Flimsy velcro

[Veracityau]

Hi,

i'm a newbie here from Australia. I've had my cpap for about two weeks but I've had a lot of problems adjusting.

Firstly, I've had a throat infection and hay fever that makes using the mask challenging. The throats infection actually seems to get worse or at least be prolonged by the cpap use. I gave the cpap a break for a day or two and the throat infection improved a lot. Back to the mask, and the infection is roaring again. I really don't want another course of antibiotics. The hayfever sniffles can't be helping the matter either. And yes I'm on antihistamines and have tried nasal sprays. Sigh.

My machine is currently on loan from the sleep clinic because I am participating in a clinical study. It's a resmedpro m-series without a hunidifier. They did say I could buy my own machine as long as it has a data card. Would a machine with a humidifier help with my nose and throat issues?

My other frustration is the Pico mask. It's great, mostly. But the Velcro is SO flimsy. If I take the mask off, gently, as gently can be, one if the straps will come undone and I spend hours trying to find the clip that has fallen somewhere between my bed and my bedside table. Does anyone else have this problem? And what can you do besides sewing your own Velcro onto the mask?

I'm trying hard to adjust here, but it's so frustrating. Trying to keep positive.

Thanks

[edited to correct mask type. My iPhone autocorrect is going mad]

[Julie]

Hi, there are very many masks out there - see Cpap.com for variety and features, pix and reviews - so you're not stuck with what they gave you by any means, though if you need a full face mask (nasal one that extends to cover your mouth) because of mouth breathing, you need to try them on lying down because your face changes a lot when you do that. If you have no humidifier (I was going to suggest turning it off to see how things went) then you should ask for one plus for now continue the antihistamines and use nasal rinses until the season's over. Humidifiers in humid climates or seasons can cause congestion, but I know Australia can be dry so you'll probably want one on your permanent machine to at least have the option - the moist air can help clear up problems (if not hay fever).

How long are you stuck with that out of date machine? You want to have a data capable one in future, that lets you use e.g. Sleepyhead software to track your progress every night (tho' eventually probably only weekly or less) and not just 'compliance' data (showing the dealer/doctor how often you use the machine... and you should use it every time you sleep, including naps. Most important is to have an auto. machine because while it gives you the option to use plain Cpap mode, plain Cpap machines don't do auto, and that makes a big difference to being able to track things and potentially tweak pressures, etc. in future according to Sleepyhead reports - you want to be in control of your therapy and not leave it to the dealer or doctors alone.

What are your pressure settings now?

And you shouldn't have to deal with crappy Velcro at all - tell them to give you (even temporarily) a mask with decent headgear.

[BlackSpinner]

It's a resmedpro m-series without a hunidifier.

This is probably the biggest part of your problem. Any ENT will tell you you need humidity to keep your delicate sinus and all the other pieces happy. One night without humidity and I have nose bleeds.

[chunkyfrog]

I have never slept without humidity.
Never want to.
Allergic rhinitis.

[Pugsy]

Google "cpap rhinitis"

I am participating in a clinical study. It's a resmedpro m-series without a humidifier.

What type of clinical study?....are you a part of a group or something like that?
Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea or is this a study to see if you have sleep apnea?

Your symptoms are directly related to the lack of humidified air drying out the nasal mucosa...see the "cpap rhinitis" reading.
You need a humidifier so that thing don't get dried out.

[Sir NoddinOff]

That headgear issue you mentioned would be a deal breaker for me.

[D.H.]

You can buy different headgear to fit most masks if the mask is otherwise good. Since it's from a lab, it's probably not new headgear. Rather it's likely used headgear that was sterilized, which is why it's so weak.

Also, I do think that humidifier would help. It is (or at least used to be) possible to buy a stand-alone humidifier. That is a separate unit, with a separate power cord, that is connected to the CPAP by a hose, and connected to your mask by another hose. These units are a lot less convenient than the integrated type, but they do work.

[chunkyfrog]

Sometimes "old" velcro is just clogged up with hair or lint, or loose fibers.
Try cleaning out the stuff that is not part of the Velcro.

[snoozysue]

Would it be worth buying your own replacement headgear if the study is going to go on for a while.
Ebay (Aust) has lots of headgear for sale and there are quite few online shops in Aust that sell them too.

[Veracityau]

Hi and thanks for all your responses.

To answer some of your questions:
- it's a research study on people newly diagnosed with sleep apnea with low night and waking oxygenation to test whether there's an improvement in motor and cognitive function as oxygenation improves with cpap use. At least that's my non-medical understanding of it. (my oxygen is fine during the day, so I'm in the control group). I've had to do 2 titration studies, one for diagnosis, one to determine pressure.
- my pressure setting is 10, but may be adjusted at my next appointment as I am still having 6 apneas a night (vast improvement from over 100).
- the research study requires that I use a fixed cpap setting rather than auto.
- the machine is on trial as part of the study, but I purchased the Pico nasal mask. The hospital were very good with fittings and allowed us short naps with several masks to work out what we were most comfortable with.
- apart from the $#*% Velcro issues, the mask is very comfortable and doesn't leak... once I readjust the straps after they come loose.
- the mask is new, so the Velcro is clean.
- I've had no issues with mouyh-breathing so far.

Your responses have confirmed my suspicion that I at least need the option of a humidifier, so I'll pursue that. And it seems like I might need to stitch my own Velcro on the straps.

I am committed to persevering and making it work. My hubby has been on cpap for about 15 years and his advice is that it can take months to adjust, but stick with it and it will all be good.

Any further suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated

[D.H.]

You can get new headgear (i.e. straps), cheap on Ebay.

[Veracityau]

I ended up using hair elastics over the straps (kind of like a belt loop) which means even if the Velcro comes loose the plastic clips are held on.

Thanks for all the feedback.

[chunkyfrog]

Thank YOU.
It is good to hear from people who come back to let us know how things went.

[SlackerInc]

The weak velcro drives me nuts as well. And like the OP, it's that way even when the headgear is brand new. I have never encountered brand new velcro that is so weak on any other product, and aside from being annoying, it also makes me curious as to the reason. Are they concerned that very elderly or sickly people will not be able to unfasten it unless it takes very little strength to do so?

My ventilator uses pretty high pressure especially in response to an "event", so I need to strap it on pretty tight and I wish they could have sized me up as a relatively young man with reasonably strong fingers and thus had a model not designed to be so "quick release".

[chunkyfrog]

The weak velcro drives me nuts as well. And like the OP, it's that way even when the headgear is brand new. I have never encountered brand new velcro that is so weak on any other product, and aside from being annoying, it also makes me curious as to the reason. Are they concerned that very elderly or sickly people will not be able to unfasten it unless it takes very little strength to do so?

My ventilator uses pretty high pressure especially in response to an "event", so I need to strap it on pretty tight and I wish they could have sized me up as a relatively young man with reasonably strong fingers and thus had a model not designed to be so "quick release".

Please share the model of mask you find unsatisfactory, so we can help with hints;
or avoid it ourselves.