not able to tolerate mask(s)

[nancydh]

Hi:
Does anybody have any words of wisdom for me?
I have been on cpap since mid-September. The swift nasal pillows took some getting used to, but I was able to get a few hours per night in and started to feel better. Then, I started treatment for a back/shoulder problem. My pain in these areas made it really difficult to sleep flat on my back and the nasal pillows started moving around on my face too much. I switched to the mirage activa. This mask was great because I was able to toss and turn without the mask moving too much. After a few nights, though, the aerophagia became so intense that I had to stop using that mask. The doc suggested I try another type of mask or we could do a full face mask or we could do another sleep study and try me on bi-pap. I elected to try another mask.
I went to the dme and took home the breeze sleep gear with nasal dilators. It's really light and I seem to have less aerophagia w/ it and am able to toss and turn. My problem with this mask is that I cannot seem to get the dilators to get in a position where they will not leak. I've tried wearing the mask before bed (while watching TV or reading) and I do fine until the pressure ramps up and then the leaks start. I was doing ok for awhile-no leaks, comfortable position, but I removed the dilators to clean them and have been completely unable to get them back into a position where there is no leaking. I has some dripping and tons of condensation, so I turned down the humidifier-and that helped.
I cannot seem to get to sleep with any of my 3 masks. I start out everynight w/ the mask on, but have to remove it before I can fall asleep.
I am frustrated and so exhausted. I have an appt w/ the dme in a couple of days to see if we can adjust the breeze and I have a call into my neurologist to see what he suggests, but am wondering if any of you have any tricks I can try. I've tried tylenol pm to see if that will make me sufficiently sleepy to fall asleep with the mask on, but it has not worked, either. I am dedicated and motivated to find a way to get this to work for me.
TIA!
-Nancy

[Guest]

For the condensation problem, the Aussie Heated Hose seems to be the only complete solution. Here's the link:

SleepZone Heated CPAP Tube

For the Breeze, did you replace each pillow so the bottom ridge is inside the hole? Is it leaking from the area around your nostrils or is it leaking from the area where the pillow is seated in the hole?

[tomjax]

A properly adjusted Breeze should have absolutely no leaking from the pillows.
The problem may be the size of the pillows.
It may also be the adjustment, which can be a bit problematic.

It should exert virtually NO pressure on the nares and should not touch the lip at all.

check this out by putting your finger below it and above your nose and gradually lift i. you should see that virtually no pressure is required. Now adjust it to this pressure.

Some just cannot seem to get the hang of adjusting it. praactive practice practice.

[nancydh]

Thanks for the replies.
I am having trouble determining exctly where the leaking is originating. I will work on trying to make a determination tonight. It's difficult because I don't notice it at the lower pressure-at all. The pillows were so much easier to adjust.
I will keep at it. Giving up is not an option.

[Goofproof]

Thanks for the replies.
I am having trouble determining exctly where the leaking is originating. I will work on trying to make a determination tonight. It's difficult because I don't notice it at the lower pressure-at all. The pillows were so much easier to adjust.
I will keep at it. Giving up is not an option.

You have the correct atitude, as long as you think that way you will find what you need to make treatment work, we are all our own best Dr.
JIM

[Sleeper]

Many people, myself included, have had to take Rx sleep meds like ambien during the transition period in order to get used to wearing a mask. Ambien has a real "knockout" punch, so you really don't have much time to fret about the mask. At least that's been my experience.

[Jim Eads]

Nancy, I'm new to this and have no real experience so take what I suggest with a grain of salt.

You seem to have found a mask that works in the Activa. Have you tried to desensitize yourself to the feeling from this mask?

I would try starting out each night with the Activa with the thought (and comfort) that if it starts to bother me I'll change it out during the night. If I only last 10 minutes the first night, so be it. I'll shoot for 12 then next night.

I would bet that if you did that night after night you would lose the sensitivity to the feeling of the mask.

You have to give yourself an "out" but you also have to be kind of hard on yourself so you don't bail out too easily.

Just a thought.

Jim

[Geocom]

I have tried virtually every mask on the market, and they all ended up on the floor sometime in the middle of the night.

However, I've been using the SomnoPlus mask for nearly a year now and I love it. There's nothing radical about the design; but darn it, it works. It is the only mask I've found that works for me.

Also, get the aussie heated hose. It made a world of difference to me, and countless people who visit this site. It's terrific.

As frequent visitors to this site will tell you, a mask that works for one person may not work for another. You may have to experiment with several masks before you find the right one. The important thing, however, is that you DO find the right one. Do not give up! Somewhere out there is a mask just for you...