CPAP OMG

[cpap_challenged]

I have been trying to use my machine since March 2013, I have used various masks and am now cursed with the full face mask. I cannot, no matter what I do, get used to it. I cannot sleep on my back and I am unable to sleep on my side without disturbing the mask. There are nights where I unknowingly remove the mask, only to wake up and find it lying on the floor next to my bed.
Recently my CPAP provider sent me a nasty email saying that I was not meeting the necessary criteria (4+ hours per night)in order to be compensated by my health plan. They gave me the option of either buying the equipment outright or returning it. I need the equipment, and I am benefiting from it. My physician is pleased with my slow process indicating that it does take time to get used to the machine/mask. I cannot afford the purchase the machine and I cannot be healthy without it. Suggestions please?

Thank you,

[Wulfman...]

It would help a great deal if you would fill out your profile with exactly what equipment (machine and mask) you have, including the pressure and humidifier settings.

With regard to your sleeping position, you probably need to look into a different bed pillow. I'm a side sleeper, use a full face mask (ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face) and a Chiroflow (also Mediflow) water-based pillow. My bed pillow is adjustable by altering the amount of water in it. My head doesn't sink into it like it does in a standard fiberfill pillow. There are also other bed pillows designed for this therapy.

There are lots of other things the users can do to get used to this therapy.......like hook up to it while sitting in a chair watching TV. Taking the mask off during the night is a very common thing that happens to new users. You just need to make sure you put it back on immediately after discovering what happened.

Try to hang in there and address these issues as quickly as you can.


Den

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[Goofproof]

Return it, buy on line or used, be done with them, or use it more, its mindover matter, as long as you can get your mind right, nothing else willl matter.

I route the hose over the headboard with a comfortgel nasal mask or a comfort full gel ff mask, adjusted right they work in any angle, I wake up and adjust them over the night but I never fully wake up or remove it. Keep after it! Jim

[robysue]

Contact the insurance company yourself. If the insurance really is getting ready to tell the DME that they will not pay for your equipment, then contact your sleep doc and ask him/her to write a letter attesting to the fact that you are making progress towards full time compliance and that you really do benefit from the machine even though you are running into problems with the compliance check

[Julie]

Google Pap Pillow - it's made for side sleepers who wear Cpap masks (and it's a lot cheaper than a machine!).

[hueyville]

Take ambien till they happy. My insurance no require proof of compliance.

[bwexler]

You might look at the SleepWeaver Élan nasal mask and the SleepWeaver Anew full face mask.
They are made of cloth and compress when your force pushes them into the pillow. I find the Anew more difficult to adjust to prevent leaks but they can work. I have been using the SleepWeaver line for almost 2 years as they have developed new and better designs I have moved up with them.
The only difference between you and me is I always knew when I took of my plastic masks.
I have almost always used unconventional masks. Another one to look at if you can handle nasal pillows is called the No Mask. It has a custom molded mouthpiece that holds the nasal pillows in place, no other headgear, nothing to dislodge the mask. There is a similar new mask TapPap that I have not tried. You need to get your DME/RT to think outside the box.
Do som research here and on other boards, that is how I found all the weird masks and thought my DME what I wanted/needed.

Bob

Resmed S9 Autoset H5i humidifier about to change to ASV
SleepWeaver Élan and Anew
CMS 50i pulse oximeter overnight recorder

[hueyville]

Take ambien till they happy. My insurance no require proof of compliance.

[Babette]

I am a restless side sleeper, and I jam my face into the pillow. Most masks simply will not work for me. They loosen, they leak, they hurt, they drive me crazy and keep me awake.

Several people on this forum recommended the Nasal Aire II to me. I resisted it repeatedly. I was NOT going to shove things up my nose!

But when I finally got desperate and caved and tried it.... I slept for the first time in years. I have 6 years on the hose now, all successful due to this mask.

Give it a shot. https://www.cpap.com offers return insurance on it. Though you can always trade off or sell unwanted masks here or on Craigslist or Ebay, as well.

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

Best of luck,
B.

[49er]

I have been trying to use my machine since March 2013, I have used various masks and am now cursed with the full face mask. I cannot, no matter what I do, get used to it. I cannot sleep on my back and I am unable to sleep on my side without disturbing the mask. There are nights where I unknowingly remove the mask, only to wake up and find it lying on the floor next to my bed.
Recently my CPAP provider sent me a nasty email saying that I was not meeting the necessary criteria (4+ hours per night)in order to be compensated by my health plan. They gave me the option of either buying the equipment outright or returning it. I need the equipment, and I am benefiting from it. My physician is pleased with my slow process indicating that it does take time to get used to the machine/mask. I cannot afford the purchase the machine and I cannot be healthy without it. Suggestions please?

Thank you,

Hi cpap challenged,

Why have you not been able to use nasal pillow or nasal masks? Perhaps folks on this board could help you overcome the challenges that would enable you to use one.

However, if you find you struggle to breath through you nose during the day or find that you can't, then you would most likely need to stick to a full face mask.

49er

[jamiswolf]

cpap challenged,
Good morning. Regarding masks, I use a FF Quattro and actually find that side-sleeping and resting the mask lightly against the pillow actually helps it seal.

Other side-sleepers sleep on the edge of the pillow with the mask hanging free off the side. Success involves many small details applied diligently.

I gave up on my DME and insurance due to high co-payments and have done very well (and for much less money) by buying my gear online. Craigslist abounds with cpap machines and supplies. Because of treatment failures there are many lightly used machines for sale.
Good luck,
J

[chunkyfrog]

I probably "should" be wearing a full face mask, but as long as my mouth stays shut enough
to keep my leaks within acceptable limits, I wear nasal masks.
My one full face mask is a Comfortgel full face by P/R.
The gel is much more comfortable than silicone masks that do not exactly match my face shape.
I have been wearing the Wisp, a tiny nasal mask, for several months now.

[khauser]

I probably "should" be wearing a full face mask, but as long as my mouth stays shut enough
to keep my leaks within acceptable limits, I wear nasal masks.
My one full face mask is a Comfortgel full face by P/R.
The gel is much more comfortable than silicone masks that do not exactly match my face shape.
I have been wearing the Wisp, a tiny nasal mask, for several months now.

I would think that, being a frog, you'd have a whole different problem with air in your mouth. I'm surprised the CPAP doesn't make the vocal sac BLOW UP!

[Issac]

I've learned that the little accessories on the masks can be the whole difference between a comfortable night sleep and waking up and adjusting the mask every half hour. For a pillow type mask, the Aloha by Innomed comes with cushioned cover pads that wrap around the headgear on the face. The fact that the covers come with the mask is a very good thing because the headgear is at an angle. It's a very good little pillow, a little sturdier than the Swift FX and a good choice for pillow lovers. For full face masks, you have to buy the cushioned covers separately, but it's well worth it. If you are handy and have a needle and thread, you can make your own and it's well worth the time. Get yourself some soft material and line it with a thick material from an old blanket or towel. buy a few strips of Velcro from the supermarket or material store. I use the left over Nasal aire II Velcro because they send me so darn much of it I can use it for the cushioned covers over the hose on the mask, too,against mt face since I just attach it behind my head pony tail style behind my ears.
If you are not so handy, there is a women who posts a lot here, Karen, who makes very nice pads for every mask, even the Hybrid. Karen's cost is very reasonable. You must be able to have a comfortable sleep with your mask and those pads will make all the difference. Otherwise, you will probably wake up many times and have to move the mask or pillow around on the face through the night.

[chunkyfrog]

Karen's business and user name is Pad a Cheek.