Suggestions for a new mask please

cvansant · Post by **cvansant** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 11:25 pm

I know, "what new mask?" over and over.

I have been using, and happy with, the Ultra Mirage FF mask. I mouth breath, sleep on my side, and have my 420E setting at 7 min, 11 max. They seem to work since my aps anf hypops are consistently low. Just "acoustic vibrations".

The ENT specialist I just saw said, " deviated septum(obvious), enlarged turbinates, a spur in the airway and very narrow air passage. Not surprising. I have had trouble breathing through the nose for years. The only cure he could suggest was surgery. My understanding is that is quite uncomfortable (?). And at 65 would it be worth the trouble and pain. So, what to do next?

Thinking out loud. Should I consider one of the nasal type of interfaces? If so, which one? Can the positive pressure force the nasal passages to remain open?

Clif

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:57 am

I see a lot have read your plea, noone has answered you. I will make an attempt here but please understand it's IMHO. I have a deviated septum myself, the result of having my nose broken twice, once boxing and once getting hit in the face by a baseball. So I understand this some. I feel the nasal pillows will help, they do me and my suggestions would be the Swift or the Aura. I like both of these very much and they do keep my passage open. My pressure is higher though, I like a constant 12. Since you are treating your ability to breathe, I don't see why you can't raise your air pressure a little to keep your passages open. Go up gradually though so you can tell if you have any problems doing so. Good luck. I have opted for not having the surgery, it is not pleasant and ANY surgery has risk and can have other side effects. Exhaust other avenues first.

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:57 pm

Same here - I can't totally relate to your experience. I suppose if the nasal passages are blocked, they are blocked. However, I am not able to use a nasal mask for any length of time but can use pillows (I use the Swift, primarily). I get tremendous nasal congestion with the nasal mask yet the Swift keeps things open. Your experience may differ, but it seems like it is worth a try before surgery if there is any air movement at all. The pillows feel like they deliver a higher pressure, so it could work. good luck to you!

Amigo · Post by **Amigo** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 3:04 pm

I'm of the opinion that ALL ENT's want to operate, and would plead with you to absolutely exhaust ALL other options before seriously considering surgery.

I have many of the same nasal problems you do, but have been using nasal pillows successfully for over two years. My pressure is higher (14), but I still think it's worth a try.

As a mouth breather, you may also need to consider a chin strap or all that nice air will just blow in your nose and out your mouth providing little or certainly inadequate benefit. Another option is "rested gals" J & J waterproof tape method, but not too many people seem to tolerate it well.

Explain your problems to your sleep M.D. if you need a prescription for your durable medical equipment provider, or just shop on the web.

I use the Adam Circuit headgear with large nasal pillows, and it's very, very comfortable. If you go this route, you might consider using a light coating of vaseline in/around your nares. It prevents irritation and helps with the seal.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

cvansant · Post by **cvansant** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 8:13 pm

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input.

Actually, the ENT did not actively discourage it but left the distinct impression that he wasn't in favor of the knife. Seemed surprising but this is an HMO (Kaiser) so there would be no extra money in it for him/them. His comment was something like, "You have been living with it for a long time. We can do it, but..."

Clif

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 8:34 pm

I am often "stuffed up" using nasal or FF masks but NEVER when I use nasal pillows. Seems to open things up.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 10:28 pm

cvansant, check out the topics about "Turbinate" surgery at the link below. That (and sinus roto-rootering, if needed) seem to be the most successful surgeries when it comes to making CPAP treatment easier to do -- not a cure, just making it easier to get CPAP treatment through the nose.

snork1 battled poor treatment for a year or more until he got some pretty extensive nasal/sinus surgery. Made cpap treatment work much more effectively for him. Do a search for posts by snork1, with keyword "surgery" or "sinus".

Links to many topics about Turbinate surgery are about halfway down the page here:

LINKS to surgery, turbinates, Pillar, TAP experiences

Jere · Post by **Jere** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:09 pm

I am post-somnoplasty/turbinate reduction (and it worked for me), but still I have narrow passages to contend with. I find the Swift nasal pillows do a good job of keeping the nose open - much better than a conventional mask. I even had my sleep doc raise the pressure a notch to account for the need to inflate my nose. Sort of a reverse breath-right strip.

.

mehall · Post by **mehall** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 2:20 am

[quote="cvansant"]I know, "what new mask?" over and over.

I have been using, and happy with, the Ultra Mirage FF mask. I mouth breath, sleep on my side, and have my 420E setting at 7 min, 11 max. They seem to work since my aps anf hypops are consistently low. Just "acoustic vibrations".

The ENT specialist I just saw said, " deviated septum(obvious), enlarged turbinates, a spur in the airway and very narrow air passage. Not surprising. I have had trouble breathing through the nose for years. The only cure he could suggest was surgery. My understanding is that is quite uncomfortable (?). And at 65 would it be worth the trouble and pain. So, what to do next?

Thinking out loud. Should I consider one of the nasal type of interfaces? If so, which one? Can the positive pressure force the nasal passages to remain open?

Clif

Suggestions for a new mask please

Suggestions for a new mask please

Suggestions for a new mask please

Re: Suggestions for a new mask please