Help Finding Correct Mask .....

Somebody gave me a nice CPAP > Respironics REMstar Auto M Series, Model: M-Series Heated Humidifier - Dom, Model #: 1051158, Serial #: H002615527

I am not able to sleep on my back, so I would like to try the nose attachment. If anyone can help me to find the correct attachment, I'd be very grateful. I had another serious sleep apnea attack several weeks ago. I did not think I would survive. Besides breathing cut off, my blood pressure was 240/132, possibly close to a heart attack!

Go to this link and click on the icon for "CPAP masks" and start looking for what may appeal to you.
You need to figure out what type of mask may work for you, including the proper size.

https://www.cpap.com/


Den

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There's no nose 'attachment' (or any other such thing), just nasal masks and full face masks which are like nasals, only extended downward a bit to cover your mouth. There are also hybrid types which cover your mouth and have extensions to your nose in the form of 'pillows' or prongs, etc.

Whatever your sleeping position, it shouldn't matter which mask you have, what matters is that it is comfortable for you, fits well, and you are able to sleep with it. In fact, it is better to sleep on your side or your stomach than your back. It might be that you need a different size of the one you are using, or a different one. Most of us have had to try out several masks if not more to find the one that works. Sometimes it can mean switching from nasal to full face, or from pillows to nasal, etc. If you are a mouth breather, a full face is probably the best style to try, but there are many different models.

If you could be specific about which mask you have... and what your particular difficulty is with it, we can be of more help.

I don't have a mask yet. I went to two different sleep studies and both of the full face masks were incredible uncomfortable, and made too much noise for me to sleep.

Can you normally breathe through your nose just fine without nasal congestion issues that cause you to just have to mouth breathe out of physical necessity?
If you can then a nasal interface mask is a viable choice.

For a newbie and just starting out if you want to try a nasal pillow mask....then the ResMed AirFit P10 (see the link in my profile to that mask as I am currently using it) or maybe the ResMed Swift FX nasal pillow mask.

If you are wanting to try a nasal cushion mask then I would suggest you look at the ResMed Swift FX Nano cushion mask...and if you do get it and want to try a nasal pillow mask the Swift FX Nasal pillows will work with the Nano headgear and it's easy to just buy a nasal pillow for it.

There are other good nasal interface masks available and there's no way to know for sure which one will suit your needs and preferences the best until you try them. The 2 that I mentioned have a lot of happy users and would make a good starting point.
Mask preferences are highly personalized and often one person may just love a mask and the next person just hates it. It's the life of a mask. One man's treasure is another man's trash.

Will you be purchasing the mask on your own without insurance and a DME involved or will you be using a brick and mortar DME store?
If you can use a DME then you would have the advantage of utilizing any mask swapping policy a DME might have so you can limit your out of pocket costs.
If you don't have insurance coverage for masks and thus will be shopping online for a mask then perhaps we can do some smart shopping to reduce your out of pocket costs.
Cpap.com offers return insurance on most of their masks...either at a small cost or sometimes free. This way if you try a mask and hate it you can get your money back. I think the ResMed AirFit P10 still comes with free return insurance.

1 Technically it is illegal for someone to give you a Xpap machine, a prescription is needed to purchase one.
2 To purchase a mask a prescription is also required.
3 If you had a sleep study done the Doctor you have that sent you in for the sleep study should provide you with prescriptions for both along with the proper settings for the Xpap maching to be set up.
4 As for helping you with mask its something that only you can do.
5 Once all that is done there are a great number of talented people that can and will help answer other questions

mike1953 wrote:1 Technically it is illegal for someone to give you a Xpap machine, a prescription is needed to purchase one.
2 To purchase a mask a prescription is also required.
3 If you had a sleep study done the Doctor you have that sent you in for the sleep study should provide you with prescriptions for both along with the proper settings for the Xpap maching to be set up.
4 As for helping you with mask its something that only you can do.
5 Once all that is done there are a great number of talented people that can and will help answer other questions

You're jumbling two different issues and scenarios. Giving/donating and purchasing.
If you have a link to the legality or illegality of the "donation" part of that statement, please post it.
Same thing with masks.......complete mask or mask "parts". The FDA apparently only requires a "prescription" or "order" for complete masks being sold by DME-type sellers or Ebay-type sellers. Many masks are sold as "kits" or as parts and you assemble them. No Rx is required for those types of sales.


Den

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vja4Him wrote:my blood pressure was 240/132, possibly close to a heart attack!

Oh yeah I remember those days. Wake up gasping for air, heart pounding, no idea why the hell it's happening. Your body is probably stuck in permanent fight or flight mode at this point and your blood pressure is constantly elevated to ridiculous levels. You need to get help. You will ruin your kidneys. They move real fast at the emergency room when you show up with 240/120 BP. That is my experience at least.

I will ask my doctor if our insurance covers the cost of a mask.

vja4Him wrote:I will ask my doctor if our insurance covers the cost of a mask.

as if your doctor would know.