New CPAPer with a few questions

[Robbie]

Hello all,

I began using CPAP 5 days ago - and so far it's been a life changing experience. Like most newbies, I had 1001 questions, many of which I've found various answers to by reading through the posts. Although my actual medical care has been first rate as I have gone through the studies, the amount of information I've received from the care givers has been somewhat disappointing. On the one hand I know better than to "play doctor" - on the other hand I feel that I'm ultimately responsible for my own healthcare - make sense?

Anyway, I have a question on masks (I know my mileage probably will vary - one size doesn't fit all, etc.). Any recommendations on how long I should use a mask before i conclude it's not a great fit for me? I'm Currently using an HC407 - which is what I used in my sleep studies. I slept on my back during the sleep studies because A) They asked me to try to do that, and B) The myriad of wires I had connected to my body made it difficult to do much else. By nature I'm a side sleeper - or as my wife would have it - I flop around like a fish out of water. I'm thinking nasal pillows where the hose comes over the top might be a better fit for me.

Any thoughts on how long I should give a mask to work before trying something else? Is my perception that nasal pillow type masks *generally* work better for side sleepers? I realize there is an adjustment period to this - and I'm dedicated to making it work - whatever it takes. I'd staple a skunk to my forehead if I thought it would do any real good. Hopefully it won't come to that

Great Forum!

[papdaddy]

Hi Robbie, welcome to the forum. You are wright that usaully nasal pillows are better for side sleeping(no forehead supports or bulkieness to get in the way). There is also a wonderful mask called the Resmed Activa . It is a nasal mask that I find particularly good for side sleeping(IMO). It is like an "airbag for your nose" seals extremely well and moves with your face as you toss and turn. As far as how long to try a mask, thats a personal thing. Some you know right away that they are not going to work, some I will try for a week or two to see if they improve. I would also stay away from the skunk, though it would probably open your sinuses up .

Rich

[Slinky]

Good attitude! You will adjust well. Altho there WILL be days you just might want to rip your mask off and beat upon the DME's RT or the sleep doctor w/it for getting you into this mess.

There are some mask fitting tips that might help you w/the HC 407 if you go to the top of the page and click on the Red Ball w/the Question Mark in it and scroll down to Mask Fitting.

Do be aware that w/the nasal pillows the air pressure blows more directly into your nostrils than w/the nasal cushion and full face masks. You may have some problems at first w/a sore, chapped nose. There are some remedies for that if you run into that. Ayr gel is one.

Side sleepers will be able to suggest some masks that work for them. I use the Simplicity (one of Respironics' oldest nasal cushion masks) w/success w/back and side sleeping. Its swivel works very freely and you have the option of clipping the hose to the top center strap over your head or to your PJs if you prefer it down on your chest.

The problem I had with the 407 was that 1] I really should have had the 406 which is the same mask but a smaller size and 2] there is no adjustment for the angle between bridge of nose and forehead so I was getting a sore, bruised bridge of nose w/it. My DME didn't have a 406 in stock so I tried the Simplicity he did have in stock and have done so well w/it didn't need to try the 406.

It generally takes a good 10 days to 2 weeks to know if a mask is going to be comfortable long term and pretty much leak free for you. But most DME's only allow you to exchange a mask w/in 30 days. Fisher & Paykel, Resmed and Respironics will all replace FREE TO THE DME any mask a patient has tried that didn't work out for them if the DME fills out a form and returns it to the manufacturer.

Welcome to the forum and the world of CPAPping! Stick w/us and we'll get you thru the adjustment period.

In the long run it will help forum members held you if you go to the top of the page, click on Profile and fill in your profile down near the bottom as to which xPAP you are using, whether you have humidifier or not and which one if you do, what mask you are currently working with, etc. You can change your profile at any time (like when and if you change masks, etc.).

[Guest]

I have not had problems sleeping on my side with the UMII nasal which I have used now for over a year or the activa which I used for about five months. What about your current mask's performance is not working for you?

TM

[Guest]

Slinky: I updated my profile, hopefully the equipment now displays - thanks!

As for what isn'tworking for me with this mask: I knock it all around and occasionally flatten the nose piece out - I guess I tend to have my face in the pillow on occasion. I've noticed a few nights now where the air flow seemed "restricted" until I re-aligned the mask on my face. It woke me up. Thought it might be the hose, but checked that and it was fine. I've engineered a hanger/router for the hose that suits me fairly well. Not perfect (yet ) - the "modding" provides a healthy outlet for a little OCD .

It tends to irritate my moustache as well - which leads me to try and scratch there in my sleep - and knock the mask around. Can I live with that part? Yep! Would I shave off the moustache if it came down to that? In a (somewhat melancholy) heartbeat! Leak rates have been around .28 - .30 with one night at .5

I'll give it another week and see how I do.

[FirstTimer]

Yes I am a new user too. I have tried Optilife Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask for about three days. And I had to return it becasue of sore nose. Than I tried Profile LIte GEl Mask sore bridge of nose. Than I have been using FlexiFit
HC 407 Nasal CPAP Mask. I like the mask it fit's my face no problem with leaks of air or water from the Humidifier. I have found out about allot of things about Sleep Apena that I don't know about. Everybody is ever helpful. I hope this group of people are here for a every long time to help everyone who need help. [/b]

[jaybee72]

I got my equipment last tuesday, the mask being a Respironics comfort gel. The mask did not work out - I had to cinch it down really tight to keep it from leaking into my eyes which resulted in a sore nose, teeth, and cheeks. But, it did seal well like that.

Anyway, I jsut got back to work from visiting my DME and trading it in for an Activa. The Activa seemed to seal very well at the DME not matter how I pushed it around on my face trying to make it leak.

So, to answer your question I waited 1 week to change!

[Slinky]

Slinky: I updated my profile, hopefully the equipment now displays - thanks!

As for what isn'tworking for me with this mask: I knock it all around and occasionally flatten the nose piece out - I guess I tend to have my face in the pillow on occasion. I've noticed a few nights now where the air flow seemed "restricted" until I re-aligned the mask on my face. It woke me up. Thought it might be the hose, but checked that and it was fine. I've engineered a hanger/router for the hose that suits me fairly well. Not perfect (yet ) - the "modding" provides a healthy outlet for a little OCD .

It tends to irritate my moustache as well - which leads me to try and scratch there in my sleep - and knock the mask around. Can I live with that part? Yep! Would I shave off the moustache if it came down to that? In a (somewhat melancholy) heartbeat! Leak rates have been around .28 - .30 with one night at .5

I'll give it another week and see how I do.

Notice your first post in this thread, Robbie. You did good! Your equipment displays just fine when you are logged on.

I see your last post you weren't logged in and showed up as Guest (Robbie). I don't always notice I'm not logged in either. You'll see a lot of us show up as Guest (and ID) 'cause we didn't realize we weren't logged in.

Hey! Your leak rate looks pretty darn good! Especially for so early in this "game". As for the mustache itch - ha! - you should see me when I get a nose itch w/my Simplicity nasal cushion on!!! I don't care WHAT it does to my data! GOTTA get my finger under the cushion to SCRATCH the itch!

[thonl]

Almost directly mirrors what my first question was to be.

I am 2 nights in, and while I can tolerate my pressure of 11 with my comfort gel mask, and it doesnt seem to cause me any pain on the bridge of my nose, the area below my nose(moustache) is another matter.

I have found that the leaks are a real issue with this mask, no matter how I tighten the headgear down, and while I want to give it every chance to work, I am thinking a call to the clinic will be in order on Monday(3 more nights to try the nasal) to talk about switching to a pillow setup.

Thanks for a wealth of information!

[Sundown]

I use the 407 now for about a month and it is... well I love it. I did purchase the ComfortGel and am going to try that next. The only thing about the 407 is my long hair gets caught in the bottom part and I have to practically rip it out to get the d*mn thing off! lol

When I wake up... my hair looks like a muppet! lol

My husband uses the Quattro and I think it is too large... he has leaks often because he is a side sleeper.

[ColoradoDreamer]

I would give it a couple weeks.

I started out with the Activa over a year ago and it took me 2 weeks of adjustments to find the perfect fit so I could sleep most of the night (my DME fitted it for me and I found out real quick that it was way too tight. It has to be real loose--see other posts). I really like this mask. About the only time this mask will leak on me is when I find myself sleeping on my side, but I have adapted to it and find that I wake up enough to correct the leak and fall back asleep quickly. You can sleep on your side with this mask.

I've been using Invacare's Headrest Nasal CPAP Interface for about a week now and have found it to be an improvement to side sleeping. I have also noticed that I have very few leaks compared to the Activa. The first night of use took a little getting use to but I've adjusted it so I hardly know it is on.

Be patient, don't expect everything to be 100 percent in two weeks. You are having to deal with several new experiences all at once (mask on your face with air being pushed up your nose, dealing with leaks, adjusting the mask so you can sleep, developing a new bed time routine, etc).

Yes, one is responsible for their own health, as it should be. Many of us have found that out by going through this apnea treatment process, that we have to educate ourselves and be assertive with the health professionals at times to get them to listen to us.

[ozij]

People's faces and need are different.

I couldn't stand the Comfort Gel - couldn't find the right size. The sight of nasal pillow freaked me out - but I did try them, and it was wonderful.

My first nasal pillows mask was a Breeze, the second, and favorite, is the Headrest, made by Aeiomed.

O.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hello --welcome to the new world of being able to sleep at night and feel rested in the morning instead of beat up!!! I am new too--I am on my 4th mask and have been doing this for 3 months now. I started out with the HC 405 and it was too big for my face. I Then asked to try the smaller version which is the HC 407---the larger the number--the smaller the mask. Since I too am a side sleeper I had problems with leaking air etc. I got the Nasal Pillows ---Mirage Swift II --which I did like but got a sore nose--this was before I discovered the AYR gel!!! SO now I am using the COMFORT GEL mask as it comes in a PETITE size--it is a perfect fit!! I love it!!!! The gel makes a aperfect seal and it is comfy when laying on your side. I still use the Mirage Swift II nasal Pillows ---as they are comfortable too and good to use when you want a change. I have Blue Cross and BS--so my insurance has been great to cover all 4 masks for me in such a short period of time. I might ask for a new hose in a few weeks as we have to switch insurance companies --i want a back up hose.

Good Luck!!!