Howdy, I'm new here and have several questions. First I will describe my background. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 2-3/4 years ago at a rate of around 45 incidents per hour. I have yet to use the machine for one night. In the lab I was able to sleep for about 5 hours and felt like I had drunk a gallon of coffee the next morning, only better. Major alertness!! I really looked forward to using the machine. I got a Resmed Escape through my insurance provider. At first I could not tolerate it for more than an hour because it was blowing air into my stomach. I got the settings lowered some and still struggled to use it for a week or so and then just gave up. I found out a year and a half later that the machine was recalled and when the respitory tech. came out to switch the machine found out that the humidifier wasn't working. The new machine and humidifier do work. I added a chin strap and still struggle with severe dry mouth and throat. I have recently found out that one of the medications I am on tends to dry me out. I am on nasal steroids to attempt to keep the sinus passages open. I have always had lots of allergies. I have had 2 surgeries on my throat, GERD related.
I noticed in a medical suppliers showroom today that there is a mouth and throat mask. Would this perhaps work better? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have been chewing snuff for years in an attempt to stay awake. I am also recognizing more mental lapses. I do really want this to work. I have tried 2 different masks (gel and accordian) and neither of them seem too uncomfortable. The dryness is the major deficit.
Hello, and ??
4 posts
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I suggest you spend some time looking at masks online at cpap.com. They divide masks up into types and you might need some kind of full face mask.
Browse at first, then get serious and write down the names of masks you are interested in. Start looking for posts on those masks. Even though masks are a personal thing (what works for one might be a total disaster for the next person), you can start getting some ideas.
Create a short list of say 5 masks and take the list to the medical supply store and see what they have and see what you can try at your pressure.
If you like more than one, get one there and start looking for a used one here on the forum or at cpapauction.com. Or you can even buy a new one at cpap.com.
Browse at first, then get serious and write down the names of masks you are interested in. Start looking for posts on those masks. Even though masks are a personal thing (what works for one might be a total disaster for the next person), you can start getting some ideas.
Create a short list of say 5 masks and take the list to the medical supply store and see what they have and see what you can try at your pressure.
If you like more than one, get one there and start looking for a used one here on the forum or at cpapauction.com. Or you can even buy a new one at cpap.com.
Welcome to the forum! Please register your current equipment in your profile (text is preferable) so we can know what you are currently using.
If you still have the Escape, it has some drawbacks as your primary machine. While it still blows the same air as more expensive machines, it cannot tell you how your treatment is progressing. You could be leaking air and still be having lots of apneas and not know it. If you could upgrade to a data capable machine, at least an S8 Elite or better, or a high end Resprionics machine (the M series Auto with A-Flex is favored by many on the forum) you could easily learn to monitor your treatment and hopefully get back to feeling better.
With severe mouth dryness, the first thought is that you may be mouth breathing while you sleep, which can happen without your knowing, even with a chin strap. This lets all of the air that is supposed to be keeping your throat open out into the room where it does no good at all. One way to find out if you are is to try taping your mouth shut for a few nights to see if that improves things for you. Here are some articles to help you.
cpaptalk-faq.php?FCID=30#30
Or, you can try a full face mask, this goes over both your mouth and nose and keeps the air where it can do some good. I recently switched to the Ultra Mirage Full Face and it has worked reasonably well for me. Your best mask may be something else. Finding the right mask is a key factor to making this therapy work for you. Some people also use a mouthwash called Biotene befoe bed which is supposed to help with dry mouth. A seperate humidifier may be what you need too.
Please commit yourself to making Cpap a success for you. Untreated it will cause lots of health problems, but it is very treatable and even comfortable once you get adjusted to it. Ask all the questions you want, everyone here has gone through many of the same problems you have and overcome them. Best of luck to you and keep us posted on your progress.
If you still have the Escape, it has some drawbacks as your primary machine. While it still blows the same air as more expensive machines, it cannot tell you how your treatment is progressing. You could be leaking air and still be having lots of apneas and not know it. If you could upgrade to a data capable machine, at least an S8 Elite or better, or a high end Resprionics machine (the M series Auto with A-Flex is favored by many on the forum) you could easily learn to monitor your treatment and hopefully get back to feeling better.
With severe mouth dryness, the first thought is that you may be mouth breathing while you sleep, which can happen without your knowing, even with a chin strap. This lets all of the air that is supposed to be keeping your throat open out into the room where it does no good at all. One way to find out if you are is to try taping your mouth shut for a few nights to see if that improves things for you. Here are some articles to help you.
cpaptalk-faq.php?FCID=30#30
Or, you can try a full face mask, this goes over both your mouth and nose and keeps the air where it can do some good. I recently switched to the Ultra Mirage Full Face and it has worked reasonably well for me. Your best mask may be something else. Finding the right mask is a key factor to making this therapy work for you. Some people also use a mouthwash called Biotene befoe bed which is supposed to help with dry mouth. A seperate humidifier may be what you need too.
Please commit yourself to making Cpap a success for you. Untreated it will cause lots of health problems, but it is very treatable and even comfortable once you get adjusted to it. Ask all the questions you want, everyone here has gone through many of the same problems you have and overcome them. Best of luck to you and keep us posted on your progress.
Weclom, Pad,
And I hope you'll hang around till your problems are solved.
When you add info you profile (used the profile button on top) tell us what your pressure is too.
High pressure creates more dryness. Some people have found the Fisher & Paykel's standalone humidifier https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... ifier.html does a much better job than Resmed's built in humidifier.
O,
And I hope you'll hang around till your problems are solved.
When you add info you profile (used the profile button on top) tell us what your pressure is too.
High pressure creates more dryness. Some people have found the Fisher & Paykel's standalone humidifier https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... ifier.html does a much better job than Resmed's built in humidifier.
O,
_________________
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks. |
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1