My husband just doesn't understand.

[RebornSleeper]

So I am new to sleep apnea and cpap. We have four younger children and cold and flu season has begun. I want to prepare for the possibility that I will become congested this winter and need a full face mask not just my Wisp. My insurance will only cover one mask per three months. I am very grateful for all that it covers and am not complaining. I have no problem purchasing another mask. My husband does. He is an accountant and pinches every penny. Complains about spending a single red cent. While this has made us more financially secure, it can be hurtful. Today it was. Two of the kids have come down sick with a cold. Tis' the season right? Since I am a mom, I will most likely get it. I told them that I would like to go to my DME and try on full face masks. That I would shop around and find the best price I could but that I would like to purchase one. I do NOT want to go a single minute of sleep without my machine. I made that mistake once for 30 minutes and was very ill for many hours. Nope, can't do it.... I feel very hurt. I know that he doesn't understand how I feel both in feelings and in health as he doesn't have apnea. But I'm still really sad. For my health I will still go find what I need but I wish he would be more understanding.

Sorry, I didn't mean to rant. Has anyone had to go through something like this with their partner?

[LSAT]

An accountant should know that it's possible that your medical expenses may be deductible. In any case your health should trump the expense. If you do not get the FF mask, a suggestion would be to use an OTC rinse like NeilMed before bed and then increase your humidity. Let's hope you stay healthy for a couple months until insurance pays for a mew mask.(Check out lindalam89's [post...she is selling an F10 mask cheap)

[Wulfman...]

So I am new to sleep apnea and cpap. We have four younger children and cold and flu season has begun. I want to prepare for the possibility that I will become congested this winter and need a full face mask not just my Wisp. My insurance will only cover one mask per three months. I am very grateful for all that it covers and am not complaining. I have no problem purchasing another mask. My husband does. He is an accountant and pinches every penny. Complains about spending a single red cent. While this has made us more financially secure, it can be hurtful. Today it was. Two of the kids have come down sick with a cold. Tis' the season right? Since I am a mom, I will most likely get it. I told them that I would like to go to my DME and try on full face masks. That I would shop around and find the best price I could but that I would like to purchase one. I do NOT want to go a single minute of sleep without my machine. I made that mistake once for 30 minutes and was very ill for many hours. Nope, can't do it.... I feel very hurt. I know that he doesn't understand how I feel both in feelings and in health as he doesn't have apnea. But I'm still really sad. For my health I will still go find what I need but I wish he would be more understanding.

Sorry, I didn't mean to rant. Has anyone had to go through something like this with their partner?

Your husband is an ASS and needs to think more about YOUR health. But, that's sort of beside the point at the moment.

Did you have some idea of what type (make/model/size) of full face mask you were looking for? I don't want to speak for her, but the last I heard, Pugsy had somewhat of a stockpile of donated masks from folks who didn't need them. There may also be someone else on the forum who may have one like it that didn't work for them and it's taking up room in their storage place.


Den

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[IDontSnoreISwear]

Has anyone had to go through something like this with their partner?

I haven't, as my hubby is also a hosehead and he gets it. I'm sorry you don't have your husband's support in this.

I too have a full-face mask in reserve in case I catch a cold and need to mouth-breathe. I got it from the bargain bin, so to speak, on cpap.com. The mask and fit kit were only $29.99. It's not my ultimate, ideal mask, but it works and I've used it a couple nights just to be sure it would be good enough in a pinch.

They have specials on various masks -- just watch for the ones that come with the fit kit so you can be sure to get the right size. Cpap.com will need a copy of your Rx to sell to you, but your sleep doc is required to give you a copy upon request.

Good luck and HUGS!

[Pugsy]

My stockpile is sorely diminished at this time. The cupboard is getting a bit bare.

I have a Respironics Comfort Full in a medium and another medium of some unknown brand as I can't find anything to tell me the model or even brand but it is FFM but without the forehead piece.
That's about it in the full face masks unless I can find headgear to fit a couple that I have without any headgear.
I need to know approx size though.
There also appears to be a ResMed Liberty hybrid in a medium oral cushion but looks like only one size of nasal pillows to go with it.

[BlackSpinner]

I have no problem purchasing another mask. My husband does. He is an accountant and pinches every penny. Complains about spending a single red cent. While this has made us more financially secure, it can be hurtful. Today it was. Two of the kids have come down sick with a cold. Tis' the season right? Since I am a mom, I will most likely get it. I

Go out and buy it. It is your health not his. Tell him where he can stick his pennies!

[RebornSleeper]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

Lsat, I have been using the NeilMed system for seven years. I had horrible chronic sinus infections and that keeps them away. It also shortens how long I have a cold. Thank heavens!

Den, I agree with you. I don't have a model mask in mind. I have never tried one on. I have a lot of issues with things in my face. So the DME started me with nasal pillows (didn't feel right) and then nasal masks (where I fell in LOVE with the Wisp). So I never made it to the full face ones. I think the DME didn't want to scare me before I could get started so to speak. I have emailed my rep and have asked if I can come in and try on different ones. I know comfort can make all the difference sometimes.

IDontSnowISwear, thank you VERY much for the advice. I will be sure to check it out!

Pugsy, thank you very much. The thing that makes me most upset is that yes we live on a budget but CAN afford to purchase a mask. I would never take advantage of a situation. I would much rather leave those masks with you for someone who is down on their luck financially.

BlackSpinner, my thoughts exactly!!!!!

[cancun]

viewtopic/t108986/F10-and-Eson-Masks-for-sale.html

Someone just a few posts down is selling a couple of FFM, you might want to check them out. I find the ResMed F10 to be pretty comfortable and it doesn't take up a lot of face space!

[Pugsy]

How about this idea???

We see if one of the masks that I have would work short term for you....then later when you can and do get a full face mask using your insurance then you can either send the mask back to me or just offer it on the forum for someone else to use.

That way you are covered now and not having to deal with that stress and later you can maybe help someone else.

These masks have been used but have some life left and enough life to at least give you something to have and use if you can't get the nose opened up enough.
You might find out that you don't even need a FFM that much....in over 6 years I have had my share of colds and I have never had it to where I couldn't use my nasal pillow mask. I have found that the humidity helps the congestion (think how a hot steamy shower helps congestion) and usually I end up waking with a clearer nose than I went to bed with then I have a cold. Might not be the best sleep in the world but then when in the throes of a bad cold we sleep like crap anyway.

Just a thought....that's what these masks are for...for tight spots and not just for the financially needy.

[RebornSleeper]

Pugsy,

You are very generous. I shot off an email to my DME rep. last night as well. Let's see what she comes up with (maybe nothing) and go from there.

I love having somewhere I can go when I have cpap related issues. I for sure thought my husband. Thank you all for having me.

[metsfan302]

I too have a bin of masks, what size might you need, we can see between all of us what might be best?

as far as the husband part, not going to touch that part......

[metsfan302]

My bin is looking thin too lol, I had over a dozen earlier a month ago lol. You could use one of these till U get what you need and mail back or when you see someone that needs one - pay it forward and send it to them?

Here goes what I have -

1 - ResMed - Airfit F10 Medium - love this one its nice
2 - Philips Respironics - Amara - Large
1 - Resmed Quattro FX - Medium
1 - Resmed Mirage Quattro - Large (looks pretty big)

[Chilehead]

If it were a choice between feeding the kids and getting a mask, then it would be more of a problem.

Does your husband buy coffee in the morning? Buy lunch? Do you have cable? Not that you should pick a fight with him on his spending, but geesh. This is your health. That should trump any discretionary spending he does.

I wish you the best. I'd get what you need to stay healthy and not seek his approval.

[SewTired]

Remind him that this is a prescription and is no different than taking a different antibiotic because the first one doesn't work for the current bug.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I must be blessed because my wife always says the same thing if I bring up the cost of a mask or machine or whatever. She initially says: "It's your health, get whatever you think you need". Then she always adds, "Because I want you around for a long long time." Sweet I'm the same way with her yearly spa memberships and say almost the identical thing she says. I guess that makes me sweet too. Of course our kids are out of the house and self supporting, so that's a huge help. I'm sure you will get to test lots of masks from the members here at CPAPtalk, so stick in there.