Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
canoekeji
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Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2015 7:02 pm
Location: east coast of Canada

Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

Post by canoekeji » Mon Nov 30, 2015 7:21 pm

I have been trying to learn to use a CPAP but the silicone mask, hose, etc have caused issues.

I currently am trying a Resmed Airfit nasal- at least that is what I think it is plus I have a Sleepweaver Elan nasal. I had to do all the research to find Sleepweaver myself as the folks who did my sleep study ( which was a take home overnight with machine- not in a lab) didn't know about alternatives to the three basics they carried - all silicone- and even when I gave info they took 16 days to get it in.

The rough edges of the Sleep weaver and possible leak blowing into my left eye are causing issues with that mask. I have even tried laying a silk scarf over my eyes to protect them.

According to the study report I have obstructive 55; central 17 per hour; my oxygen drops to 77 and my pulse goes as high as 150. I got the results in mid-Oct and still haven't managed a solution to allow me to use CPAP- which is a ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her.

I also have fabric sensitivities so now have some silk to try making a liner- it is not just contact with silicone- it is the smell as well. I have washed tubes and mask many times- both with mild detergent and with vinegar- hug them to dry, etc. Still struggling. The initial reaction when I tried the mask w/o washing ( provider didn't tell me to prewash and I was keen to get started- my bad for not pre-washing when I am normally so careful) has made all my sensitivities worse as has getting 3-4 hours sleep per night for 2 months or so.

Sorry for the long post but everyone keeps telling me I have to use the machine but no one is providing an answer to the mask issue. I realise it is personal preference for most in terms of a ask but for me it is what can I possibly tolerate.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I did manage to use the machine for 12 hours over 2 nights before the reaction set in- numbers dropped to 3 and 1.2 with that little info.

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Mask

hose issues

Re: Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

Post by hose issues » Mon Nov 30, 2015 7:42 pm

Because of issues like yours I had to go full face mask and I had issues with my skin and the gel masks until the clinician at the sleep center said to take a cotton Tshirt and cut a triangle that would lay on my skin under the mask and rectangle for the forehead piece. They sell them pre made but she said I could save a bundle making my ownas insurance won't cover them. I made a pattern by tracing the mask on cardboard so I can easily cut a new one each time I need a replacement.

I also have a silk sleep mask to protect my eyes from the blowing exhaust air during the night. It takes a little practice to get the mask on with the cloth over the parts that would touch my skin while wearing the sleep mask but I no longer have a red blistered triangle on my face and a rectangle on my forehead with watering eyes every day.
Good luck.

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Julie
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Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

Post by Julie » Mon Nov 30, 2015 7:58 pm

I'd try - calling Resmed and asking if they had any ideas of unlikely (to us) things that might react better on you as liners, and asking a dermatologist (who are generally tuned in to allergies, if not specialists) for ideas, and maybe even a pharmacist who's so familiar with chemistry in general.

tiredandscared
Posts: 333
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 2:47 pm

Re: Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

Post by tiredandscared » Mon Nov 30, 2015 8:35 pm

canoekeji wrote:I have been trying to learn to use a CPAP but the silicone mask, hose, etc have caused issues.

I currently am trying a Resmed Airfit nasal- at least that is what I think it is plus I have a Sleepweaver Elan nasal. I had to do all the research to find Sleepweaver myself as the folks who did my sleep study ( which was a take home overnight with machine- not in a lab) didn't know about alternatives to the three basics they carried - all silicone- and even when I gave info they took 16 days to get it in.

The rough edges of the Sleep weaver and possible leak blowing into my left eye are causing issues with that mask. I have even tried laying a silk scarf over my eyes to protect them.

According to the study report I have obstructive 55; central 17 per hour; my oxygen drops to 77 and my pulse goes as high as 150. I got the results in mid-Oct and still haven't managed a solution to allow me to use CPAP- which is a ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her.

I also have fabric sensitivities so now have some silk to try making a liner- it is not just contact with silicone- it is the smell as well. I have washed tubes and mask many times- both with mild detergent and with vinegar- hug them to dry, etc. Still struggling. The initial reaction when I tried the mask w/o washing ( provider didn't tell me to prewash and I was keen to get started- my bad for not pre-washing when I am normally so careful) has made all my sensitivities worse as has getting 3-4 hours sleep per night for 2 months or so.

Sorry for the long post but everyone keeps telling me I have to use the machine but no one is providing an answer to the mask issue. I realise it is personal preference for most in terms of a ask but for me it is what can I possibly tolerate.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I did manage to use the machine for 12 hours over 2 nights before the reaction set in- numbers dropped to 3 and 1.2 with that little info.
Easy fix. Take your mask and your hose and soak it in vineager-water, for 2-3 days, and then air the parts out for an additional 1-2 days. I also suffer from MCS-like symptoms(Chemicals set off my asthma bad, and give me headaches, with prolonged exposure). If you're still experiencing issues, rinse and repeat, or buy a new mask. For some people with severe MCS, they're forced to do this for much longer. In the meanwhile. Try to not sleep on your back and keep your head straight. You can take antihistamine pills and something anti-inflammatory, aswell(A recent study showed that MCS is largely because of hypoperfusion in the hypothalamus, it also has a autoimmune component, so an anti-inflammatory would certainly help). Maybe you should try a full face mask. Since I don't think having silicone in direct contact with your nasal mucosa is a good idea.

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LSAT
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Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

Post by LSAT » Mon Nov 30, 2015 9:06 pm

canoekeji wrote:I have been trying to learn to use a CPAP but the silicone mask, hose, etc have caused issues.

I currently am trying a Resmed Airfit nasal- at least that is what I think it is plus I have a Sleepweaver Elan nasal. I had to do all the research to find Sleepweaver myself as the folks who did my sleep study ( which was a take home overnight with machine- not in a lab) didn't know about alternatives to the three basics they carried - all silicone- and even when I gave info they took 16 days to get it in.

The rough edges of the Sleep weaver and possible leak blowing into my left eye are causing issues with that mask. I have even tried laying a silk scarf over my eyes to protect them.

According to the study report I have obstructive 55; central 17 per hour; my oxygen drops to 77 and my pulse goes as high as 150. I got the results in mid-Oct and still haven't managed a solution to allow me to use CPAP- which is a ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her.

I also have fabric sensitivities so now have some silk to try making a liner- it is not just contact with silicone- it is the smell as well. I have washed tubes and mask many times- both with mild detergent and with vinegar- hug them to dry, etc. Still struggling. The initial reaction when I tried the mask w/o washing ( provider didn't tell me to prewash and I was keen to get started- my bad for not pre-washing when I am normally so careful) has made all my sensitivities worse as has getting 3-4 hours sleep per night for 2 months or so.

Sorry for the long post but everyone keeps telling me I have to use the machine but no one is providing an answer to the mask issue. I realise it is personal preference for most in terms of a ask but for me it is what can I possibly tolerate.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I did manage to use the machine for 12 hours over 2 nights before the reaction set in- numbers dropped to 3 and 1.2 with that little info.
There are lots of masks that do not have silicone or do not rest on your face. Review them here...https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

Guest

Re: Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

Post by Guest » Tue Dec 01, 2015 4:37 am

Thanks for the replies- I have soaked the nasal mask ( which is not a nasal pillow) in vinegar and water for a couple of days- the hoses have offgased but the mask has not. I have also reviewed the various ask types- which did lead me to Sleepweaver. I keep working on the silicone ask I have because it I get another one I will have to start "processing" all over again.

I have tried the t-shirt liners as well as the new silk ones I just made but it is still the smell when the machine is on that gets to me more than the contact with the skin- though I did get a burn type reaction around my nose- redness- that faded in a few hours the one night I did wear it for 7 hours- along with what felt almost like paralysis down the left side of my neck. The "paralysis" feeling- not actual- persisted for a couple of days. I guess as the silicone heats perhap the smell gets worse.. I have also soaked all hoses- they seem to smell fine. If it is something internal to the machine I guess there may not be a solution but without sleep I will not be able to continue working.

This is further complicated by the fact that I had a nonSTEMI heart attack in June 2015 and they now think it may have been due to sleep issues considering that I am 130 lb and do Taichi plus the gym a couple of times a week they say I am not the typical candidate for a heart attack.

I just don't want the sleep clinic to say since I haven't yet been able to use the gear I will have to return everything because then I really will be back to square 1. If that happens I think I will switch to another provider ad see if there are ay better results.

I have been thinking of being tested by another provider in any event- have people done that- just to compare results?

Any suggestions on making the Sleepweaver Elan fit better? I think cloth is my best option but I don't feel like I am getting pressure & still haven't been able to sleep with it either.

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story1267
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2015 11:44 am

Re: Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

Post by story1267 » Tue Dec 01, 2015 7:49 am

Do you happen to have an alternative-type provider that you work with? I know that there are many knowledgeble folks on this forum who can give you great ideas to try.
Your non-STEMI adds an element of urgency. My gut (for whatever that's worth ) wants you to pack up your equipment and sit with someone who can brainstorm solutions in real-time.
Just a suggestion and, as always, YMMV, but sometimes it's the outside-of-the-box thinking that gets the job done. Best of luck to you.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: SleepyHead software, have also tried Mirage FX for her nasal mask and DreamWear mask

Janknitz
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Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

Post by Janknitz » Tue Dec 01, 2015 1:33 pm

I have to let new hoses off-gas for quite a while before I can use them. I let almost everything off-gas for a while before using. There are so many plastic/silicone parts to CPAP it is very difficult to avoid things.

I would continue tweaking the SleepWeaver Mask--it seems like your best bet. Perhaps sewing in some additional straps out of material you tolerate would give you more points of adjustment, or altering the angle of an existing strap. Maybe you can call the manufacturer and see what they may recommend to deal with the leak.

There is a total face mask--it's like what firefighters wear. So the seal would be away from the more delicate areas of your face and you could possibly make a liner out of your silk that would work. But I don't know how "gassy" that might be because of the large surface areas.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
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tiredandscared
Posts: 333
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 2:47 pm

Re: Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

Post by tiredandscared » Tue Dec 01, 2015 7:54 pm

Guest wrote:Thanks for the replies- I have soaked the nasal mask ( which is not a nasal pillow) in vinegar and water for a couple of days- the hoses have offgased but the mask has not. I have also reviewed the various ask types- which did lead me to Sleepweaver. I keep working on the silicone ask I have because it I get another one I will have to start "processing" all over again.

I have tried the t-shirt liners as well as the new silk ones I just made but it is still the smell when the machine is on that gets to me more than the contact with the skin- though I did get a burn type reaction around my nose- redness- that faded in a few hours the one night I did wear it for 7 hours- along with what felt almost like paralysis down the left side of my neck. The "paralysis" feeling- not actual- persisted for a couple of days. I guess as the silicone heats perhap the smell gets worse.. I have also soaked all hoses- they seem to smell fine. If it is something internal to the machine I guess there may not be a solution but without sleep I will not be able to continue working.

This is further complicated by the fact that I had a nonSTEMI heart attack in June 2015 and they now think it may have been due to sleep issues considering that I am 130 lb and do Taichi plus the gym a couple of times a week they say I am not the typical candidate for a heart attack.

I just don't want the sleep clinic to say since I haven't yet been able to use the gear I will have to return everything because then I really will be back to square 1. If that happens I think I will switch to another provider ad see if there are ay better results.

I have been thinking of being tested by another provider in any event- have people done that- just to compare results?

Any suggestions on making the Sleepweaver Elan fit better? I think cloth is my best option but I don't feel like I am getting pressure & still haven't been able to sleep with it either.
Try the innovair airgel mask. It seemed to off-gas pretty fast. It off-gassed about the same time as the hose.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Mask for someone with Multiple chamical sensitivities

Post by chunkyfrog » Tue Dec 01, 2015 8:23 pm

If it is possible to balance the scents that disturb you with one that has a positive effect,
it might be worth some experimentation.
I have my little Yankee Candle sage and citrus auto air freshener lying next to my air intake.
{{{It took quite a while to find a fragrance that was pleasant without being irritating}}}
Now most odd smells are instantly better because of the distracting scent,
and the scent is mild from being open for months, while I gradually moved it closer to my machine.
Now I only notice the weird smell when my water is very low and the biofilm begins to cook.
Hypersensitivity to scents and sounds can be very disruptive, and I wish you well in your struggle.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her