New CPAP User Getting Frustrated

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:51 am

I have been on CPAP for about 3 weeks, and I have been having some good nights, but......many more bad ones. The machine is fine, remstar plus w/cflex and humidifier set at 2. Its the darn mask, comfort gel. Usually I can get to sleep fine using the ramp, no air leaks, but by the time I wake up for my guy thing say 2-4 in the AM, I can stop the air leaks, and I have to have the darn thing so tight, it leaves marks on my face the next morning. I usually just leave it off from this point. I am pretty much a side sleeper, any advice is appreciated.

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:58 am

Try the Breeze - I'm a side sleeper, and that mask never bothers me...

It's small, you don't have to cinch it up like you are saddling a horse to keep it from leaking, and there's no red marks all over your face in the morning...

You might want to give it a try!

4Katie · Post by **4Katie** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:14 am

You might have your mask too tight. I've read it here many times, and finally loosened the straps on mine, and PRESTO - no more leaks!

momexp5 · Post by **momexp5** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:48 am

Is your mask sized correctly? I had a lot more problems with mine when I had a Small than now with a Petite. Threre's a .pdf sizing guide somewhere on the respironics website - I posted the link to it pretty recently, look for a thread on here called something like "comfort gel sizing guide".

Also, is your face clean? I had trouble one night because I forgot to wash my face before bed.

I can now sidesleep with my comfort gel - but I don't really like to yet, because I get more troublesome air bubbles which can't escape out my mouth unless I'm back sleeping.

REM · Post by **REM** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 12:07 pm

Hello Guest,

I suggest you get with the provider who set you up. Your fit does not seem very well. If you were set up by a DME ask them to try out some other styles and then make a decision.

One user suggests the Breeze. Very good trusted alternative to the nasal mask.

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:20 pm

Wow, everyone here says you'll go through several masks (probably) just tryhing to figure out what's right for you. Couldn't be more correct!.

I've been on my APAP for like 4 nights now, and have used 4 diff masks. I'm a mouth breather, so if I use a nasal mask I have to use a chin strap... fun, fun!!!

My DME gave me a Nasal Aire II, but gave me the wrong size prongs... My nose is still red and hurts from 4 nights ago.

Get your DME to go over your options and insist that he size you correctly. Its your $$$$ your spending, so make sure you're getting what YOU really need, and not what the DME thinks you need.

Check cpap.com and look @ all thier masks too. SO many frikcin options. Good luck!

Boomer · Post by **Boomer** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:40 pm

Also, is your face clean? I had trouble one night because I forgot to wash my face before bed.

I found this out firsthand. I use the Activa and last night was all leaks. I;ve been on APAP for just over 2 weeks now, no problems with leaks, at all.

Turns out, I had forgotten to clean the mask and to wash my face before bed. Of course, I didn't realize that until it was time to get up!!

I washed the mask when I got up and will be sure to wash my face before going to bed tonight!!

Also, I just ordered the Breeze, hope it's as good as you all say..

Boomer

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:41 pm

Hi Guest,

You might want to give these masks a try - any one of which might be much more comfortable for you than the one that gave you to start with:

ResMed Mirage Activa - "nasal" mask" - covers the nose.

ResMed Swift - "nasal pillows" mask - two little silicone thingies that rest against and just barely inside the nostrils...not to be crammed up inside. Comes with all three sizes of nasal pillows. Be sure the health care provider gives you ALL THREE SIZES to take home. The Swift was sold to them (and to anyone) with all three sizes, so don't let them withhold any of the sizes.

Puritan Bennett Breeze with nasal pillows. Be sure to get a size of nasal pillows that don't have to be crammed up inside.

Most home health care employees will try to give people a size of nasal pillows that have to be pushed up into the nostrils too much. "Bigger" than you (or they) think you should have usually means more comfort and a better seal. Operative word being "usually"! Everyone's mileage varies.

Aeiomed Aura nasal pillows mask. Same advice..use a size that seals without being pushed up into the nostrils. If you have large nostril openings (nares) be sure to ask first if the "extra large" pillows have been released yet. If not, skip this one until the extra large are available.

If you decide to order a mask online instead of going through your local DME (Durable Medical Equipment seller...the "home health care" store), you'll like this....you don't need a prescription to buy masks from online stores. All you need is money.
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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.

sleep tech 45011 · Post by **sleep tech 45011** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 8:48 pm

If you are waking up in the middle of the night with high air leaks, you may want to get re-fitted for a different size mask or a different mask all together. CPAP masks can be compared to finding the right shoe...... We are all very different and one mask may work great for a family member or friend however that does not mean that mask will fit your face the same. I would suggest contacting the facility where you were fit in the first place and tell them about your problem and see if they will fit you for another size/mask. If they are not willing to do that then I would contact a durable medical company (DME) that will be willing to help. I understand that it is very frustrating but be patient. Once you get the right mask with your prescribed pressure you will feel much better about the treatment. Good Luck CPAP users!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:33 am

sleep tech 45011 wrote:If you are waking up in the middle of the night with high air leaks, you may want to get re-fitted for a different size mask or a different mask all together. CPAP masks can be compared to finding the right shoe...... We are all very different and one mask may work great for a family member or friend however that does not mean that mask will fit your face the same. I would suggest contacting the facility where you were fit in the first place and tell them about your problem and see if they will fit you for another size/mask. If they are not willing to do that then I would contact a durable medical company (DME) that will be willing to help. I understand that it is very frustrating but be patient. Once you get the right mask with your prescribed pressure you will feel much better about the treatment. Good Luck CPAP users!

Hi, sleep tech 45011, and welcome to the forum.

You were responding to a topic from back in 2005. But your advice is excellent and spot-on any time, any year. New people always need to be made aware of what you suggest. Do please keep posting here at cpaptalk.

New CPAP User Getting Frustrated

New CPAP User Getting Frustrated

Re: New CPAP User Getting Frustrated

Re: New CPAP User Getting Frustrated

Mask	Humidifier