Quest for the "right" mask...

[DeltaSeeker]

lpady again.

I'm thinking of changing masks. I thought about the FP432 (have the 431) since I thought it might minimize some of the leaks. But actually when I LOOSENED the 431 I got LESS leaks!

But I still wonder if I'm getting the best therapy using a FFM...

I did have sinus surgery (1/25) but still have terribly stuffy nose all the time. The RLS/PLMD won't let me use Sudafed (used to be my BEST friend!!!) because I'll be up all night with BAAAAAD RLS.

I've tried Flonase but doesn't seem to help (I know you have to use it for a while before seeing results - I've used it off and on for years for allergies).

I also thought about the Quattro. The videos on Resmed's site look great and the review here sounds promising.

Thought about the Mirage Liberty - Resmed's new hybrid.

Even thought about using the Activa since I'm such an "active" sleeper. (Boo hoo - no one will sleep with me cause I kick them out of the bed - literally ) But then I wonder about the nasal congestion.

If I keep analyzing this thing I'm going to drive myself nuts! Oh wait... I'm already there so what am I worried about

Advice, thoughts, complaints

Linda

[Julie]

Just a few cents here - have you tried saline nasal rinses before bed for the stuffiness? And if you're using a humidifier, and keeping it on the warm side, could that be prolonging the problem (don't know that it would or not for you, but it was a thought). I got the FF 432, and thought it was terrific the first 1-2 nights, certainly the most comfortable one I've tried (I sleep on my front, and a lot of others dig into my face that way), but even though I can't discern leaks, it's very ineffective for OSA (so far the best one for that is my orig. little Comfort Select nasal, with 3M tape, though I like to switch out to others every 4-5 night when I get sick of the tape). The Soyala promised to work well, but seems to be getting less so as time goes on, though I use it sometimes, and the Activa, which felt great on, is like the 432, ineffective. BTW have you tried the soap bar in bed with you (low down) for the RLS? A lot of people seem to think it works, though no one can explain why - certainly sounds nuts, but if it does work, why not? None of the pillows/cushions work for me, and I find the Swift mirage very noisy anyway. Sooo, hope you find some answers soon!

[Wulfman]

lpady again.

I'm thinking of changing masks. I thought about the FP432 (have the 431) since I thought it might minimize some of the leaks. But actually when I LOOSENED the 431 I got LESS leaks!

But I still wonder if I'm getting the best therapy using a FFM...

I did have sinus surgery (1/25) but still have terribly stuffy nose all the time. The RLS/PLMD won't let me use Sudafed (used to be my BEST friend!!!) because I'll be up all night with BAAAAAD RLS.

I've tried Flonase but doesn't seem to help (I know you have to use it for a while before seeing results - I've used it off and on for years for allergies).

I also thought about the Quattro. The videos on Resmed's site look great and the review here sounds promising.

Thought about the Mirage Liberty - Resmed's new hybrid.

Even thought about using the Activa since I'm such an "active" sleeper. (Boo hoo - no one will sleep with me cause I kick them out of the bed - literally ) But then I wonder about the nasal congestion.

If I keep analyzing this thing I'm going to drive myself nuts! Oh wait... I'm already there so what am I worried about

Advice, thoughts, complaints

Linda

Is this going to be like "the artist formerly known as Prince"?
(just teasing )

I've never used the masks you listed, but usually the ones like the UMFF seem to seal better at less tension.....since the seals inflate to fit the facial contours. As you know, I'm partial to the UMFF.

Good luck,

Den

[Goofproof]

Complaints aren't very productive. It really helps if we can breath through our noses, but for most of us that seems to be a problem. I get RLS at times but most of the time I can get it to stop, without taking drugs for it.

I'll give you a clue about me, I take about 20 pills & supplements in the A.M., 20 more with Supper, at midnight 8 more, plus 3 injections of two types of insulin daily.

For RLS, I take Members Mark (Sam's Club), calcium-magnesium & zinc, 1 tab at bedtime. For joint pain I take B-150's two tablets a day @ 12 hour each.

To make it so I can breath, at 11 pm, I take 1 Advil cold & sinus, at 11:30, I take one Sudafed maximim strength nasal decongestant. (These are controlled here) They don't want me brewing, Crack out of them. At 12 midnight, I take my calcium-magnesium & zinc, 1,000 units of timed release "C", 1 script Pepcid, 2@ 81mg enteric safety coated Aspirin, and last but not least, Members Mark Allergy tabs 25 mg, 2 tabs....

Then I eat a little, and shoot up my best guess of insulin, to take me through the night. (This is the hardest part, too little and it doesn't burn all the fuel, too much and you won't wake up.) Then we go to bed to await the next glorious day of the same.

All this with the fact I'm not supposed to use these decongestants, due to heart by-pass, but not breathing is unhealthy too.

FF masks aren't to comfortable but if you have nasal problems they are your best bet, if you can control the leaks they will work 100% of the time.

Nasal masks are easier to use, but they can be used incorrectly, and if they aren't used right are no better than no treatment. I knew my nose was messed up, so I took a FF mask and made it work, like I said before my treatment not working wasn't a option. I have 1/4 normal heart function, not much to work on, no do overs. (My best advice, when you have a Heart Attack, don't wait four days for it to get better.) It only got worse every day.

I used the FF mask for over 12 months, I kept trying to hold my tongue to the roof of my mouth and sucking on it. (Training for the future) I bought a used APAP, with a used ComfortGel Nasal Mask, So one night I tried it, knowing in advance it wouldn't work and I would mouthbreath.

To my suprise my numbers were in the ballpark of the Comfortfull I had been using. The Nasal mask leaked less and didn't have to be as tight, and fit without a problem. I have been using the ComfortGel mostly of any mask, many don't like it, but for me it's #1, I also bought a Activa, rated high, for me it's not the one, the headgear rides up and the leaks are high.

I have never tried anything like the Breeze, I don't think I want anything stuck in my nose, just air please. As far as the F & P 431, it doesn't work for me I don't know why but the AHI climbs when I use it 2 to 3 times as high for no apparent reason, slightly higher leak rate but not much, I like it because it cooler than the comfortfull, but I want the numbers down too.

Everyone is different in our quest for what works, go slowly and don't let it make you crazy, take days in small chunks, I do. Jim

[DeltaSeeker]

Just a few cents here - have you tried saline nasal rinses before bed for the stuffiness?

Nightly saline rinses are a must for me. Highly recommended after surgery anyway. I like the Nielmed for convenience (good volume and don't have to mess with making my own solution although it's cheap - too lazy for it). I do have to do the rinse 1-2 hours prior to bed so I don't "drip" but it does help for congestion.


{quote="Julie"]And if you're using a humidifier, and keeping it on the warm side, could that be prolonging the problem (don't know that it would or not for you, but it was a thought). [/quote]

I do use the heated humidifier. For a while I had it set at 5 since I would wake in the morning with a sore throat otherwise but now have it back at 2 which seems to work well. Haven't tried it at a lower setting yet.

I got the FF 432, and thought it was terrific the first 1-2 nights, certainly the most comfortable one I've tried (I sleep on my front, and a lot of others dig into my face that way), but even though I can't discern leaks, it's very ineffective for OSA

I'm a side/stomach sleeper as well and don't find the FF431 uncomfortable, but my worry is that it is ineffective for OSA which is why I'm thinking of trying a hybrid or nasal mask. I worry that with the congestion though that I won't get effective treatment from a nasal due to congestion and I'm allergic to tape. Even paper tape leaves marks or will tear my skin off. I had marks for a week after the sleep study from the paper tape

BTW have you tried the soap bar in bed with you (low down) for the RLS?

Shore have I'm the one who started the thread on Ivory soap... (I think). At first I thought it was a joke when I saw it. The jury is still out as to it's effectiveness for me...

Thanks for your advice

Linda (the member formerly known as LPADY - Den you crack me up as usual )

[DeltaSeeker]

"The member formerly known as lpady"

OK - I think I've narrowed down the choices to the Mirage Quattro or the Mirage Liberty. Many sites have them on "pre-sale" and Resmed says they'll begin shipping at the end of May - only a few more weeks.

I like the Liberty because it's a hybrid and less intrusive but I wonder if it will be as well-fitting and flexible as the Quattro.

Now the debate begins as to whether or not to try to get it thru the silly "A" people since insurance covers 100% and my deductible is already paid until August or if insurance won't allow a replacement prior to 6 months I'll probably have to pay out of pocket in which case I'll get it at cpap.com since they've been so gracious as to offer us this wonderful forum as well as a price guarantee and return insurance add-on. When it comes to masks I'm sure the price of the insurance is worth it!

Comments?

[DreamStalker]

Jim -

You amaze me. You are one determined man and you make me feel good about the hardship of life.

Thanks for sharing a day in your life.

- roberto

[Goofproof]

Jim -

You amaze me. You are one determined man and you make me feel good about the hardship of life.

Thanks for sharing a day in your life.

- roberto

That's the good part, I'm married! Jim

[DeltaSeeker]

Jim -

You amaze me. You are one determined man and you make me feel good about the hardship of life.

Thanks for sharing a day in your life.

- roberto

That's the good part, I'm married! Jim

Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you see it, that can change as well.

Guess the moral is count your blessings - things can always be worse.

Linda (loving being divorced and a single mom of twins - so much better than having *3* kids to pick up after!!!!!)

[Snoredog]

If you are going to let "A" buy you a new mask, I would let them buy you the new Resmed Quattro, you don't want to be wasting your own money on that experimental stuff, but hey if its someone else's go for the gold.

But when they tell you they don't have it, say I'll wait for it to be special ordered.

I would make sure you measure your vertical dimension and compare that to the sizing chart. If anything, get the mask larger vs. smaller.

[RosemaryB]

[quote="Snoredog"]If you are going to let "A" buy you a new mask, I would let them buy you the new Resmed Quattro, you don't want to be wasting your own money on that experimental stuff, but hey if its someone else's go for the gold.

But when they tell you they don't have it, say I'll wait for it to be special ordered.

I would make sure you measure your vertical dimension and compare that to the sizing chart. If anything, get the mask larger vs. smaller.

[DeltaSeeker]

Rosemary, since my experiment with melatonin I'm a little leery of trying new supplements. The melatonin totally counteracted the Klonopin I take for my RLS and I had one of my worse nights ever.

Snoredog, I agree, if A is going to pay for it I'll wait for the special order. Last night was good for AHI (1.4) but baad for leaks. And all the events were caused by leaks. So I've gotta do something about them. Although I did loosen the mask a little more which caused a lot of irritation - probably from too much slipping around. And my nose was itching something terrible ALL night so I'd keep waking up and scratching under the mask causing more leaks .

Maybe that hybrid isn't such a bad idea. that way I can scratch my nose and my chin won't be irritated either since the FP431 rests under the chin.

I've posted last night's results but more on that in a new thread.

Linda

[DouglasF]

After one + week of CPAP therapy, I don't have a lot to add here, except that in addition to type of mask, mask size can make a huge differernce too. The jokers from my DME slapped a Respironics Comfort Gel Large on me and ignored me when I complained about it hitting me above the bridge of the nose and just on the edge of my upper lip. Well, after a few days of having to strap the thing down like a rabid rottweiler to contain the leaks, I got a lovely blister on my nose and contact acne on my cheeks. This week I bought myself a size MEDIUM Comfort Gel, and it's made all the difference in the world. I get an awesome seal with much less strap pressure now. I hope you can dial in your right interface without much more trouble; good luck!

Regards,
Doug