Newbie Observations & Questions, 14 Days In

Hi There,

Found this forum through Google search, then some comfort measure purchases through CPAP.com.
So far have read the Definitions, Advice for Newbies, Sleep Diaries, Pugsy's Pearls, er meant to say Pointers, but they are precious at any rate and a week's worth of posts. Did I mention that I was an RN?

I've been monitoring my progress with SleepMapper program, just the simple 3 measurements of Therapy, Mask (fit) and AHI. My baseline
AHI was 8, so I am pleasantly surprised with AHI average of 0.3. I''ve had 13 of 14 nights >4 hours, and my average is 6.2. Am I right in
thinking that Blue Shield folk will be sending out their mailer for the modem once I achieve 21/30 days?

Like so many here, the Mask is the main issue. Although my features seem to fall into the "Small" range, the hard angled edges of the lower
part of the mask hits right below the corners of my lower lip on each side and that is annoying to say the least. The straps are secure but not too tight, as the Tech in the Sleep Lab kept tightening and tightening, which only made the leaks worse IMHO. Am wondering if moving up
to the Medium would be helpful...the extra coverage seems like it could also help as far as the mouth breathing/dry as a desert state 1st
thing in the morning...my bottom lip often tangled with the edge of the seal.

I do have some medical conditions which makes CPAP use more challenging. First off Sjorgren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder where
there is decreased saliva and lubricating type tears, affects nose and throat as well. I use special tooth paste, mouth rinse and Natural Tears
already, and am using the PR humidifier setting on either 4 or 5.

This is a very arid area, with average humidity of 30%. Because we have 2 cats and 2 dogs, and I am suddenly sneezing and showing signs of CPAP rhinitis,
my DH hooked up an In-Line Outlet Bacteria Filter for use starting tonight.

I don't have the heated tubing optional kit, but am using a hose cover, hose hanger, fancy cut-out pillow. Am a side sleeper, restless leg syndrome. During the 2 night study I was clocked at 73 movements per hour. Having fibromyalgia surely doesn't help; taking ibuprofen before lights out. On BP med with diuretic and Type 2 Diabetic under diet control (average blood sugar just 119!)...so the reduction of trips to the bathroom, from 2-3 down to just one in between the 3 hour 'chunks' of sleep is wonderful.

I'm starting to wonder how many years I must have had OSA, since I've been waking up with daily (frontal) headaches for at least the last 10 years.
Undergoing workup for hypoxia-both day and night-told I have 20-30% of normal lung function after recent LFT, and have been on 02/2L 24/7 but now, after my birthday present to myself, a 20 pound weight loss in the last 15 weeks, just need it at bedtime and occasionally PRN.

With the average Mask fit 71% I researched like a good nurse, then ended up purchasing Halo Straps for New Version Breeze, and hooking one up between the lower strap loops just under my chin as a makeshift chin strap to help with the partial mouth breathing and to better keep this forehead strap-free mask from riding up onto the bridge of my nose.

The insurance is taking it's time deciding when I will be bad enough to have these cataracts treated, so until then DH is doing the hose cleaning and cleaning and replenishing the humidifier reservoir while I just use the cool little citrus wipes on the mask, wash my oily face nightly and enjoy the RemZees mask liners. I would love to see those in tee shirt and for Winter, maybe sweatshirt material...from what I'm reading, it sounds like plenty of others have tried it, DIYer style.

So that's me in a nutshell. Am I on the right track? Numbers looking good so far? MD mentioned possible reduction in BP and weight loss as too rather intriguing 'side effects' of CPAP which might be down the road...

Using PR models to show what DH said to me, and what I thought of that!

You can easily make your own. I made some from an old t-shirt using a pattern I found on the internet.. not sure of the url for it, but I googled "DIY cpap mask liner" to find it. I have been washing them with my laundry in a mesh wash bag and I lay them flat to dry. Ironing helps them keep their shape and gets any major wrinkles out. You could also use a RemZzz liner for a pattern.

library lady wrote:You can easily make your own. I made some from an old t-shirt using a pattern I found on the internet.. not sure of the url for it, but I googled "DIY cpap mask liner" to find it. I have been washing them with my laundry in a mesh wash bag and I lay them flat to dry. Ironing helps them keep their shape and gets any major wrinkles out. You could also use a RemZzz liner for a pattern.

Thanks very much. I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly re one of my questions/concerns

I also have problems with the plastic tabs on the sides of most masks. I do not think going up in size will help you, but I would suggest you try respironics profile lite mask. Its an older style that has a LOT more gel than any other gel mask ive tried. At one point my dmp told me this mask wasn't available anymore but when I showed them it online it was available again. They do have to order the headgear seperately . The only problem I ever have with this mask is getting too much pressure on my forehead so I occasionally have to switch to another. I like smooshing my face and mouth into the pillow and this mask lets me.

aznh wrote:I also have problems with the plastic tabs on the sides of most masks. I do not think going up in size will help you, but I would suggest you try respironics profile lite mask. Its an older style that has a LOT more gel than any other gel mask ive tried. At one point my dmp told me this mask wasn't available anymore but when I showed them it online it was available again. They do have to order the headgear seperately . The only problem I ever have with this mask is getting too much pressure on my forehead so I occasionally have to switch to another. I like smooshing my face and mouth into the pillow and this mask lets me.

Interesting...in my case it is not the plastic tabs that connect with the headgear but an portion of the formed mask itself. If you turn it upside down, where the ResMed Quattro writing is, you can see where the frame breaks from a straight line (under your low lip, above chin), on a slant. That is the issue I have, but I am open to hearing about other FF masks other users have liked, and do appreciate the time you took to respond.

In my particular case a slightly longer mask would at least 'miss' this delicate area next to the corners of my mouth and also give better coverage when I wake up with my lower lip pretty much hangin' out the bottom. Ugh

P.S. I do remember reading that the Quattro FX, in particular, runs a bit small, compared to others in the line...maybe the medium is half way between a medium and a small, whereas the small is a bit toward XS. Go figure!

Getting the correct level of tension in the mask straps is a bit challenging. If the lab tech tightened too much then the tech wasn't familiar with the proper technique. The double wall construction of the mask cushion inflates under the air pressure from the machine and creates a seal. Too much tension and the mask can't properly inflate. Too little and it leaks.

Good work with the additional chin strap. That's essential, imo.

The top of the cushion is supposed to rest at the mid-point of your nose, not at the top , near your eyes. Then the bottom of the mask should be about 3/4 of an inch below your lips. Here's a link to a sizing guide for the QFX

http://www.cpapplus.com/sizing-template ... mplate.pdf

JQLewis wrote:Getting the correct level of tension in the mask straps is a bit challenging. If the lab tech tightened too much then the tech wasn't familiar with the proper technique. The double wall construction of the mask cushion inflates under the air pressure from the machine and creates a seal. Too much tension and the mask can't properly inflate. Too little and it leaks.

Good work with the additional chin strap. That's essential, imo.

The top of the cushion is supposed to rest at the mid-point of your nose, not at the top , near your eyes. Then the bottom of the mask should be about 3/4 of an inch below your lips. Here's a link to a sizing guide for the QFX

http://www.cpapplus.com/sizing-template ... mplate.pdf

Thanks, that measurement guide is very helpful. I was instructed to slide the mask on over my face, nose first. It wasn't mentioned by the DME staff, but I found some PR help on the SleepMapper dot com website, in terms of placement. It seems I am between sizes, as I first guessed. With the mask about an inch below the bridge of my nose, the seal puffs up to almost the top of the bridge while at the bottom end the mask cuts off about 1/4 inch below my lip, I think that's why I am getting the problem with those angled hard parts putting pressure right at the corners of my mouth.

So 2+ weeks in, I'm thinking of calling them and seeing about trying the medium instead, since I like the overall feel/weight/convenience of this model.
I guess it would be too much to ask for for it all to be perfect right from the get go, but I really do like the machine, and it doesn't seem like the sleep Doc took the low road with my Rx, either.