New user - Questions

I just received a CPAP machine and mask on Monday. I wish I would have found this forum before it was delivered, I would have had many questions for the guy.

First off, I haven't been back to the Dr. yet after my sleep study, but I had 70 occurrences/hour and my setting is 16. From reading on this forum, I know that both are high numbers.

Now (when everything is in perfect alignment) I am sleeping 7-8 hours straight; without getting up. That is from a 5-6 time/night pee schedule.

But my problem appears to be w/ the mask that was delivered. The first 2 nights were fine, but starting on the 3rd, the this "membrane" like covering (which I understand is supposed to expand to help the mask seal) is "blowing out". It expands like a balloon and the edges become unsealed and it lets out a leak, with a rather rude noise associated with it.

Any suggestions?

Who should I call (Dr. or Home Health Care)?

Should they have given me options in what unit, humidifier, mask I wanted?

Any other advice?

Thanks in advance.

SINCLAJ , Welcome aboard !
AS you are learning fast tne mask is the key. You didn't mention the brand . Let us know so we may offer suggestions. The challenge is to not get the mask too tight. Seems like yours may not be tight enough. Just place the mask on your face and adjust the straps so the mask has just a bit of space betwee your face and it. When the pressure expands the seal it should be fine. When you get it right don't change a thing.

i'm sure others have their own way of doing things.

Get back with the name of the mask so we can offer more specific advice.

Cheers,

Chris

If your RPT didn't tell you, it is a good idea to make sure skin under mask is clean of body oils. Just wash face with soap and water before bed time and NO beauty lotions. I also often moisten edge of mask just before I put it on. Doing these two things has improved the seal for me.

You also should be washing the mask/seal... I wash the seal daily. Makes a BIG difference.

I didn't have this info handy when I posted my original note. The machine I have is a Remstar Goodknight 418A and the mask they brought with it is a Resp. ComfortGel. I also have a mask that they gave me after my sleep study, which is a Fyshcer Pyskal (spelling????????) that does not leak, but looks much cheaper than the ComfortGel (no adjustable foread thingy, foam instead of gel) And, the nasal mask piece looks a little smaller.

Could that be the issue; the mask is too big?