Why bother

[Nedge]

Sorry for being so negative but I'm at my wits end with this crap. Was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea nearly 4 years ago, tried APAP, couldnt sleep with it so gave up and put it in the back of the cupboard. Then in April under COVID lockdown I was a good girl and got my machine running and used it every night for good 4 months (resmed/p10 combo recommended so often on this site).

Now I alternate - one night with MAS, one night with APAP - so I don't go untreated. PAP is hell - I find It so uncomfortable and between struggling with the discomfort of the nasal pillows trying to crawl up my nose all night long (despite using the largest version), the constant awareness re hose management (I tend to to toss and turn) and having to re-adjust nasal pillows all night long because I feel like the air that's being vented is a leak, my sleep is severely disrupted because of this stupid machine. My AHIs were good for the first few months, but I no longer have access to a computer with a card slot so can't check my graphs anymore. What I saw then shows it's "working", but the accumulated lack of sleep makes my quality of life so poor that sometimes I just wish I could die in my sleep one night and not have to put up with it any more. I can barely work (have just taken a couple of months of leave without pay so lost big financially). I try to do things I used to enjoy and just can't get my brain or my body to function. It's not that I'm depressed or falling asleep in the daytime, its I feel physically and mentally exhausted. GP has tested me for all sorts of things and can't find anything else wrong.

One of these days I'm going to splurge on an oximeter because my fitbit is indicating on nights I use the MAS I might be experiencing low oxygen sats. I can see that low oxygen must be harmful, so I need to keep using the machine, but surely just wanting ONE good night's sleep after 5 months of being a "good girl" isn't too much to ask? I used to love going to sleep

I know there's not much point posting this here where everyone thinks PAP is the best thing since sliced bread, I just wish I could find a solution. Aaaargh! Thanks for hearing me folks. I don't need any replies, I just needed to vent.

Wishing good health and satisfying sleep to all!

[Arlene1963]

Hi Nedge,
Even though you said you didn't need anyone to reply and you are just venting I am going to post a suggestion.
You indicate frustration with your mask and especially with the feeling that something is in your nose and you fiddle with your mask on your face when trying to sleep.
The mask is probably the most important thing to "get right" and so why not try a different style of mask?

Have you ever tried the DreamWear nasal cushion style mask? Check it out online and see if you think it might be worth trying.
Some of us love this style of mask, and it makes a big difference to how we can tolerate the apparatus on our faces in the long run.

FWIW, I don't think XPAP is the best thing since sliced bread, but it is currently the only way to treat my OSA so I have had to make peace with it for long term health and sanity (?!) , and try to use it to my advantage.

[JayDee]

Sounds like that mask and headgear may not be "The One" for you. Try different ones. I went through 6 or more masks my first year on CPAP. The mask that works great for me may be terrible for you. They are highly personally subjective. Like shoes, you have to try them on to know for sure if they "fit" and only you can make that decision. Even if you find your very-best-favorite pair of shoes today, you'll find a different pair you like more in the future, whether that's a completely different form (sandal, shoe, boot) or a different style or a different manufacturer.

Choose a vendor (like cpap.com) who will let you return a mask for a refund or credit. Then start trying different masks. If the nasal pillows mask you have isn't working, maybe try a nasal cushion or a different pillows mask or a hybrid like the DreamWear. Give each a decent tryout (5 days?) before you give up on it. Even after you find a mask that you like, and that agrees with your face/head and sleep style, I would wager it's still not the last mask you'll ever get. The manufacturers seem to have new features and design tweaks yearly-ish, so a better mask (for you) may pop-up from time to time.

Good Luck!
-JD

[Nedge]

Unfortunately we don't have access to services letting us try out different masks in Australia. If we want to try a mask we have to buy it outright and we waste the money if it doesn't suit. The cost of a mask like the dreamwear is about equivalent to my basic weekly grocery shop, so I have to be pretty sure it's worth trying. But if I think about it, that cost is less than the loss of income if I can't work, so it's worth the risk. Thanks to you both for your input, and sorry to have a sooky la la. Time to pull up my big girls panties and chose a path forwards rather than being stuck whining. I'll look into purchasing a dreamwear tomorrow (bedtime now - time to think of my machine as a provider of magic healing air rather than a torture device!)

[Julie]

What you can do is look at all the masks (and diff. types) on Cpap.com where they show pics from different angles, have real reviews from users, etc. etc. and rather than asking others here whose faces may be very different anatomically, if not even obviously on a quick look, get ideas of a handful of them and come back here to ask if your choices have known issues, such as difficulty when side sleeping, etc.

[roadcycler]

At first I was using the p10 as well but eventually found that it irritated the inside of my nose too much. After trying about 5 other masks I have been using the n30 for about 9 months and am sticking with it until something better for me comes along. If you find the p10 sliding around there are the p30i or n30i that have the hose coming off the mask ontop of the head. My wife did not like them as they blew air at her from the exhale ports. Also I have found that if I hang the hose over the headboard it doesn't get as tangled around my neck and doesn't seem quite as obtrusive. If you don't have a headboard that allows this there are cpap hangers out there.

As the others have stated masks are very individual and most of us have gone through half a dozen before finding one we can live with and still some nights we chuck them. So don't give up.

As per not having a computer with a card slot external ones are cheap that can plug into a usb port. Plus you should be able to access some information from the cpap machine itself. Push the front button in and turn the dial to sleep report push the button in and you can scroll down.

[palerider]

Sorry for being so negative but I'm at my wits end with this crap.

I don't have much sympathy for whining... People actually looking for help are an entirely different matter.

Which are you?

discomfort of the nasal pillows trying to crawl up my nose all night long (despite using the largest version),

So, gets different mask, one that fits your face.

(I tend to to toss and turn) and having to re-adjust nasal pillows all night long because I feel like the air that's being vented is a leak,

You toss and turn *because* of your poor sleep,because you can't breathe.

my sleep is severely disrupted because of this stupid machine.

And there is your problem, you blame the wrong thing

My AHIs were good for the first few months, but I no longer have access to a computer with a card slot

So, stop making excuses, and buy a usb card reader, they're cheap.

One of these days I'm going to splurge on an oximeter because my fitbit is indicating on nights I use the MAS I might be experiencing low oxygen sats.

Proof that your MAS does not work, splurge on a usb card reader,something *intelligent* to do.

I know there's not much point posting this here where everyone thinks PAP is the best thing since sliced bread, I just wish I could find a solution.

You, do, if only you wouldn't refuse it.

[palerider]

. I'll look into purchasing a dreamwear tomorrow (bedtime now - time to think of my machine as a provider of magic healing air rather than a torture device!)

Now you're talking. Make sure your.nose and p10 pillows are clean, otherwise they slide around a lot, I use alcohol to wipe them down.

You mentioned leaks, if you can't hear air rushing, it's not a leak., The p10 is nearly silent.

[chunkyfrog]

. . .
magic healing air rather than a torture device!)

Now you're talking. Make sure your.nose and p10 pillows are clean, otherwise they slide around a lot, I use alcohol to wipe them down.
. . .

I use an unscented baby wipe--on mask and face as well.

[babydinosnoreless]

Nasal pillows are not for everyone. I tried but couldn't get over the irritation of the things in my nose. I really like the over the whole nose style mask. If I could have gotten the full face mask to seal I think I would have liked it best but it just didn't fit my face.

[jbgilm]

In the US a sleep doctor will often have samples of different masks they can give you. Have you asked your doctor? Doesn't Australian insurance cover cpap supplies?

[Julie]

Australia's probably like Canada - we don't pay for medical care... except for glasses, Cpap stuff, dental care and hearing aids... unless you have private insce that does cover some, but that's less likely for the average person.

[Nedge]

Thanks for the replies folks. Today I've climbed down off my "woe is me" platform and researched different masks. I decided my main issue is the weight of the hose pulling on the seal, so looked into various top mounted options. I found a really good price on the Dreamwear nasal mask, and have placed an order. With that option I avoid the nasal pillows crawling up my nose too! Won't be delivered for 2-3 weeks, but I'm really pleased I might find a set up that works better for me. If Dreamwear doesn't help me sleep ok I have a couple of other options I liked the look of that I can try next. I'm sure I'll get there in the end.

And Palerider, thanks for the no-nonsense kick up the butt!

[raisedfist]

Hose management can help. There exists "performance" tubing that is lighter weight but still the normal size/diameter. The P10 is very quiet but I did not find it comfortable. Unfortunately many of us have gone through multiple masks. I've tried over a dozen. The one I use works now (Vitera Full Face) but it's definitely not perfect.

I stopped giving ResMed money for their masks...they are expensive and rarely come with the fitpack option. Plus they don't really work for my face.

[palerider]

And Palerider, thanks for the no-nonsense kick up the butt!

Sounds like you're *doing* something instead of just complaining, there is hope for you to get better rest now, a light at the end of the tunnel!