Newly diagnosed 2nd night on biPap

[TiredAlot]

Hi, So happy to find this forum. I'm newly diagnosed and brought home my Respironics System one plus with humidifier and the MIrage Quattro ff mask with headgear on Friday 4/27/12. I have two issues that I could use some advice on:
1. I am experiencing a pressure mark across the bridge and down one side of my nose, I've tried changing the mask settings so as to relieve this but need to keep enough pressure to allow it to seal and not leak.
2. I'm also having problems with aerophagia (swallowing air), this is causing pain.
Apparently when I begin to go into REM my jaw will drop and my mouth opens, I hadn't been aware of this but during my titration sleep session the tech discovered this and switched me from the nose hose to the ff mask. I am not nor have I ever been a mouth breather during my awake hours. My settings are 14 and 10 on the BiPap machine. I am just learning here so really don't know all the terminology, but have found the terminology lists that are posted and they are a great help.
TiredAlot

[RandyJ]

I use a mask liner with the Mirage Quattro which helps with comfort and leaks:

http://padacheek.com/PAC_Maskliners.html

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Your chosen humidifier doesn't match your machine. From the equipment list you need to choose PR System One Heated Humidifier.

You have a BiPap..you mention BiPap Plus in your comments but your equipment choice shows the BiPap Pro. Which do you you have? What shows on the machine?
The BiPap Plus does not offer any data except hours of use but the BiPap Pro offers full data.
If you do have the Pro...check my signature line for SleepyHead software that will work with the PR S1 BiPap Pro. It will enable you to monitor your therapy and leaks and more.

You might want to consider a mask liner. You can make your own or buy one. It should help with the marks on the nose from the mask.
There are several available to purchase. Padacheeks makes one that is washable and lasts a long time
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_Maskliners.html
We will have to wait for others to make additional comments on ideas about your mask and the marks. I don't use that mask so other than the liner suggestion..I am not much help.

The aerophagia...if it is really bad and the usual remedies do not offer relief you might want to talk to your doctor about a reduction in pressure just a bit to see if it helps and perhaps work back up to your prescribed pressure later. Sometimes just a little reduction will help a lot and if you have the software you can watch for events to see if a little reduction doesn't cause an increase in events.

[moondoggy]

Pressure marks are a problem for lots of us. My first mask was a Resmed Mirage Micro and it would create open sores if I wasn't careful. I ended up switching to a Mirage Softgel. I agree with the others that you may want to consider getting a mask liner from www,Padacheek.com. The liner makes the mask more comfortable and also helps with the leaks. Interestingly enough my Apnea/Hypopnea index has gone from an average of 5.5 to 3.1 and the only difference is the liner. Note that the mask liner may help with pressure marks a bit but they wont stop then. You may find that you'll need to adjust the straps, etc as too much pressure can be bad. You may find that the mask you have just isn't going to work for you. I tried 4 masks before selecting mine and I'm still not happy with what I have. The most important point here is to not get frustrated. Stay in the mask for as long as you can and start working on the rest. Get the liner though.... It's worth it.

[TiredAlot]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies. I was wrong, my machine is the Remstar Bi-Pap Pro Bi-Flex and yes I see I chose the wrong humidifier . I've not done much posting on forums, usually just read them so appreciate the help getting my information correct. I meet with my tech on Wednesday so will bring up to her about possibly getting a change in pressure to see if that helps and I found some similar fleece material that I will try to make an attempt at following the idea for the padding. I'm a little concerned about creating a leak but will see if I can get some immediate relief until I can either order a pad or try another mask.
Thank you all again for your posts, I appreciate the support and help!
TiredAlot

[TiredAlot]

Thanks Pugsy for the information about the software, I'll check it out. How do I use this? with the SD card? I'm not sure my SD card is recording anything yet. I'm actually in the rental stage of this machine as my insurance requires a 3 month rental before they will purchase it.

[Pugsy]

The machine writes the data to the SD card. Rental or not. If your insurance requires a minimum usage of some amount your DME will take that card and use it with software to see if you are using the machine long enough each night and for whatever number of nights your insurance requires so that the insurance company will pay for the equipment.
The machines writes all the data it gathers to that SD card.

So all you need to do is install SleepyHead and start using it. If your computer has a SD slot then you need nothing else. If it does not have a SD slot then you need a SD card reader/adapter and generic is fine and costs maybe $10 at Walmart. One in plugs into a USB port and the other end you slide the SD card in.
For steps in importing the files be sure to read the SleepyHead user guide and that link is also in my signature.

[BlackSpinner]

I found some similar fleece material that I will try to make an attempt at following the idea for the padding. I'm a little concerned about creating a leak but will see if I can get some immediate relief until I can either order a pad or try another mask.
Thank you all again for your posts, I appreciate the support and help!
TiredAlot

Use the fleece material to pad the straps. Use some old cotton knit t-shirt fabric to create a gasket for your mask. Just lay the mask on the fabric, trace around it with a marker. Add an inch all around and cut it out. Fold in half vertically and cut a small triangle for the nose and mouth. lay it on the mask and bend down to put it on your face. Adjust hole until it works - that is your pattern - now use it to cut out the really ones.
Many people find they have less leaks with this kind of liner because it absorbs the grease from your skin.

[TiredAlot]

So all you need to do is install SleepyHead and start using it. If your computer has a SD slot then you need nothing else. If it does not have a SD slot then you need a SD card reader/adapter and generic is fine and costs maybe $10 at Walmart. One in plugs into a USB port and the other end you slide the SD card in.
For steps in importing the files be sure to read the SleepyHead user guide and that link is also in my signature.

Installed SleepyHead, did the update, put the SD card in the slot in my laptop and imported the information, this was quick and painless. What a nice program.. Now I need to learn what everything means so back to the terminology list.

[TiredAlot]

Use the fleece material to pad the straps. Use some old cotton knit t-shirt fabric to create a gasket for your mask. Just lay the mask on the fabric, trace around it with a marker. Add an inch all around and cut it out. Fold in half vertically and cut a small triangle for the nose and mouth. lay it on the mask and bend down to put it on your face. Adjust hole until it works - that is your pattern - now use it to cut out the really ones.
Many people find they have less leaks with this kind of liner because it absorbs the grease from your skin.

Thanks BlackSpinner, I'll try the t-shirt fabric for the gasket, looking at the nose pad idea I think I could use the fleece that I have for the pad and might try the pad for tonight and if it doesn't work will move on to the gasket idea. I can see the benefit in less leaks and absorbing the oils from the skin.

[TiredAlot]

Saw my DME today, last night was another terrible night with the full face mask, sore on bridge of nose, lots of leaks, swallowed lots of air, ugh . We are going to try the Swift fx nasal mask and a chin strap, I will see her again in three days and we'll see how this works. Fingers crossed!