My first follow up appointment

[hope2sleep]

Well, I had my first follow up appointment since begining to use the c-pap in January. I had been compliant with using it. I was found to have had a lot of air leaks. She also said that I was not having as long of periods of uninterupted sleep as she would like to see. The lady made adjustments to the straps on my mask. The mask feels pretty tight on my face. Leaves deeper marks on my face by the morning now. The strap that goes around the back of my neck isn't very comfortable now. I had felt like I had gotten used to it pretty well and not minding it so much. Now, I feel like I am kind of starting all over again ~ trying to get used to it. I want to do what they want me to do to have this be successful, but I don't know if I can tolerate the way the mask/tightness of the straps feels now.

I want this to work and look forward to the time when I will start to feel better.

[rwalker]

I would say have you the right size mask, i have tried many FF masks small medium & large in size, back here in the Uk sleep technicians are really good and let you try all sorts of masks and sizes. I have the luxury of having 2 masks the liberty and the Mirage Quatro. I use the Quatro until i get the very popular red mark on my nose then go back to the liberty to let it heal. The quatro should not be pulled to tight as this actually can produce leaks. As you have only been on CPAP since January then it really is early days, the Mirage quatro may just not be the right mask for you, you need to try as many as you can and try and find the right one. As you are probably aware this is a great forum for getting help and advise so hang on in there and let us know how you get on.

[Slinky]

And the RT has no way of knowing if the high leak rate is due to mask fit - or to mouth leaks or the "lip flutters". But YOU know what is comfortable and what isn't! Loosen those straps so that mask is as comfortable as you can get it. If you can FEEL minor leaks try buying some Mack's Silicone Ear Plugs at the pharmacy. Roll one or a half a one in the palms of your hands to form a thin rope or tape and lay that on your mask in the area of the leaks (or area of soreness). It can make a great seal and also provide some comfortable padding.

Then you can try a cheap, home-made, and quite effective "chin strap". Cut the leg off a pair of panty hose tights. Place your chin in the center of it as a sling and tie the ends at the top of your head. If that works and you want to get something a little more "classy" there are chin straps you can buy.

Many here tape their lips shut. I haven't tried it so can't describe what and how but others can.

I had success w/a thin layer of PoliDent Denture Gel, others have had success w/PoliDent Denture Strips to seal their lips shut but still be able to open their mouth quickly and easily if needed.

[larryjay]

I am probably not one to talk or post on this subject after only a few nights. I have experienced leaks. My mask is a comfort gel variety. I can usually tell if I am leaking by a slight breeze or chill in the area. A slight adjustment, a tug or a pull, usually corrects the problem. Sometime, I have shifted my position and caused the leak. These, of course, are the times when I am aware of the leak. If this occurs while I'm asleep and do not wake up shortly there after I suppose the machine will record it. I can't be sure about that though.

[Eureka]

Hope2Sleep -- Hope your visit turns out well. I visit my sleep Dr this coming week after being on cpap since the first of January. My first mask, a nasal, chewed up my nose -- I feel I will have a permanent scar on the bridge of my nose. I have since purchased a Swift LT and feel much better and getting better sleep.
This is whole nother world out here in sleep apnea land. Don't know what I would have done with this forum.

[always_tired]

Well, I had my first follow up appointment since begining to use the c-pap in January. I had been compliant with using it. I was found to have had a lot of air leaks. She also said that I was not having as long of periods of uninterupted sleep as she would like to see. The lady made adjustments to the straps on my mask. The mask feels pretty tight on my face. Leaves deeper marks on my face by the morning now. The strap that goes around the back of my neck isn't very comfortable now. I had felt like I had gotten used to it pretty well and not minding it so much. Now, I feel like I am kind of starting all over again ~ trying to get used to it. I want to do what they want me to do to have this be successful, but I don't know if I can tolerate the way the mask/tightness of the straps feels now.

I want this to work and look forward to the time when I will start to feel better.

Do you use the standard or shallow cushion on your Ultra Mirage mask? The head of the sleep lab I used took one look at the Ultra Mirage w Standard cushion on me and said I would never get the leaks out without using a Shallow cushion. And it did work much better. But like you, I still end up with the straps real tight. I now use the lanolin suggested by other users on the cushion where it touches my face and that has really cut down on the leaks.