Newbie and freaked out

goose · Post by **goose** » Wed May 28, 2008 5:36 pm

Hey Ado,
Did I mention that it can be frustrating???
Welcome to Mask-O-Rama!!!!
It can take a while for your nose to get used to the pillows. I've been using pillows since September and my nose is sore today, so tonight I'll revert to my trusty ComfortGel nasal mask to give my nares a rest.
Most of us have numerous masks in our collection and so will you. I reallllllly like my headrest, but it does hurt my nose occasionally. I may be using pillows that are too small -- then again they could be too large -- I'm still experimenting. I also use a NAII once in a while also.....

Masks are the "Holy Grail" of xPAP and you're on the trail -- keep at it. You'll find some solutions -- when you try masks take a look at rested gal's "Lab Rat" list to see how others have modified and/or improved the mask....interesting reading and really interesting pictures!!!

viewtopic.php?t=15104

cheers
goose

adt320 · Post by **adt320** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:48 pm

I have been using a full face for 2 years, I have a goat-tee, I get a great seal, but I get the marks from the mask . I tried the nasal rt and the pressure would build and my mouth would open and explode, too much work. The FF is so easy, strp it on and go to bed

goose · Post by **goose** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:27 pm

Hey adt320,
What FF are you using?? I have a goatee as well and an HC431 which won't seal for beans.....

thanks for info
cheers
goose

Ado · Post by **Ado** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:52 pm

Well, night number 3 on CPAP and things are a very frustrating. I feel like giving the whole thing up – but I know I need to adapt to this if I want a better quality of life. The sleep clinic gave me a new Swift II and whilst it is quiet and gives me a good seal, I still cant get it to stop hurting my nostrils, in particular my right one. Just as I’m drifting off to sleep it starts to hurt and I have to rip it off. I then swap over to a Resmed Micro Mirage and I cannot for the life of me get it to seal properly and a small leak at the bridge of my nose blows air into my right eye. So I rip that off and try the Swift again. By this time its around 4am and I need to sleep so I ended up not using anything. Any tips to stop this leaking? Any tips to make my nostrils less sore – as I really think I can get to like the Swift as its less intrusive and good for my deviated septum.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Ado

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Thu May 29, 2008 2:48 am

Ado,

I don't use the Micro, but I understand one is able to adjust it to minimize the leaks, hence the name, micro adjustments. But if that doesn't work, get some Mack's Silicone Earplugs. Take a lump, break it into two-three pieces. Roll each piece out onto a rope about 1/8 inch thick and place it around the cushion where it contacts your face, like a gasket. Put your mask on and smoosh it down on your face. This works for me.

I've tried using the Swift, I can't get more than a couple of hours out of it. It must be a character flaw, since many others report loving it. I understand the trick is to keep using it until your nose toughens up and you adapt. Best of luck.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu May 29, 2008 3:42 am

After my first 3 nights with a nasal pillows maks my nostril hurt so bad I called the clinic. The RT said: its a pressure sore, you have to take break - it won't get better if you don't. She said (looking at my PSG results) that I could afford to take a 3 night break.

I needed only 2, and have been using nasal pillows mask everynight, all night long since then. Not a Swift though - the Swift and I didn't along at all. I used KY jelly on my nasal pillows for month or longer till I got used to them.

Allan's suggestion for sealing the micro sounds great - try it so you can give your nostrils a break without having to stop therapy.

O.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): swift, Nasal Pillows

Maddcow · Post by **Maddcow** » Thu May 29, 2008 4:07 am

Ado, I'm new to CPAP (3 weeks now) and I started off with the Swift II because there was NO WAY I was going to wear a big ugly mask on my face. Fast forward to 3 days ago when I was fed up with my AHI still being high and my sleep being disrupted by leaks every time I moved around......so I went out and swapped the Swift II for an Activa (after it was recommended to me here on the forum by zorrro13) and am now extremely happy. Yes, the Activa is precisely the type of mask I was desperately trying to avoid but man, does it work for me! I can now move around as much as I like and the thing just will not leak unless I'm trying hard to be a world-class contortionist. After 3 weeks of utter frustration trying to make things work with the Swift II (I was even taping my mouth for the last 5-6 days of using it), I can now finally get a good night's sleep and really notice the difference during the day. I don't have to tape my mouth and am easily able to handle higher pressures that I couldn't when using the Swift II.

I have no doubt that the time spent using the Swift helped me to get accustomed to CPAP therapy but the right mask has truly made all the difference.....I swear by the Activa now (and so does my wife after putting up with 3 weeks of hell.)

Hang with it mate! Once you get the mask sorted out, the rest is easy (no pun originally intended )

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Thu May 29, 2008 6:55 am

[quote="Ado"]Well, night number 3 on CPAP and things are a very frustrating. I feel like giving the whole thing up – but I know I need to adapt to this if I want a better quality of life. The sleep clinic gave me a new Swift II and whilst it is quiet and gives me a good seal, I still cant get it to stop hurting my nostrils, in particular my right one. Just as I’m drifting off to sleep it starts to hurt and I have to rip it off. I then swap over to a Resmed Micro Mirage and I cannot for the life of me get it to seal properly and a small leak at the bridge of my nose blows air into my right eye. So I rip that off and try the Swift again. By this time its around 4am and I need to sleep so I ended up not using anything. Any tips to stop this leaking? Any tips to make my nostrils less sore – as I really think I can get to like the Swift as its less intrusive and good for my deviated septum.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Ado

le_wif · Post by **le_wif** » Thu May 29, 2008 7:33 am

Hi Ado,
Don't worry about what your wife thinks. If she pushed you for treatment, then she knows something about Apnea, and she was worried about you. As a wife, I can tell you exactly what she's thinking. "What a relief!!" Now she can tolerate you sleeping in the same bed with her, and you both get a good night's sleep. It's a lovely feeling, let me tell you. She also knows that you're going to be around for that baby, your retirement years with her, and your grandchildren. That is a lovely feeling, too. My husband and I have a family tradition of reading to our kids every night. We've done it since they were tiny, and they're now 12 and 10. We each take a kid and switch off every night. Before CPAP, Dad was not very popular at story time because it was so hard to keep him awake. Not so much fun. Things have sure changed--now the kids fight over who gets Dad, because he's a creative guy and often embellishes his stories. My husband is a terrific dad under any circumstances, but since being on CPAP, he's even better. Good for you for getting treatment. Stay with it, the folks here are fabulous and can help you through the rough spots. And seeing how the treatment improves your life, your wife will look at that CPAP mask with the light of love in her eyes, believe me.

Good luck to you!
Le_wif

Newbie and freaked out

more advice needed - thank you so much for your support

Re: more advice needed - thank you so much for your support

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