I'm scared and disgusted

[riveredge1]

I agree with shrouded--the heated hose is wonderful and makes the feeling warm and fuzzy and not cold and wet--i started in nov 09 with a couple hr here and there- now i am 8 hrs with only one break- closet ful of masks but after i got heated hose to work right i can wear the masks that felt horrible and leaked when the air was cold--think the warm air molds the masks to seal better-- hang in there--you ARE NOT ALONE--

[roster]

Thank you to all who are giving me encouragement. I am so happy I found this site. I've never in my life found such caring and encouraging people! Everyone here is truly a God-send. It is wonderful to have all these new friends!!!!!!!!!

Many of us when first diagnosed were badly sleep deprived and exhausted physically and emotionally. You may currently be in this same condition.

That condition makes it very difficult to deal with life in general and especially the process of adapting to CPAP. Keep working at it and persevere.

As your condition improves you will have more patience and energy to deal with life and CPAP. Eventually you will experience enjoyment again.

[fadedgirl]

If you are a mouth breather, you may want to check out the Fisher & Paykel full face masks. They go just a tad under your chin -- and what this does for me is it allows me to sleep with either my mouth closed or open. I can relax my jaw entirely in this mask and have no leaks. Amazing! I have the 431 and I have the 432 on order.

The Quattro (and similarly designed masks) only work for me if I keep my mouth shut all night, as they do not go under the chin. Once I roll over or my jaw relaxes, its Leak City. I have to admit, its really nice to not have to worry about whether my mouth is open or not with the F&P.

I also just received the Hans Rudolph 7600 V2 mask, which is a full face mask without the forehead pad. Like the F&P, it also has a section that goes under the chin, but I've only tried this mask on for a bit, I haven't tried it out yet.

Also, lots of people buy online instead, so if that is an option for you financially then get your doc to hand you an Rx so that you can order them much cheaper that way. As everyone else says, please hang in there! It is so worth it. We are all here to help!!

[torontoCPAPguy]

Thank you to all who are giving me encouragement. I am so happy I found this site. I've never in my life found such caring and encouraging people! Everyone here is truly a God-send. It is wonderful to have all these new friends!!!!!!!!!

Repeat after US: "I will hang in there. I will hang in there. I will hang in there."

[Wulfman]

I don't know what to do anymore. I know I've been on cpap for only 2 weeks, but I've already been through two masks and I'm waiting for my third. As per suggestions, and me reading product reviews of the respcare hybrid ffm, (I'm a mouth breather) my dme person ordered it for me but told me I have to wait about 2wks for it. In the meantime, for the past 2 nights, I've been using the swift lt for her and I can't stand the feel of the nasal pillows. I've been pulling it off in the middle of the night. Did I make a mistake by asking for them to order the hybrid mask because of it's nasal pillows? I'm afraid the dme people will not give me anymore masks, if I can't use it. In the meantime, THIS IS THE WORST I'VE EVER FELT!!!! I'm sorry I ever went for any sleep study...I should have stayed the way I was. I'm also fuming because my sleep doctor sent me to 2 sleep clinics that didn't accept my insurance, & I never knew it. I'm ready to pack it all in. Any words of encouragement?

Hang in there. It should get better when you get the "right stuff" (equipment) and everything tweaked. Don't know what you've got for a machine, but I hope it's data-capable. Please fill in your profile.

I don't mean to be "piling on", but......
With regard to your doctor sending you to an "out-of-network" sleep lab, it's customary (usually "required") for the patient to contact their insurance provider for pre-authorization (approval) BEFORE they have the procedures performed. It's not the doctor's responsibility to know which entities every insurance provider considers to be "in-network".


Den

[rosiefrosie]

It will get better. It is hard those first few weeks. I think we all pulled our masks off at first, I even ripped mine off one night and threw it across the room. i was so mad that I had to wear that thing. And all I could think of was "Why me!". Hang in there. I can't sleep without my c-pap and mask now and I feel so much better and so will you.

rosie

[torontoCPAPguy]

Hey, my lips kept opening slightly and the air would come out my mouth instead of down my windpipe. The result was sorta like windchimes in the dark in the middle of the night. I woke to find my wife gently trying to squeeze my lips closed without waking me. ROFL!

[LaCansada]

I am new to this as well, however, my two cents of advice is to not limit yourself to the concept of using nasal pillows. I know that this may be one of the more popular masks, however some people just never find them comfortable. I have the Swift LT but find the nasal gel mask more comfortable. Due to the fact that I am a mouth breather, I am still looking for that perfect full face mask. Found several I could not use. I've ordered a 3rd but have not used it yet. So my advice, is don't box youself in to the use of nasal pillows. Look at other options as well. Best of luck to you.

[dogbone]

I feel your pain. It took me the better part of two months to get a full night's sleep. I'm also a mouth breather and tried a full face mask but couldn't get it sealed no matter how hard I tried. I've settled on the Swift LT and tape my mouth. Tapping my mouth was not a pleasant thought and the first few times I tried it were not too successful. Then somebody, here, suggested using blue-painter's masking tape. It works beautifully for me and I'm able to sleep the night with zero leaks. As others have said, hang in there. You'll get the hang of it.

[ka-ann]

Hi,
I have been on cpap for 3 weeks now and I am struggling too. I am finding it is a lot of trial and error. I am very determined to make this work. Reach inside and find the strength to continue. That is what I am doing because I want my life to be better. I know we can do this. So many people on here will help you and give you ideas. I am just learning that I must take control of this and help myself. Some things I try help some things don't. It is not a quick fix for anyone from what I have read.

I am using the Swift for her nasal pillows as well. Someone on here told me when I was having problems with them that I might have them too tight. That was it! I loosened the straps some and it worked perfectly. I thought I had to have it strapped tightly to my face but if you get it just comfortable and help the little pillows to form a seal it works great. I am getting very little leakage even with it loosened. That may not work for you but it helped me so I thought I would mention it.

I have felt so bad for the 3 weeks. I called my pulmonologist yesterday and had a really good talk with them. They adjusted my pressure and the humidity and I am trying that now. Keep trying new things. It may take us some time to get there but we will.
I hope you find the answers and encouragement you need to continue. It could make the difference in your health. If you don't have your health it is hard to have anything else!
Take care and keep us posted. You are among friends here!!

[WearyOne]

I'm coming up on three years on cpap, but I remember at about two weeks in sitting up in bed at 2 a.m. crying because I was on the third mask (and last) that I had and that one wouldn't stop leaking like crazy either. I was so mad and upset I threw each one across the room into the dresser, and then threw the pillows, too, because I needed to throw something else! I calmed down, got up, and picked up the one that leaked the least and tried again. That mask is now the only mask I use--the Hybrid.

I made it only because of the support and suggestions here...cutting off the chin flap on the Hybrid, coming up with a fix to keep the pillows from leaking, and the Aussie heated hose. I know it can be horrible at first, and depressing, but it WILL get better if you can hang in there...and hang around here!

Pam