Face Hurts

[quilterB]

Well I have been at this for over a month now and my frustration level is very high. I can't get this mask thing right. As I have mentioned I had an Ultra Mirage FF for most of the time and couldn't get the leaks under control. Switched to a FlexiFit 431 3 nights ago. First night was the best night and it has gone downhill from there. I know my mask shouldn't be so tight that it hurts, but last night after all of the adjustments that is what I ended up with. I did sleep (felt it was restless) with the mask for 6 hours which is the absolute longest for me yet. But have been up for 3 hours and my face still hurts.

I need a recommendation for a different ff mask. I am sure I will have to purchase this myself since my month trial period is up. But I want to make this work. My husband has been unbelievably supportive thru this but he is starting to wonder if the "cure" is going to work for me.

Thanks

[NightHawkeye]

Is there any chance you'd consider a nasal mask? If it's a matter of congestion, there might be alternative ways to solve the problem, such as nasal irrigation.

The reason I ask is because I started out with a full-face mask also, but couldn't get it to work for me due to TMJ issues. I discovered that my congestion could be controlled and so I've been successfully using nasal masks ever since.

Regards,
Bill

[quilterB]

The idea of a nasal mask appeals to me. I am a mouth breather and the RT said I would have to overcome that before I could try something other than a ff mask. She often refers to dental problems such as cavties with mouth breathers who don't use a ff mask. Has anyone experienced that?

Thanks

[tooly125]

My husband has been unbelievably supportive thru this but he is starting to wonder if the "cure" is going to work for me.

quilterB

It is up to you to make this cure work your life depends on it!
Do some research on sleep apnea and it's negative affects on the body I'm sure you will be motivated to make cpap work for you.
What pressure is your machine set at ?
The more info you give the more advise these kind folks can give you.
The hospital where I had my sleep study done also had a "cpap class"it was an hour of trying on different masks to find the right one.
Maybe you have something like it in your area or maybe a DME that has "demo masks" just make sure your lying down when trying them on sitting up wont be the same.

[NightHawkeye]

The idea of a nasal mask appeals to me. I am a mouth breather and the RT said I would have to overcome that before I could try something other than a ff mask.

If your problem is simply congestion, then there are simple things which might help. Probably the simplest is the Breathe-Rite strips. These are just about like putting on a band-aid on your nose and they really do keep your nostrils open. Nightly nasal irrigations is what I do to help my congestion, and it works well. There are a number of variations on this, but if you're interested you could do a search and find these posts easily.

Regards,
Bill

[Linda3032]

QuilterB,

Probably all of us were mouth breathers prior to cpap - so just because you were one doesn't necessarily mean you will still be one.

Don't be so sure that you are a mouth breather until you try nasal masks or pillows. Then, and only then, if you can't keep air from rushing out of your mouth, then you are a mouth breather.

If you are a mouth breather, then you aren't necessarily doomed to the land of full face masks - unless you can live with them.

Many mouth breathers use nasal pillows because they are more comfortable. Yes, they have to tape their lips together. Or, they polygrip them together. Or, they glue them together. That is still preferable to full face masks - to many.

A chin strap will not work - so save your money there.

If you want to try a different mask, I would recommend the Comfort Lite 2 because it actually consists of two different nasal interfaces. One is a nasal mask that is quite comfortable. The other is your choice of nasal pillows or nasal prongs. I would suggest the pillows in size Med/Large (unless you have a teeny tiny head).

If you buy a CL2 and can't stand the pillows, then maybe the mask will work for you. If you can't use either one - then you are probably destined to full face masks.

Whatever you use, please hang in there. Your health and life are at risk if you are left untreated.

[rested gal]

quilterB, if you are able to breathe through at least one nostril when sleeping at night, and the mouth-breathing is a habit more than a necessity, check out the many discussion topics in this clickable link:

Links to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard

I used two different full face masks the first six months or more of my cpap treatment. I kept reading about masks that sounded like they'd be more comfortable...nasal pillows masks in particular. Finally, I gave taping my mouth a try. How wonderful it was to get to use less obtrusive masks that let me sleep on my side with the side of my face comfortably flat against the pillow again!

Been taping my mouth or using a "DIY" (Do It Yourself) mouthguard for over two years...every night. Soooooo much more comfortable for me than a full face mask.

[quilterB]

Thanks for all of the tips. I am definitely not giving up, just question not getting any benefit at all in over a month. I think I would feel better if I had a machine where I could identify some positive benefits even though I wasn't physically aware of them as yet. But my machine will not support any software. As an example, last night I had multiple leaks all night long that I was able to correct with a turn of my head or slight readjusting of the mask. By multiple I mean probably 15 to 20 times. Obviously this disrupted my sleep. Also if the mask leaks this many times am I losing the benefit of CPAP?

I do appreciate the ideas about the different types of masks and will pursue them with the RT. I found the idea that I could train myself not to be a mouth breather very enticing. The nasal interfaces sure look less intrusive.

Thanks again,
Linda