which mask now, sleepy in Michigan

[mahogany speedboat]

I've been using cpap for about 4 years...can't find the mask that will work for me...problem is I toss and turn from side to side...started with nasal mask, then to nasal pillow and prong, which worked with some success, utill I started getting sores in my nares after using for a while...some of drawer collection included comfort gel, mirage swift, optilite, and comfort lite...Also It seems when sleeping with the upper body somewhat upright your throat muscles don't colaspe to prevent breathing....Thanks for your suggestions...love to get a good nights sleep....

[Ms Piggy]

Maybe you need to stabilize the masks you have with something, say with something stretchy tied around your head and the down piece, as in the breeze, comfort lite 2. If you use the "search" facility at the top of the page and look in "fixes" or mask slipping fixes or whatever you can find anything in, OR better still under a specific mask you will find help. hope that's clear, sorry , I am so tired!

[RipVW]

Have you tried an Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask? A very popular CPAP mask, I love mine. I change positions during the night (I think most people do), and it stays put. Good luck!

[Debjax]

I like the Mirage Micro, it works really well for me (in the small), as long as I can keep my mouth shut. Hubby has the Swift LT for Her, (which I hate,'cause I get a literal wind blast in my face and eyes when he is on his side facing me, or on the back of my head if I'm facing away). His other mask is the Ultra Mirage FFM, which is better on the wind effect but not as quiet as my Quattro FFM.

[Slinky]

I'm delighted to see another Michigander in the forum, welcome, MahagonySpeedboat. Are you using a local DME supplier? Are you using insurance or are you self-pay or willing to buy out of pocket? If you're willing to try used masks some of our forum members have been using Mask Roulette, a search here should bring up past Mask Roulette threads.

Personally, I had Leak problems w/"lip flutters", and I prefer really lightweight masks, so I've been very happy w/one of Respironics' oldest masks, the Simplicity simple nasal cushion and have added their simplest chin strap, the white Respironics basic chin strap, PN 302175. The combination is really stable but still not a lot of "stuff" on my head and face.

[ozij]

Have you tried getting the hose to it drops from above your head (hook in the wall? hose buddy? hoze boss?)

O.

[nanuke]

I got a Travel Buddy - it was cheaper than the Hose Buddy - yesterday and it rocks. Allows turning and the hose does not get in the way at all. Only thing is you have to remove the mask while lying down, which I've never done. I could make the hose that comes to me longer, but that would defeat the purpose.

I use an Ultra Mirage ff standard medium. This has worked for ME for years, but everyone's different, and has different needs and requirements.

I recently bought a Liberty ff in the auction. I thought that a lighter mask might be an improvement, but I've read quite a few posts about nare sores from pillows, so I'm a little concerned.

I guess I'll find out when it gets here.

SLEEP WELL

[Slinky]

Ozij is right on!!! Hanging your hose above your head eliminates a lot of drag on the mask when you move around in bed and change positions.

Nanuke, Ayr Saline Nasal Gel or Ayr Saline Nasal Spray (I've bought and used both - the gel on the outside and spray on the inside) can help toughen up the nares quickly when first using nasal pillows. It only takes a few days to adjust to the more direct pressure of the nasal pillows and if you've been using a nasal cushion mask for very long you don't even run into the "toughening up" process w/nasal pillows usually. I had problems when I first started using CPAP and nasal pillows so switched to a nasal cushion style mask. Now 2 years later when I tried nasal pillows I had no problem at all.