Newbie trying to pick a mask

[oncoming spork]

Hello all,

So I've been reading the old posts for a bit and trying to figure out what I'm going to do when I get the call to collect my DME.
I wasn't a fan of the nose/mouth mask because it made my face so chapped and mouth dry, but I worry I won't be able to use a nose-only mask because I have a deviated septum and sinus troubles from time to time. I also heard you can't use nose-only if you are a mouth breather. Are there mouth-only masks? I really don't know what to do here, there's so much info it's overwhelming. I'm considering the Oracle if only because the nose plugs are optional (if I'm already congested, why would I need those?)

[Julie]

Hi - the 'nose-mouth' is actually called a 'full face' mask (there is also one that covers most of your face, called the Total Life, but it's not what you're looking at now). There are hybrid ones like the 'Hybrid" (see Cpap.com for it and many more) that you might be interested in as it's a combo 'mouth only' that uses nasal prongs as well. It's important to know that you're drying out because as a mouth breather you may have worn a full face mask, but if it was very leaky, or even if your mouth remained open inside the mask, that would have certainly dried things just as much as having only a nasal mask on but your mouth wide open. People with this problem can use Biotene (a wash) that helps, but first be sure the mask was not leaking due to bad fitting rather than anything else... it's more common. Also many people who otherwise only need nasal masks (not mouth breathers) still have full face masks on hand for times they catch cold and are congested, so cannot breathe through their noses at all.

[LSAT]

Go to cpap.com and look at the various masks and also the reviews on each. (That should keep you busy for a while).

[highstick]

Take a good look at the Resmed Airsense F10 full face mask. I didn't like the full mask during sleep studies either, but this is very light and you'll adjust pretty quickly. I had the same issues for the first week or so. Dry mouth, sore nose...Used some Biotene and some non petroleum skin lotion or the product Ayr nasal gel. I've gotten used to it now and rarely use either although I wash my face well before going to bed and use the skin lotion on my nose.

I have the same mouth breathing issue and slight deviated septum problem also. You'll find that you'll start to learn to breath more through your nose with the CPAP and cut down on the mouth breathing(which eliminates a lot of the issues you're talking about).

I'm closing in on 3 months and feel really good about my progress and adapting. And I was a hard core problem for 6-7 years until I found the right Doc and the right equipment.

[otrpu]

oncoming spork,
I've used FFM's, (Full Face Masks), due to my mouth breathing since I started CPAP use in 2003. Worked great but, I started having difficulty keeping the mask sealed. Looking for a solution I came across the RespCARE Hybrid FFM. It's a combination nose pillow/mouth seal mask. I think it's made for mouth breathers. Has a much smaller mouth area seal. And a flap under my chin keeps my mouth closed so I don't need a chin strap. Link in my equip list below. You might want to take alook at it.
Cheers,
otrpu

[JDS74]

For information on the Oracle mask, read my post link in my signature block below.
If, after reading, you think it might work for you, I'll be glad to help in any way.

[oncomingspork]

Thanks for all the info. Sorry I wasn't back sooner, the computer started tripping and I had to reinstall everydangthing.

The Oracle and the other masks with nasal pillows are the ones I keep coming back to, but if I'm reading it right, that mouthpiece goes inside my mouth between lips and gums? Or is it a thing I just rest my teeth on? Reason I ask is that I have a terrible time with mouth appliances - if it touches my teeth, it's getting chewed like a Kong in a pitbull's mouth.

[jonny515]

Another thing (also a Newbie here), but a guy named Lanky Left has some youtube videos with reviews of various masks. Also runs a different forum called freecpapadvice (not as big as this one) and has other info and reviews on his page.

[oncomingspork]

Wow, thanks! I just watched like 5 in a row. They're awesome!

[Mudrock63]

I started out with a nasal pillow-type mask. I found, when it was working, it made my mouth snap shut. Really weird, but it cured my mouth breathing. Again, when it was working. It seemed though to get out of place easily. That could have been newbie operator error. So I switched to a full face mask. I am tolerating it well, so I am going to stick with it until I have the apnea under control. I don't want to add any variables at this point until I find my sweet spot in therapy. YMMV.

[oncomingspork]

So today I picked up my equipment. Got a Dreamstation and an AirFit mask. It was really comfortable and I'm looking forward to getting decent sleep for once. I told the therapist "If I have to be a hosehead to feel better, then so be it." He laughed pretty hard at that.

[Pugsy]

Did you really get the DreamStation CPAP?
Or did you just choose that model by mistake and instead have either the Pro CPAP or the Auto CPAP?
The reason I asked is that the DreamStation CPAP is the basic bare bones machine and the only data it collects on that SD card or will show on the DreamMapper website is hours of use...nothing useful like AHI or leak or whatever.

[oncomingspork]

Oops, my mistake. It's the Auto.

[Pugsy]

When you have time you might want to change that little detail in your equipment profile because if you don't people will be telling you to go swap out the brick for a real machine.
It will save you from having to explain it over and over again.
I think the correct choice is
DreamStation Auto CPAP

Right now Sleepyhead software won't work with the DreamStation machines but Encore Pro will so when you are ready for Encore Pro
http://www.sleepfiles.com/temp3c/EP2.17 ... 64-bit.exe
Send me a private message when you are ready as I am working on a little cheat sheet to make it not quite so much of a PITA to install and use...I don't have it polished yet but I have an older version I can send out until I get the newer version polished.

EncoreGuide link this will show you examples of what you will see. For a different machine than yours but the basics are the same.
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/pwc_h ... _Guide.pdf

DreamMapper may offer enough details for you right now but if you run into trouble or want to see more details you will need the software.

[oncomingspork]

3 days in and I'm starting to have to touch the mask to make sure it's still there. That's how comfortable it is.

AHI is 18.1 untreated, but with the pressure at 5 it dropped to 7.4. Pressure goes up by 1 each night, aiming for 10.

I actually slept all the way through the night last night, worked on my feet for 8 hours, came home and did a project before dinner. I just didn't know what to do with the energy...



The Sleepmapper/Dreammapper thing is nice for a quick hit of "Yay, it works!" but I'm snagging EncorePro so I can nerd out on some raw data.