Leaky mask, sometimes and a lot of questions

wagowski · Post by **wagowski** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 7:08 pm

Ok, I'm new to this forum, but I've had my unit for over a year. I actually love using it, mostly because my wife can really sleep w/ me. I've logged over 4200 hours w/ it.
I have a Remstar plus LX, Resperonics LX humidifier and a Comfort Gel mask.
1) My mask leaks and starts to whistle, but NOT always. It wakes me, I readjust it and it starts leaking again. It leaks on the right side below my eye. I get soooo frustrated at times I just rip it off and sleep w/o it, BUT then I wake up without my spouse because I was snoring. I can go a week w/o any problems but then it starts. With my insurance, Kaiser, I was told that my options are slim on masks that they cover. The comfor gel is the top of the line that they will offer me, they did try to give me the nasal pillow one, but I couldn't get it to seal on my nostrils and tore it off after 30 minutes and went back to my over the nose one.
2) I was given an humidifier w/ my unit, but I stopped using it because of the condensation problem. No, I don't have a heated one and was laughed at by Apria Healthcare when I asked for one. They told me to get a heating pad and place my humidifier on it, but that didn't work, still woke up w/ water in the mask. They then told me to pull as much of the hose into bed w/ me to keep it warm. LOL...........
3) I also wake up w/ the back of my throat very very dry. Would going back to the humidifier help?
4)I have also noticed that many of you have a software reader for your units, did you go "out of pocket" for them, or did insurance pay for them.
Any help or ideas would be helpful.
Thanks

kmoffat · Post by **kmoffat** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 8:48 pm

I hate to break it to you, but a heated humidifier increases the condensation in the hose, and keeping some of your hose under the covers warms it, thereby reducing the condensation.* That was good advice. Some buy or make a hose cover out of fleece material to try to retain the heat. Some buy heated hoses, made in australia, that seem to eliminate the problem.

When I don't use the heater on my humidifier, I get sore nostrils from the dry air (I use a nasal pillow mask), but condensation is a problem when I do use heat.

Dry throat might be caused by opening your mouth while sleeping. Maybe a chin strap or tape would help.

I don't think insurance will buy the card reader, or the software.

* Condensation occurs when warm, moist air meets cool surfaces.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 8:54 pm

The mask you have is notorious for being uncomfortable and leaky. Someone once wrote, "Beware of any mask that has the word 'Comfort' in the name." Use the Search function located at the top of this page and for keyword enter the different mask names. You'll find a lot of info.

You can get any mask you want if you order online from cpap.com. MASKS DO NOT REQUIRE A PRESCRIPTION. If you want to check whether your insurance will cover an online order, contact http://www.billmyinsurance.com and they will find out for you. If not, you can pay out of pocket entirely on your own. Keep in mind, the prices online at cpap.com are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than the cost charged by your sleep doc/DME and insurance company. You don't have to continue using a mask that doesn't work for you just because that's all they'll offer you!

Heated humidification is very important. (It may solve your dry throat problem, but a dry throat can also be the result of mouth breathing.) Again, you can order a heated humidifier online from cpap.com and it doesn't require a prescription. The condensation problem you experienced (rainout) is common. The solution is the SleepZone Heated CPAP Tube (affectionately dubbed the Aussie Heated Hose on this forum). Click on : SleepZone

If you are interested in obtaining a machine that offers accompanying software that gives more than just compliance info, read this entire page:

Machines with software monitoring

I have not heard of a situation where software was covered by insurance, but there's always a first time.

It seems to be increasingly evident that finding the right equipment is often easier to accomplish on your own; without the limitations applied by one's doc, DME or insurance.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 9:01 pm

If you have Kaiser all they provide is a CPAP and an unheated humidifier. To get any mask, heated humidifier, software or auto-pap you are going to have to buy it out of your own pocket. kaiser will provide youa prescription for an auto-PAP but won't pay for it.

Heated humidification will help and getting the Aussie hose will eliminate rain out. I don't know what your financial situation is but I suggest you invest in your comfort with this therapy if you can afford it.

wagowski · Post by **wagowski** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:31 pm

Thanks, NeverSleeps!!
I checked out cpap.com and sent them a note, she called me a little bit ago and answered all my questions. Now I'm waiting for billmyinsurance to get back to me, heck, it can't hurt to see if my insurance will cover anything.
One thing I have tried and works well, I purchased some earplugs, the ones you get molded for your own ears, and wear them at night. It sure does help w/ the hissing noise. I don't seem to wake up as much during the night when I wear them. The only problem wearing them is that I don't hear anything and I mean anything!! Someone could break into the house and I wouldn't hear them.
I liked the Mirage Activa nasal mask. Seems alot better than mine. We will see. It seems that almost everyone has to go "out of pocket" to get the machine/mask that is right for them.
Wag