I have tried 15 masks

[littlerainjacket]

I was diagnosed one year ago with Sleep Apnea.To date I have tried 15 cpap masks without success .My doctor said I must use a full face mask.Everyone I have tried either leaks continuously or cuts into my nose .I have tried every kind of tape and nothing helps. Am I the only one to be suffering like this ?

[kaiasgram]

I was diagnosed one year ago with Sleep Apnea.To date I have tried 15 cpap masks without success .My doctor said I must use a full face mask.Everyone I have tried either leaks continuously or cuts into my nose .I have tried every kind of tape and nothing helps. Am I the only one to be suffering like this ?

Why does your doctor say you MUST use a FF mask? Have you tried a nasal or nasal pillow mask yet?

[grayghost4]

Dr.s don't know from nothing. use what work for you

[bwexler]

No doctor tells me I must, TWICE.
Some will suggest I should because. If they make sense I may follow their advice.

After 15 fails you may be getting closer to success. Time to try nasal or pillows.

[Wulfman...]

I was diagnosed one year ago with Sleep Apnea.To date I have tried 15 cpap masks without success .My doctor said I must use a full face mask.Everyone I have tried either leaks continuously or cuts into my nose .I have tried every kind of tape and nothing helps. Am I the only one to be suffering like this ?

Which ones?

Sounds like you're either getting the wrong size or cinching them down too tight. Tightening them causes more leaks. If they're the wrong size, they're gonna leak and tightening them only makes it worse.

Or......maybe your REAL problem is your bed pillow. If it's too soft, your head sinks into it and pushes the mask out of alignment......and causes leaks.

I did lots of research before I picked mine out and the very first one is the one that worked for me. Still using it. It's the one in my profile.

You know what they say........"You always find it in the last place you look."


Den

.

[littlerainjacket]

I have tried nasal pillows.I feel like I am suffocating and cannot breathe.
My doctor states I need a full face mask because I am a mouth breather.

During each of the two sleep studies I took I stopped breathing at least 25 times.I developed a stage two pressure ulcer from using the various cpap masks.

[Wulfman...]

How about filling in your profile with the exact equipment you're using.......and all the settings......pressure, humidity, exhale relief, etc., etc.

We're not clairvoyant. We need some information to go on.


Den

.

[kaiasgram]

Full face masks make mincemeat out of my nose (try saying that 3 times in a row fast!). Even with a nasal mask an angry red welt starts forming on the bridge after a couple of nights. So I had to make nasal pillows work.

Is your mouth breathing due to a structural problem or is it just habit?

[Denial Dave]

for all we know the OP may have used 15 nasal type masks that did not work. The Dr's moving the OP towards FFM may be the correct for use at this time

but until the OP tells us what masks failed, it is of little use pontificating opinions any further.

[49er]

for all we know the OP may have used 15 nasal type masks that did not work. The Dr's moving the OP towards FFM may be the correct for use at this time

but until the OP tells us what masks failed, it is of little use pontificating opinions any further.

Great point Denial Dave.

Littlerainjacket, as an FYI, due to having a sleep study tomorrow night, I emailed a list ahead of time of all the masks I had tried and failed with and the reason why. This was in case the tech felt I could do better than the current mask I am using, time wouldn't be wasted in trying previous mask failures.

Anyway, writing a similar type post will greatly help members in advising you about masks just like I did so the tech tomorrow can be at her best in helping me.

49er

[littlerainjacket]

I can only breathe through my mouth. I have severe simusitis.

[RogerSC]

I can only breathe through my mouth. I have severe simusitis.

There are also the masks like "Oracle" and "Hybrid" and "Mirage Liberty" masks, have you tried those? They work through the mouth and you don't have anything over the bridge of your nose.

[49er]

I can only breathe through my mouth. I have severe simusitis.

Have you seen an ENT about your situation? I am just wondering if that is greatly interfering with your pap therapy.

49er

[Snowleopard28]

littlerainjacket,

Have you tried a mask liner like RemZzz's? I went through 3 nasals and 3 FFM until I tried one of those liners. That took care of the leaking. I did have to modify the liner by cutting a piece out that contacts between my lower lip and chin to resolve leaking in that area. It's something to try if you haven't yet.

[chunkyfrog]

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/hybrid-cpap-mask.php
Just tell them you want to try one of these.