Newbie needs mask recommendations

[JaneAsimov]

Hi,
I realize that I am probably opening a can of worms here, but I'm looking for some advice regarding masks. I was just diagnosed with sleep apnea after YEARS of debiliating headaches and fatigue. I was so excited to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, finally an answer to my health problems!! BUT, I have had a very difficult time sleeping with the mask I was given. It's a full face mask, the Amara by Panasonic, https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... eviews-tab. My main problems with it are it's pushing into my cheekbone when I sleep, no matter what position I get into, it feels like it's blowing air all over me through the face mask, and the little part that goes under my nose makes me sweat and itchy (this is the least of my concerns though). I'm frustrated because I am more tired and in pain then ever because of how little sleep I've gotten over the last 4 nights trying to use this thing. The respiratory therapist advised again nasal pillows because during the sleep study I wore a nasal mask, and I was having panic attacks every time I opened my mouth because the air would rush out of my mouth and I felt like I couldn't breath. When I first got the full face mask a few days I was having panic attacks with it too, but as I got accustomed to it being on my face, they went away.

So now I'm wondering, what kind of mask should I get? A couple of my friends swear by the nasal pillows, but I'm not sure. They do look more comfortable, but how long does it take to get use to them? I'm pretty sure I can keep my mouth closed while I sleep, because I did during the study. Any advice would be appreciated!

[prodigyplace]

Welcome to a new journey. I have only been on mine about 2.5 months.
CPAP mask opinions vary widely partially because face shape and size varies widely.

Nasal masks and nasal pillows are two different things. I have not tried a nasal mask so I cannot comment on that. Nasal pillows fit under the nose similar to your Amara View mask, but without blocking the mouth.

I have sinus allergies but I can usually use the ResMed P10 nasal pillows (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html) without mouth breathing.

I tried the Respironics Amara View and had issues with it blowing air onto my face & eyes. I have had mixed results with the ResMed Quattro Air full face mask. Many here like the F20 but I found the headgear too small for me.

The itchy nose is a tricky thing. PaleRider here suggested that long nose hairs can cause itchy nose even if it feels like it is itching from the outside. I found that trimming the hairs helped immensely.

[KenM]

Won't know until you try.

I was using a full face mask. had issues with leaks that only disappeared if the masks was much too tight leaking red marks.

bought a Brevida, no leak issues, no red marks
DME gave me a Dreamwear. I used that mask this last weekend, works well but I think I need more time to adjust.

I was convinced I was a mouth breather. I use a chinstrap with these pillows and have very little issues with mouth leaks.

The Brevida or Dreamwear, both have been great masks for me.

I will not go back to a full face mask.

[Pugsy]

So now I'm wondering, what kind of mask should I get? A couple of my friends swear by the nasal pillows, but I'm not sure. They do look more comfortable, but how long does it take to get use to them?

For me it was less time than a full face mask or nasal cushion mask....in fact I made the tech switch to a nasal pillow mask during my titration sleep study because I was having significant problems with the nasal cushion mask he first wanted me to try.
So I "adjusted" to the nasal pillow mask fairly quickly...used one for my titration sleep study and never looked back.

Mask preferences are highly individualized...one man's trash is another man's treasure when it comes to masks. The very things that I might like in a mask another person might just hate so you won't really know until you get a chance to one for yourself.

[JaneAsimov]

Thank you everyone for the advice! From what I'm reading it does seem as if masks are very individualized. They traded my mask out for a Dreamwear yesterday, and I have to say it is very comfortable. I woke up two hours after wearing it though choking with my throat being dry. I'm trying to figure out if I'm opening my mouth, if that's what causing it. I took it off for the rest of the night because my throat was bothering me so much. At 5 am I put it back on, went to sleep on my back, and woke up over and over again mouth breathing I'm probably going to have to go with a chin strap, dope!

[CPAPLowspark]

I am a fellow newbie, started with a FF mask and hated it...went to a nasal mask and love it! I don't open my mouth so no issues for me...but if you do open yours, simply get a chin strap...

[NadiaK]

Finding a mask that seals well and is comfortable is the hardest thing when it comes to cpap. I tried the Amara View as well and had the same problems you complain about. I also recently tried the Simplus which I didn't like because I could not stand the bar on the forehead. Also tried the F20 which had a lot of nice features but it put such pressure on my nose that it gave me a headache in the morning. So far I have had the most success with the Quattro FX. I use it with a liner and it does an excellent job of sealing for me. However, it leaves pressure marks on my face and I do not have the straps pulled tightly. Wishing you the best finding the right mask.

[CPAPLowspark]

I had the Simplus FF as well and that bar and all the gear drove me nuts. I don't see many people utilize the nasal masks...but I went from hating the thing to really getting comfortable. Leaking is minor and only occurs if I lay sideways and fall into a certain position...

I like my nasal mask because it still feels like I have "air" between my nose and the mask...versus a pillow

[robysue]

They traded my mask out for a Dreamwear yesterday, and I have to say it is very comfortable. I woke up two hours after wearing it though choking with my throat being dry.

A dry throat is often a symptom of mouth breathing. If you could the leak graph from the Daily Data in SleepyHead, we'd be able to help you decide if the leaks look like mouth breathing.