moving to full face mask :/

[slimey42]

dasfdsafdsfdsafdsafdsafsdafdsafdasfdasfadsfdasf

[OkyDoky]

Have you been using software to monitor your leaks? If not, that would be the first step. Nasal pillows are used by some here with higher pressures than mine and mine are EPAP 11 / IPAP 15. I have no problems keeping a seal with my P10. We have heard from others that their DME said their pressures were to high and required a FF mask. If you find your leaks are a problem there are a few things to try such as, soft cervical collar, chin strap, and mouth taping. If all else fails to control your leaks then look for a FF mask.

[LSAT]

FF Masks can be comfortable if you have the right mask and the right size. I would advise you to find a cooperative DME and go in and try on masks...often they will allow you to have 30 days to exchange an uncomfortable mask.

[ChicagoGranny]

I was diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea 8ish years ago. It took me a week or so to get used to the mask, and since then I haven't slept a single night without it. I use the SwiftFX nasal pillow mask.

If you have been doing well for 8 years, why change because of some stupid sleep lab?

[slimey42]

Have you been using software to monitor your leaks? If not, that would be the first step.

no :/ when I first started, I had grand plans of doing so. I insisted on a data-capable machine, bought the card reader, installed the software.. I think I monitored my data for a few weeks then stopped. I can't montior anyomre on my existing machine because I lost my card reader. I'll see what options I have in a new machine.

If you have been doing well for 8 years, why change because of some stupid sleep lab?

I guess I thought I had to, if that's the prescription they're going to write. I told them this morning how much I hated it and they made it sound like it was my only choice. I'm SO willing to try other things... chin strap, taping.. anything that will keep me in the mask that is comfortable to me. I have a good relationship with my medical supplier, I will talk to them when they call for me to get my new machine.

I'm not a very assertive person. being so is difficult for me, but being able to continue to use a mask that doesn't feel like it's eating my face might be enough incentive lol.

[OkyDoky]

If you get a bilevel, they are all full data but if for some reason it's not bilevel be sure and get a full data capable machine again. DME's sometime will say they are data capable when it's only compliance data. Here is a link that will show you which are not. Don't get one with a red NO. https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd
Here is a link to how to get Sleepyhead downloaded. https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead

[ChicagoGranny]

I guess I thought I had to, if that's the prescription they're going to write. I told them this morning how much I hated it and they made it sound like it was my only choice.

I'd tell them GTH.

[JaphetAnciado]

"Hi.. I was registered to this site ages ago,"
Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2016 7:50 am
LMAO

[chunkyfrog]

JA; the initials sound familiar.
Had you read the post, you would understand what happened.

[JaphetAnciado]

JA; the initials sound familiar.
Had you read the post, you would understand what happened.

Oh lol

[Zomby Woof]

I was diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea 8ish years ago. It took me a week or so to get used to the mask,
and since then I haven't slept a single night without it. I use the SwiftFX nasal pillow mask.

...with the swift fx mask that I'm used to. I fell asleep easily. they woke me up after a couple of hours
to say that I wasn't keeping my mouth shut, and tried a chin strap, which wouldn't stay on ...

Then they had me switch to some kind of full face mask. HOLY COW THAT STUNK. I hated it, hated it, HATED it.

Eight years of success with a nasal pillows mask and they think you should change?

Only a sleep technician who does NOT have sleep apnea, and whose partner
does not have sleep apnea, could consider that move a good idea.

...I was going to have to use a full face mask, because the
pressure I required wouldn't work with nasal pillow masks.

Any words of advice? If I do indeed have to use that godawful full face mask,
is there anything I can do to make it less terrible?
Can I use a nasal pillow mask with high pressure/bipap?

Honor your own experiences with the two types of mask and stay with nasal pillows.

My initial prescription resulted in mask pressure varying between 22 and 25cwp, and,
I too was strongly steered away from nasal pillows.
Five different masks later, my CPAP journey proved that for me
nasal pillows are the only mask type that will work with high pressures.

Also, I found that solving the jaw drop/mouth-breathing/flappy lips problem is easier
than getting a full-face mask to reliably seal when using a BiPAP machine.

Strength to your arm, Dennis