it.


Good luck

[KengEsq]

I have recently started using the resmed machine and bought a new mask from your company. The Gel mask and I wake up in the middle of the night with the feeling that I am suffocating. I try to remove the mask in my sleep and panic when I can't get those clips at the base of the mask off. It is a horrible feeling and I was wondering if CPAP has a mask that is more open, without so many straps and clips. A mask that is lighter and easy to put on and to remove. Even with the Gel I wake up looking as if my face was sandwiched, marks everywhere. I am careful to put it on correctly and after an hour of adjusting, wait 15 minutes and find that it needs more adjustments, regardless of how loose or how snug I wear it, it is incredibly uncomfortable. Is there a mask that does not have those intimidating straps?
Marilyn Perez

Marilyn,

There is also a strapless device (nasal) called the CPAP Pro. I have not tried it myself but if you search this site for comments there are a few and at least one from someone who has used it. You can learn more at CPAP Pro's website -
http://www.nomask.com

[Goofproof]

Also and more important, is why you need to remove the mask in the first place. You need to join in fill in your equiptment profile in test, not ICONNY, let us know how your machine is used, pressure, ramp pressure(Hope Not), ECT. Sometimes the need to rip the mask off comes from DeNile or incorrect pressure setup, and or mouth breathing. With some facts maybe we can help. Jim

[Severeena]

I use the Hans Rudolph full face mask. It comes with a cap like head gear with 4 quick clips. This same head gear has a cord you can pull and this will release the head gear very quickly.

The feeling of suffication is quite normal. I am very lucky because my hubby is a cpap user and he helps me through the sufficating anxiety.

You may also want to talk to your sleep apnea specialist about medication for your anxiety. This is nothing to be ashamed of if you take an anti-anxiety med at night.

I take all my night time meds at 8:00PM and by 10:30pm I am ready to fall asleep.

[THE HARD TRUTH]

I WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED WITH OSA IN JULY 2008 AND LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE WHO HAS THIS DIAGNOSES,IS WAS TOLD ABOUT THE GOLD STANDARD.EVERY APNEA WEBSITE THAT I GO TO YOU READ THE SAME THING.FIRST OF ALL I AM NOT IN DENIAL,I HAVE APNEA AND IT CAN KILL ME.FOR SOME PEOPLE THEY ARE TOLD OVER AN OVER AGAIN THAT CPAP IS THE ANSWER.APNEA PATIENTS ARE BRAIN WASHED INTO THINKING THAT THERE IS NO THERAPY BUT CPAP.AT TIMES I THINK THAT MOST SLEEP DOCTORS HAVE A LOT OF STOCK IN THE CPAP COMPANIES AND THE DME'S.AND MAY BE GETTING KICK BACKS FROM THOSE COMPANIES.THE DOCTORS AND THE DME REPS TELL YOU JUST GET USED TO HAVING HURRICANE KATRINA STRAPPED ON THEIR FACE.JUST GET USED TO THE OVER PRICED MASKS THAT LEAK AND THE 50 LBS OF TIGHTNESS ON THEIR STRAPS JUST TO HOLD THE THING ON YOUR FACE THEN THEY TELL YOU THAT THE PERFECT MASK IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.IT REMINDS ME OF THE SCENE IN THE FIRST ALIENS MOVIE WHEN THE HALF SQUID AND HALF CRAP CLIMBS ON TO YOUR FACE.FIRST OF ALL CPAP'S ARE OBSOLETE.THEY TELL YOU YOU WILL GET USED TOTHE RESISTANCE OF YOU LABORED BREATHING OUT AGAINST THE INCOMING PRESSURE. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN,IT'S LIKE BREATHING INTO A BALLON ALL NIGHT LONG.I AM A AIRCRAFT MECHANIC i KNOW ALL ABOUT OXYGEN MASK REGULATORS. PILOT DO NOT HAVE TO BREATH AGAINST 300 LBS OF PRESSURE.THERE IS ABSOLUTLY NO REASON THAT YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT YOU CAN'T EXHALE NORMALLY. THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY.BIPAS AND CFLEX ARE OPTIONS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIKE ME,THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE A HUMIDIFIED FISHER AND PAYKIIL AND A HUMIDIFIER IN YOUR BED ROOM.YOUR RINITUS MAKES YOU APNEA THROUGH YOUR NOSE.THEN THEY TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE TO CUT OUT YOUR SEPTUM AND PACK YOUR NOSE COMPLETELY WITH GAUZE FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS SO YOU CAN'T BREATH. THE ONLY REASON THAT I AM WRITING THIS IS TO SAVE YOU FROM WHAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH.I DECIDED TO GO THE ORAL APPLIANCE ROUTE AND I AM SURE GLAD THAT I DID. SINCE I HAVE NO TEETH A TAP WILL NOT WORK FOR ME BECAUSE I CAN NOT MOVE MY JAW FORWARD. AND THEN A DENTIST IN COLUMBUS OHIO FOUND A SOLUTION FOR ME. iT IS CALLED AVEO tsd AND IT IS MADE IN NEW ZEALAND BUT IS APPROVED BY THE FDA. APNEA IS SIMPLE MECHANICS. YOUR TONGUE BLOCKS YOUR AIRWAYS. THE TOUNGE STABILIZING DEVICE THROUGH SUCTION HOLDS YOUR TONGUE OUT.IT REALLY WORKS.100% COMPLIANCE FROM THE FIRST DAY THAT YOU USE IT.iT COST THE SAME AS ONE CPAP MASK $150.YOU JUST HAVE TO GO TO A DENTIST AND YOUR SLEEP DOCTOR CAN FIND A GOOD ONE FOR YOU. BUT IF YOU STILL WANT TO BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT CPAP GO AHEAD AND KEEP TELLING YOURSELF THAT IS IS THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS OUT THERE.kEEP LISTENING TO THE BULL THAT YOU WILL JUST GET OVER IT

[rested gal]

Here are links to some topics where snork1 discussed his experience trying the Aveo tongue device:

Somnoguard AP vs Aveo TSD
viewtopic/p334869/viewtopic.php?p=144209#p144209

Aveao TSD vs dental device
viewtopic/p334869/viewtopic.php?p=135042#p135042

Surgery: My final option. Death is better than this....
viewtopic/p334869/viewtopic.php?p=99876#p99876

[Perchancetodream]

Just out of curiosity, how often does the same poster have to post the same message before it is considered spam? Especially if the post is always written in Caps with no punctuation...