Used masks?

tiredNorlando · Post by **tiredNorlando** » Sat Jul 08, 2017 4:31 pm

Hi group, I have my new dream station arriving Tuesday, I bought it without using insurance and a prescription.. I am in the process of buying a mask from one user on here, but I've been told to try as many masks as possible until the right one fits me.. Due to PayPal being slow to transfer money from my bank to my paypal account I won't get the mask until later next week, if then! So I'm stuck with a brand new machine I can't use:(

This will be the first time using cpap and I would like to buy some more to try.. Does anyone have used masks for sale? I do not know what brand I am looking for because this is my first go at cpap..I printed out two templates and the Philips blue soft gel it looks like I'm a xl... With Liberty I'm a large

Thank you all so far for the great advice and look forward to being on this group for life!

Regards

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Sat Jul 08, 2017 5:25 pm

tiredNorlando wrote:I've been told to try as many masks as possible until the right one fits me

That doesn't sound right. You should use the manufacturers' fitting guides to try to get the size right the first time.

Then come the adjustments. It may take several nights to get the adjustments right and stop the leaking. If you just can't get it right after a few nights, then try a different size or style mask.

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Sat Jul 08, 2017 5:38 pm

Here is something that may help.

How to Choose an Initial CPAP Mask for Newbies

1. If you had a sleep lab titration and liked the mask that was used, and that mask was recommended by your medical team, then go for it.

2. If not 1., then did your medical team recommend a nasal mask or a full face mask (FFM)? For many people, nasal masks are easier to use assuming they don't mouthbreathe, leak air out the mouth or get air inflating the cheeks while using CPAP during sleep. If you have any of these problems, you may need to use a FFM. (Despite what you may see in the forum, there are many of us that find FFMs are easy to use, do not leak and are not uncomfortable.)

3. Once you have decided whether you need to start with a nasal mask or a FFM mask, begin looking at the mask descriptions and images at https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php . This is the website of this forum's host.

4. For a newbie, you should select a popular mask that gets high rankings from the reviews. Some people in this forum get excellent usage out of masks that are not popular and do not get good reviews. They might rave about the mask to you. But for a newbie, you want to start with a popular mask with high rankings. After you get some experience, you can experiment with masks that pique your fancy but are not so popular.

5. Once you have a category (nasal or FFM) of masks selected, you can go to that category on CPAP dot com's web page and sort by Biggest Sellers and then by Rating. You can check the ratings and read reviews.

6. When you receive your mask and machine, you should watch the mask manufacturer's videos (On CPAP.com's web page or on youtube.com) for instructions on use and adjustments.

7. If you have any problems using the mask, please start a new thread here and ask for help.

8. It's not unusual to try different masks before settling on one that works well for you. If you find yourself buying a fourth or fifth different mask, the problem may be with the way you are trying to use the masks, instead of the mask itself. Please get help from the experienced forum members.

- ChicagoGranny

JimW159 · Post by **JimW159** » Sat Jul 08, 2017 5:58 pm

tiredNorlando wrote:Hi group, I have my new dream station arriving Tuesday, I bought it without using insurance and a prescription.. I am in the process of buying a mask from one user on here, but I've been told to try as many masks as possible until the right one fits me..

I don't know who gave you this piece of advice, but they clearly either didn't know much about PAP therapy or didn't care enough to give it any real thought. If you had been buying new tires for your car would you buy a bunch to see what fit? I doubt it. Tires or masks, sometimes about the same cost. Chicago Granny has pointed you in the right direction; this is advice you can trust.

Other questions:
1) since you bought the DreamStation on your own and without a prescription, how did you decide you needed PAP therapy in the first place?
2) who will set up the machine? Using what criteria in choosing settings?
3) how will you know when and if it is doing its job to your benefit? Do you understand and are you comfortable with the theory behind PAP therapy?
4) are you comfortable understanding and interpreting the charts you can produce with software like SleepyHead?
If you start trying to read a book it would be wise to understand the language in which it is written.

tiredNorlando · Post by **tiredNorlando** » Sat Jul 08, 2017 6:29 pm

Please take a look at my first post on the group for a background on me
Thanks

tiredNorlando · Post by **tiredNorlando** » Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:25 am

JimW159 wrote:
tiredNorlando wrote:Hi group, I have my new dream station arriving Tuesday, I bought it without using insurance and a prescription.. I am in the process of buying a mask from one user on here, but I've been told to try as many masks as possible until the right one fits me..
I don't know who gave you this piece of advice, but they clearly either didn't know much about PAP therapy or didn't care enough to give it any real thought. If you had been buying new tires for your car would you buy a bunch to see what fit? I doubt it. Tires or masks, sometimes about the same cost. Chicago Granny has pointed you in the right direction; this is advice you can trust.

Other questions:
1) since you bought the DreamStation on your own and without a prescription, how did you decide you needed PAP therapy in the first place?
2) who will set up the machine? Using what criteria in choosing settings?
3) how will you know when and if it is doing its job to your benefit? Do you understand and are you comfortable with the theory behind PAP therapy?
4) are you comfortable understanding and interpreting the charts you can produce with software like SleepyHead?
If you start trying to read a book it would be wise to understand the language in which it is written.

1- I've had a sleep study, I snore unbelievably loud, I'm tired all day, I've tried everything else there is- chin straps, provent, backpack on at night
2- the machine is an auto cpap
3- I will use the sleepy head software
4-yes
I know I am new here, and I have ton tons of research as well as I have several family members and friends on cpap, so I am not completely new to this.. I am just new to this board trying to get any and all advice I can get

Thanks

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:45 am

tiredNorlando wrote:1- I've had a sleep study, I snore unbelievably loud, I'm tired all day, I've tried everything else there is- chin straps, provent, backpack on at night
2- the machine is an auto cpap
3- I will use the sleepy head software
4-yes

After some detours, it sounds like you are on the right track! Good luck in getting everything optimized!

tiredNorlando · Post by **tiredNorlando** » Sun Jul 09, 2017 12:51 pm

Thanks Chicago granny ! As I feel this is the last thing I can try.. If the cpap doesn't help I'm afraid of what else it could be and that is narcolepsy, as this would cause me to loose my drivers license and then would loose my job and things would just go downhill as the diesease worsened..
So trying to stay positive and hope the cpap works!

Thanks

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Sun Jul 09, 2017 3:55 pm

tiredNorlando wrote:I'm afraid of what else it could be and that is narcolepsy

No need to have that thought because ...

tiredNorlando wrote: I have always snored since I was a kid

... the simplest explanation says you only need CPAP.

Used masks?

Used masks?

Re: Used masks?

Re: Used masks?

Re: Used masks?

Re: Used masks?

Re: Used masks?

Re: Used masks?

Re: Used masks?

Re: Used masks?