1st Week on CPAP Need Help

Russ0508 · Post by **Russ0508** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:56 am

I have been on CPAP for a week now and its off to a bad start. I have tried two Masks so far. The Opti Life and the Breeze and with both they come off in the middle of the night. I am a very active sleeper and they only last about an hour on my head. The Opti Life the chin support would come off and then the mask would work its way off. With the Breeze I must push the nasal pillows out and then the mask slips off ( not really sure how its coming off). With both I have the straps tight and it doesn't help.

The only thought I had was to change to a Nasal Mask because they seem to offer more straps to keep it secure on my head. I was looking at the Mirage Activa looks like it would stay on better. Plus they advertise the mask as for people that are active sleepers.

Does anyone have any advice on how to keep the mask on throughout the night? Does the Nasal Mask stay on better than the nasal pillows mask? I sleep on my sides and stomach in case that helps.

As a am writing this of course my DME company calls me and says they are not able to get the Activa, but they have the Ultra Mirage II.

Thanks for you help

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:00 am

Did you ever see the episode on Seinfeld, where the gal left george handcuffed to the bed.
That might be the extreme way to do it or you might try one of the Pap Pillows that people have mentioned up on this forum.

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:25 am

Hi Russ,

I can't comment on the Activa, because I haven't tried it. The Twilight NP might be a good choice for you, though. I'd suggest tying an extra strap (panty hose TIGHTS leg) across the bottom of your nose, over your ears and to the back of your head. Tie it with a starter knot, which is over-under-over-under like this:

Good luck,
Cathy

Swolcott · Post by **Swolcott** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:32 am

I have used the activa for about 3 months now and I really like it. I am an active sleeper often turning from side to back to side and back again at night. The mask sometimes feels a bit heavy but it does stay in place well.

Sam

seanconnery · Post by **seanconnery** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:45 am

Masks are the most difficult aspect of CPAP therapy and the only advice I can offer is that, unlike other objects we use such as forks, spoons, hats, gloves, etc, they require minute adjustments such as the size, and the many permutations of strap tension. Each of one of these (mask or nasal unit, straps) has so many combinations that it takes time and a lot of patience. I too thought that I could simply put on the mask and that was it - nope. It took several weeks but I finally got my Swift to work and have now used it consistently for almost two years.

I have now switched over to the Optilife (why do I keep thinking of the Optigrab glasses form the movie "The Jerk"?) and am in the seciond month of adjustments and am almost there.

It is worth the effort, keep at it.

Good luck.