best masks for higher pressures

RM · Post by RM » Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:55 am

Sleepless,

I did try the moleskin and it did help. By the way I use the ultra mirage nasal mask, not a full face mask. I use a chin strap also to battle mouth breathing. I also feel that for the price of these masks and given that there are so many to choose from, us as patients should not have to alter equipment, put up with sores on the face or marks.. I feel that these DME providers and the insurance companies need to work better with the pts to find them the best fitting equipment for them. I work in the medical industry (I'm a physical therapist asst.) so I know how these things work.
I am thankful for this forum though because it has given me answers to questions and good suggestions for help.

Getting back to my issues.... my ultra mirage nasal mask is a large, so I was wondering if a large activa would be the correct size for me. I don't have the opportunity to try before I buy. Also on the cpap.com website that has the mask fitting.. when I put in my measurements it says that the activa would not be the best mask for me. How accurate is those measurements anyway?
On the machine side, I am presently in the process of trying to obtain a new machine, and don't know if I should push for a autopap or bipap.

You definately need to be pro active in your care with this sleep apnea thing. I would also recommend that pts not settle for less than adequate results. Somewhere out there I believe is the best machine and mask for everyone... the challenge is finding it, and this forum is a good place for help in that endeavor.

RM.

RM · Post by RM » Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:57 am

Sleepless,

I did try the moleskin and it did help. By the way I use the ultra mirage nasal mask, not a full face mask. I use a chin strap also to battle mouth breathing. I also feel that for the price of these masks and given that there are so many to choose from, us as patients should not have to alter equipment, put up with sores on the face or marks.. I feel that these DME providers and the insurance companies need to work better with the pts to find them the best fitting equipment for them. I work in the medical industry (I'm a physical therapist asst.) so I know how these things work.
I am thankful for this forum though because it has given me answers to questions and good suggestions for help.

Getting back to my issues.... my ultra mirage nasal mask is a large, so I was wondering if a large activa would be the correct size for me. I don't have the opportunity to try before I buy. Also on the cpap.com website that has the mask fitting.. when I put in my measurements it says that the activa would not be the best mask for me. How accurate is those measurements anyway?
On the machine side, I am presently in the process of trying to obtain a new machine, and don't know if I should push for a autopap or bipap.

You definately need to be pro active in your care with this sleep apnea thing. I would also recommend that pts not settle for less than adequate results. Somewhere out there I believe is the best machine and mask for everyone... the challenge is finding it, and this forum is a good place for help in that endeavor.

RM.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 8:03 am

I also feel that for the price of these masks and given that there are so many to choose from, us as patients should not have to alter equipment, put up with sores on the face or marks..

In a perfect world, my friend.

As far as the auto or bipap, am attaching a link to a thread Rested Gal, bless her heart, posted yesterday regarding how you can now have both. Hope it helps:
viewtopic.php?t=4674

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 8:35 am

Lori, although Respironics calls it "BiPAP Auto" in the ad, I'm not entirely sure if they mean it can be operated as both at the same time, or if it's an either/or choice of modes.... perhaps with "ResMed-style" EPR relief throughout an exhale while in Auto mode. Until someone actually gets one (probably will be a rather pricey machine) and puts it through its paces, I don't guess we'll know for sure.

RM, you wrote:

when I put in my measurements it says that the activa would not be the best mask for me. How accurate is those measurements anyway?

Not very, imho, when it comes to what masks they recommend -- or steer people away from. If you're already wearing a large Ultra Mirage nasal mask, I think you would be very pleased with a large Activa. But I've been wrong before.

Another product I've seen mentioned to help ease tenderness on the bridge of nose are Nexcare Foam spot bandaids.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:39 am

RM:
Regarding the mouth-leaks, try training yourself to breath with the tip of your tongue pushing gently against the back of your upper front teeth, with the front part of the top of your tongue touching the roof of your mouth. With your tongue in this position, the seal at the back of your throat is achieved such that you won't have air leak.

When I first started CPAP almost a year ago, I was mouth-breathing all the time and had to use various and assorted configurations of chinstrap, ACE bandage, tape, Duo-derm tape, etc., etc., etc. This drove me nuts. With the help of Nasonex to reduce the inflamation in my nose, a hepa-grade filter in my CPAP machine, adequate humidification (with the water pre-warmed so that the first blast of air is not cold and dry, slamming my nose shut) and training myself to keep my tongue in the position to create the proper seal, I'm now sleeping throughout the night with no mouth leaks and no need for straps, tape, etc.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 12:26 pm

WS,

Have been doing that myself, too, for the past three nights. So far, so good. My leak rate has remained constant and low, so I guess it's working. Now, without software, how would I have known if I was mouth breathing in my sleep or not unless I woke up from it? I love software...

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 12:45 pm

I love software...

Me too, when it works.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:01 pm

Me too, when it works.

As with anything computers. When they work, they're great. When they malfuction, they're your biggest nightmare.