CPAP Day 35 - not going well

[DaMa]

Most nights I can get the mask not to leak. I am definitely feeling more alert, even late in the day, which is wonderful. BUT, I'm having trouble with nausea, especially in the morning. I almost had to pull of the road on my way to work twice this week. I'm guessing this is from swallowing air. If I stop breathing through my mouth, will that stop?

I've tried a nasal mask for two nights. Far more comfortable and no leaks. But I kept waking up with a need to open my mouth to let the air OUT. It felt so funny that I was laughing out loud at myself. So I went back to FFM. I'd like to try taping, but what if I need to puff OUT when my mouth is taped?

THANKS!!

[jweeks]

Hi,

I am sorry to hear that you are having some problems. Please stick with it...there will be an "ah-ha" moment somewhere in the future where you will get things figured out. At least that is how things worked out for me.

I know what you mean about wanting to let air out your mouth, but you shouldn't do that. That will reduce your effective pressure and counteract the treatment. I also don't like the idea of taping. Have you tried a chin strap? That worked for me, but I had to teach myself to keep my mouth shut. I used to be a mouth breather, so it was a change for me to keep my mouth closed. Over time, you likely will get used to the air in your mouth and it will stop bothering you. In fact, I find that I no longer need to use the ramp feature since I have gotten used to things.

-john-

[Julie]

Hi, you haven't said what your pressure is set at, but unless it's particularly low (6-7), you might want to try lowering it by just one or two numbers for a couple of days to see if you feel any better, because if you do have aerophagia that often helps.

[GaryG]

And try other masks. Took me to my 5th to finally get one that I can at least stop from leaking and start to get some benefits. Mirage Liberty is finally working for me (some nights - still fine tuning).

[Muse-Inc]

And try other masks...Mirage Liberty...

The other hybrid-style FFM is the RespCare Hybrid. Both cover mouth and have pillows. They stop air escaping from your mouth yet provide the most of the comfort of the pillow masks.

[DaMa]

I took a 2 hour nap today. The air in my stomach was the worst so far.

My pressure is at 13. I'll try putting it down one tonight, and see if that helps.

I am using the Quattro FFM. I am a mouth breather -- a really bad one, I understand. Usually if I try to breathe through for my nose for more than minute, I feel like I'm suffocating. But, I did find that I usually have my mouth closed when I'm using the mask, so I tried the nasal mask for two nights. I kept waking up to open my mouth. I also woke in the morning with dry mouth. My DME is supposed to send me a chin strap, but I doubt that will work. I'm okay with staying with the FFM, except for the aerophagia. I'm also willing to try nasal mask with mouth taped if means no aerophagia.

Do you still get aerophagia with the nasal mask, or is it only a problem with FFM?

Thanks!

[Muse-Inc]

If this is addressed to me, I have never used a nasal mask, only the Respironics OptiLife pillow mask and the RespCare Hybrid mask. Here's what the Hybrid looks like; it is not a nasal mask, it is a FFM.

[DaMa]

I tried the pillow masks, but the force of the air in my nose was way too much. The nasal mask I've tried is a Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit. It is much more comfortable than the FFM, but I don't keep my mouth closed.