picking a mask

[bprater]

Hi,
I am a new CPAP user. I just got my machine two weeks ago even though my dr. has been after me for 2 years now to get a machine. My problem is how do you pick the best mask and how long does it take everyone to decide if the mask works for them. I first tried the nasal one and it was okay even though I was a mouth breather it was easy to switch to nasal but it made my nose feel sore so I took it back and switched to a mouth and nasal (I think its called a 1/2 facial mask) and it is worse. The first night I had a nightmare thinking I was drowning and woke up trying to swim to the surface swinging my arms wildly. The next night for some reason I woke up and too much air was hitting me in the face and at first I was trying to breath it all in - of course that didnt work and then last night I gave up. But every night it seems like it isnt fitting right and just when I lay down to sleep and get all situated I either need to scratch my nose or take it off for a second for some other reason. With the first mask I was went from getting 2.5 hours sleep up to 5 hours within a couple of days and the second mask I get 2.5 hours at the most and a lot of times not even that long. Should I try another mask or go back to the first one. I dont know how many different mask the DME company will even let me try out before they say I am stuck with a certain one. The only reason I even agreed to finally get a CPAP machine was because someone told me I could get a canula one and I thought it would be less cumbersome but this DME company doesnt have them for some reason. I love sleeping on my side and stomach and hate sleeping on my back!

[LarryD]

Try the ResMed Swift FX nose pillows. If you don't like that, keep trying until you find one you do like.

Larry

[napmaster]

We can't tell from your signature what equipment you are using. We also don't know what pressure your therapy requires. Those things are important as you make your selection. I haven't been at this all that long. But, I am discovering that a great mask for someone on a moderate pressure cpap may not work at all for someone on a higher pressure Bipap. For instance, I tried to use one of those hybrid masks (mouth and nose pillows). I use a fairly high pressure bipap. Not only did the mask tend to leak, I could hardly go to sleep because the mouth part felt like it was trying to eat my face. That sounds funny. But, the cyclic pressure of the bipap causes the mask to inflate and deflate. So, the mask moves all the time keeping you awake. And, the movement tends to cause the mask to leak. Now, this may be a great mask for someone on a lower pressure cpap (you tend to leak less with less pressure). It did not work for me at all.

I happen to like the Swift FX too. People complain some about the pillow portion of the mask not lasting all that long. Again, higher pressure increases that problem. I looked at some of the other nasal pillow masks. I even bought one out of pocket to see if it would hold up better. I had the worst time with that mask. After two attempts, I could not wear it anymore. I also traded for another one. I can at least tolerate it. But, it doesn't fit my nostrils correctly and leaks a little on one side no matter what I do.

As I've done more research, I find that the Swift FX is one of the newest nasal pillow masks that has the advantage of several iterations of design improvements that started with the Adams Circuit, Opus 360, Optilife, and of course the previous Swift, Swift II, Swift LT, and others that I don't even know about. The point is, the Swift FX is the latest design on the nasal pillow which continues to evolve as people like us continue to try to use this stuff.

Every face is different. So, you really have to do some trying. My DME has a 14 day comfort guarantee. So the one I bought that was so bad was traded in for another Swift FX as I could not find a better mask. Maybe yours has something similar. That way, at least you can find something workable. I guess what I'm saying is don't just trust the ratings other people provide. It works for them in their particular situation. That doesn't seem to translate well for me to my situation. I hope this helps.

[nanwilson]

You do not have to sleep on your back, in fact it may cause more apneas that way. Some folks here used tennis balls sewn to their pj shirt to keep them OFF their back, some use a little back pack or a wedge. It is better to sleep on your side. Sleeping on your back makes it easier for your tongue to fall back and restrict your airway. As to mask preference, we all have our fav's because none of us have the same facial contours and what I like, you may hate. BUT if you are a mouth breather, you should keep with a full face mask, You will need to have a full face mask when you have a cold or allergies anyway....what good is a nasal mask if your nose is stuffed up. Take a look at cpap.com just to get an idea what is available and read all the reviews. That's how I learned what was available and with the help of the wonderful folks here, I learned how to adjust each mask. I am a mouth breather too, so I have an Innomed Hybrid, an Ultra Mirage and a Quattro. I also have a Comforgel nasal mask but I tape my mouth when I use it...don't really care for taping so I don't use it much....only when its so freaking hot at night my other masks just make it worse .
Good luck in your quest to good sleeps. And don't be afaid to ask ANY question, there are no stupid questions on this forum, someone will chime in with an answer for you.
Cheers
Nan

[Catnap]

I don't know if it is still making the rounds, but there was a free trial of the Nasal Aire II cannula mask available here for a long time; you may want to do a search.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/innome ... e-kit.html

I like this mask a LOT, although do find it is noisy (kind of a Darth Vader breathing effect).

Believe me, we can all sympathize with that search for the perfect mask. I've been through eight now, I think, and am still searching for the Holy Grail. One thing I've learned is that the "right" mask varies for me. Some nights my Swift LT is just the ticket. Sometimes the SoftGel does the trick. Lately I've been back in my UltraMirage FFM because my nose has been stuffy.

If your budget can handle buying without insurance (or you can bill insurance retroactively), cpap.com is a great place to read about and try masks; they have reviews from real users, and you can buy "mask insurance" that allows you to return anything that doesn't work for you. Cpapauction.com is another good place to check for masks. No return option, but usually the prices are low.

Hang in there! It's frustrating, but you learn a little more with each one you try, and you will find options that are workable for you.

[rested gal]

I was a mouth breather

if you are a mouth breather, you should keep with a full face mask

Nan is right. But if you find other types of masks (nasal or nasal pillows) more comfortable to wear, you can wear other types of masks...but...you'd have to find a way to prevent mouth breathing. I use tape over my mouth every night so that I can wear my favorite nasal pillows mask. Otherwise, I'd have to use a FF mask.

You do not have to sleep on your back

Right. You can sleep on your side or tummy, if those are sleeping positions you prefer, bprater.
What pillow you use can make a difference in how comfortable a FF mask is when sleeping on one's side. I personally like a double edge PAPillow (you can find that at https://www.cpap.com) which has a curved contoured side that lets the front of a mask hang out over the edge of the pillow when sleeping on your side.

[Beachmeezer]

For my first year on CPAP, I used a Zest nasal mask. It was very small. With Remzzz, I could use my favorite nighttime moisterizer. On my one year anniversary, at a CPAP support group meeting I was able to get a loaner Swift FX for her nasal pillows. SOLD! that is now my go to favorite. - Kim

[Paulrp]

I have never used any thing but nasal pillows. First the opti life mask, Now the new Go Life Mask, I have a beard, and some excess tissue under my chin caused the opti life's chin strap to move about, but it rarely lost it's seal. The Go Life has no chin strap, and I really like it. I can recommend either of those.

[MichelleR]

I've had my machine for about a month and a half and have tried 3 different. They have all been free b/c it's been within 30 days. I have the ResMed pillows, but they make the inside of my nose sore. I'm hoping it's just the getting use to it. I like them b/c they are less invasive than a nose or face mask.

[bprater]

I dont know much about the tech terms but mine is a Resmed machine and dont know the nammes of the masks I've tried. I do know that mine is mild apnea and are at very low settings. I have been told that I am not really a typical CPAP user in that I am not tired, dont want naps and easy to get up and start my day.

bprater

[bprater]

Michelle,

I tried the Resmed nasal pillows too and I also had a sore nose. It didnt make sores on my nose but my nose felt sore/raw at night when I put them in my nose but that was my first mask and I thought I could improve by switching so I went to the face mask and it was worse. The nasal pillows allowed me to sleep on my side and stomach and I easily went from 2 hours to 5 hours within a week. The face mask I went from 2 hours to 30 min. to NO WAY!!!! The face mask I am using is Quattro FX. Dont know if I'll go back to the RESMED nasal pillows or if I will try a different nasal mask. The resp. therapist did say that they make a gel for the nose for soreness for less than 10.00 but I dont want to add anything else and have a messy gel added to the problems.

bprater

[pickuptruck]

I hope everyone has the proper fit for the Nasal Pillows. Some DME try to put them in your nose. the only touch the outside of your nares and loosely at that! I use Swift FX nasal pillows and love them.

[bprater]

My MDE resp. therapist told me that the inside rim fo the pillow was supposed to fit inside my nose. Before he told meto do that I ws putting the entire thing on the outside of my nose resting against it and I was fine. Then I remember what he said and thought I would get air leaks or inaccurate readings if I didnt so I started putting the inner rim on the inside of my nose and thats when I got sore nose syndrome!!!

bprater

[Pugsy]

My MDE resp. therapist told me that the inside rim fo the pillow was supposed to fit inside my nose. Before he told meto do that I ws putting the entire thing on the outside of my nose resting against it and I was fine. Then I remember what he said and thought I would get air leaks or inaccurate readings if I didnt so I started putting the inner rim on the inside of my nose and thats when I got sore nose syndrome!!!

Go back to using it the way you were.
Only the tiny part of the tip of the pillow fits inside the nostril are. The pillow base or edge rests against the nostril, not inside it. Geez, no wonder it hurt. It is not used like a cork. DME rep obviously didn't know how to use the pillows.

There will be some "tenderness" if a person has the straps too tight or maybe wrong size pillows, but major pain indicates that placement is completely wrong.

[Sleepy Bear]

Hi. I'm also a newbie and having mask trouble - at least, I think it's mask trouble.

Each night I start off fine but as the night progresses my mask (Quattro FX) seems to get looser and starts leaking. I'm not sure if this is due to the muscles in my face relaxing or what, but usually about 4AM I am wakened by the feel - and sometimes, by the sound - of air escaping around my mask. Sometimes I can just tighten it but sometimes the only thing that works is to turn on the light, sit up, take the mask off and start again from the beginning. As you can imagine, neither my husband nor the cat who shares our bed is happy with this solution.

The leaks seem worse if I try to sleep on my side so I am wondering if I should try a Papillow. Currently, I am sleeping on my back on a tiny pillow with my head tilted back as this seems to suit the mask best and is the best way to control leaks. But it's uncomfortable and I wake up with a crick in my neck and a headache.

I mouthbreath with CPAP so I need a full mask.

I have spoken to my sleep tech but apparently the read-outs from my machine don't indicate any real problem so the techs don't seem very interested.

I'm becoming really peeved with the whole situation, especially as I didn't have most of the usual symptoms before I was diagnosed, so I ask myself how much benefit am I getting from following doctor's orders about my sleep apnoea. When I want a really good night's sleep I ditch the CPAP and just go to bed!

I would appreciate any advice about bed pillows, masks and sleeping positions anyone might be able to offer. Thanks