where to start?!!

[lindyjoy]

Hi, new here but have been using CPAP machine for 1 year. Am having several issues right now and could use some input please. Have been using (happily) same machine, REMstarAuto, from the beginning but have tried several masks (unhappily). Right now I have the Breeze mask which is great in theory but not in reality.

[gasp]

Hi, new here but have been using CPAP machine for 1 year. Am having several issues right now and could use some input please. Have been using (happily) same machine, REMstarAuto, from the beginning but have tried several masks (unhappily). Right now I have the Breeze mask which is great in theory but not in reality.

Where to start? What issues are you having with your mask. For example, does it leak, unseat easily during the night, etc?

[bdp522]

List the issues you're having and we'll all try to help! Mean while, you can fill in your profile by going to the user control panel (left side in light blue bar) at the top of the page. Use text to show your machine and mask. It will make it easier for us to give you the right answers to your questions.

Welcome to the Forum!!

Brenda

[silver123]

Hi and welcome! Let us know what your problems and folks will try to jump in and help.

silver

[grandmajoy]

Welcome to the forum. I'm pretty new, too, and these guys and gals are great. I've learned so much. I thought my mask was fine (An Opus 360), but now I'm having trouble. Everyone here will help you, just give them all the details you can.

Joy

[lindyjoy]

Can't figure out what happened but after writing out a very lengthy post yesterday, only the very beginning got posted after I hit submit. I'll try again. Am using Breathe mask that slips and slides around my head all night. I have adjusted every part and still the same issue. Further there is leakage from the nasal pillows even though I have tried different sizes. And then there is the noise that this "very quiet" mask makes. Otherwise all is well Last mask which fit over my face into my nose was great except that the straps left marks that took at least 2 hours to fade. That one, I could hook under my ponytail and it stayed in place all night.But it was the marks, and the Darth Vader romantic look was what I was trying to get away from when I purchased the Breeze. Am I alone with all of this annoyance? Next issue...we are flying from SFO to Thailand. Has anyone used their cpaps in flight? What equipment do I need? It is a long, long, flight and I really don't want to snore, as only those with apnea can, with so many witnesses. That's the vanity part; then there is the health aspect. I don't want to die on my way either--what with air pressure and not being able to breathe well even on the ground. Surely I am not the first person to have to deal with this. So...hopefully this will post in full and you will all be willing to share your experiences and gathered wisdom. Thanks.
Lindyjoy

[gasp]

Can't figure out what happened but after writing out a very lengthy post yesterday, only the very beginning got posted after I hit submit. I'll try again. Am using Breathe mask that slips and slides around my head all night. I have adjusted every part and still the same issue. Further there is leakage from the nasal pillows even though I have tried different sizes. And then there is the noise that this "very quiet" mask makes. Otherwise all is well Last mask which fit over my face into my nose was great except that the straps left marks that took at least 2 hours to fade. That one, I could hook under my ponytail and it stayed in place all night.But it was the marks, and the Darth Vader romantic look was what I was trying to get away from when I purchased the Breeze. Am I alone with all of this annoyance? Next issue...we are flying from SFO to Thailand. Has anyone used their cpaps in flight? What equipment do I need? It is a long, long, flight and I really don't want to snore, as only those with apnea can, with so many witnesses. That's the vanity part; then there is the health aspect. I don't want to die on my way either--what with air pressure and not being able to breathe well even on the ground. Surely I am not the first person to have to deal with this. So...hopefully this will post in full and you will all be willing to share your experiences and gathered wisdom. Thanks.
Lindyjoy

Hi Lindyjoy:

Karen, a forum member here makes Padacheek, a great product that you can use to eliminate the strap marks. http://Www.padacheek.com I use the forehead piece for the CL2 and love it!

Funny you mention Darth Vader. I had a forum member help me put my head on Darth's body and I put it in a small picture frame on my hubby's bedside table. Humor is a big part of our relationship so it was a natural step for me : )

Regarding the airline you can check on their website and see if they have a written policy regarding how they treat the equipment. I've found flights extremely accommodating. Don't forget to take the water out of your humidifier. You'll need a seat that has access to a plug in too. I used the site's search feature and typed in international flight and found many that may be helpful. Here is one:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35467&p=305012&hili ... ht#p305012

Best wishes!

[Babette]

FWIW, I hate the Breeze. More pain and agony than it is worth, IMHO.

There are other masks out there. Try another mask.

There are also some free test drives you can join to try some masks before buying:

HYBRID – by pjwalman
viewtopic/t33434/Hybrid-TestDrive-Continues.html

SMALL LIBERTY – by fortomorrow
viewtopic/t35474/ResMed-Mirage-Liberty-Test-Drive.html

LARGE LIBERTY – by echo
viewtopic/t35486/Large-Liberty-test-drive.html

NASAL AIRE II – by Babette
viewtopic/t30639/The-Return-of-the-Grea ... Drive.html

You can also find masks to swap here:

Mask Roulette – thread for swapping masks
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19546

And try http://www.cpapauction.com

Good luck!
Babs

[birdshell]

I have to weigh in on the mask choice. Let us all remember that the plethora of masks will attest to the fact that every one of us is different, and settle on a different choice.

That said, I would still be using my beloved Breeze, as it was easily pulled on and off, had the benefit of a smaller nasal mask (that didn't make my nose cold as did the Simple Seal for the ComfortLite 2), and had been a bit altered by me when the teensy, tiny screws would no longer hold the crosspiece in place.

Of course, I had used an ADAM Circuit in the very beginning, after finding the Swift to be intolerable...for me. I liked the nasal pillows, the simplicity of design and not the headgear. With the Breeze being updated and still using the nasal interface from the ADAM Circuit--I thought it was worth a try. Who knew that I would really, really like that Breeze with the DreamSeal interface and just a bit longer front-to-back length?

So, after I developed a contact dermatitis to the DreamSeal....I went to my beloved Liberty, which put too much pressure on my one rogue, crowded and crooked tooth. So, since there is no way to avoid the tooth and I cannot afford too many gum transplants...the Liberty was history. That is OK, as it broke on the last night and I tried to get through the night with tape. I barely made it.

So, now I have a very stripped down Headrest/Aura/Twilight NP. How come everyone keeps buying that mask and renaming it, then selling it? Enough of us like it to make it a valuable mask.

So, I guess there is more than one mask for all of us, and beware! That one you REALLLLLY like could be yesterday's news. But, I hope not.

Karen,
Who celebrates individuality

[Babette]

I have to weigh in on the mask choice. Let us all remember that the plethora of masks will attest to the fact that every one of us is different, and settle on a different choice.

Gee, I'm hurt you've never tried the Nasal Aire II.

Kaaaaaaren..... Come to the dark side..... I am your father.....

LOL,
Babs - NAII Pimp