First night complete on M Series and Mirage Micro

[Mike081376]

Ok so I used my new M Series w/ Humid and Mirage Micro Nasal last night....I wish I could say I woke up today running 15 miles but I didn't and heres why:

1. Like most of you said, the humidity setting almost drowned me this morning, haha! I set it on a "2.5" at my Dr.'s recommendation, well it was really cold in my house this morning and I woke up to some rain, not bad enough to choke me out bad enough!

**Diagnosis, setting of "1" on the humidifier from now on. (learning experience)

2. The pressure of "10" seemed to work pretty well, but the main problem is this mask...arrgghh

3. Ok, now for the most frustrating part, and the part that 99.9% of you said would be the hardest, finding a MASK!!! The Mirage Micro...ummm yeah lets just say I will be taking that back today!! First off, the hose coming out of the front of the mask, not going to work for me. I roll around A LOT in my sleep apparently so I feel that I need a mask with a hose of the head to allow for this. Second, where my upper lip meets my nose is completely rubbed RAW after 1 nights usage. I tried adjusting the velcro last night and it was NOT too tight.

3.So...I am think about trying the Headrest Nasal Pillow with headgear or the Mirage Swift LT Nasal Pillow because this back sleeping thing isn't going to work!!

4. Ok, so I took an Ambien CR at 10:30PM, woke up at 5AM...not bad for me I think the combo of the rain and the fact I tried to roll over (stupid hose) woke me up.

5. My girlfriend said I woke her up 3 times breathing out of my mouth, which my Dr. said the test results did NOT show any mouth breathing....this worries me because if I am doing this, it could be hindering my full nights sleep!!

Help??!!!

[Mike081376]

BUMP!!!!!

[KengEsq]

Ok so I used my new M Series w/ Humid and Mirage Micro Nasal last night....I wish I could say I woke up today running 15 miles but I didn't and heres why:

1. Like most of you said, the humidity setting almost drowned me this morning, haha! I set it on a "2.5" at my Dr.'s recommendation, well it was really cold in my house this morning and I woke up to some rain, not bad enough to choke me out bad enough!

**Diagnosis, setting of "1" on the humidifier from now on. (learning experience)

2. The pressure of "10" seemed to work pretty well, but the main problem is this mask...arrgghh

3. Ok, now for the most frustrating part, and the part that 99.9% of you said would be the hardest, finding a MASK!!! The Mirage Micro...ummm yeah lets just say I will be taking that back today!! First off, the hose coming out of the front of the mask, not going to work for me. I roll around A LOT in my sleep apparently so I feel that I need a mask with a hose of the head to allow for this. Second, where my upper lip meets my nose is completely rubbed RAW after 1 nights usage. I tried adjusting the velcro last night and it was NOT too tight.

3.So...I am think about trying the Headrest Nasal Pillow with headgear or the Mirage Swift LT Nasal Pillow because this back sleeping thing isn't going to work!!

4. Ok, so I took an Ambien CR at 10:30PM, woke up at 5AM...not bad for me I think the combo of the rain and the fact I tried to roll over (stupid hose) woke me up.

5. My girlfriend said I woke her up 3 times breathing out of my mouth, which my Dr. said the test results did NOT show any mouth breathing....this worries me because if I am doing this, it could be hindering my full nights sleep!!

Help??!!!

First, you should complete your profile so we can see the details regarding your machine and mask.
If you are mouth breathing, try a chip strap or a full face mask. If you are anything like me, every mask I tried and I tried just about all of them, irritated my skin except the Zzz-Mask - I have never tried the Zzz-nasal mask so I cannot comment on its comfort. Even now, I am thinking about at least trying a nasal mask/pillow delivery device which I have not tried because I was told I needed a full face mask because I am a mouth breather.
A cold room combined with an uninsulated hose will cause condensation in the hose. Try a hose wrap to provide some insulation. I got mine at CPAP.com and that solved the "water problem."
Don't give up - it just will take some time to find the right mask and get comfortable with CPAP treatment.

[Gerald]

Mike......

I learned about the Aura Headrest mask from Rested Gal. I followed her lead....and it is working nicely for me.

So...here's what you may have to do.....

Aura Headrest Mask
overhead Hose Hanger
Snugglehose Cover for hose
String Wick inside nosepiece
Lansenoh lanolin on nares
2" Blue 3M Delicate Release Painter's Tape over Mouth
panty-Hose Tights covering over tape
Viewer Software
optional: oximeter with software

I use all of the above.....my AHI is running at about 0.4.....and everything is fine.

The Aura Headrest has been modified a bit.....for comfort....and I can show you what I did....if you decide to try it.

Gerald

[Mike081376]

Gerald,

I just spoke to the Dr.'s assistant who told me first, I need to give this Nasal mask at least until Friday before I could come back in and exchange this mask out. I told her that the leak rate for last night was .33, the unit is BRAND NEW and last night was the first night...she said wow thats a high leak rate, yeah thanks no kidding!! I asked her that if I was breathing through my mouth all night that could make the leak rate that high..she said yes but again, I HAVE to give it until Friday before she's allowed to switch it out to a full mask......unreal....they are making so much money from my insur company and she's telling ME I have to wait even though I KNOW i was breathing through my mouth last night???

Wow.....

[Debjax]

3. Ok, now for the most frustrating part, and the part that 99.9% of you said would be the hardest, finding a MASK!!! The Mirage Micro...ummm yeah lets just say I will be taking that back today!! First off, the hose coming out of the front of the mask, not going to work for me. I roll around A LOT in my sleep apparently so I feel that I need a mask with a hose of the head to allow for this. Second, where my upper lip meets my nose is completely rubbed RAW after 1 nights usage. I tried adjusting the velcro last night and it was NOT too tight.

I have the Micro also. Hang the hose as others have mentioned, it made a HUGE difference for me immediately. I roll and and move around with abandon, and barely notice the hose or mask.

If the upper lip is raw, your mask is probably too large. What size are you using? I had to go to a small, and it's great now.

[Gerald]

Mike....

What you are seeing....when you go to the doctor's office.....is a lack of mechanical ability....plus a lack of creativity.

They just go through the motions....do what "the book" says....and are pretty much know-nothings. Hardly any of them are hoseheads themselves.....so, they don't have real experience. They may "mean well", but most of the time their advice and help is third rate.

You will find that achieving success requires that you be a "creative mechanic"....willing to experiment.....and comfortable with the idea that you have to manage your own treatment.

I still say that you're off to a great start....and you'll "get there" fast. The Aura Headrest Mast is my 4th mask....and I've even got a couple more that I never even tried....because I could see they wouldn't work before I ever put them on. I simply cannablized them for parts....experimenting as I went along.

[OmniMarconi67]

I really like the Micro, I barely notice it at all. Any problems I've had with it moving around I've been able to fix by adjusting the headstraps and twisting the knob up off my lip.