I have recently been diagnosed with SA and began BI_PAP therapy this week I've been using a respro BI-PAP machine with a res med ultra mirage ff mask at 14/11 pressure.
I also have RA and have had two hip and two knee replacements. It is difficult for me to sleep on my back for an entire evening. Actually I like to sleep on my stomach. The first night I slept on my back and got probably 5 to 5.5 hours sleep on the machine and another 1 1/2 without. I woke with a sore neck and shoulders (RA). The second nite I was uncomfortable sleeping on my back. So I tried sleeping on my sides and stomach. After about three hours my eyes were so dry from leakage I quit the machine. The third night I lasted two and a half hours with the same problem. Sleeping on my stoumach is impossible because of the hose.
Unfortunatly, I can't sleep on my back everynight and I need a ff mask because my nose gets stuffed up as soon as I begin therapy (any ideas why?). I really want to continue with my therapy but this is very discouraging.
Any suggestions?????
waltmon
Newbie needs help
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IWannaSleep
- Posts: 245
- Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 1:34 am
- Location: Florida
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Hi Waltmon,
And welcome!!
Were you tested with a nose mask or something called nasal pillows? Were you able to sleep and breathe with your mouth closed?
It really does help if you can do that. There are several different types of nose masks and such. Some have the hose oriented differently, coming down from above your head. They are good for sleeping on your stomach, I understand (I sleep on my side). Even if you do only the side, the full face mask will likely leak, from what I've been told. I don't have one, but am considering getting one for those times when I simply can't breathe through my nose.
So you might consider one of those, and still hang on to your full face mask for those odd times, and also consider the other methods of relieving your nose. And like was said, a heated humidifier is essential, if you don't already have one. This treatment is forcing air through your nose and throat, so it dries out everything. That moisture needs to be replaced, even if you don't have it heated much.
Let us know how things go. Just don't give up, that's important. You need to get comfortable with this. Still, it sounds like you are having some success. Stick with it. We'll try and help you figure out something that works.
Linda
And welcome!!
Were you tested with a nose mask or something called nasal pillows? Were you able to sleep and breathe with your mouth closed?
It really does help if you can do that. There are several different types of nose masks and such. Some have the hose oriented differently, coming down from above your head. They are good for sleeping on your stomach, I understand (I sleep on my side). Even if you do only the side, the full face mask will likely leak, from what I've been told. I don't have one, but am considering getting one for those times when I simply can't breathe through my nose.
So you might consider one of those, and still hang on to your full face mask for those odd times, and also consider the other methods of relieving your nose. And like was said, a heated humidifier is essential, if you don't already have one. This treatment is forcing air through your nose and throat, so it dries out everything. That moisture needs to be replaced, even if you don't have it heated much.
Let us know how things go. Just don't give up, that's important. You need to get comfortable with this. Still, it sounds like you are having some success. Stick with it. We'll try and help you figure out something that works.
Linda
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Guest
Thans for the response. I do have a heated humidifier. The first night when I slept 5+ hours I awoke because my mouth was bone dry. The humidifer was empty. That seems dumb to me. You'd think there would be at least an eight hour capacity. If I would have to get up to refill I would never get back to sleep.
As to the nasal pillows etc. At the sleep study we tried them at first but they said that the pressures were getting too high to use them. I think I am probably better off with the ff mask as opposed to the nasal mask because of my nasal constriction and mouth breathing etc.
I have no problems breathing thru my nose until I put the mask on then "BOOM" 30 seconds later I cant breathe thru my nose. Nothing is ever easy.
waltmon
As to the nasal pillows etc. At the sleep study we tried them at first but they said that the pressures were getting too high to use them. I think I am probably better off with the ff mask as opposed to the nasal mask because of my nasal constriction and mouth breathing etc.
I have no problems breathing thru my nose until I put the mask on then "BOOM" 30 seconds later I cant breathe thru my nose. Nothing is ever easy.
waltmon
I, too am a stomach sleeper with a FF Mask. Mighty tricky, but have gotten pretty good at it. I use an eye ointment (OTC) at night and rewetting drops during the day and it seems to be better. The ointment at night seems to still be present first thing in the morning, but I have no problem with it later.
Good Luck. Keep at it.
Sue
Good Luck. Keep at it.
Sue
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| Mask | |
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Ann N.
I don't know why you were told that your pressure requirements were too high to use nasal pillows. I use the Breeze with nasal pillows quite successfully with my required pressure of 17/13 (Respironics BiPAP Pro 2). Other people with high pressure requirements also seem to have success with the Breeze pillows.
Now masks are a different story. Because of the high pressures and considerably more edge contact between the mask and the facial skin, there is a lot more opportunity for leaks. With the Breeze I have very little leakage, whereas with a nasal or full face mask I have quite a bit. And I just hate to wake up with dry uncomfortable eyes, which is what I get with actual masks. I would suggest that you give the Breeze (or possibly the Swift) a try. The Aura might also possibly work for you-- for me it isn't a good choice because of my high pressure requirements.
Ann
Now masks are a different story. Because of the high pressures and considerably more edge contact between the mask and the facial skin, there is a lot more opportunity for leaks. With the Breeze I have very little leakage, whereas with a nasal or full face mask I have quite a bit. And I just hate to wake up with dry uncomfortable eyes, which is what I get with actual masks. I would suggest that you give the Breeze (or possibly the Swift) a try. The Aura might also possibly work for you-- for me it isn't a good choice because of my high pressure requirements.
Ann
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Guest
Hi waltmon,
Well guess what. you're right! Nothing is ever easy. It either gets better/easier and you learn to adapt - or you don't. Hey, that seems easy enough don't you think?
I have good news for you! This xPAP crap is nothing compared to what you have already been through, so take a deep breath, relax, and learn to live with it. It's a matter of getting used to new and perhaps uncomfortable treatment that is somewhat unusual. It ain't like - take a pill and you'll feel better in the morning. Not quite that easy.
But the thing is - and you're doctor explained it all to you or you wouldn't be here - you need it to treat the symptoms you have. Or, were you just faking it? No daytime fog, sleeping right through the night, no dozing during the day, operating at peak efficiency and having all that energy you used to have. Yeah, you're probably OK, so just chuck the whole damn thing and live it up!
Please read some of the posts on this forum and you will find many who have experienced the quirks you have. Most bear with it, experiment with their equipment and with the help of others here, finally achieve a degree of success they can live with. Lo and behold, their treatment starts to take effect and life seems better.
In my case, I noticed good results early on but am still tinkering and expect I always will - just started in January 2005. I have noticed others on this forum who were on a program but gave it up, some for quite some time like years but they came back. My impression is they couldn't cope because there was no real support for them and this type of treatment has not been mainstream so general public acknowledgement confirmed in their own mind it was not a real issue.
Recent deaths of high profile individuals have started to alert the public and previously diagnosed Apneacs to take a closer look. Time to take that funny looking pill after all!
Forums like this give you the opportunity to learn more about Apnea and the treatment process. Best of all, your contribution is appreciated and will indeed help others.
So there it is. Now get with it and tell us about your highs, lows and overall experience. Any hot tips are anxiously awaited!
Bob F
(unclebob, who is at daughter's home & didn't sign in)
P.S. - We do not want to hear you started to feel so good that you jumped out of bed in the morning and tripped over the damn hose. Do take care of those legs, enough is enough eh!
Well guess what. you're right! Nothing is ever easy. It either gets better/easier and you learn to adapt - or you don't. Hey, that seems easy enough don't you think?
I have good news for you! This xPAP crap is nothing compared to what you have already been through, so take a deep breath, relax, and learn to live with it. It's a matter of getting used to new and perhaps uncomfortable treatment that is somewhat unusual. It ain't like - take a pill and you'll feel better in the morning. Not quite that easy.
But the thing is - and you're doctor explained it all to you or you wouldn't be here - you need it to treat the symptoms you have. Or, were you just faking it? No daytime fog, sleeping right through the night, no dozing during the day, operating at peak efficiency and having all that energy you used to have. Yeah, you're probably OK, so just chuck the whole damn thing and live it up!
Please read some of the posts on this forum and you will find many who have experienced the quirks you have. Most bear with it, experiment with their equipment and with the help of others here, finally achieve a degree of success they can live with. Lo and behold, their treatment starts to take effect and life seems better.
In my case, I noticed good results early on but am still tinkering and expect I always will - just started in January 2005. I have noticed others on this forum who were on a program but gave it up, some for quite some time like years but they came back. My impression is they couldn't cope because there was no real support for them and this type of treatment has not been mainstream so general public acknowledgement confirmed in their own mind it was not a real issue.
Recent deaths of high profile individuals have started to alert the public and previously diagnosed Apneacs to take a closer look. Time to take that funny looking pill after all!
Forums like this give you the opportunity to learn more about Apnea and the treatment process. Best of all, your contribution is appreciated and will indeed help others.
So there it is. Now get with it and tell us about your highs, lows and overall experience. Any hot tips are anxiously awaited!
Bob F
(unclebob, who is at daughter's home & didn't sign in)
P.S. - We do not want to hear you started to feel so good that you jumped out of bed in the morning and tripped over the damn hose. Do take care of those legs, enough is enough eh!
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IWannaSleep
- Posts: 245
- Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 1:34 am
- Location: Florida
- Contact:
Anonymous wrote:....I awoke because my mouth was bone dry. The humidifer was empty. That seems dumb to me. You'd think there would be at least an eight hour capacity. If I would have to get up to refill I would never get back to sleep. ....
My tank easily holds more than enough water for a full night. I always have leftover. I wonder if there is a problem with your humidifier.
Also my swift nasal pillows works great through the entire pressure range of 4 to 20 cm. I did have a couple leak issues at some higher pressures like 18 and 20, but they were easily resolved.
Ron
9 cm h2o
8 posts
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