New Mask Advice (with lots of details)

[mroberts327]

Hello,
I am looking to try out a new CPAP mask as mine isn’t as effective as it once was and was looking for suggestions. I have been using a BiPap for 7 years with the old school comfort gel blue mask. I recently had weight loss surgery and lost 130lbs+. The mask just doesn’t sit on my face right anymore. On top of that, here are other things to know:

• Short Beard
• Always have used nasal mask, but would like to switch to pillows
• Mouth breathing is a constant problem. I have tried chin straps but they never seem to domuch of anything.
• I have developed major gum issues from the pressure. The dentist is working to try to reduce the inflammation but we are not having much luck.
• Full face mask is not an option due to my gums and dry mouth
• I have some issues with the upper part of my nose and do not breath well because of it. I tried having it fixed surgically but it did not help. The surgeon suggested some serious reconstructive surgery but I passed on it as the only issue I have is this.
• The last few months I have woken up with a sticky, tar like “goo” in my mouth, on my tongue and on my teeth. Seriously the first thing I do in the morning before brushing is scrape it off my tongue. My best guess is this is from my sinuses? I do drink water after I brush at night, but I cant imagine that is causing this.

I just recently downloaded sleepyhead and have begun to play with the settings on my machine. It was at a 16 inhale / 16 exhale and I dropped that down…which was an improvement in my sleep quality. I will continue to play with this and try to get it as close to perfect as possible. As I learn more about the machines settings I think its clear its time to make a mask change. My supplier is terrible and I am looking to move to an online supplier so going in to “test” different masks is not an option. With that said, please hit me with mask recommendations!

So after that long preamble, what masks would you suggest for me?

[Julie]

Didn't you post the same note a few wks ago? It sounds so familiar (and I remember thinking I might post the answer "Shave ?", but didn't.

Not a crime if you did, and my bad if my memory's off... please tell me if so.

[Pugsy]

I sort of got lost in all the discussion but if you want to try nasal pillows look at the one I use (see link in my profile).
You will need to do something about the mouth breathing if you are doing very much of it.
It's about as close to nothing as they come when it comes to masks and headgear.

[PaJoe]

I do have facial hair (full goatee).

I am sure there are others that are more knowledgeable, but can say that I have been using cpap for about 18 years and my original pressure was about 15cm, and some periods over that time up to 18 cm. Currently I have my auto set at 10 -16 cm. with no ramp. As I got older, mouth breathing & leaks became more of a problem. I switched to a Simplus full face mask a couple years ago, using a Pad A Cheek mask liner, and probably keeping the head gear a little tighter than most people. It only leaks at times, mostly during movement. These days I prefer laying on my back because it gives me less trouble with leg and back pains etc. I move around less these days than years ago, somehow got accustomed to sleeping on my back. Interesting : these days I keep my mouth open a little, as it tightens up the headgear. I still breath through my nose, but because the mask keeps equal air pressure outside my mouth as inside I feel no air in or out unless I try. Prior to the Simplus, the pressure inside my mouth always seemed much higher and the air would seep and pop out my lips.

[ChicagoGranny]

I have developed major gum issues from the pressure. The dentist is working to try to reduce the inflammation but we are not having much luck.

I've never heard of pressure from a CPAP causing oral health problems. But, flow of air in and out of the mouth from mouthbreathing can cause dry mouth and big oral health problems. You WILL need to find a solution to this.

Full face mask is not an option due to my gums and dry mouth

Why do you think this is the case???

I have some issues with the upper part of my nose and do not breath well because of it. I tried having it fixed surgically but it did not help. The surgeon suggested some serious reconstructive surgery but I passed on it as the only issue I have is this.

If you really can't breathe through your nose, you must breathe through your mouth. This calls for a FFM.

It was at a 16 inhale / 16 exhale and I dropped that down…which was an improvement in my sleep quality. I will continue to play with this and try to get it as close to perfect as possible.

Why not post a Sleepyhead graph of a typical night and let some of the members offer advice? The large weight loss may require a big change in your CPAP therapy.

[mroberts327]

Didn't you post the same note a few wks ago? It sounds so familiar (and I remember thinking I might post the answer "Shave ?", but didn't.

Not a crime if you did, and my bad if my memory's off... please tell me if so.

Not me...probably some other bearded guy haha.

I would shave it, but adding a clean shaved face to a bald head means I would look like Mr Clean

[RogerSC]

Couple of more nasal pillow masks. First there's the Swift FX...the adjustable headgear makes it pretty comfortable, but the venting is less diffuse and noisier than the AirFit P10. The FX is my current mask, and works well for me. Not fond of the concentrated venting, though...tends to blow on sheets and make noise. The P10 doesn't have that issue. The headgear on the P10 just doesn't work for me, unfortunately.

The other one is the TAP PAP, which doesn't require headgear but anchors to one's upper teeth, so those teeth have to be in pretty good shape *smile*. Not my favorite, but if you can tolerate having something in your mouth all night, and having an appliance anchored to your teeth, it's okay. The absence of headgear is the best part for the TAP PAP, but some drooling is to be expected with the oral part going through your lips while you're sleeping. On the other hand, the oral part might help with the mouth breathing, don't know, that's pretty individual.

I also have a beard, so I understand the issues. Nasal pillow masks are a good bet with a beard. Good luck, hope that you find something that works well for you!