Sleepgear? CPAPPro?

I've been on CPAP therapy for two months now and I'm pulling my hair out -finding it very hard to adjust. I use a Sleepgear "interface system" with nasal pillows and it's very hard to get it adjusted correctly. In fact, I just superglued a little part on it that keeps coming loose (that's how frustrated I am). No matter how I adjust the thing it wiggles during the night and slips off or comes off as my hose flops from side to side when I roll over - however there are also nights when I take it off in my sleep without realizing it(any ideas how to stop myself from doing that?). At this point, the idea of a full face maks creeps me out, but maybe that's the solution. Any thoughts?

Second, I recently came upon a new "mask" called the CPAP Pro - more info at http://www.nomask.com. Basically it's nasal pillows attatched to a mouth guard that keeps them in place while you sleep. Has anybody else tried one of these?

It's not actually new, although you may have meant "new to me".

I have not tried it. However, I did a batch of research into it, because I thought perhaps I might like it, and what I found was that virtually everyone who buys one has strong opinions on this mask.

The bad news is, they don't agree. The minority opinion (perhaps 20-30% of those who buy it) say it's a godsend, they can't believe no one else makes such a thing, and they love it.

The rest say it's cheap and crappy, doesn't fit right, and a huge waste of money.

And the problem is, since the folks that make it only sell it through their web site (either nomask.com or cpappro.com), there's no way to look at it first. They also don't take returns, and it's not the cheapest mask available (cost wise, although I'm told construction-wise, it's pretty darn cheap).

So basically, my advice would be to try a fair sampling of the other things that are available first. Resmed Ultra Mirage full face mask, ResMed Activa nasal mask, Swift, Breeze or Aura nasal pillows, and even the Oracle oral interface... (Best if you have a reasonable DME that has them all and will let you try them on for size, so you don't have to go buying them all).

If NONE of those work out, then maybe you'll fall into the category of people who can't believe no one else makes something like that. But I wouldn't go the nomask route until you've exhausted other possibilities, because if you hate it, you're not likely to be able to find someone to unload it on...

Liam, who had high hopes for the nomask when he first started... until he read all of that.

I've had mine about 7 years. Every night while attempting to fall asleep my 'mantra' has been "leave your mask on, leave your mask on, leave...." It has really helped me to keep it on longer (probably cause I'm awake thinking "leave your mask on, leave...") OK, Sorry about that, I really did keep telling myself that and it seemed to help me somewhat. I only do this because I'm scared silly of the possible consequences, I took care of my husband for years after he had a massive stroke and as a single mom of a young child I can not afford to take any chances.

I asked the same question about the CPAP PRO. At the time I was hoping to get some first hand information from someone who has tried this themselves. Liam was kind enough to tell me what he knew. I purchased one. Read through my posting from Mon. Apr. 11 "No-Mask" and if you then have any more questions I'll help if I can.

That wasn't very precise. Let me add: I've had my CPAP about 7 years / and my "No-Mask" subject was originally posted on Sat Apr 02 with the [/b]last posting date on this subject being Mon Apr 11

Even if I were willing to take a chance on the "CpapPro" mask not messing with the alignment of my upper teeth, I wouldn't be able to use it anyway.

I have to tape my lips to prevent mouth air leaks. I'd have massive mouth air leaks with that cpapPro thing.

Taping my mouth lets me wear other types of nasal pillows masks that I've found plenty comfortable - even with some tweaks added to each to hold them in place perfectly.

Hi rested gal!

I certainly did not mean to imply that this (cpap pro) would be the right piece of equipment for every/most people. We are luckily all different and have our very own little quirks - mine being I feel better rested after a long and tiring day that I do after trying to sleep at night with this horror chamber clamped on my face and all around my head. For me a living and oh so personal hell. It's also very difficult to get set up and adjusted properly before it's first use and I fear most would not fare well for this reason alone.

It certainly is a lot of money for an unknown outcome, I'm just oh so thankful that it did work out for me. I wish that there was someway that I could "pass it around the forum" for the few who might want to see it.

I'm very grateful that I do not have to tape my lips - that would probably be that last straw for me. I pray that it's not so horrible for you as I imagine it would be for me.

Hugs

I'm really glad it's working out for you, rustynail, in spite of my comments.

I initially thought it might be the right thing for me, too, especially since I have a mouthguard I'm SUPPOSED to wear to stop bruxism, so perhaps the combo would be good for me.

But as I said, I was scared off by the number of people who bought it and said "Wow, what a cheap piece of crap! It won't stay in place, feels like it's apt to break at any moment... etc".

I should add, though, one thing I missed in my original post in this thread is that I think it also depends on how "active" a sleeper you are. If you're the "lie down on my back and don't move again until I get up in the morning" sort, this mask (again from reviews) is much more likely to be to your liking. If you're more active (like me), it sounds like it's more apt to break on you if you happen to roll over on it wrong.

Again, this is based on reviews and not first-hand information, and so I bow to rustynail if she disputes what I have written here.

Liam, married again about 6 months ago, and getting used to bowing to women.

Just recognized your Avatar. Do you do a lot of Geocaching?

I have cpap pro and love mine. It was not hard for me to set up on my own although I had to mold the mouthpiece a couple of times to get it right. If I have to do another one in the future it will be easy for me. You can get your dentist to do it. It is light weight and feels kind of cheaply made, but it works very well for me, the headgear I had previously was very bothersome. I got mine through my home care provider for $114, on the website it is $169. Don't have any idea what the difference was because I had not paid my deductible yet.

Hi rustynail,

You're right - masks and tweaks that work for one of us won't necessarily work (or even be comfortable) for another. One person's "perfect mask" is another's disaster.

I'm always glad to hear that someone has found a mask suits them well. I'm happy I found several that work very comfortably for me. And that tape over the lips works great for me.

The first time any of us heard about what the treatment for sleep apnea was - wearing a mask while we sleep with a machine blowing air up our noses - that probably sounded horrifying too.

But once we try something that actually works, it's not so bad at all. Especially if you're someone like me who has mouth air leaks that can absolutely wreck treatment.

Making it all comfortable is crucial. I've found the masks and method that work effectively and comfortably for me... Aura and tape, Breeze and tape, Activa and tape.

Sounds like you've found what works well for you, too. That's great! I envy anyone who doesn't have to battle mouth air leaks on top of everything else.

Mikesus wrote:Just recognized your Avatar. Do you do a lot of Geocaching?

If you're talking to me, then sort of. I used to. I have two caches out, and have found 8 or 9 over time.

I don't hike as often as I used to, though. In fact, I should probably take in the two caches I have out, last reports I heard on them, they were not in good condition. It astounds me that people will leave them open, etc. One would think that anyone who cared about geocaching enough to FIND the cache would care enough to leave it so the elements wouldn't destroy it for the next person.

However, this is WAY off topic. If anyone is curious what mike and I are talking about, check out http://www.geocaching.com

Liam, wondering where Mikesus recognized my avatar from.