New to this site

[ChicagoGranny]

He told me that i have moderate sleep apnea--wondering if i really need to do all this???

Moderate sleep apnea means you stop breathing and stop sleeping an average of 15 to 30 times per hour during the night.

Even at the low end, 15 times 7 hours, this is 105 breathing cessations and awakenings per night. Devastating!

[ems]

I'm wondering why you need a full face mask? Ask about that. I use the Airfit P10 nasal pillow and think it's the most comfortable mask there is. Another good one is the Swift FX for Her. Don't be worried about this... ask any and all questions and someone will help you. We have all been where you are!

[jencat824]

Since you don't have air conditioning I would think less mask would be better. Ask if you can start with a nasal mask, I personally love the AirFit P10. Less on your face should be better in your situation.

I've been on CPAP 14 years, but found this forum about 2 years ago. You have come to the right place for great info & support. I wish I had known about this forum when I started.

Hang in there, with the support you can find here, it is possible to succeed with this life saving therapy. Post any & all questions, there are lots of folks here who want to help.

Jen

[Chevie]

You were prescribed a full face mask (FFM) because you were mouthbreathing during the study and CPAP was not effective with a nasal-only mask.

It's criminal that some of the members are contradicting the doctor's prescription and telling you to use a nasal mask. I would like to see this forum moderated and those members kicked out.

[chunkyfrog]

. . . Half the time I want to run around telling people how much I love my little sleeping machine... but they might think that's kinda weird.

I do, too, and yes, they all think I'm more than just a little weird.

[Taz]

It's criminal that some of the members are contradicting the doctor's prescription and telling you to use a nasal mask.

No, it's not criminal!!! Everyone has a right to their opinion. I worked in a hospital setting for 17yrs and trust me on this, doctors make lots & lots of mistakes and wrong diagnosis. It's the "wise patient" that questions and does their own research.

Taz

[Janknitz]

A lot of doctors suggest a full face mask because they THINK it will cover a multitude of sins--if the person mouth breathes it works (supposedly) and it seems easiest to fit. Neither is necessarily true.

In fact, a full face mask is probably the most difficult to fit properly, and most people do not breathe through their mouth when they are getting enough air in the first place. For people who do tend to mouth breathe, there are fixes short of a full face mask.

For someone who is claustrophobic, the FF mask can be very intimidating at first. And if they cannot wear the mask, then CPAP is useless. So it may be better to try something less daunting in the beginning and compensate for the mouth breathing (if any) as necessary.

[Chevie]

A lot of doctors

That is BS that you are making up for argument's sake. You have no evidence whatsoever that this is true.

compensate for the mouth breathing (if any) as necessary.

And how does this magical "compensation" work?

[palerider]

You were prescribed a full face mask (FFM) because you were mouthbreathing during the study and CPAP was not effective with a nasal-only mask.

It's criminal that some of the members are contradicting the doctor's prescription and telling you to use a nasal mask. I would like to see this forum moderated and those members kicked out.

who's this noxious little creature?

[Tatooed Lady]

I didn't think I was claustrophobic til the DME came in and strapped the FFM on me...she hasn't got the "the mask should float on the cushion" memo...my cheekbones hurt for 3 days, and I panicked at the thought of NEEDING a FFM for when I'm congested.
If you are willing to try a full face Mask while getting the supplies...suggest the person describe how it goes on, then YOU put it over your head and snug it a bit...this way, YOU have the control. And on the F10 I have, there is a flap to allow air in when there is no pressure blowing down the line...I assume the majority (all?) FFMs have this feature? Don't be afraid to ask about other options. Nasal pillows, nasal masks, whatever. There are head "harnesses" that can help hold your mouth closed if you feel better using a smaller mask.
Is a window air conditioner an option for you? I just bought one. The boyfriend doesn't "believe" in having a/c at home. *snort*

Many members on this forum. Many opinions. Many of them are STRONG opinions. In the end, however, YOU have to be comfortable with your equipment. But you'll get lots of feedback here...many times from people who've dealt with their own issues in therapy.
Good luck!!

[palerider]

And on the F10 I have, there is a flap to allow air in when there is no pressure blowing down the line...I assume the majority (all?) FFMs have this feature?

all masks have some sort of anti asphyxiation feature in them. for pillows and nasal masks, it's your mouth

for ffm, it's some kind of flap or something covering a larger hole when then mask is under pressure.

the little holes are to vent your Co2.

[Chevie]

the little holes are to vent your Co2 (sic)

No, the "little holes" are to vent exhaled air which has been enriched to about 4% CO2.

[MissDi]

I went to my Dr's office and talked to the nurse. told her i was claustrophobic and that just looking at pics of full masks sent me into a panic attack
she looked at mu origional script and gave me a new one for "fitting with all types of masks". she said that nasal mask would be fine with a chin strap
if ness. I looked at my rreport and it said i have *mild* sleep apnea and the suggestion was a nasal breathing device. so I am glad for the suggestion to get my
report and my RX and to talk to the Dr--tho he wasn't there--but the new RX relieved alot of my fear and anxiety.
We are looking into getting a window air conditioner i told my husband that there was no way i could do this with out AC during the hot part of summer, and he agreed!!!
thanks all of you for suggestions and encouragement. now to get thru the appt on Monday with the DME and try the machine...*sigh*

[Julie]

Miss Di - you're confusing mild apnea with less need for full therapy - you may have severe apnea, but a relatively open airway so that only low pressure (and the choice of a nasal mask) is needed, whereas you may have mild apnea but a narrow airway and need higher pressure, which a FF mask can often handle better. Diagnosis is not related directly to therapy with Cpap.

[MissDi]

now I'm really confused----i did a home sleep study and the recommendation was nasal mask...Dr said full face mask because he didn't know if i was a mouth breather or a nose breather...i am a nose breather according to my husband and the report. guess i will have to see when i go get fitted? this is all so confusing.
my sleep Dr didn't spend any real time with me he just said that i had sleep apnea and that i needed a CPAP machine. the report that i got said mild sleep apnea and mild disordered sleep. so i really wonder if i need therapy at all.....but am willing to try and see if it makes any difference.