Feel like cr*&#p using Mirage Quattro ffm

[oofoozle]

Hi everyone, I am a new cpap user looking for help. I wake up feeling hungover like a mac truck truck hit me after using the Mirage Quattro ffm. Is this normal? Is this what getting a good night's sleep is supposed to feel like? (because I would have no idea, lol)

It's my 4th night... first night slept until noon and still felt like cr@*&^p. I searched the board and got some tips on adjusting fit. I did everything suggested and I do not think I have any leaks. I went back to using the Mirage micro nasal mask, which I do not like, but I HAD to get up in the morning to go to work. I really want this mask to work. I am convinced I need a ffm. I like this mask for the most part and do not think I'm getting any leaks. So what's the problem, I don't think I'm supposed to feel like this?

Please, can anyone give this newbie some ideas (my DME won't call me back )

[KengEsq]

Yikes - it is difficult to give advice after only 4 nights on CPAP. I do not think your machine gives you any numbers except usage so it is hard to know how you are doing without seeing some numbers for AHI, AI, leak, pressure, etc. I can't see that your mask would cause you to feel badly unless it is leaking badly preventing useful treatment. I know I tried the Mirage Quattro and just could not wear it because it caused a sore on the bridge of my nose after only a few days of use. However, it did not leak. If your maks is fitting properly, it is not your mask causing you to feel badly. Give it all some time to see how you feel and try to use your CPAP all during the night for it to work as best as it can. You might just need to adjust.

[Raj]

Many people, after years or decades of moderate to severe OSA, experience the kind of exhaustion you describe after beginning xPAP therapy. When this happens the general consensus seems to be that your body and mind are trying to make up for a considerable sleep deficit, putting you into an unusally heavy sleep, often larded with intense dreams. If this is happening in your case, your symptoms should ease soon. Give it a week or even two, and if you aren't feeling much better by then, the problem most likely lies elsewhere, such as your pressure settings.

[tattooyu]

oofoozle (I like that!),

This is my fifth week, and I went through something similar (see Kenny's CPAP Thread). For me it turned out to be pressure settings and mouth leak/breathing with nasal pillows. Now that I've gotten both under control, I am starting to feel like a million bucks.

Patience + Persistence = Progress

Don't change anything as long as your mask isn't leaking. Fight through the bad days to get to the good days. It will happen. Unfortunately, I don't think your machine gives full data (AI - number of apneas per hour, HI - number of hypopneas (limited breathing) per hour, AHI - the total of the two, or Leakage (in Liters/sec). Do you know what pressure your machine it set to? If after a couple of weeks you still don't feel better, as long as your mask isn't leaking, you should revisit your pressure settings (ask us on here).

All my best to you! I know how you feel! I think we all do.

[oofoozle]

Thanks everyone for the reassurances. That's pretty much along the lines of what I was thinking too (based on everything I've been reading on here- gotta love the peer-to-peer ). My pressure is set to 13. I know it is not the best machine. I wasn't as educated when this all started, and I didn't want to be a PIA with my DME. I have since improved a little bit and was persistent in getting the ffm despite the DME's exasperated resistance (ha ha- that was fun!).

Without going into all the hellish details of my saga just to get A machine, any machine, (I'm sure you can all relate) I am trying to be patient and a "good patient". I suspect I may need to revisit the pressure settings as there was some discrepancy between the 2 studies I had done. One said 13, one said 17- so they went with the lower one. I don't have difficulty with exhalation, so wouldn't expect a problem with an increase (?).

I was just concerned with this result with the ffm versus that I did not experience it with the nasal mask I had first. (The nasal was a DME mistake, had a ffm in study and was supposed to get ffm with equipment. But had to use nasal while I waited for delivery of ffm). I didn't know if I should just give up on a ffm? try a different ffm? increase the pressure? switch to a better machine with data? switch to an autoCPAP? switch DME? It is all so confusing at first, but I am learning

[KengEsq]

Your machine is not a bad machine - just basic. Give it time and stick with it. I have heard that it takes three nights of good sleep to make up for one night of poor sleep. Assuming you had nothing but nights of bad sleep for quite some time, it will take time for you body to adjust to sleeping well.
Let us know how you are doing as time passes.

[JimW203]

oofoozle (I like that!),

This is my fifth week, and I went through something similar ... Patience + Persistence = Progress

I would add one element to Kenny's equation - "information." Thus mine would read "Patience + Persistence + information = Progress"

JimW203

[Paul56]

Hi everyone, I am a new cpap user looking for help. I wake up feeling hungover like a mac truck truck hit me after using the Mirage Quattro ffm. Is this normal? Is this what getting a good night's sleep is supposed to feel like? (because I would have no idea, lol)

It's my 4th night... first night slept until noon and still felt like cr@*&^p. I searched the board and got some tips on adjusting fit. I did everything suggested and I do not think I have any leaks. I went back to using the Mirage micro nasal mask, which I do not like, but I HAD to get up in the morning to go to work. I really want this mask to work. I am convinced I need a ffm. I like this mask for the most part and do not think I'm getting any leaks. So what's the problem, I don't think I'm supposed to feel like this?

Please, can anyone give this newbie some ideas (my DME won't call me back )

Unfortunately your machine is not going to provide you with any important data... such as the leak rate.

It it was me I would start pushing for an upgrade to the S8 Elite II... which is fully data compliant and will give you not only the leak rate but also AHI, AI & HI right on the LCD.

Without any of this important data you won't know if your therapy is actually working for you.

[KengEsq]

Without going into all the hellish details of my saga just to get A machine, any machine, (I'm sure you can all relate) I am trying to be patient and a "good patient". I suspect I may need to revisit the pressure settings as there was some discrepancy between the 2 studies I had done. One said 13, one said 17- so they went with the lower one. I don't have difficulty with exhalation, so wouldn't expect a problem with an increase (?).

If I was going to think about pushing for a replacement machine (assuming your insurance will pay for it) I's shoot for the ResMed AutoSet II - or any quality auto adjusting machine that provides data.

[oofoozle]

I would add one element to Kenny's equation - "information." Thus mine would read "Patience + Persistence + information = Progress"

JimW203

I like that! and I agree wholeheartedly.

While I do want to go about seeking an upgraded machine, I'm unsure of the best way to approach this. In the meantime I've been researching different machines and the same few seem to be regarded as among the "better" machines. Namely, the Resmed Autoset, I have seen referred to as "top of the line" as far as all machines go. Since my DME company deals with Resmed, I figured I have a better chance getting this one than other brands (maybe?).

I understand I still need to give it much more time, however, and this is not my top priority at this moment. Right now, I am more concerned about the mask, and would be willing/able to purchase out of pocket a different one to try if that would help my therapy.

It is hard to know how long to give it and what to make of the outcome, and when to try something else. That is why this forum is PERFECT for getting input from others who know. Thanks again!

[wasColette]

The Escape is still a good machine. Just does not give you data and I don't believe you are able to change the settings yourself.

I switch between the Quattro FFM and a nasal mask (and tape). I have the S8 AutoSet II and what I do notice is that I must change the setting on my machine so it knows which mask I'm using. I think that is just so it can report the correct leak rate.

I can't say I feel much different between the two masks. I actually like the Quattro better. Give it more time. But ultimately if you feel better sleeping with the nasal mask then use that. There are so many different masks out there. I can go from one night loving the Quattro to the next night adjusting it off and on all night for leaks. It's a process, that's for sure.

[KengEsq]

While I do want to go about seeking an upgraded machine, I'm unsure of the best way to approach this. In the meantime I've been researching different machines and the same few seem to be regarded as among the "better" machines. Namely, the Resmed Autoset, I have seen referred to as "top of the line" as far as all machines go. Since my DME company deals with Resmed, I figured I have a better chance getting this one than other brands (maybe?).

I understand I still need to give it much more time, however, and this is not my top priority at this moment. Right now, I am more concerned about the mask, and would be willing/able to purchase out of pocket a different one to try if that would help my therapy.

It is hard to know how long to give it and what to make of the outcome, and when to try something else. That is why this forum is PERFECT for getting input from others who know. Thanks again!

The mask is absolutely the first order of business. Getting the right mask is a hard task for some (I'm still trying masks) and seems easy for others. I, of course, have to be stuck with having my mask selection be a difficult task.

Somewhere in here I have a series of posts about my concerns whether I would have trouble getting my sleep doctor to change my prescription from a CPAP (S8 Elite II) to an APAP (S8 AutoSet II). I kept track of my numbers and brought all the reliable data and articles I could find to explain why an APAP would be better for me than a CPAP. Ultimately, when I saw my sleep doctor and asked him to change my prescription, he did without a blink of the eye. When you get to that point, just ask your doctor to write you a new prescription for the machine you want and to include the pressure setting the doctor and you can agree upon.

[LouC]

I'm a relative newbie here. I too was convinced I needed a full face mask and got the Quattro. The sleep study people did a nasal mask and had to use a chinstrap. I struggled for a month. Horrible dry mouth, lucky to get 3-4 hours. (I believe the hose was pushing the mask up when I moved a lot.) I did get to a point where I could use it. I thought it was comfortable and I still have it for backup and allergy season.

After a month of fighting the DME, and my doctor. I finally got an APAP machine and Swift II. Despite my misgivings about the nasal pillows, I've had no mouth breathing problems. My pressure stabilized at 10 (instead of the 14 they prescribed) and I finally feel like I'm making progress. It's been 6 weeks now, (3 with good 7-8 hours of therapy), and I'm still needing the brief afternoon nap, so it takes awhile to pay off the sleep deficit. The veterans here provided a lot of encouragement and good advice. Persevere.

[Bigburd]

I know I tried the Mirage Quattro and just could not wear it because it caused a sore on the bridge of my nose after only a few days of use. However, it did not leak.

I place a 1" round dot bandage on the nose where I had problems. Works for me.

One other thing to adjust, turn down your humidifier a little and see if this makes a difference.

[Sleepy Boy]

oofoozie: Try not to change too many things at once. If you think its the mask, then try a different one for a few nights. If you think its the pressure, then work on that a few nights. If you change masks and re-set the pressure and make other changes, you wont know which one was causing the problem. Try (1) thing at a time-a few nights-then try something else if you dont feel better.
Thanks, Larry...