Ready to quit after 21 days!! Please help!!

[ChicagoGranny]

Manglement happens.

[Peacenana]

First off, a huge thank you to all of you that replied. I have learned so much already and am feeling more encouraged knowing there are people out there who have gone through this adjustment and made it through.
I have stuck it out with my Dreamwear under the nose nasal mask and last night was better after I started using a small rather than medium mask frame (use a small nose piece too). I continue to use a chinstrap and ordered the headbands that one of you recommended. I told the provider to keep my pressure at 4-15 as I was concerned that 4-6 would be too low. No mouth leaks that I could detect though I feel air blowing out of the top of under the nose piece but looked at the dreamwear videos and it seems that is normal?? This morning I feel more rested. I woke up around 2:30 and again around 5;30 but I didn’t remain awake as in the past. Turned off the machine around 6:30 and let myself sleep without it until 8:30! I guess I really needed the extra sleep.
I haven’t attempted to download Oscar yet as the directions seem overwhelming right now. But the provider sent me my data for the past month. There is stuff about large leaks on there that I don’t understand. Would I be able to post that data to this forum in case someone out there can help?
Last night was night #25. One of you said that things got much better after 30 days. I hope that’s true of me!!!
I am so glad I found this forum!! I will finish my profile today listing the equipment I use.

[ChicagoGranny]

I haven’t attempted to download Oscar yet as the directions seem overwhelming right now.

Just do it. After a bit of tinkering, you will soon wonder what was so difficult.

[palerider]

I haven’t attempted to download Oscar yet as the directions seem overwhelming right now.

Just do it. After a bit of tinkering, you will soon wonder what was so difficult.

Yes, I've heard that over and over... After a while "is this thing even on?"

[KTinTexas]

I have also faced an issue with the full face mask. Now I use CPAP masks for side sleepers.

What is a "CPAP mask for side sleepers?"

[ChicagoGranny]

What is a "CPAP mask for side sleepers?"

Virtually all masks can be used by side sleepers. Some side sleepers will prefer one mask over others.

[KTinTexas]

What is a "CPAP mask for side sleepers?"

Virtually all masks can be used by side sleepers. Some side sleepers will prefer one mask over others.

I'm aware of that. I just wanted to know what she meant. Perhaps I need to message her directly. I am a side sleeper. I fall asleep on my back with my mask on. I end up taking it off every night and I wonder if it's after trying to turn on my side.

[palerider]

What is a "CPAP mask for side sleepers?"

Virtually all masks can be used by side sleepers. Some side sleepers will prefer one mask over others.

I'm aware of that. I just wanted to know what she meant. Perhaps I need to message her directly. I am a side sleeper. I fall asleep on my back with my mask on. I end up taking it off every night and I wonder if it's after trying to turn on my side.

I've only been at this for ten years, so I don't know everything, but I've never heard of a "mask for side sleepers".

As to your problem, get your mask working while on your side, then go to sleep in that position. That's what I do.

[KTinTexas]

What is a "CPAP mask for side sleepers?"

Virtually all masks can be used by side sleepers. Some side sleepers will prefer one mask over others.

I'm aware of that. I just wanted to know what she meant. Perhaps I need to message her directly. I am a side sleeper. I fall asleep on my back with my mask on. I end up taking it off every night and I wonder if it's after trying to turn on my side.

I've only been at this for ten years, so I don't know everything, but I've never heard of a "mask for side sleepers".

As to your problem, get your mask working while on your side, then go to sleep in that position. That's what I do.

That's a good idea; I'll have to try it.

[Becca8104]

I finally found a mask that I can live with, N30i. Resmed's newest nasal mask that just came out is the N30. You may want to try one of those.

[LeonardoDR]

I’d also suggest getting a soft cervical collar or a “Dr Dakota” or “The Eliminator” travel pillow / anti-snoring collar. One of those may help you keep your mouth closed.

I never could get the collars to work at keeping my mouth closed until my head was pushed back almost as far as it would go ... not a tenable solution, at least for me. I'd be interested in hearing how you made a collar work for you, ragtopcircus.

I have found the Knightsbridge dual band chin strap to work well at keeping the mouth closed. Don't bother with the standard neoprene chin straps, they wrap around the tip of the chin and push the jaw directly into the joint, which is terribly uncomfortable. The Knightsbridge lifts from under the chin and has two bands (one elastic and one non-elastic) so it can be adjusted to be pretty comfortable.

[ragtopcircus]

1) I removed the foam from The Eliminator and packed it with as many buckwheat hulls as I could fit in. This makes it more comfortable (for me). I’ve heard of attaching a rolled-up washcloth underneath, on the chest side, to raise it further, but I haven’t done that.

2) My pillow is a Pur-Sleep FaceFit. It is filled with buckwheat hulls mixed with some shredded foam. It comes with extra bags of both, but I have not changed the original fill. I usually sleep on my side, and pull some of the pillow down past my chin to help support it.

3) I practice the tongue tuck method during the day. I try to do it all day, to build muscle tone and maintain it as a habit. As an exercise, sometimes I practice talking or singing with the air on using a pillow mask. It takes a great deal of control to manage the airflow, allow just enough air out to talk or sing without it becoming a flood, and continue breathing. I also practice opening my mouth as wide as I can without letting the air escape (over an inch).

Sealing with the tongue does not require the jaws to be clamped tightly together. It avoids chipmunk cheeks, makes it easy to keep the lips closed but relaxed (avoiding dry mouth).

I also found that the Good Morning Snore Solution, a tongue advancement device, was actually very effective against OSA (for me). The catch was, I couldn’t keep it in. The point is, for me, tongue position and tone is an important factor in my apnea. I suspect that practicing the tongue tuck to improve tone in the tongue and related muscles may also help with obstructive apnea (so the pressure doesn’t need to go as high during the night).

[Becca8104]

if you are a mouth breather, but prefer the comfort of a nasal mask vs full face, I have found the Ruby chin strap works best for me. I also use a contour CPAP pillow, and while very costly, it has been worth the money for me. It helps prevent mask movement/leaks.

[zoocrewphoto]

I have also faced an issue with the full face mask. Now I use CPAP masks for side sleepers.

What is a "CPAP mask for side sleepers?"

I suspect that a DME told somebody that certain masks are for side sleepers. Just like they will tell people that a mask is only good for lower pressures or whatever. They either don't know any better or want to sell a certain mask.

I sleep on my side and back, and let my face hang off the edge of the pillow. My mask does fine.