Exhausted

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
shpanky
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Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:26 pm

Exhausted

Post by shpanky » Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:24 am

I've been on the CPAP for about two weeks now. Using the Philips PR System One REMStar 60 Series BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex with a large Quattro FX FFM at 17/13.

Things seem to start alright, I get to sleep (eventually), but then about 3-4am, there are leaks all over the place. Last night was the first time I pulled it off in frustration just to stop getting woken up by leaks both at the top of my nose and around my cheeks. I've tried the tricks I've learned reading through the forum here for filling the inflatable areas of the mask via swivel method and turning the machine on prior to adjustment. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and it always seems to change. I've tried loosening the straps but that just creates a tremendous amount of leakage all around, the air basically blowing out around the mask. I've tried tightening the mask as tight as I can and that sort of helps but end up with a headache later in the night.

I'm really frustrated, I wish I could get this thing to work. I've tried the masks with the forehead support and they just give me sores on my (admittedly large, knobby) nose. I just don't think these masks are designed for a wide range of nose types. Even though my sleepyhead profile looks pretty good, the mask keeps waking me up at night and I'm more tired than I ever was before. I'm really discouraged.

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JustTia
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Location: Winston Salem, NC

Re: Exhausted

Post by JustTia » Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:36 am

I have a very skinny nose bridge (and close set eyes to boot), so I had a really hard time with full face masks. I have read where several people here recommend mask liners to help with the leaks and comfort, but I personally have not tried them.

For now, I'm using nasal pillows and a chin strap to make sure I don't mouth breathe. That's been much more comfortable so far than any of the ff masks I tried. I kind of hate wearing the chin strap, though, so I'm considering trying a hybrid next. Have you tried pillows or a hybrid?

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Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
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Julie
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Re: Exhausted

Post by Julie » Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:43 am

Do a forum search on Pad-a-Cheek (or a Google one) because the designer is a forum member and makes the 'liners' that go under almost all masks to keep red lines away and to help seal masks better... there's lots of info and they're not expensive (re-usable).

shpanky
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Re: Exhausted

Post by shpanky » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:24 pm

I was considering the nasal pillows but I frequently get congested at night and thought the Quattro FX would be more comfortable. I guess I can take a look at that one and see how it feels.

library lady
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Re: Exhausted

Post by library lady » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:50 pm

Julie's suggestion for Pad-a-cheek liner is a good one... or any other liner that you find by googling... I had the same difficulty you are having, and once I learned about mask liners, the problem went away. It was a game changer for me. If you google Pad-A-Cheek you will find her website, and you can order from there.

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Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  Sleepyhead
Now using AirFit F10 mask; Quattro Air is backup mask. RemZzzz mask liners with both.

shpanky
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Re: Exhausted

Post by shpanky » Tue Jul 22, 2014 2:41 pm

Thanks for the tip on the pad-a-cheek. I just ordered one. Hope it helps.

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Sheriff Buford
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Re: Exhausted

Post by Sheriff Buford » Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:00 pm

I wouldn't expect the first mask you get would work for anybody. Most folks go thru several masks before they find one that is comfortable and doesn't leak. What I like, you may not like. Most places will allow you to return a mask (that you don't like) within 30 days. That's long enough to see if you can wear or like the mask.

Sheriff

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ups4
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Location: Sunrise, FL

Re: Exhausted

Post by ups4 » Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:03 pm

shpanky wrote:Thanks for the tip on the pad-a-cheek. I just ordered one. Hope it helps.
I will definitely suggest the liners. I was having the same issues with my FFM, and once I bought a sample pack of the the Remzzz's, I am now sleeping 7-8 hours a night with little or no leak problems.
I also took some old white T-shirts and copied the liner pattern onto the shirt, cut them out and made a washable/re-usable mask liner. I made about 8 of them and I will hand wash them when needed and let dry thoroughly. This should last me a good year or so.

Paul

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shpanky
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Re: Exhausted

Post by shpanky » Mon Jul 28, 2014 12:13 pm

So I tried both products that were recommended in this thread, and to be honest they Padacheek didn't help much at all. The Remzzz's seemed to help for a little bit, but I'm still getting a lot of leaking around my nose. I'm thinking maybe it's because I have a very large head and they gave me a medium sized headgear. I ordered a large one that will allow for a lower adjustment of the nose bridge (hopefully) and reduce the leakage. Thanks everyone for your help. I'll let you know how it works.

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englandsf
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Re: Exhausted

Post by englandsf » Mon Jul 28, 2014 2:09 pm

I have a very narrow nose (17mm eyeglass nose width measurement when most only go down to 19mm) and cannot get any size of FFM to seal around the bridge. If I try to seat it lower it cuts off my nose 100% and I find mouth breathing only in a FFM is so hot and claustrophobia inducing. So pillows for me now, and I guess I'll keep my FFMs for when I get a cold...

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Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead SW. NeilMed and Alkalol Nasal rinses. Veramyst. AutoPAP 11-20 cms. Started June '14, untreated AHI 31-38, with PAP around 1.

shpanky
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Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:26 pm

Re: Exhausted

Post by shpanky » Mon Jul 28, 2014 5:31 pm

Yeah, I have a bit of a knobby nose, so I might be having the same problem. I might have to go to the pillows myself.
englandsf wrote:I have a very narrow nose (17mm eyeglass nose width measurement when most only go down to 19mm) and cannot get any size of FFM to seal around the bridge. If I try to seat it lower it cuts off my nose 100% and I find mouth breathing only in a FFM is so hot and claustrophobia inducing. So pillows for me now, and I guess I'll keep my FFMs for when I get a cold...

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englandsf
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Re: Exhausted

Post by englandsf » Mon Jul 28, 2014 6:26 pm

PM me if you have congestion issues - I have developed an aggressive rinse regime that helped me convert.

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Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead SW. NeilMed and Alkalol Nasal rinses. Veramyst. AutoPAP 11-20 cms. Started June '14, untreated AHI 31-38, with PAP around 1.

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JustTia
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Location: Winston Salem, NC

Re: Exhausted

Post by JustTia » Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:33 pm

englandsf wrote:PM me if you have congestion issues - I have developed an aggressive rinse regime that helped me convert.
Rofl. I know they tease you about your rinse regimen, but you sold at least one person with repeating it. I'm giving it a try tonight. I will report back.

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: S9 set to auto, pressure 5-15, Premier style chin strap
Board culture. Learn it. Embrace it.

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englandsf
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Re: Exhausted

Post by englandsf » Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:42 pm

Hey Tia - hope it helps. Alkolol really seemed to be the secret sauce in my little program.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead SW. NeilMed and Alkalol Nasal rinses. Veramyst. AutoPAP 11-20 cms. Started June '14, untreated AHI 31-38, with PAP around 1.

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palerider
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Re: Exhausted

Post by palerider » Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:53 pm

englandsf wrote:Hey Tia - hope it helps. Alkolol really seemed to be the secret sauce in my little program.
is this the same as Alkalol that's sold on amazon, or something else?

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