Need advice

mom4reece · Post by **mom4reece** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:24 pm

Today, my husband (and I) went in to get the results of his sleep clinic night. Come to find out he stopped breathing 104 times an hour. She called it severe. He was shocked (even though I have been telling him for yrs that he stopped breathing)!

We have an appointment next week to see about a machine. Dr said that he would mostly benefit from a nasal tube vs the mask (he has a beard).

We are new to this and need lots of good information....quick!

So, glad we found this board. Can anyone give us the the CPac 101 course online???

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:44 pm

Hi mom4reece,

It's a very good thing your husband is getting treatment. I'm hoping the "nasal tube" his Doc is refering to is actually a nasal pillow interface (mask) You can look at some good equipment info at cpap.com. Look at the Puritan Bennett Breeze nasal pillow or the ResMed Mirage Swift nasal pillows.

Browse around all the previous posts and see if any questions come up when you are reading, then feel free to post as many questions or comments as you like.

Irving · Post by **Irving** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:59 pm

Listen to The Muck man. He knows everything about this board. If you can't find it he will. If you get lost he'll find you . If he cant find it (never happened yet) he'll call Rested Gal .

Irving

Nenetx2004 · Post by **Nenetx2004** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 8:28 am

Amen! Rested Gal and Wading have been great sources of support to a bunch of us who are just venturing into the world of CPAP and sleep apnea. Keep an eye on the board and you'll learn a lot!

Jeanne

Pohtaytoh · Post by **Pohtaytoh** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:05 am

Although I am relatively new to this forum, I have been a hosehead for almost two years now and have been through my share of mask fittings. The main thing is to be patient. You will not likely find the right interface the first time.

I currently have a full beard (although I keep it short) and am very successful with a full face mask. Even though everyone I talked to told me it wouldn't work. I went from mustache, to clean shaven and now to a full beard, and have had the most success with the full beard and full face mask. But everyone is different and what may work for one won't work for all.

Keep at it, finding the right interface for your individual fit is the key, but having the patience to find it is the challenge.

Good Luck!

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:18 am

I too have a full beard and have add it from ever since i started using my cpap 5 years ago. i have a Profile Lite Gel Mask and find i have no trouble with it at all. I tried the nasal pillows and it just drove me nuts. The full mask wasn't for me either. Your husband may just have to try a few to see which works best for him.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:40 am

Thanks! I forgot to mention that his setting was "18" at the sleep clinic. The Dr. said a face mask would not work due to a partial beard. The problem is he is a mouth breather. He can hardly breathe thru his nose at all.

Any suggestions?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:27 pm

again i say give them all a try. and my setting is 18 too and I no problems with my beard with the mask. if my mask gets unsealed at night which will happen even without a beard you just adjust it and go back to sleep no biggie. has for the mouth breathing he may want to try a full mask that covers the mouth and keep his beard trimmed low. Best ouf luck

BetterBreathinBob · Post by **BetterBreathinBob** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:15 pm

Keep in mind that there are many masks whether oral or nasal, full face mask or pillows on the market. Your physician is not the best person to give advice on what type of mask to wear or what will work unless he or she is a user themselves!

Talk to other users, DME providers and sleep techs. They are will have great suggestions.

Good Luck
Bob

tk · Post by tk » Wed Jan 05, 2005 8:31 pm

My dr. gave me the best advice as to which machine (brand) and mask type--RENT. Insist on it. She (the doc) said that even if they didn't want to, insist on it. Of course it helps to have insurance and have a DME available. I don't know if you can rent off the web. Since I'm a new hosehead (three weeks and struggling) I took her advice and have tried three different masks. One night won't tell you, make sure you try it for a least a week or two. I'm still getting everything together and this forum is helping a lot.
Thanks everyone,
tk

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:25 pm

If your husband is a mouth breather, then nasal pillow might not work since he has nasal congestions. A full face mask seems to be the answer.
I have a mustache and Comfort Gel nasal mask works OK for me though. I guess a lot depends on individuals face and facial hair. Try to rent before you buy. Good luck.

Need advice

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