Beginning CPAP again.

[AnnapolisCpappy]

I stopped using my CPAP for about a year. Now I feel that I needed it again. My mask is probably the reason I quite in the first place. I have read many of your posts regarding fit, but I just don't get it. You say try this mask or try that mask. I use a ffm, how do I know if the mask I have is the best for me. How can I try different masks? Do I have to buy one of every flavor and then give each a week to see if they work. When I started the tech came out and gave me one. I did not know if it was good or bad and it was not hooked to the machine. No way to tell if a mask works unless you use it for awhile.

My biggest problem is leakage, like everyone. In addition if I wear tight over my nose, it rubs and I end up with a big zit or gash on the top of my nose. Also it seems I wake up more when I wear the mask then when I don't. The only physical benefit is that my throat is not as sore when I wear the mask. I still am tired wether I wear the masks or not. could someone give me some idea. Should I try a different sleep Doctor?

[Greengables]

Your story sounds identical to mine. A few years back, I noticed feeling tired alot, went to my primary, and was sent for a sleep study.
Well, I was diagnosed with apnea, and given a machine and mask. Over time, I grew flustere, my DME kept delivering the wrong cushions. Additionally when I tried to go in for new fittings, my appointments were lost, and I was sent back home. I am very organized, so I know the appointment problems and receipt of bad supplies were not my fault.
Eventually, my mask kept getting pulled off when I was asleep, and ended up on the floor with air blasting out all night. I had no knowledge of doing this, but after time of broken skin on my nose, and mishaps from the DME - I gave up, and the machine went into the closet. I cant blame the DME, I should have been more of an advocate for myself.

Recently, I went back to my primary and asked to be re-evaluated, as I decided I was willing to try again.

For my refitting -the DME had very limited masks on hand. Prior to my appointment, I had researched options, and wanted to try the Resmed F20, along with Amara View. My DME did not have F20 in stock, they were "late" in testing it and were not sure it was something they were ready to supply to consumers. (This was December 2016).
The DME had one restocked Amara View, which is what I went home with ( I was charged full price for it).

On this site, I also found a thread suggesting the sleepapnea.org site for low cost masks. So I tried that - ordered the Respinronics confort gel. I passed the other option because it was only available in larger sizes, which I knew would not work. Well, let me just say; one night with the comfort gel in size small - , I awoke to the makse sucking and pulsing against my face, with air spewing out everywhere! Also - I wound up with a three headed zit and open gash on my upper nose.

Bottom line - DMEs and suppliers should offer trial packages of various masks. Probably they do if one asks and is pushy, but why not just do the right thing, be polite, and give a trial package ? I am very introverted, and do not want to try masks on in front of another person. Folks can spin it any way, I am just shy about these things.

The Amara view is OK, I wish you success.

[D.H.]

FF masks are much harder to fit than nasal masks. Unless you really need a FF mask, you should use a nasal mask or nasal pillows.

The other point is that newbies often make the mask too loose or too tight, especially too tight. Most masks inflate like a balloon to form a seal. You need to get the right tension and the right balance between tightness on the top and on the bottom.

[bonjour]

Why a FFM?

Try smaller masks first, starting with pillows

This forums sponsor, CPAP.COM, lists masks by popularity within the mask type. This means that you can assume that the more popular masks work for more people. The second is that they offer “return insurance”, some free, some low cost, so that you can return a mask that does not work for you. If you don't have a DME, or are going in for a sleep study, this is the best way I know of to try masks.

If you go into a DME to try masks take your PAP machine.

[Julie]

Your throat is sore from air drying it as you mouth breathe when asleep, losing Cpap air that should go down your airway, not into the room. You will have much less trouble getting a FF mask to fit if you try it on lying down, and sometimes it can take 3 tries (at the DME's or at home having ordered them from Cpap.com who allow 30 days for a small fee) or it can take more, but the point is that not being treated properly is a waste of time and money, never mind energy, so you need get the trials overwith and be done. If your DME (who wouldn't be different from most I imagine) only lets you try 2-3 and does not help to fit you properly (lying down) or explain about overtightening, etc, in masks of your size, then you need to find either other DME's or online ones like Cpap.com that allow trial periods.

[49er]

Why a FFM?

Try smaller masks first, starting with pillows

This forums sponsor, CPAP.COM, lists masks by popularity within the mask type. This means that you can assume that the more popular masks work for more people. The second is that they offer “return insurance”, some free, some low cost, so that you can return a mask that does not work for you. If you don't have a DME, or are going in for a sleep study, this is the best way I know of to try masks.

If you go into a DME to try masks take your PAP machine.

+1

[LSAT]

Why a FFM?

Try smaller masks first, starting with pillows

This forums sponsor, CPAP.COM, lists masks by popularity within the mask type. This means that you can assume that the more popular masks work for more people. The second is that they offer “return insurance”, some free, some low cost, so that you can return a mask that does not work for you. If you don't have a DME, or are going in for a sleep study, this is the best way I know of to try masks.

If you go into a DME to try masks take your PAP machine.

Most DMEs have a machine available. They can easily set it to your pressure. I have delt with 3 and they all had machines available.

[Pugsy]

Sore throats can also be a sign of OSA events happening and lots of snoring happening.
Doesn't always mean mouth breathing.
Lack of sore throats can mean that the snoring or apnea events have lessened. Doesn't automatically mean that the therapy is optimal or sub optimal.

I used to have major sore throats from major snoring pre cpap. All went away with the addition of the cpap.
And a person can snore a lot and not open the mouth at all.

[wm_hess]

I stopped using my CPAP for about a year. Now I feel that I needed it again. My mask is probably the reason I quite in the first place. I have read many of your posts regarding fit, but I just don't get it. You say try this mask or try that mask. I use a ffm, how do I know if the mask I have is the best for me. How can I try different masks? Do I have to buy one of every flavor and then give each a week to see if they work. When I started the tech came out and gave me one. I did not know if it was good or bad and it was not hooked to the machine. No way to tell if a mask works unless you use it for awhile.

My biggest problem is leakage, like everyone. In addition if I wear tight over my nose, it rubs and I end up with a big zit or gash on the top of my nose. Also it seems I wake up more when I wear the mask then when I don't. The only physical benefit is that my throat is not as sore when I wear the mask. I still am tired wether I wear the masks or not. could someone give me some idea. Should I try a different sleep Doctor?

Hi AnnapolisCpappy

Welcome (back) to hosehead land. Hopefully all the folks here can give you some help to make this easier and better for you than the last time.

First if you could go up to the top of the page, and click on User Control Panel. Once you click that, click on the Profile tab. After you get there, click on Edit Equipment. Please enter the equipment you have. When you do this, please use text, as it will help folks in the future and can focus their responses to your equipment.

The type and brand of mask you use is an extremely personal choice. Nobody can say wear this mask it will work perfectly for you. People can only say that I’ve had good luck with this mask, and it works for me.

I’ve always worn a ffm, and with one of them, I’d get the nose gash you’re describing. I used a gel cushion similar to this one from Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/Propellaire-Pr ... el+cushion to cushion and protect my nose. If that doesn’t work for you, I’ve also used moleskin, and even a bandaid over the sore. Bandaid worked worst of the three options

You also may want to look at http://padacheek.com/ for a mask liner to help with the leaks. A lot of users love Karen’s products. Karen is an active member here, and has even done custom work for some members. Karen has an outstanding reputation here. Even though you don’t mention them, Padacheek and other vendors also sell mask strap covers to stop the red cheek lines on the face in the morning.

You may also want to try and completely redo all the straps on your mask. When you redo the straps, you want to be lying down on bed. You don’t sleep sitting up, so it doesn’t do you any good to fit your mask sitting up.

Because I don’t know which mask you have, I can’t direct you to a video at youtube showing you how to fit your mask. Generally what I do (I use the Quatro FX Full Face Mask) is run my machine (Resmed Airsense 10 Auto CPAP) in face mask fit mode. Once I have the machine running, I lie down and loosen all the straps on my mask and put it on. Once it’s on, I start tightening the straps loosely. I start with the top straps, then the bottom straps. Once both are loosely I fine tune them as needed trying to move both straps (top two, or bottom two) equally. I may have to adjust one side a little more than the other in the end

Hope this helps!

-Bill