2nd day, mask problems!

NoSleepingBeauty · Post by **NoSleepingBeauty** » Sat May 14, 2005 2:07 pm

Please help! I used a profile lite at my sleep study. The girl first gave me a small then switched to a petite size. All went well so that's what I ordered with my Remstar plus w/c-flex, which I paid for myself as my ins. deductable is 1K! Anyway, the 1st morning I woke up with a red stripe across the bridge of my nose...which stayed with me all day (hidden under make-up that is). Last night, the 2nd night, I put a non-stick type bandaid where the mark is so it might not get any worse. Well, it did! Now it is really bad and sore! I can barely hide it with make up and am not sure how I will get through another night! Unfortunately, the mark is not across the deepest part of the bridge of my nose (just between my eyes), so I think it is too small and not reaching up high enough. The gel tab that touches my forehead does not appear to even be doing so...which again leads me to believe the mask it is resting too low on the bridge of my nose and not allowing the fore head tab to even make contact with my forehead. I understand I can dip the mask in boiling water to reshape, perhaps I can try to press that area in real well...I don't know! I suppose the one at the sleep study was broken in and maybe thats why it worked. I paid $65 for the thing! If I have to get something else I thought about the one with the tubes that sit just inside your nostrils. It sort of looked like what they use for oxygen. At least that way I don't have to worry about marks on my face! I see the new comfort curve....but thats still something on your face. How will I know if a mask will fit? I can't afford to use the process of elimination!! Any suggestions??

littlebaddow · Post by **littlebaddow** » Sat May 14, 2005 2:37 pm

Don't worry, you are not alone in having these problems. In many ways, finding the right mask is more important than the machine you have, so it's worth the time and effort to get one that suits you. The difficulty is that we all have different shaped faces, so it's not always easy to know where to start.

There are many threads in the forum where people talk about their experience with masks, so it's worth spending a bit of time looking through them. Do a search for posts by rested gal as she has tried many different masks and has lots of good advice to offer.

Can you go back to the sleep centre and ask to try different masks for size? It's also worth calling the helpful people at cpap.com as they have a wealth of experience and are very willing to help.

Please persevere. It may take time, effort, some discomfort and a little cash to get the right mask, but surely that's better than the alternative.

Good luck.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat May 14, 2005 3:18 pm

Those Respironics masks! grrrrr. I'm going to try their Comfort Curve next week - perhaps it will be better than their usual.

SleepingBeauty, I know what you mean about not being able to afford trial and error mask purchases... but, unfortunately, most of us have had to do that - again and again. A few are lucky enough to find a mask that works comfortably for them right from the start, but most end up spending a LOT of money for one mask after another after another ...most of them ending up in the discards drawer.

littlebaddow's suggestion of going right back to the sleep clinic to see if there are other masks they'll let you try on is a very good idea. Especially if they have some ResMed masks you can try. If all they have are other Respironics masks (that's who made the Profile Lite that is killing the bridge of your nose) you probably won't be any better off in the long run.

The one you're thinking about that resembles an oxygen hose set-up is probably the Nasal Aire. Not one that I like at all, but many do.

The ones I'd recommend you try are:

Swift by ResMed - Not my personal favorite, but probably the best bet for working well for most people without any special tweaks.

Breeze by Puritan Bennett - one of my favorites. Be sure to get nasal pillows larger than you or the person fitting you thinks you'd need.

Activa by ResMed (in the "shallow" size)

Ultra Mirage by ResMed (in a "small shallow" size)

Hint - when going to an office or lab to try on a mask, take your pillow with you and leave your inhibitions at the door. Don't settle for trying on any mask sitting up. After the mask is on, lie down .... if they don't have a couch or bed you can lie down on, lie down on the floor with your pillow! Yes. The floor. Right there in front of everyone. Use whatever sleep positions you normally would sleep in at home. Preferably, have them hook a cpap up to it, using the pressure you're prescribed - or take your own machine and hose along for the fitting.

Sounds like embarrassing, uncomfortable lengths to go to? Well, you've already said it - masks are ridiculously expensive no matter how much cheaper online store prices are than buying from a local DME. If you are going to be looking at masks locally, best to wring it out as thoroughly as you can while you have a chance ...before buying it.

And even then, it might not suit after a real night or two at home. If I could pick only one mask and knew nothing about them, I'd go for the Swift. It's a pretty safe bet as a mask to suit most everyone, in my opinion.
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My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field. Masks or machines that I personally like, or think work well, are not necessarily good ones for everyone. A mask or machine one person loves/hates could be wonderful/awful for others. So... it really is a trial and error thing in finding equipment to suit you. Good luck!

jdschooler · Post by **jdschooler** » Sat May 14, 2005 7:34 pm

SleepingBeauty,

RestedGal is right. It takes alot of mask sampling and sometimes alot of money to find what works for you. I was lucky and had a DME that worked hard to help me find masks that were comfortable. They had me try several the night of my split study...and then we tried more when I picked up my machine. They even gave a demo mask that had been used in studies at no cost plus the other one that I purchased.

I strongly suggest having atleast two different ones/types so that you can alternate as you need to. I think most of us on the forum will agree that even a comfortable mask becomes uncomfortable or ineffective after using it a few nights in a row and notice our seals, sleep quality, and therapy suffer. I switch about every week or so between a Nasal Mask and Nasal Pillows, however I sleep better and get better therapy withmy mask.

I am currently using the ResMed Swift Nasal Pillows...with this you get 3 sizes of pillows with the kit. Definitely use ones that are a little larger than you think fit. You will get a better and more comfortable seal. The one I prefer right now is my Respiraonics Comfort Gel. It took a little tweaking to find the right adjustments for it but now I get good deals all the time. The forehead rest has an angle and height adjustment that is easy to overlook and makes a big difference in the fit. I also found out that once I got it adjusted correctly I didn't need the headgear straps near as tight making it a much more comfortable fit especially on the bridge of my nose.

I hear alot of good things about Respironics new Comfor Curve and it certainly looks promising. But, I haven;t had a chance to try it yet. My DME has ordered some but they are on back order because of popularity which is a good sign I guess. So maybe try that out and let us know what you think. Another one that people were raving about was the new Aura. Seems likepeople quit talking about it quick though so I'm not sure what the general concesus is now.

Well good luck.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 3:11 pm

Another one that people were raving about was the new Aura. Seems likepeople quit talking about it quick though so I'm not sure what the general concesus is now.

I don't know what the general consensus is, but the Aura is still my favorite -- with my drastic tweaks, i.e., removing all the headgear and using my own straps. Breeze is my close second favorite.

The reason I don't usually recommend the Aura very often now, when new cpap users are in their first mask battle, is because it doesn't fit some (women, in particular) well without a good bit of tweaking. Also, I don't think Aeiomed has gotten those other sizes of nasal pillows out yet - still comes with only medium and large, and some (men in particular) need extra large nasal pillows.

I think new users have a surer shot at getting along with the Swift, Breeze, or Activa. For me - my stripped down Aura is wonderful!
_____________________________________
My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field. Those are just my personal opinions. A mask or machine I love/hate could be completely the opposite for others. Finding suitable equipment can be an expensive trial and error experience.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 3:20 pm

You can fix the problem. Just do this.

1. Order a Resmed Activa , then wait until it arrives.

2. Put on boots

3. Stand in front of a mirror.

4. Chant 3 times. "profile lite is a piece of junk"

5. After the 3rd chant Stomp on the profile lite mask until it is destroyed.

Doesn't that feel better !

JL · Post by JL » Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:01 am

I've been at this now coming up on 1 month and agree that the mask comfort with no/few leaks is key. Although everyone is different I trusted the general consensus here on the forum for options. I haven't tried the Swift but I second Rested Gals list of masks.

I started with a Breeze from the DME that is great except its a bit rough for me on my nostrils after several days. Its also really good for sleeping on your side. I wanted an alternative mask to alternate with the Breeze so the DME provided an Ultra Mirage FF mask FREE! Its OK but like you the bridge of my nose and cheeks weren't thrilled with the experience. Finally I ordered an Activa from CPAP.com which I received and tried last night. Only one night but I think I found my alternative to rotate with the Breeze. I like it alot...it seems to have the advantage of limited and comfortable face contact with looser straps required, and no leaking.

Hang in there...we're with you.

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 5:41 pm

I also continue to return to my Active. It seems I initially like some other masks but they always eventually disappoint me and I return to the tried and true Active. If I had to rely on only one mask it would be the Activa.

Machine	Mask