Cloth masks?

I guess my long query is gone. So I'll make it short. I'm going nuts with CPAP masks to the point where my therapy is seriously compromised. Wondering whether anyone has had success with cloth masks, as the rigidity of the plastic ones is a big problem for me. Also wondering whether anyone has had success with Winx, the vacuum system that uses an oral mouthpiece rather than a face mask and PAP.

I have trouble breathing out against the incoming air pressure. I sometimes panic, as I feel like I'm being smothered. Do I need to switch to a BiPAP machine?

Thanks!
HannaJ

Can you fill out your equipment profile and tell us what pressures you are using, are you using an exhale relief setting? Have you tried adjusting to using your mask while awake, watching TV or reading?

HannaJ wrote:I'm going nuts with CPAP masks to the point where my therapy is seriously compromised. Wondering whether anyone has had success with cloth masks, as the rigidity of the plastic ones is a big problem for me.

What mask(s) have you tried? Not all non-cloth masks are rigid hard plastic. Many nasal pillows masks are quite squishy for example. The PR Dreamweaver is a softer, squishier silicone nasal mask. But if you use a full face mask, the only non-rigid one may be the cloth one from Circadiance.

I have trouble breathing out against the incoming air pressure. I sometimes panic, as I feel like I'm being smothered. Do I need to switch to a BiPAP machine?

In order to help you deal with the smothering problem, we need to know more about your equipment. What make and model of CPAP are you using? What is your pressure set to? Do you have an exhalation relief system on your CPAP? If so, is it turned on, and what setting are you using? Also do you use the ramp at the beginning of the night?

I guess my long query is gone. So I'll make it short.

If you take the time to log in each time you want to post something, then you have the ability to easily search through your own posts. You should also add information to your standard signature so that you don't people continually asking you to tell them about your equipment.

Finally, there's a captcha thing that kicks in (sometimes) on very long posts that occasionally eats them. Or you can be automatically logged off while writing a very long post and that too can eat the post when you try to submit it. As a general rule, if you take more than 5-10 minutes writing a post, it's a good idea to copy the contents of that post into a text editor before hitting the Submit button. That way if you've been logged out or the captcha is misbehaving, you can just copy and paste the contents of the post back into the CPAPtalk editor and try again.

Repeat everything that Robysue said.

Yes I have successfully used each of the SleepWeaver masks over the past 5+ years I am currently using the Élan and I am waiting patiently for Crapria to send me the new SleepWeaver 3D mask.

I find it is mandatory to use the featherweight hose with the cloth masks. I also take great care when placing my face on the pillow to put just the right amount of tension on the headgear to help manage any leaks. It is almost an art form to get the mask and headgear just right, but once you do it is worth it. The SleepWeaver cloth masks have been the most comfortable masks I have used.

The one that is most difficult to tame the leaks is the Anew full face mask. On the few occasions when I find it necessary to use a full face mask, I prefer the Fisher Paykle 431, that has a chin rest to prevent it from sliding up and having the bottom of the mask wind up in my mouth.

I have over a dozen masks. The first one I tried was called No Mask. I had to stop using it because it was a nasal pillow mask and my nares are so sensitive that the pillows always rubbed them raw. If you can tolerate nasal pillows you should also look at the Tap Pap mask which is similar to the No Mask, but with improvements.

The only problem I have had with the Circadian masks is that you MUST use the featherweight short hose with it and I also need to use a sleep mask to prevent any blowing in my eyes because of serious dry eye. Otherwise, they are great. As with all masks, if the mask is venting onto sheets or blankets, it will make sound which can be annoying to a partner.

I have happily used SleepWeaver advance masks for over three years. I could not stand the feeling of plastic/silicone on my face and my skin reacted with marks and rashes. No problems with SleepWeaver products, never had a large leak on SleepyHead, AHI average over last week was 1.25 mostly under 1 unless ill or insomnia or up with old dog. That would be the westie not my husband . I just ordered the SleepWeaver 3D to see how it compares.

I also used the SleepWeaver Elan for about a week. It was a nice mask, worked well for me. I liked that it didn't leak easily once you got it sealed, especially since I sleep on my side. As usual, these are individual results, depending on a lot of variables. I stopped using it since it didn't solve the problem that I was having at the time (an irritation on the outside of my nose), but I kept it and will go back to it at some point, when I can. Nice mask, good option to have available.

I’ve tried adjusting the various masks I’ve tried in all sorts of ways. I get a good fit seal-wise with the AirFit F10. Problem is, I have strange bone structure at the top of my nose, right below where glasses sit—a pointy, bony protrusion out to the side on each side of my nose. Not large, but enough to cause problems with the F10. It narrows right there. Every morning I have a red mark that takes a while to go away.

Also, to avoid leaks, I have to make the mask quite tight. I can tolerate it most nights, but sometimes not.

I don’t know whether my machine has an exhale relief setting. I can’t put my finger on the user manual right now. But I’ll look it up.

I do use the ramp setting.

I’ll look into getting a cloth mask or trying the Dreamweaver. I don’t know if my insurance will cover a different mask, or if my supplier carries them. I have to check all this out. I see that some posters speak of ordering masks. I get all my gear through a supplier that my insurance covers. I don’t know what covered options I have.

When I posted, I had a head cold, and that was making me crazy. I’m over it now, and doing better—getting 6-8 hrs of therapy a night. But I learned that our nostrils take turns getting stuffed up during the night. I use Flonase once a day, and that helps a bit, but if one nostril is blocked, I panic trying to exhale. Last night I had to remove the mask in the middle of the night.

I really like the nasal-pillow mask, but, as soon as I begin to fall asleep, my mouth opens, with or without chin strap. I’ve even managed to get around light-duty painter’s masking tape. I wake with incredibly dry mouth in the morning. Also, sometimes my nares feel like they’re burning from the air pressure.

Has anybody tried the Amara View mask? It doesn’t come up onto the top of your nose.

And any thoughts on Winx-type devices? I have not done well with appliances in my mouth at night (I brux, and have tried both custom and commercial splints).

Thanks so much to all of you for your detailed comments!

I tried the Amara View but was unable to use it. It was comfortable on my face and great for side sleeping. But it bothered my sinuses and gave me terrible headaches once I awakened. It also blew air into my eyes all night giving me puffy eyes.

HannaJ wrote:And any thoughts on Winx-type devices?

Here is a thread you may want to read - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=85470&st=0&sk=t&sd=

Don't forget, CPAP is still the gold standard for treating sleep-disordered breathing.

Thanks again for your replies!

I'm committed to CPAP, but I have to resolve the comfort problems or I'll never achieve more than partial therapy.

I figured out the Flex feature of my Dreamstation, and it's already set at 3, the maximum. So I'm going to ask for a BiPAP machine. I hope I can get one covered by my insurance. Exhalation is half the problem. The other is my nose feeling closed down by the AirFit mask and the degree of tightness I need, even with an AirFit small, to avoid leaks. This morning early I had leaks, and had to mess around until they were stopped, mainly by tightening the head gear.

Using CPAP has not delivered any relief from fatigue. I still wake up feeling like I could continue asleep for half the day. This is most likely due to the fact that I have two sleep disorders: OSA and some kind of REM behavior disorder--REM without atonia, pseudo-REM behavior disorder, or full-on REM behavior disorder. I'm hoping to get definitive word on what's going on when I see Dr. Alon Avidan, at UCLA, in June. He's a leading expert on REM disorders.

I'll be having another sleep study between now and that appointment, so we'll see what benefit my therapy has achieved so far. In addition to CPAP, I take 3 mg of melatonin every night.

The Winx-type devices work by keeping the droopy mouth parts--back of the tongue and soft palate--out of the way of the air stream. This is accomplished partly by a bar across the back of the tongue and partly by a vacuum created by a machine attached to a thin tube at the front of the mouthpiece. I assume such a device would not work if you open your mouth while sleeping, as it would destroy the vacuum. I've also read that there is little clinical research on these devices at all, and what research there is does not show much of a benefit. But I thought I would ask if anyone had a positive report. I've worn mouthpieces before to stop my teeth-grinding, and they did not work out very well. I would usually wind up taking them out in my sleep, or they would make me gag.

Sweet dreams, everyone!

Using CPAP has not delivered any relief from fatigue. I still wake up feeling like I could continue asleep for half the day.

Fatigue is a lack of energy, and is caused by many things that sleep will not fix.
CPAP will not fix all sleep problems, and sleep does not fix all fatigue problems.
Sometimes, a change in our CPAP therapy (mask, etc) will actually make it harder to sleep.

But not breathing well probably won't help either sleep or fatigue.

Ed

Update: I think a lot of the trouble I wrote about above was due to a mild upper-respiratory infection I had for about ten days. That cleared up. Since, I have had a number of nights of very solid sleep with 6-9 hrs. on the CPAP. Unfortunately, I often forget to check the AHI and other data, so I don't know where I stand there.

I'm using a size Small Airfit F10 with "hers" headgear. If I push the mask up so that the top is above my strange little bony protrusions, it's more tolerable to wear, though I wake with a red spot on my nose that lasts an hour or so. And the bottom of the mask is dangerously close to my lower lip. But it stays in place; I have little leakage, usually towards very early morning. I am still not very comfortable exhaling.

I'm having a sleep study next week. I'm going to inquire about bipap and softer masks. Also, I am seeing Dr. Alon Avidan, a neurologist/sleep specialist and expert on REM disorders at UCLA, on June 26. I hope he will be able to determine whether my lack of refreshment upon waking has to do with sleep disorders or something else. I have major depression and a few other psychiatric millstones. But I'm retiring in June, and getting work stress out of my life may prove a great boon. Wish me luck, and thanks again for the comments and suggestions.