New OSA with lots of questions...

SteveoKahuna · Post by **SteveoKahuna** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:38 pm

Hello!

I just found the board, and I AM GLAD!

I had my sleep study on June 7th, and got my AutoPap on June 22nd. Long story there - the original DME provider I chose got the prescription, and since their RT was out of the office for most of the week, an appointment was made for Friday. Well, on Friday, they told me they didn't have the mast that was prescribed by the doctor, but they regularly got deliveries on Monday.

My schedule for the next week was a total mess, so I told them I would call back toward the end of the week. I did so, and was told that they didn't have the machine that was prescribed. "Why?" I asked. Since they got the 'script over a week before, they should have the machine! "We gave it to someone who needed it." And I didn't????

Anyway, I had the 'script sent to another DME company, and all has been good since then.

Anyway, my questions are mostly about mask fit. As my profile states, I'm on a full-face mask (I'm apparently a mouth-breather -- insert neanderthal joke here), and I always wake up with a small red spot at the top of my nose between my eyes.

Also, my mouth is ALWAYS dry in the morning, despite having the heat set at 3.5. I've tried higher, but then my face is clammy in the morning. I will probably have to go higher....

Anyway, I guess my main point was to say "Hi", and also to find out from others who have been at this longer, is there a way to go from a full-face mask to a nasal mask? The RT's during the sleep study started me out on a nasal mask, but moved me to a full-face later, so apparently it was quite obvious that I needed it.

Can one "learn" to breath through the nose to move to the more comfortable nasal masks or pillows?

Thanks!

Kahuna

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:03 pm

There are a couple schools of thought here. Goofproof (Jim) is a confirmed FF believer - tried, true and effective is his mantra. There are others who have had good success with FF masks.

For folks that mouth breath or have mouth leaks the only other alternative to a FF mask of some sort is to find a way to keep the mouth shut so a nasal interface (pillow or mask) can be used. In order to accomplish that some people

1. use a chin strap (search chin straps and you'll find lots of threads)
2. tape the mouth shut using a paper or cloth surgical tape (I've done that) (check out the FAQ and search on taping for lots of info).
3. use dental adhesive in either tube or strip (Poli-grip Strips) form to make lips adhere shut (I use the strips a lot) (search on adhesive etc).
4. use a DIY mouthpiece to train the tongue to stay in a position that blocks air (I've not had any success but haven't tried too hard).

The new interface - Hybrid is being tested on real live guinea pigs thoroughly right now and there is lots of discussion on the forum about it. It combines nasal pillows and a mouth piece to reduce the size of the mask encumbrance.

A question is - why mouth breathing? Nasal congestion? Structural problems with the nasal passages such as a deviated septum? Just a mouth breather?

I am somewhat claustrophobic and have a hard time dealing with interfaces that block vision and take up a lot of facial real estate so I am very happy with the Swift but it is sold by Resmed, a company that has me and many others really P.O.'d so I don't know if I'll bite the bullet and stay with it or not.

Good Luck

David

SteveoKahuna · Post by **SteveoKahuna** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:10 pm

David,

...but it is sold by Resmed, a company that has me and many others really P.O.'d...

I've got the ResMed mask and Auto Pap. What have I missed by not reading the entire board?

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. I would think that, after years of snoring, I'm just a mouth-breather.

I don't have any particular problems with the FF mask, but that's only based on three weeks or so of use, so I'm still learning.

Thanks again!

Kahuna

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:32 pm

Hi Steve,
Welcome to the forum. We who take the treatment serious, by getting envolved (consumed) with it, are upset because ResMed has raised its prices to internet retailers.

viewtopic.php?t=10957

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:39 pm

SteveoKahuna wrote:I've got the ResMed mask and Auto Pap. What have I missed by not reading the entire board?

Resmed is on campaign to really step on internet providers of OSA supplies, at least in respect to their products. The first shot was that they will not permit people to ship supplies purchased in the US out of the US. That does not affect me but we have folks from Canada, the UK, Australia, Israel and other places participating in this forum that would have liked to buy Resmed stuff but CPAP.COM, and other sites, can not ship.

The second shot is that they have just recently announced a policy whereby they are going to raise wholesale prices to internet providers by 40% or so, I don't recall perfectly, which will raise prices to those folks buying out of pocket or picking up a significant portion of their own insurance costs. They have some transparently specious arguments to defend themselves but it is clear that it is about protecting brick and mortar DME and the sweetheart arrangements that exist. There are a couple of fairly recent threads (current page or no more that 3 pages back) that discuss what is going on if you are interested.

For myself I have been interface experimenter out of pocket in my search for the "dream" interface (no success yet) and I certainly have to reconsider any Resmed products. Most folks are waiting for the other shoe to drop from other manufacturers.

So, that is the story about that.

David

Mask

Mask