Cpap equiment and mask

Hi, I got a sleeping study done in a local hospital and reading by a sleeping doctor that I never met. Have AHI of 40, 60% were central and 39% were obstructive. My oxygen saturation was 77%. The study is order by my family doctor, and I haven't got a chance to see a sleeping doctor until end of Nov appo. It's hard to get into the appo in U of M, MI. But I tried a bi-pap pro dreamstation and Amara full face small size mask for a week with the IPAP 17 and EPAP 12 setting. While I wearing that 4 hours per night as the requirement for the insurance, I was awake and had hard time to fall into sleep. I could only sleep after I took it off. I ended up returning the machine since my appo is too far away, and I only have 30 days to return it. I thought the Apap may be better adjust for new patient? Is there other mask less restricted, so it won't make me to have headache when I wear it? Anyone tried the total face mask before? I am trying to fine the one I can really sleep with. Thanks!

Hi, total mask is very leaky except on a few people. Your mask was probably either too small or too tight, so try loosening it - the thin silicone piece that touches your face needs to inflate so should just sit on you, not dig in at all. If you find it still leaks too much, try others while lying down as your face changes a lot then, but if you were given a 'full face' (not total) mask that covers your mouth as well as your nose it may be because you sleep with your mouth open and lose Cpap air that way, so you'll need to try others to find the right one for you.

Yes, I sleep on my back and my mouth is open all the time. The Amara full face is size small. But if I lose the strap, it leaks. I thought the total face is the one less leaking according to the ad? At lease from what I read from The FitLife Total Face CPAP Mask from Respironics. I wish there is more advance way for these mask, won't feel like suffocated. Should have one like the astronaut wears, at least won't sticky to your face.

There are very many full face masks out there to try on - look on Cpap.com under masks, then under Full face to get an idea of variety. You can also try different ones (lying down please) from Cpap.com for a few wks to test them out, so see what you looks possible - there are reviews of all masks on the site and pictures, etc. Many people try to not sleep on their backs as it provokes more apneas and encourages mouth breathing. You could try a 'fanny pack' when side sleeping and it might keep you from flipping onto your back, plus lots of pillows behind you can help too.

Julie wrote:There are very many full face masks out there to try on - look on Cpap.com under masks, then under Full face to get an idea of variety. You can also try different ones (lying down please) from Cpap.com for a few wks to test them out, so see what you looks possible - there are reviews of all masks on the site and pictures, etc. Many people try to not sleep on their backs as it provokes more apneas and encourages mouth breathing. You could try a 'fanny pack' when side sleeping and it might keep you from flipping onto your back, plus lots of pillows behind you can help too.

The OP is questioning "total face masks".

The astronaut headgear requires the suit, probably would be costly, plus having to pee in the suit wouldn't be a plus for me. Much simpler solutions for masking up are out there, just have to find what works best for you.

Four hours for compliance. is just that, compliance required, it's not what's need to be better. You need to use the machine any time you plan on sleeping, until you get up. Some of your problems using your machine, could be from not being set for your best interests, if you used the ramp, the pressure could be set too low, causing you to feel starved for air. The pressure ranges could be set wrong. By starting on Bi-PAP, settings are more complex than APAP. Kind of like having a two wheel bike, before mastering a Tricycle. Jim

LSAT - read my first reply here... already addressed.

That's what my thought too. I haven't seen a sleeping doctor, the invisible sleeping doctor from the local hospital just prescribe me a very strong medicine. The pressure is too strong 17/12. And the RAMP is too short for me too, it blows the 17 at 10-15 mins later before I fall into sleep yet. Does the apap better?

mibbim wrote:That's what my thought too. I haven't seen a sleeping doctor, the invisible sleeping doctor from the local hospital just prescribe me a very strong medicine. The pressure is too strong 17/12. And the RAMP is too short for me too, it blows the 17 at 10-15 mins later before I fall into sleep yet. Does the apap better?

Since you have more central than obstructive apneas you probably need the BiLevel or possibly the ASV type machine.
My settings are around 17/7 and I seldom get to 17 on my auto adjusting machine. It did take a while to get used to my ASV machine. Now I find myself checking occasionally to be sure it is on.
You will need to get some software working and learn how to use it, in order to properly fine tune your settings. There is plenty of help here but we will need pictures of your results from software to be able to make suggestions.
You can master this but it takes time and persistent efforts.

I don't use the Ramp, never did, I started 11 years ago at 15 cm, cold turkey, still at the same pressure. I had a heart by-pass 2 months prior, was on O2. Yes it was uncomfortable until I got used to it, maybe two weeks in. The ramp is useful for some, who can't get use to this new way of life, but without it I knew I wouldn't be here long, not getting it right wasn't a option. Many of the problems in our lives are in our heads, success comes from making up your mind so you can do what's in your best interest.

Also, keeping the leak rate as close to the normal mask vent rate is important, if your treatment pressure vents out your mouth, you aren't being treated well. You will only know what's going on by using the Software to read the data from your machine. Jim