ten days in and struggling

Really want this to work. I'm about 10 days in and having a terrible time at it.
I continue to wake up by
1) Air leaks requiring opening magnets and manipulating and tightening mask (sometimes to hurting). I think because I sleep on stomach and head rests on side, that it moves around during sleep and parts get loosened, depending on the angle and location of the mask.
2) Nose areas keep itching, waking me up to remove seal or dig under to get to itchy areas (air and heat flow exasperate itching). Tried lotion, nothing works, just wakes me up periodically.
3) I'm so tired during day, I have to now wake up around 4 or 5 or whenever mask irritations wake me up, and then just take off the mask entirely to get a few good continuous hours of sleep. That's the only thing that makes me feel better during the day.

I'm thinking of calling DME to request nasal pillow, as I'm thinking it can at least reduce the itchy part everywhere. Does this seem like a good alternative? I recall during the 3 day nights, AHI was around 5 using that, but with the nasal nose mask it is closer to 1. My AHI numbers are wonderful, averaging 1.0, but my tiredness and disruptive wakings are terrible. Tried dehumidifier, doesn't really stop itching or do much to mitigate wakings.

Any advice appreciated.

forgot to add
resmed airsense 10 with autoset
AirFit N20 mask

AHI scores are not "meaningless." But they are one piece (albeit an important one) of a larger puzzle in trying to figure out how to get better, uninterrupted rejuvenating sleep.

user232 wrote:Really want this to work. I'm about 10 days in and having a terrible time at it.
I continue to wake up by
1) Air leaks requiring opening magnets and manipulating and tightening mask (sometimes to hurting). I think because I sleep on stomach and head rests on side, that it moves around during sleep and parts get loosened, depending on the angle and location of the mask.
2) Nose areas keep itching, waking me up to remove seal or dig under to get to itchy areas (air and heat flow exasperate itching). Tried lotion, nothing works, just wakes me up periodically.
3) I'm so tired during day, I have to now wake up around 4 or 5 or whenever mask irritations wake me up, and then just take off the mask entirely to get a few good continuous hours of sleep. That's the only thing that makes me feel better during the day.

I'm thinking of calling DME to request nasal pillow, as I'm thinking it can at least reduce the itchy part everywhere. Does this seem like a good alternative? I recall during the 3 day nights, AHI was around 5 using that, but with the nasal nose mask it is closer to 1. My AHI numbers are wonderful, averaging 1.0, but my tiredness and disruptive wakings are terrible. Tried dehumidifier, doesn't really stop itching or do much to mitigate wakings.

Any advice appreciated.

I'm a FFM user who sleeps on his stomach, but have had similar issues.
1) pillow position makes a massive difference. I sleep on the edge of my pillow so that the mask hangs free of contact with the pillow. There is a pillow out the called the PAPillow, designed with a shape the helps with that. I used it for a while, but went back to my own method.
2) lotions probably make the situation worse (It's essentially oil on your face). Silicone seals seem to need clean skin to help with the seal. If the face itches, I used a terrycloth washcloth and rub my entire face for a few seconds before masking up (my theory is that this fires up the nerves on the face and when you get the mask on, the nerves return to a resting state with the mask in place. But that may be my own rationalization).
3) 10 days isn't long. Give it some time and don't give up.

Also, put your mask on while lying down (face changes shape between sitting up and lying down)

RiverDave

I hear you. I am 6 weeks in and already have had several masks. None of them worked right. Same as you. Tomorrow I am going to the therapist at my Drs office and have him fit me. I have been dealing with the therapist at the medical supply store and I am not happy. None of the masks they have suggested worked for more than a few days.

My plan for tomorrow is to see the therapist at my drs office and not leave till I am perfectly fitted with the right mask, get hooked up to the hose and run through some pressures, and I recline or lay back.

This therapy takes a lot of getting used to. A lot. Yes its tireing and and I cant figure out why I dont feel better either.

Nasal pillows for me--after a few days they start to come out of the nose while I am sleeping. The right size is important--small-med or large. Its a crap shoot here. The head gear stretches out and frankly none of this stuff is made very well.

Good luck to you!

user232 wrote:I'm thinking of calling DME to request nasal pillow, as I'm thinking it can at least reduce the itchy part everywhere. Does this seem like a good alternative?

Even among pillows masks there are variables, but in general, as many of the offending causes of wakeups as we can reduce, the better we will sleep. I personally prefer nasal pillows. Just FYI, if you happen to have slotted snares, you could ask folks here if they have a preferred mask. Some have a fixed angled position of the pillows. I prefer adjustable pillows. Good luck with things.

xxyzx wrote:

AMESS wrote:I hear you. I am 6 weeks in and already have had several masks. None of them worked right. Same as you. Tomorrow I am going to the therapist at my Drs office and have him fit me. I have been dealing with the therapist at the medical supply store and I am not happy. None of the masks they have suggested worked for more than a few days.

My plan for tomorrow is to see the therapist at my drs office and not leave till I am perfectly fitted with the right mask, get hooked up to the hose and run through some pressures, and I recline or lay back.

This therapy takes a lot of getting used to. A lot. Yes its tireing and and I cant figure out why I dont feel better either.

Nasal pillows for me--after a few days they start to come out of the nose while I am sleeping. The right size is important--small-med or large. Its a crap shoot here. The head gear stretches out and frankly none of this stuff is made very well.

Good luck to you!

========

if all the masks failed after a few days why do you think the one you get tomorrow wont be the same

Because every mask is different? It took me 8 months of testing and research while trying 8 different masks to find the perfect mask. It was well worth it.

Sure, try pillows. I love my pillow mask. Just be prepared to experiment to find the right size pillows. Masks like mine come with pillows in 3 sizes. If you use one that is too small you'll get more leaks.

I need a full face mask. My mouth is open and not helping. Just need the right mask.

AMESS wrote:I hear you. I am 6 weeks in and already have had several masks. None of them worked right. Same as you. Tomorrow I am going to the therapist at my Drs office and have him fit me. I have been dealing with the therapist at the medical supply store and I am not happy. None of the masks they have suggested worked for more than a few days.

My plan for tomorrow is to see the therapist at my drs office and not leave till I am perfectly fitted with the right mask, get hooked up to the hose and run through some pressures, and I recline or lay back.

This therapy takes a lot of getting used to. A lot. Yes its tireing and and I cant figure out why I dont feel better either.

Nasal pillows for me--after a few days they start to come out of the nose while I am sleeping. The right size is important--small-med or large. Its a crap shoot here. The head gear stretches out and frankly none of this stuff is made very well.

Good luck to you!

Nasal pillows are not intended to go into the nose...Maybe that's your problem. (One of them anyway, you have lots)

AMESS wrote:Nasal pillows for me--after a few days they start to come out of the nose while I am sleeping. The right size is important--small-med or large. Its a crap shoot here. The head gear stretches out and frankly none of this stuff is made very well.

I have no clue what you're doing or using. Headgear stretches in a day? Are you using something multiple sizes too small?

Nasal pillows coming out of your nose? I have a Dreamwear and NOTHING goes in my nose, so there's nothing to come out. I sleep a lot face down and it doesn't leak from movement, nor has it stretched in nearly 3 months.

user232 wrote:Really want this to work. I'm about 10 days in and having a terrible time at it.
I continue to wake up by
1) Air leaks requiring opening magnets and manipulating and tightening mask (sometimes to hurting). I think because I sleep on stomach and head rests on side, that it moves around during sleep and parts get loosened, depending on the angle and location of the mask.
2) Nose areas keep itching, waking me up to remove seal or dig under to get to itchy areas (air and heat flow exasperate itching). Tried lotion, nothing works, just wakes me up periodically.
3) I'm so tired during day, I have to now wake up around 4 or 5 or whenever mask irritations wake me up, and then just take off the mask entirely to get a few good continuous hours of sleep. That's the only thing that makes me feel better during the day.

I'm thinking of calling DME to request nasal pillow, as I'm thinking it can at least reduce the itchy part everywhere. Does this seem like a good alternative? I recall during the 3 day nights, AHI was around 5 using that, but with the nasal nose mask it is closer to 1. My AHI numbers are wonderful, averaging 1.0, but my tiredness and disruptive wakings are terrible. Tried dehumidifier, doesn't really stop itching or do much to mitigate wakings.

Any advice appreciated.

As long as you have a significant mask leaking issue, your sleep will suffer. It took me a few months before I mastered leaking issues.
I do recommend trying a pillow mask. I am very happy with Resmed P-10. It is best for many reasons to learn to sleep on your side.

xxyzx wrote:

AMESS wrote:I need a full face mask. My mouth is open and not helping. Just need the right mask.

=========

you said you were going to demand they give you the right mask today

did you get it?

This deleteing is getting out of hand.