Finally getting better

[super7pilot]

The therapy is finally getting easier.
As per normal based on so many posts. It is and has been a battle getting used to pressurized therapy.

But things are starting to mellow out. Have had zero apnea's the last two nights and under AHI-1 for a month. And I'm under pressure for 5.5-7 hrs a night.

Feeling less tired, although with my nasty burning dry eye condition. It's hard to tell between tired eyes and dry eyes. But I'm not wanting to take naps in the evening and getting up much earlier now. So I'll take that as 'on the way' to having more restful sleep.

Next battle is the continuing saga that most pap'rs face. THE MASK. UGH!!

Here are two charts showing the progress using adjustments from here and another board and simply adjusting to breathing under pressure. To those who are new. Stick with it.

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[Miss Emerita]

Congratulations on the great numbers and improved rest. Onward and upward!

Could you tell us more about your mask problem?

Also, I'm curious whether you could aim to get more sleep at night.

I have chronically dry eyes, and I use TheraTears Dry Eye Therapy Eye Drops throughout the day. They really help, and my ophthalmologist says there is no downside to using them as often as I like.

[super7pilot]

Congratulations on the great numbers and improved rest. Onward and upward!

Could you tell us more about your mask problem?

Also, I'm curious whether you could aim to get more sleep at night.

I have chronically dry eyes, and I use TheraTears Dry Eye Therapy Eye Drops throughout the day. They really help, and my ophthalmologist says there is no downside to using them as often as I like.

I do sleep longer. But I generally wake up after about 6.5hrs (give or take) on the mask. I often find that when I wake up a little early it can be difficult to get back to sleep on the mask. But I often just nap a bit longer and other times I just get up.

I'm sure that as time goes on it will get better and I'll stay on the mask longer.

As for the dry eyes. I have MGD and no oil is being dispensed in my left eye. I'm on ocular steroid drops (fluoromethalone) as well as Systane PF and refresh relieva PF and castor oil applied to the eyelids. I also have a battery powered eyemask that I moisten. That eyemask heats up to 120F for 20 minutes and feels wonderful. Ophthalmologist said she will do a lipiflow treatment when I want. And I think it's time to give that a try. I also have a nasolacrimal duct obstruction. (a blocked gutter down spout in laymans terms) So the eyedrops I put in sit there had dry out and glues my left eye shut. Have to wash it with warm water and mild soap to loosen the crud and wipe it clean.

As for the masks. It has been hit and miss even with the same mask. Got the P-10 kit with my AS11 machine. Seemed to work and sealed great. But the straps are very spindly and it's super easy to dislodge.

So went and bought the new fancy F40. Same thing. very comfy and whisper quiet. But after a few nights, I just couldn't get it to seal at a spot on my cheek midway between my nose and mouth unless I cinched the top straps down big time. But the issue with doing that is the stupid design team at resmed decided that it was more important for the upper straps to be reader/TV friendly. And because the strap comes straight back then swoops up to the head strap. It HAS to be angled up sharply. Which means when I cinch it down it pulls the whole mask up as well as into the face instead of just into my face. I was shocked/disappointed to discover that a nose cradle could be so painful to my nose.

So then bought the N30i with the cradle and added the pillow as well to swap out. This mask worked very well. Was very secure and didn't have to cinch it down. But it was noisy and when I exhaled and the EPR kicked in. It caused the hollow silicone frame to pulsate/bounce. Which was bothersome and kept me from falling asleep.

Went to my VA office and asked to try the F30 full face mask. But I mistakenly wrote down N-30 and thus got what looked like a slightly different version of the P-10. Dang it. So reordered the F30. Which has yet to arrive. I do wish resmed would not have different masks with very similar model numbers.

So after that I decided to try putting on the P10/N30 THEN putting my chin strap head gear over it instead of the opposite. This helped a lot and the two masks stay in place much better. But the pillows of course seal better and are quieter. So I have been using the P10 lately with success. Still having the odd night of large leaks. But fortunately my therapeutic pressures are middling enough that even with a leak over 30 liters. I didn't go into apnea with that leak.

I like the nasal pillows and cradles. But don't like having to deal with keeping my mouth welded shut. Taping was working. But again. So much of a time consuming pre-sleep ritual with wiping down my skin with alcohol and panicking if the pillows leak a bit and irritate my nose to the point of sneezing. Which has nearly happened several times.

[Miss Emerita]

Masks can be a trial, that's for sure. I used the P10 for a while but found that it slid around too much. I also tried the i mask and had the same problem you did -- couldn't fall asleep with the rustling noise so close to my ears. I did well with the Aloha nasal pillow mask, which was very stable. The downsides: not as quiet as the ResMed P10 (but what is?), and a little fiddly to take apart and put back together. I'm now using the Bleep system. It's quiet enough for me and doesn't allow any mask leaks. You do need to take some time to prep your skin, apply the adhesive bits, and snap on the rest of the mask. Here's hoping you continue to do well with your current set-up.

As for sneezing with a taped mouth: when I feel a sneeze or cough coming on, I use my fingers to hold my lips closed and just go ahead with the sneeze or cough. Sneezes can leave some mucus in your mask, but it's easy enough to wash it in the morning.