Losing hope... no mask is for me?

[zoocrewphoto]

I suspect that your DME is either not very knowledgeable, or they simply don't want want to special order anything. So, when you ask about a mask they don't normally stock, they give you an excuse of why they don't recommend it.

When I first started out, I was having trouble with my headgear being too loose, and my mask would move around and leak. I learned on this forum that there is a small headgear for my mask,, but it msut be ordered separately. I requested the headgear from my DME, and they replied that it does not exist. I emailed them a link to cpap.com's page selling it, as well as an email from Resmed with the order number. They replied that they cannot order it. So, I called a different DME, got the smaller headgear less than a week later, and most of my mask fit issues stopped immediately. I never went back to that first DME. They lied, made no effort to help me with something simple, so I lost all trust in them.

Consider all the masks that you have tried. Take the ones that worked the best for you and see if they would improve with smaller or different headgear, or if adding a liner would help. You may be very close to a good mask and just need to customize it a bit.

[chunkyfrog]

I can't sleep with earplugs in as they always hurt after a few hours... .

there are many different types of earplugs, and they vary greatly with effectiveness AND comfort. . . . try a different type.

You can also have custom molded earplugs made. They are spendy, but can be used and reused for a long time.

[palerider]

I can't sleep with earplugs in as they always hurt after a few hours... .

there are many different types of earplugs, and they vary greatly with effectiveness AND comfort. . . . try a different type.

You can also have custom molded earplugs made. They are spendy, but can be used and reused for a long time.

I've been quite happy with "3m E-A-Rsoft yellow neons", they're shaped like little yellow bullets, (round on one end, flat on the other) and have a smooth finish that doesn't irritate the ear canal, like the plain stock "E-A-R" rough foam ones did. they're quite cheap for a box of 200, and usually last several days, to a week...

[AMK]

I just wanted to throw out there that I recently got the custom molded earplugs for $100 and I don't like them one bit. The company that makes them is careful to warn that you can't get your money back. They will make one more pair during a 90 day window if it's a fit issue so I'm going to try for that, but I don't hold out much hope for the replacements. They are difficult to install, don't block as much noise as foam earplugs, and work their way out of my ears while I sleep. I was pretty upset when I realized what a waste of money they were.

[recipefordisaster]

The major strike against earplugs is that they do make sound worse if it's in your skull and that's my situation. They shut out the white noise in the room. I also need to be able to hear things going on in the house.. and pediatric, gentle, and silicone earplugs all bother me. I guess my ears are senaitive... They are all fine for the first few hours, but the pressure on my canals starts to hurt. Silicone ends up moving and sticks to stuff and comes off.

I don't think anything can be done to make Dreamwear work better... Does anyone think otherwise? You're not going to put a liner on it, and the headgear and frame seem to fit fine.they gave me water based lube to put on my chapped areas. And it helps, but makes the mask get dislodged too easily. I really don't think this is the DME's fault... But I'll be calling them Monday to make sure they'll have the Elan and maybe the total face in stock so I can try them.

The Swift might have worked with smaller headgear if it didn't end up hurting my nose bridge, but the Amara's issue isn't the headgear but the shape of the mask. Those are the only two I can think of that my nose can tolerate.

[recipefordisaster]

Okay, I brought back the Dreamwear and came home with a FitLife. It seems fairly comfortable. I'm guessing it's going to be very hot in summer. Someone said they had tips for me if I tried this one.... I would appreciate them!! I tried on a Simplus which does seem like it will give me a pressure sore on my nose, but I may try it with alternation in the future. I also tried the Elan which leaked insanely even with two experienced RTs helping me to try to seal it. Wish me luck.... Of the past 5 days, I went without therapy one night because I had to sleep before an exam... The other two nights I used Amara View which was really bad with leaks no matter what I did.... Liner, no liner, etc.

[chunkyfrog]

Check with Sheriff Buford; he is the expert here.

[curems]

I'm a bit late here but thought I'd throw in my $.02 since I seem to have had some similar problems to what you mentioned. I couldn't find a mask that fit and the DME's were throwing up their hands. I have used nasal pillows and can use them sometimes but not reliably. I was able to use the AirFit P10 nasal pillow at times but the nasal pillows tend to make me feel like I am suffocating. The DME tried the fabric masks and a few of the FFM and nasal masks with forehead support but none would seal.

I used a Wisp mask for my titration study and liked it, but that was only one night. After a few more nights I stated to developed sores on the bridge of my nose. My skin is very sensitive so even the gel pads with adhesive caused problems for me. I also tried the gecko gel pad but it still wasn't enough to prevent the sores. I also tried the AirFit N10 nasal mask but had the same problems as with the Wisp. Finally, I tried FX Nano for her and that didn't cause sores. The size was just slightly smaller - just enough that it worked.

In the interim I also tried the FitLife and the AmaraView. As you and others have pointed out, the Amara needs a smaller size for those of us with smaller features. It was a little too wide at the mouth and I couldn't control leaks. The FitLife is comfortable for me and I'm glad to have it when I can't breathe through my nose but I do have a little trouble with leaks (none considered large, but disturbing nonetheless) and I do need my pressures higher with this mask. Interestingly, even with the higher pressures, I did not feel any strong blowing on my face with it. I find the FitLife to be comfortable and my vision isn't impeded (if I want to watch TV, read, etc.) Thanks to Sheriff Buford for encouraging me to try it!

The mask I finally decided on was the DreamWear. I had expected to hate having the hose over my head but found I actually love it. It gives me the minimalism of pillows but without anything sticking in my nose. And I find it the most comfortable of all my masks. Fit is a big issue though. The standard fit pack comes with different size cushions but with a medium frame. I had to order a small frame separately to make it work. When I was due for a replacement, my DME sent me the fit pack and I had to call to get the small frame sent. The DME wasn't aware that the fit pack came with only a medium frame (being a new mask, they are still learning). I know you mentioned a problem with the fit when you sleep on your side and I just wondered if perhaps you had too large a frame on this one.

It seems to be a pretty common problem for those of us with smaller heads/features to find a mask that fits as it should. It would be nice to see the manufacturers give more consideration to this.

[recipefordisaster]

I bet part of my issue was too large a frame with Dreamwear, although it seemed to be appropriate using the diagram. Unfortunately it's a small so I can't go any smaller. I almost loved the Dreamwear. I tried small and then medium cushions. It was very comfortable but sometimes took hours to seat correctly and I found it noisy. On my side it was very loud and tended to become dislodged.

I can breathe a lot easier in FitLife even though I still breathe through my nose. Sadly I have a big painful mark on my cheeks, one worse than the other, so I'm afraid I may get sores there even though the mask is loose. It wasn't hard to get it to seal and I find it comfortable other than this one little area, about 2" long. I didn't have many issues with leaks, and I did try the headband over it, which I may remove to alleviate some pressure on my cheeks. That was loose, too, though. I might th a liner and try to stay off my sides...

[curems]

You had the small dreamwear frame with small and medium cushions, not the medium frame with small and medium cushions? That is what made the difference for me - the medium frame tended to slip and I couldn't keep a good seal. It did help a little when I added the frame cushions that came with it (just enough extra tightness to help hold it in place even though it still wasn't ideal). If you were already using the small frame, did you try using the cushions? They might help.

I forgot to mention that I use Lansinoh for any sore spots - it seemed to help prevent full sores from breaking out, didn't cause the mask to slip and maybe even helped with the seal.

I had tried lines for the nasal masks but for me, I found that they actually caused more leaking. I know they work well for some people but some of us are just naturally born to be different.

The leak problem I had with both the FitLife and the Amara View was around my mouth - seemed like I would've done better with chubbier cheeks.

[recipefordisaster]

I do have the small Dreamwear frame and small cushions, and I tried the tubing padding. I had the same experience that liners always give me worse leaks. I think medium leaked more but I couldn't breathe as well with the small, and that was more important.

I may try the lanolin, but my sores are deep and not on the surface. It's like they are dents.

Amara always leaked at my mouth but FitLife would rather leak at my cheeks, near the top.

[curems]

I do have the small Dreamwear frame and small cushions, and I tried the tubing padding. I had the same experience that liners always give me worse leaks. I think medium leaked more but I couldn't breathe as well with the small, and that was more important.

I may try the lanolin, but my sores are deep and not on the surface. It's like they are dents.

Amara always leaked at my mouth but FitLife would rather leak at my cheeks, near the top.

If your sores are that bad, you may need to let them heal before putting any more pressure on them.

I don't know about any smaller masks other than a pediatric one (regardless of what the DME says - they haven't found something that works for you yet).

And as for getting a good fit on the FitLife, Sheriff Buford really is our expert on that mask.

[recipefordisaster]

I think we are quitting the idea of nasal masks. It's too hard to keep air from fluttering out of my mouth when my cheeks puff. I am not sure I'm small enough for a pediatric FFM... What I'm thinking if this doesn't work is to get to different FFMs that hit different parts of my nose to keep the dent from staying in the same place. If anyone has ideas as to which to alternate I would appreciate it.

I don't have sores yet, just red lines where the cheek part of the mask was mostly on one side. But, that's after only 8.5 hours of of use.

I know I may need to alternate wearing the mask and unfortunately taking nights off therapy. It's not like I have a suitable substitute mask to wear on the off nights. We'll see how tonight goes... Cross fingers for me, please! I need to create fleece pads or something for the sides of the cheeks for tonight.

[paulcarpenter]

The only mask that works for me is the Resmed Quattro. They seem to have solved the mouth open bad seal problem. They have one called the Quattro Air also. It's much smaller, but not for me. Good luck.

[surf_rower]

Sorry a bit late on this thread. I skimmed it and don't see that anyone has yet suggested the Tap Pap mask. If your teeth are regular you could try that. I love mine. No straps, nothing on the nose itself. I use a tiny bit of lanolin for any nostril chafing in dry weather. Nose is happiest when the room humidifier is on and also the machine humidifier. That's for winter when the air is dry. In summer, the humidifiers are not needed. Good luck with your quest.