So what if I snore a little?

sgass · Post by **sgass** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:44 pm

Anonymous wrote:Full-face masks just don't "get their due" in the industry, it seems. 90% of what I see is about nasal masks, and given the problems with "mouth breathing" and usage with a cold or sinus problems, problems which full-face masks eliminate entirely, I do wonder why full-face masks aren't mentioned more often and aren't more popular... in fact, I wonder why they're not the industry DEFAULT, with nasal interfaces only being a second-line alternative for clastrophobic people.

With the caveat that my experience spans all of 6 hours, I'll be honest and say that I don't think I'd be comfortable with any nasal mask, even if I didn't have trouble breathing through my nose. In fact, I have no desire to even try one. I found the full-face mask to have a strangely comforting effect that I don't think I can explain. Maybe it was just the knowledge that I'm finally doing something about this issue, but I'm not so sure. Ask me in a few months.

HelpMeBreath · Post by **HelpMeBreath** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:15 pm

My initial problem with the full face mask, aside from breaking out on my forehead was that if I opened my mouth it would blow it open like i was in a wind tunnel. I think that the mask they let me keep from my study doesnt fit well but they said the large was too large. If I lower it enough to keep my mouth in it safely it starts to close my sinuses which is uncomfortable. I always go to sleep with my mouth closed because its more comfortable, but as soon as I fall asleep my mouth opens.

I have since bought a hybrid mask and I believe its doing the trick, I also had my settings changed last night and I think its not as strong as it was.

The nasal pillows are so much more comfortable but the chinstrap is ridiculous and still doesnt keep my lips from opening. brbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrb ugh.

Filling the water everynight is about as much of a ritual as I need, taping sounds like a total nightmare.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:43 pm

sometimes you cannot eliminate all the snores, you have weigh the good with the bad, if you only needed like 8 cm pressure to eliminate the SDB you now are stuck with 15 cm in a failed attempt to eliminate the snores (bad idea).

the difference is the greater difficulty in falling asleep at that pressure Vs one that is lower.

Sounds to me like you had an inexperienced newbie tech doing your titration. They should have titrated you until nearly all SDB was eliminated and restful sleep obtained but if snoring couldn't be eliminated they should have rolled you back where the other was found and let you snore. Snoring doesn't always interrupt your sleep, snoring doesn't result in a drop to SAO2 (rarely does it).

Ask to see your titration "table" this shows the pressures used from start to finish and how many SDB events were seen and/or got eliminated and at what pressure.

Palatal snores may not disappear with higher pressure, an experienced tech would know that and tell you so.

sgass · Post by **sgass** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:41 pm

Snoredog wrote:sometimes you cannot eliminate all the snores, you have weigh the good with the bad, if you only needed like 8 cm pressure to eliminate the SDB you now are stuck with 15 cm in a failed attempt to eliminate the snores (bad idea).

That's exactly what I'm afraid of. Well actually I'm afraid they'll want to take it even higher. The main reason being that I haven't actually met any doctors in this practice, just seen their pictures on billboards -- but they're the only game in town.

Thanks to you and others in this thread, though, I now know what questions to ask. I really appreciate the advice!

Steve

GeneS · Post by **GeneS** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:06 pm

I think that one reason a lot of people use nasal masks and fight mouth breathing is that for years full face masks were lower quality than nasal masks. I have two or three around that were supposed to be the best. I tried and found them flimsy and very leaky. I gave them up and kept using nasal masks and tried to seal my mouth. Since I have been mouth taping I have been getting a good seal. It appears that full face masks are improving or have improved now but I am not going to start experimenting and looking for the right full face mask as long as my nasal mask is working. If I start having problems I will try a full face mask again.
GeneS

Brookbank · Post by **Brookbank** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 7:51 am

While the full face mask should work for us mouth breathers, I recommend a good tight chinstrap and some form of a nasal mask. I am a mouth breather and a heavy snorer and the full face just did not work for me at higher pressures.

My original pressure was set at 18 (the titration got up to 16, still snored and they gave me another two points). After a second titration they set the pressure at 20.

Originally I as assigned a full face mask (ultra mirage II FF) it just did not work with me. Leaks, noise (my wife left the room because the noise was worse than my snoring), bridge and forehead sores, and so on.

I switched to using a combination of a nasal pillow and the comfortgel nasal mask with a chin strap - no taping. Seems to work well. I say a combination of the two because I seem to develop issues after about a week on either one and need to switch.

LavenderMist · Post by **LavenderMist** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 1:42 pm

If I could find a ffm that was comfortable and didn't leak like crazy then I would gladly use it and not tape my trap shut at night.

Humidifier

So what if I snore a little?

High Pressures and Full FAce Masks