Having serious problem with masks

paulnjean · Post by **paulnjean** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:05 pm

Nothing seems to work any more. A mask that goes over nose only shoots the air into my mouth and stomach, and not lungs. Using a chin strap, and even taping my mouth shut, does not help. The air just puffs out my cheeks, and I swallow the air. The dryness of my mouth is terrible, and I am not getting air, wake up with headache, have pounding nightmares and fragmented sleep. CPAP and BIPAP, tried both machines, no diff with this problem.

I then tried a "total face mask" from Respironics, that covers your mouth too. This solved the mouth problem, because the pressure on nose and mouth is equalized. But...the mask leaks so badly, no matter how loose or tight are the straps, that virtually no pressure at all is delivered, even at full power by the machine. Plus, there is a deafening blasting, farting noise from the rubber seal of the mask, makes it impossible to sleep with that constant blasting. And of course I am getting no air either to breathe.

Got to the point now where I am afraid to go to sleep at night.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, bipap, CPAP, seal, Power

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, bipap, CPAP, seal, Power

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, bipap, CPAP, seal, Power

Apneaat22 · Post by **Apneaat22** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:41 pm

I had problems with the nasal masks and went to the swift but the problems you are having are not related to mine and I do not think it would help. When you breath through your nose, it still blows out your mouth? I was able to breath naturally with a mask so I cannot go off personal experience, but I know I have heard that some people try to hard when they put on the mask and dont simply breath naturally.

In terms of full face masks, I have never used one myself, but I know I hear people mention two full face masks a lot and neither of them is the respironics one. The Hans Rudolph is the one that I hear the most, try doing a search for it. I do not recall the other. Maybe someone with FF mask experience can chime in.

Sorry I can't be more help I am pretty new still

Adam

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:46 pm

The other FF mask is the Ultra Mirage from ResMed. It is a pretty good mask but does leak a little. I use it only when I have nasal problems, which isn't that often. Severeena highly recommends the Hans Rudolph because you can size it better to your face.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 2:10 pm

Welcome to the real world of CPAP. You are not alone. For every glowing success story you read about here, there are just as many failures, if not more. Did you know that the standard of compliance is just managing to keep the mask on for 4 hours 5 out of 7 nights, and you may be fighting with the mask most of those 4 hours but it still counts as compliance. That is how they get the figure that 50% of CPAP users are compliant.

I believe the single biggest predictor of success is how sound a sleeper you were before you had OSA. I have a cousin with severe apnea and he had no problem from night 1. He slept right through the leaks and the high pressure (16) and awakened to feel wonderful. Despite years of poor sleep he was back to A-1 shape after 1 night. When he was younger (before OSA) he could sleep thru an earthquake or hurricane so the CPAP was no challenge to him.

I have the same problem as you. Fortunately, not using CPAP is not life threatening to me since my apnea is mild so I stopped using it.

You could try a dental device or there is an antidepressant that is said to cut apneas in half. You may have side effects with either of these though.

Good luck.

PS This is George45. Despite deleting my temporary internet files and cookies I still can't log in with my username.

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 2:32 pm

Getting a mask that works seems to be a major factor in this whole process. I just acquired a Hans Rudolph mask after reading comments on this board - it seems to work well. I've only used it for two nights but am pleased so far. My usual mask is a swift, and I know what you mean about the air puffing out your cheeks. I've been lucky in that my pressure is set low at 8 and I've been able to control any "mouth flapping" with time and just some accommodation. Nasal masks feel like the pressure is lower but I tend to get congested with those. If you have a DME, get them to let you try different masks. Keep at it until you find something that will work - there are so many things to try!

paulnjean · Post by **paulnjean** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:59 pm

Thanks fellas for trying to help me out. It's not a question of trying too hard and not letting the machine accommodate, etc., because this all happens after I am asleep. When awake, all the tissues in your throat are right and tight, and there's no problem. But when you are asleep, and everything back there loosens up, what can you do then? It's out of your control, no matter what you command yourself to do, at least I can't control it. Oh well, will try and just stay awake!

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:12 pm

Somedays your boomerang just won't come back.
I am not sure why some people cannot adapt to a mask.
Guess we are not all created equally.
I wonder if mouth breathing is due to habit and can be corrected, Some seem to be able, some do not.
Maybe you should try other masks. I dont understand how anyone can use a gel mask or the one that fits over nose.
Others cannot imagina using pillows.
I only know what works for Moi. Breeze!
Some like chevvy, others ford.
I like extra crunchy, wife likes creamy peanut butter.

Wish we had a social lounge to explore other issues totally unrelated to PAP.
Maybe a social lounge and a serious one.
Maybe a poets loung for the humorists.
I could be wrong......
Stay in touch with yourself

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 6:20 am

I sometimes get air pushed into my ears, and that can be painful. I found that ear plugs helps with the problem and redirectd the air. Yet sometimes my tonsils are so swollen that nothing seems to help. I would recommend going to an ears, nose and throat specialist to check for polyps or fleshy blockages. Until then, try changing positions or sleeping on your stomach (if you don't already).

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 11:41 am

Professor Sleep, what size Hans Rudolph did you get? I am using the Petite.

I think this is one of the reasons why the Hans Rudolph is so comfortable and quiet. You can custom fit the mask with the different seals.

I wish more people would try the Hans Rudolph, they not only have the full face mask, they also have the nasal mask.

I am glad you like the Hand Rudolph.

dkeat · Post by **dkeat** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:35 pm

I am looking into getting a Hans Rudolph Mask. I found their distributor over here and have contacted them. Also asked my sleep lab to give me a prescription for it so that insurance will cover it. Will report accordingly. Believe me, if this mask solves MY mask problems, it will solve yours too. That, I should add, is NOT true, but it sounded so nice rhetorically I had to throw it in.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 1:57 pm

dkeat, make sure the DME uses the caliper to get the accurate measurement. without the accurate measurement and ordering the correct size, you will not have the proper fitting mask.

The DME's love to guess the size instead of measuring you.

I measureed myself and then called and talked to the people at Hans Rudolph, this is how I got the correct size mask.

Good Luck and Happy Hans Rudolph.

Having serious problem with masks

Having serious problem with masks

Masks

Hans Rudolph Masks

Mask	Humidifier

Machine	Mask

Mask	Humidifier