suggestions for mask - I have jaw pain?

[SleepingZ]

I have had Temporomadibular Disorder (TMD) a form of jaw pain for the past 25 years. It was brought on from an adverse reaction to a medication where my tongue would uncontrollably push on my bottom teeth and cause very bad jaw pain (tardive dyskenia). It took a long time to get a handle on this problem, but up to now it was managed well with a night guard.
While doing my last CPAP trial, I wore the Pilairo Q nasal pillows and needed to get my appliance adjusted every week (about $100 each time) to help alleviate the jaw pain so I could tolerate using CPAP throughout the night.
Question: any suggestion for any other mask that would not increase jaw pain?
Thanks

[jencat824]

What pressure are you prescribed? Go to the User Control Panel & add your info (machine, mask, humidifier & in the comment space your pressure). Having this info helps us know your info (see blue under my name) each time for better reference.

I have TMJD, have had for years & am prescribed a high pressure but haven't had any excess pain caused by CPAP. I have had damage to my teeth, they have been pushed out of alignment & I should have gotten a retainer made when it started. That was before I found this forum & I had a dentist at that time who was an idiot. I learned from members here I needed a retainer, by the time I got to another dentist I had waited too long & needed braces ($4,800 worth of orthodontic work).

If you are experiencing painful TMJ symptoms you need to see the dentist or orthodontist who oversees your care. You probably will need a retainer or similar bite device to wear while sleeping. I would think a device to hold your jaws in their current alignment, much like a retainer hold teeth in alignment.

I'm no expert, just a forum member who learned about retainers the hard way. I'm assuming treating TMJ would be done by a similar approach.

Good luck & let us know what your dentist says.
Jen

[SleepyStar]

I um, rotate between a few different masks so I don't chew up the hair so badly (curly hair ends up frizzing crazylike when it breaks) or irritate my ears after many nights in a row right now. I go between the Airfit P10 and the Swift FX with the bella loops. That way neither drawback really becomes a problem. I started out with the Swift FX with the regular headgear.

I have some TMJ problems myself, and the P10 and the Swift FX with the regular headgear don't go near the TMJ so they're no problem at all. The Bella loop at the bottom I can feel against it if I'm having a day where it's really swollen and I'm eating mashed potatoes or blenderized soup for every meal. Otherwise I don't though. But the packaging for the whole mask if you get the bella comes with the regular Swift headgear so...you can give both a try. The "Swift FX" without the bella loops just has the more usual over the head headgear.

I hope these are helpful suggestions.

[SleepingZ]

Thank you for the replies JenCat and SleepyStar.
I was already wearing a night guard to keep my jaw balanced and aligned prior to being introduced to my CPAP machine. I told the DME that I had had very bad jaw pain for many years, and she had to look for a mask where the straps would not touch my jaw. She only had the Pilairo in stock.
It wasn't a big surprise when after a week of using the auto CPAP at a setting of 7 - 15, that the jaw pain increased considerably. I had to stop the trial as I was having a hard time eating, etc.
The pulmonologist agreed to lower the pressure to 5 - 12, which was less painful as long as I went to my dentist for weekly adjustments to my night guard (for upper teeth only). The thing is I might need these weekly adjustments for a long time, as the increased jaw pain is impacting my daily life.
Suggestions are appreciated.

On another note, thanks for suggesting that I add details about my equipment. I went under User Control Panel and filled out Edit Signature. My info does not land in the same place as other people. Where exactly should I put this information? Thanks

[Pugsy]

I went under User Control Panel and filled out Edit Signature. My info does not land in the same place as other people. Where exactly should I put this information?

You need to edit the equipment profile and not the Edit Signature thing.
Signature line and equipment profile are 2 different places to change things.
You can also use the comment section in the equipment profile....see mine where I mention my other machines.
Not sure if your model 550 machine link is still working on the equipment profile menu. So if it doesn't show up you can always put it in the comments section.
Some links to the older discontinued equipment are broken if cpap.com no longer sells that item.

[SleepingZ]

Thanks Pugsy,

I was able to get my info in the right place with your help. I went to User Control Panel, then selected Profile which gave me the choice Edit Equipment. Then, I saw the box for Comments.
I will need to edit things again soon as my equipment is a loaner, and I have not found the System One 550 available from online distributors who deal with Canada, but the 560 is now being sold. My next info update will be much easier!

[jencat824]

The pulmonologist agreed to lower the pressure to 5 - 12, which was less painful as long as I went to my dentist for weekly adjustments to my night guard (for upper teeth only). The thing is I might need these weekly adjustments for a long time, as the increased jaw pain is impacting my daily life.
Suggestions are appreciated.

My pressure is 12 - 20, but most nights I'm closer to 20 than the 12, so I'm used to a high pressure. You may have to start low & build up to higher over time, so that your jaws get used to the pressure.

I might suggest you try the AirFit P10. It has a very light headgear which might reduce the pressure more than the Piliaro Q. Also, perhaps the regular Piliaro headgear (the one strap only) would help.

With the P10 it will depend on your head size. For me, the P10 headgear is very loose. For many on the forum they have commented that the headgear is very tight. If its tight for you, I would try to 'stretch' it during the day by putting it on something like a lamp shade or bowling ball the stretch the headgear so that it rests VERY lightly on your head. That is all that is necessary to hold it on. Make sure you have the right pillows for your nostril size, if that is right, then the headgear should be loose & work well without any pressure to your head. Also with the P10 I find that working the 2 head straps helps in adjustment. My problem with the P10 is that is was originally too loose, so I worked the head straps until I found the largest part of my head and positioned the top one there. I'm using this as an example for you to know this adjustment is available and may help take some of the pressure off the jaw area.

Also, if the dentist is doing weekly adjustments perhaps you could get the type of mouth guard that has adjustments on it and learn how to do these yourself. I say that because I know you have to pay to go weekly, so that costing you a bundle of money. Well worth it in terms of giving you that relief, but in terms of $$$ perhaps you could learn how to do the adjustments to save some money.

Let us know how things work out for you. I was a TMJ sufferer, so I know how bad it can get, but I'm lucky enough that the cortisone injections a few years back all but cured me. I'm also currently undergoing major orthodontic work, so that nightguard I'm wearing now is an Invisaligner, changed every 3 weeks, and it helps immensely. Most of my problem occurred from grinding, and if someone had told me at the beginning of my CPAP journey that I would need a retainer, I could have saved myself a whole lot of time, pain & money. Well, live & learn.

Jen

[SleepingZ]

Thanks Jencat,
With the Pilairo Q, I was provided with the single strap that goes around the back of the head, elastic and non-adjustable. I guess when the elastic gets too worn, I can replace the strap.
The P10 could be an alternative to look at; I appreciate that you listed all the masks you tried.

Regarding the night guard, it is made of somewhat flexible plastic, as the hard appliances aggravate pain in no time. I'm not sure about using a retainer, but I will see as I progress in this journey. Either option will end up costing me.

[DJD52]

I have had Temporomadibular Disorder (TMD) a form of jaw pain for the past 25 years. It was brought on from an adverse reaction to a medication where my tongue would uncontrollably push on my bottom teeth and cause very bad jaw pain (tardive dyskenia). It took a long time to get a handle on this problem, but up to now it was managed well with a night guard.
While doing my last CPAP trial, I wore the Pilairo Q nasal pillows and needed to get my appliance adjusted every week (about $100 each time) to help alleviate the jaw pain so I could tolerate using CPAP throughout the night.
Question: any suggestion for any other mask that would not increase jaw pain?
Thanks

I haven't posted here for quite awhile. I do read over the posts off and on still.

I just have to agree with the others and say that the AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow mask is what I finally found that put an end to the Cpap masks aggravating my jaw. (TMJ) I found that using a water pillow as my bed pillow helped me prior to this mask as it cushioned the strap of masks like the Swift FX and made sleeping on my side at least more tolerable.
BUT...After playing with the straps on the Air Fit, I now use it exclusively and I'm no longer aggravating my jaw when I sleep plus I'm actually as comfortable with it as I'd guess I can be. The straps are just soft material, the water pillow cradles them totally when I lay on my side so I don't even feel the straps anymore and I no longer get pressure on the nasal pillow mask itself when laying on my side. The hose doesn't even put pressure on the mask. The straps for me are somewhat loose so there never seems to be any pressure on my upper lip from the mask/nasal pillows, nor do the nasal pillows bother the inside of my nose if I'm on my side. Love this mask. I'd rather not wear a mask but
since I have to, I'm glad to have finally found this one.

Have dealt with severe TMJ since my teens. I understand how difficult it is to seek relief from this pain. I hope since you had it under control before cpap that you find a mask/pillow that help you get back to where you were comfortably.