Are there any other women on this forum with OSA?

[GeeBee]

Hello, I have recently been diagnosed with OSA and received my machine and mask last night. The doctor suggested the Comfort Curve mask for me and I tried that last night, but it was too large. I am a petite woman with a small nose (all measurements are 1 1/4, except nose length which is 1 1/2!) and a small head (always have trouble finding hats!). So this morning the therapist brought me a Simplicity which during this morning's test run feels like it might work. I'm just wondering if any of you have had similar experiences, or have suggestions for a petite like me!

[chdurie2]

i'm also small, and actually it makes it easy to know what to order--size small. some smalls are too big, but most are not. get your dme to bring you an activa with the option of a small shallow cushion. shallow doesn't necessarily mean small, but it could help. or try swift, which has tiny nasal pillows in size small. symplicity small is small but i find it blows a lot of air in my eyes. some of the full face masks are too big, even in small, around the lower mouth area, but you can apply moleskin for that. but that's another chapter.

good luck. small size, for most, still gives you options.

caroline

[knitterwanabe]

Just wanted to say hello...yep,another woman...I'm 31 just diagnosed recently...still waiting for the CPAP

-Ginger

[motherall]

Another woman here...also with a small face and head. I really like the Swift, am trying the Hybrid and will next get either the Tiara Snapp or Nasalaire II. I just love shoving things up my nose!!! I tried the Comfort Curve but no matter how I move it, the cheek pads nearly cover my eyes. It looks comfortable but not for me. Let us know what you end up with and how you like it.

[ldemmery]

I'm not petite, but I do have a petite nose. I used the simplicity for almost a year and a half. Try washing your face and just pat it dry lightly with a clean towel. Adjust the straps while lying down, you may end up using some sort of mole skin or tape on the bridge of your nose (I did, as it did rub it raw). The first time with a mask I tried about 1/2 a dozen masks before settling with the simplicity.

This time round, a year and ahalf later, I'm now using a flexifit Fischer Paykell HC406. Best fit I've ever had and I can put it on loosely and it stays in place. I've not had to cover my nose with tape and there's been no damage except a few strap lines on the side of my face in the morning.

I did try the minime and it did even more damage than the simplicity, I ended up going back to the simplicity 5 days after trying the minime.

FYI: I'm one of the lucky ones who's DME's allow their clients to try before we buy.

Lynne (in Ottawa)

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME, clean

[krousseau]

Hello-Yes there are lots of women on the forum.

The adhesive on moleskin is pretty strong for me-I think a lot of people tape it to the mask rather than the face. I really like the Bandaid Blister Strips to prevent skin soreness or blisters if the face mask rubs or causes pressure anywhere-it can go directly on the skin.

[ldemmery]

You know, it never occured to me to tape it to the mask. Perhaps I'll try it one night when I'm using my simplicity again.

3M makes a plastic breathable, stretchy tape that works just fine if its on your face. I used to use that alot. I'd cut a piece about and inch long and then slice it in half to it moulted to my nose properly as it was too thick and felt wierd. Doing this really works well if you need it on the nose.

Lynne (in Ottawa)

[Offerocker]

I'm just wondering if any of you have had similar experiences, or have suggestions for a petite like me!

GeeBee: I'm another one! Small face, small features. I went through 3-4 masks before having great success with the ComfortLite2 with the Simple Cushion.

I have NO pressure points, visibility is great, and I'm not even aware of the hose except when I'm putting on the mask. I highly recommend this mask. And, there's no hard plastic molding on your face, just the soft cushion that is like a "micro-mask".

Good luck, and I hope you find what a mask that fits you without padding or taping.

[z754103]

On a different topic, does anyone have good suggestions on how to minimize the marks left by the mask in the mornings (e.g. any skin care or make up tips, other suggestions?)

. I know they fade away eventually but mine take an hour plus to go and I'm out of the house while they're still visible, so I'm trying to figure out how to make them least visible.

[Maryb]

Hello-
I'm another woman CPAPer. However, I have a fairly large face and nose.
I use the hybrid which I've made minor modifications to.

About, the face marks---get PadACheeks. These are either fleece or cotton covers for your mask straps and they are made by a woman CPAPer. They work great. I don't recall the website address off hand. But you could do a search on this message board for PadACheeks and you could find more info.

Maryb

[Offerocker]

On a different topic, does anyone have good suggestions on how to minimize the marks left by the mask in the mornings (e.g. any skin care or make up tips, other suggestions?)

First, I'd try loosening your mask a little, and find out if you can still get a good fit.

I no longer have that problem, but when I did, lotsa cream in the morning; Nivea works for me, and doesn't cost as much. If you don't wear a foundation makeup, you can apply your favorite cream after the redness goes down, or reapply. You might try cold water first thing in a.m. also - just a thought.

Good luck to you!

[z754103]

I'm having problems with my mask fitting and leaking right now, which is why I've ended up with tight straps... maybe I'm just not adjusting my head gear right.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try cold water tomorrow. Right now I'm applying my normal face cream and then my rosacea cream on top of that as it is helpfully green in color and is supposed to help mask redness anyway.

[Rigby]

" I did try the minime and it did even more damage than the simplicity, I ended up going back to the simplicity 5 days after trying the minime."


Lynne, what kind of problem did you have with the Simplicity?

(I'm sure I didn't do the quote thing right - sorry)

[GeeBee]

any of you who used the Simplicty mask have trouble with it whistling? mine whistled until the machine ramped up to the full 8m!

[SleepyHibiscus]

Welcome GeeBee, good to have you here! I'm another petite woman, 48, very new to cpap land, only 5 nights with my machine. But I've been lurking here for 3 weeks, gleaning bits of information and knowledge. This forum is a great place to find others who have walked before you.

I like the Fisher and Paykel mask, FlexiFit 406. It is very small... it just encircles my nose perfectly and doesn't crowd my eyes. I find that I can wear the straps rather loose and still get a good seal. I was getting soreness on my nose from a sharp squared edge inside the mask at the bridge of the nosepiece. My husband used a dremel tool to sand it down and soften it. I also got creative and sewed a tiny pillow to pad the spot on my forehead where the forehead strap cushions sit because that was also leaving a sore spot. I also added an extra strap to go over the top of my head to feed the hose upward over the back of my head and let it hang over the backboard of my bed. With my minor corrections the mask works fine, now! I don't have any problem using a little moisturizer on my face at night. Just ask around, many of us use inventive ways to be comfortable during the night. It takes some trial and error to find what's best for you.

Best wishes with your therapy... let us know how you are doing. I enjoy hearing from all the women here. It's amazing just how many women have OSA. Doctors don't recognize it often enough or quickly enough in my opinion.

Deb