Sleep clinic is basically saying tough luck because the masks don't fit

[riale]

I live in New Zealand. Diagnosed with moderate OSA about 9 months ago. Straight to CPAP as other options are ruled out.

First machine was faulty, but with no point of reference the fault had to get much worse before I realized. It was leaking out the back of the machine. Went through all the masks they had. They replaced it. Took 1.5 months to realize.

The nose pillow mask doesn't work for me at all and causes pain and discomfort. This is the mask I use and should work for me https://www.fphcare.com/nz/homecare/sle ... ks/eson-2/

But it doesn't fit. I was initially given a large and it leaked everywhere like crazy, so they sent a small and medium. The medium has the same issues only less severe. The small doesn't leak but all it takes is a slight shift before it obstructs my nostril. I kept using small anyway. Then I tried using polar fleece liners which are useless because they just shift and obstruct airflow.

I found that if I use medium once I'm lying down and settled in, with some continued adjustment it works well. But then it moves and leaks. I fall asleep very quickly at night but it shifts enough that I wake up well before I'm rested and can't get back to sleep.

I'm really frustrated - and tired - they only have three sizes that cover most noses and everyone else just gets told tough luck, we won't help you.

I'm only 31, every image I see of someone portrayed with OSA is old, and now I have to live the rest of my life sleep deprived.

Oh and, NZ has no custom fitted masks before anyone suggests it. We miss out on anything that doesn't apply to the general masses because small and very isolated

[zonker]

The nose pillow mask doesn't work for me at all and causes pain and discomfort. This is the mask I use and should work for me https://www.fphcare.com/nz/homecare/sle ... ks/eson-2/

welcome to the zoo! i want you to know i'm prolly the number 1 fan of new zealand, particularly the south island.

as to mask fit, have you tried looking on you tube for mask fitting videos for your particular mask? you may find some tips there on making sure you have it fit properly.

good luck!

[babydinosnoreless]

I don't think they have custom fit masks anywhere. Finding a comfy mask is the hardest part. I went through several masks before I found the one for me. I wear the N-20 "for her" version
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... k-headgear
I still fight leaks but at least with this one I can sleep through them. Maybe you can order a different mask from somewhere and have it shipped to you?

[riale]

I don't think they have custom fit masks anywhere. Finding a comfy mask is the hardest part. I went through several masks before I found the one for me. I wear the N-20 "for her" version
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... k-headgear
I still fight leaks but at least with this one I can sleep through them. Maybe you can order a different mask from somewhere and have it shipped to you?

That is a good idea, there are a lot of options to choose from on that website. Its quite expensive for a 'what if' but I need to try. Are the tube sizes standardized? How can I be sure that it will be compatible with my CPAP machine and pipe?

The nose pillow mask doesn't work for me at all and causes pain and discomfort. This is the mask I use and should work for me https://www.fphcare.com/nz/homecare/sle ... ks/eson-2/

welcome to the zoo! i want you to know i'm prolly the number 1 fan of new zealand, particularly the south island.

as to mask fit, have you tried looking on you tube for mask fitting videos for your particular mask? you may find some tips there on making sure you have it fit properly.

good luck!

Thanks. NZ is a bit of an illusion, the places that make tourists love it are unlivable due to either cost or lack of employment in the area. NZ is a country for the rich, if you're born here and poor its quite unfortunate. The mask came with an instruction booklet and links to instruction videos, I'm certain its fitted as good as it ever will be

[Pugsy]

With a rare exception all masks can be used with all machines and all hoses.
The couplings on all hoses are standardized even if the hose diameters are different.

The exceptions are with a couple of the tiny travel machines.

Which nasal pillow mask did you try that you had problems with?
What other masks have you maybe tried and failed with?

I ask because I might want to offer ideas but I don't want to suggest something that you already know won't work for you.

[riale]

The website is very strange, requiring a prescription for a mask. Or, US law is very strange. After placing the order it cancelled it saying it can't ship outside US - odd how it let me place it in the first place despite specifying country. Its a shame I spent some time and found one that seemed good, measured to determine fit, and it was on sale Buying locally is >4x the cost I'm quite frustrated, my health is nothing more than an endless drain on my account, I have no savings. I need to get out of this country; going to be a couple years at least before my work lets me do that.

Really appreciate the advice from you good folk. Very keen to see how the new mask goes, haven't had a non-F&P one. It's possible that the sizing standards they use simply don't match my nose. I got a Resmed Airfit N20 Nasal Mask, lack of local options, but seems like a good mask regardless.

With a rare exception all masks can be used with all machines and all hoses.
The couplings on all hoses are standardized even if the hose diameters are different.

The exceptions are with a couple of the tiny travel machines.

Which nasal pillow mask did you try that you had problems with?
What other masks have you maybe tried and failed with?

I ask because I might want to offer ideas but I don't want to suggest something that you already know won't work for you.

It seems I'm pretty naive, I've simply been going by what my sleep clinic was telling me. I figured there must be better ways to deal with this than making do which is why I asked here. They only offer the Eson2 as linked initially and this one: https://www.fphcare.com/nz/homecare/sle ... s/brevida/

I have all sizes both mask and just.. nope. Not compatible with my face or something! I've gone over fitting videos and instructions so many times being certain I've done something wrong, but .. I can only do so much

[Pugsy]

Cpap.com does require a RX to be on file....US law for online sellers and brick and mortar stores.
In addition some of the mask manufacturers won't allow cpap.com to ship outside the US even if they do have a RX.
Mask parts on the other hand don't require a RX but again some parts by some manufacturers won't allow shipping outside the US and ResMed and Respironics are the 2 main ones. You can't even order a replacement ResMed cushion and have it shipped outside the US.

Which mask did you want?

There are ways to get you a mask shipped to you that won't cost an arm and a leg.

Check out Amazon....Amazon will ship internationally and even some 3rd part sellers will ship internationally.
Check out EBay Australia....some sellers will ship internationally.

If you know the mask you want you can even buy the parts and assemble your own complete mask.

[riale]

Cpap.com does require a RX to be on file....US law for online sellers and brick and mortar stores.
In addition some of the mask manufacturers won't allow cpap.com to ship outside the US even if they do have a RX.
Mask parts on the other hand don't require a RX but again some parts by some manufacturers won't allow shipping outside the US and ResMed and Respironics are the 2 main ones. You can't even order a replacement ResMed cushion and have it shipped outside the US.

Which mask did you want?

There are ways to get you a mask shipped to you that won't cost an arm and a leg.

Check out Amazon....Amazon will ship internationally and even some 3rd part sellers will ship internationally.
Check out EBay Australia....some sellers will ship internationally.

If you know the mask you want you can even buy the parts and assemble your own complete mask.

Was this mask here: https://www.cpap.com/en/gb/productpage/ ... h-headgear

Thanks, that's some good advice. I'll try the one I just ordered locally and if it doesn't work well then I'll look at other ways to get it.

I keep losing my sleep schedule to cpap induced insomnia

[D.H.]

It makes sense that if you're in NZ you'd try F&P masks first. However, if they don't work for you, you should be able to try another brand.

BTW, I has two F&P CPAP machines in the past. I even had one that I was told was the only one with integrated humidification on the market at that time. They were good machines for their day.

[zonker]

Thanks. NZ is a bit of an illusion, the places that make tourists love it are unlivable due to either cost or lack of employment in the area. NZ is a country for the rich, if you're born here and poor its quite unfortunate. The mask came with an instruction booklet and links to instruction videos, I'm certain its fitted as good as it ever will be

i'm sorry to hear that. i suppose anywhere we go on vacation for a week or so is only going to be an allusion.

but it's a right pretty one.

anyway, i've exhausted my ability to help, so i'll fold my hands and watch quietly while my betters give you the solid advice.

[m421]

I started out with the Eson 2, and used it for several months. And got pretty frustrated at times since the practice I was seeing at the time didn't want to give me anything else to try (other than the P10 mask which didn't work at all for my nose). It would wake me up all the time with it shooting air at my eyes. Two big things I learned with the Eson 2: first, tighter isn't better. It needs to have some room to billow out or it won't seal. Second, getting a hose clip to keep the hose from flopping around made a world of difference. I'd still often have to adjust things a bit when I turned on my side, a shaped memory foam pillow helps. But getting the straps to just the right level of not tight and the hose clip made for mostly peaceful nights.

I use the N-20 mask now and find it's more stable. Still a bit troublesome when I'm sleeping on my side, but overall better. I went from a medium to large mask though, but that will depend on the shape of your nose. The Dreamwear mask also worked pretty well but did tend to leak when I slept on my side.

[batJDGman]

I went through 6 masks my first 3 months on a bipap and received zero help from any of my medical professionals. I would call my sleep doctor and got the voicemail everytime would take days before I would get a call back. All of my help came through YouTube and thelankylefty27 he helped me find the best mask which is currently the air touch f20. The only help I got was when they returned my calls they would give me masks that I asked for from watching his videos.