NEW NEED HELP GEL MASK MAKES ME SICK

[sharon309]

Please help,I am new to this,I had sleep study with jel nose mask and chin strap..eyes swelled got watery and could hardly open also nose was stopped up it lasted all day.
Went to sleep study/lung doctor was told I stopped breathing 20 times a hour and needed ccap,
I told him what happened to me and he said gee I wonder why... never gave an answer and ordered me the same thing to wear at home.
The tech brought it yesterday and decided I needed a smaller mask than what the doctor ordered,well I can't breath with it on it is hard to try and breath out and hurts my chest also my eyes swelled and my nose got conjested just after a few mins. I had to take it off.I do have reactions to alot of things cleaning stuff,perfumes,cig smoke and seems like everything.
I don't know what to do.I think I am having a reaction to the gel mask it smells awlfull and I even washed it.Sorry this is so long I feel so stupid.
Wonder if I would do better with a full mask?

[Guest]

You should call the DME that provided the mask and explain to them that you are allergic to the gel. You wouldn't be the first to have this problem. They should be able to set you up with a different nasal mask that doesn't have the gel. I would insist on it. You need treatment and won't be able to tolerate the mask, so the sooner they get you a new one then you can start on your road to recovery and good health by getting the oxygen you need each night while sleeping.

[LavenderMist]

sorry, that was me. forgot to sign in yet again. <sigh>

[sleepycarol]

Take the mask back to the DME and explain what happened and tell them you need to exchange it for one you can wear. It may several different tries to find one that will work for you -- just keep trying until you find one that will work.

[Goofproof]

If you are talking about the ComfortGel mask, Yes they smell bad, like a bowl of stale generic cigarettes. I still have to use it, because it works so well, I wash it a lot but it open air and time that tames the smell. The one I got on auction was bad, but I got a sealed one from the DME and it was just as bad, the manufacturer must think it's a joke, it is a bad one.

It's just proof, we CPAP users will put up with anything if it works. Jim

[sharon309]

It not only smells bad I can taste it and like I said my eyes swelled close and my nose got stopped up.

[kteague]

Sharon,
Sounds like you've crossed the line from finding it unpleasant to having a reaction to it. It may help when you call your supplier to tell them that you don't understand why they gave you this mask even after you telling them your difficulty with it, and if they speak of any delay time in an exchange, tell them you've already lost time due to their decision and you don't expect this exchange to be held against you.

Whatever mask you get next should be as if your first. I'm only saying this because some suppliers start acting funny on exchanges, and I'd hate to see them make you feel as if you are being a problem. Maybe they will be totally cooperative and helpful, just be prepared because it sounds like you've already dealt with someone who had their own agenda regardless of what you said.

There's too many masks out there to settle for one that makes you ill. Success can be challenging enough without unnecessary hindrances. Best wishes.

Kathy

[RosemaryB]

Sharon, welcome! That sounds awful. Sorry to hear you are having such a bad time. I agree that you need to try a different mask, one without gel. Have you looked at the different styles? You might want to try a pillows mask since that one won't have so much contact with your face and not around your eyes.

One example is the Swift II. Most DME's seem to have it and it may be one you want to try since it seems to work for a lot of people. I don't use it now, but it was an excellent one to start with for me. Not much touches the face.

Another good mask to start is the Comfortlite II. It has several styles of nasal interfaces, including one that goes over your nose, but is like a very small cup that fits over the nose. With this one, you can at least have some different choices.

Look on cpap.com and you will see a number of masks. Once you have ones you'd like to try, call the DME and tell them which ones and insist that they let you try masks until you find one that works for you. Your life may literally depend on this treatment, so it is crucial that they work with you.

Once you have the mask home, soak it in mild dishwashing detergent & water for a number of minutes, or even hours. Also wash your hose or even soak it, too. You want to get all the stuff that's on there off. I actually soak mine overnight because I can get very allergic to some things, including plastic stuff. Most people just soak for 30-40 minutes and that would probably be fine, but I just want to make sure. You can wash the headgear in baby shampoo and let it dry, too. I'd never, ever use a mask right out the box.

With the pillows masks you don't need any kind of a gel substance in them. Good luck.

[ozij]

Sharon,
1. Soak any new mask and hose in warm soapy water for 45 - 60, unless the mask manual specifically says not to do so. And I mean any mask from any company. New masks may have production residues on them that some people are allergic to.

2. Turn the machine on and have it blow into a ventilated room (not your bedroom) for an hour or 2 at least, to get the new smell out of it - if it is a new machine. You may have to have the "auto off" option disabled if it is enabled. Its very important for you to do it.

3. Insist on having new filters - both standard and fine - installed on the machine as you watch.

4. Use the mask and hose only after they have dried.

If you let us know which machine you have, we can help you with the disabling the auto off (if it has it....).

O.

[sharon309]

Thankyou for responding everyone seems so nice and I am so confused.
I called the DMI and he is coming tomorrow and bring a couple of masks for me to try on while he is here. They are in Nashville and thats about 50 miles from me. He said he wished the doctors would do that before they send him.
I have the REMstarPro M series with Heated Humidifier by RESPIRONICS C-Flex
and it has a smart card.
I can't change the air flow and the DMI said he couldn't either without the doctor.
I am so glad I found this site.
Does anyone know about how much the machine will end up costing me I have medicare the DMI didn't know what the cost was.
I really want to get used to this and hopefully have a little engergy I also have fibromyaliga and some messed up disks.I sleep in a recliner can't handle a bed.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, humidifier, medicare, Smart Card

[ozij]

He's right about not him not having permission change the pressure without a doctor's instruction.

If you want to run the machine in order to ventilate and the hose, have hime set it up to it doesn't stop automtically. This will cancel the "mask off alarm" but it still seems to me the right thing to do in this situation.


Good luck - and don't forget to soak the mask you've chosen and the hose.

O.

[LavenderMist]

Sharon,
I also have fibromyalgia and have had neck and back surgery. There are quite a number of people of the forum who also have fibro. Check your PM's.

[Guest]

Sharon, just please ensure you consult with your doctor about your therapy. All of these internet comments are great and they are from educated people (for the most part), but only your DOCTOR should alter your machine settings. At any time, Wulfman should appear posting instructions on how to self-adjust your device. Just watch out for him!!

[ozij]

Please help,I am new to this,I had sleep study with jel nose mask and chin strap..eyes swelled got watery and could hardly open also nose was stopped up it lasted all day.
Went to sleep study/lung doctor was told I stopped breathing 20 times a hour and needed ccap,
I told him what happened to me and he said gee I wonder why... never gave an answer and ordered me the same thing to wear at home.

Sharon, just please ensure you consult with your doctor about your therapy

Ah, guest, where would we be without you...

O.

[Issac]

I just read this and have a question. Does anyone know what those gel's are made of? I have always wondered.
It has to be safe, right? These are under the FDA, right? You probably have an allergy.
I'm visiting the Zooks using Isaac and Lo's computer to send work in. They have , like 3 of these gel masks but a little too worn for me to try.