It's been 5 days since I got my CPAP

[evelynlopez]

It hasn't been quite a week since I started on my CPAP. I have been sleeping better, not tossing and turning or getting up to use the restroom 3+ times a night. However I am having some issues. I have a full face mask, size M.

First problem: It is killing my nose. I have tried to adjust the straps, the nose thing and nothing is working. One day in my sleep I tried to adjust the nose thing and the whole thing came apart. I was so frustrated by that point that I slept the rest of the night without it. Could the mask be too big or small?

Second problem is that I am getting lots of condensation. A friend suggested I put the machine lower than the hose. I did that but it is not working. A few times a drop of water has dripped on my face and scared me half to death. I tore the mask off my face. I have rigged a hose cover out of a pair of my little girls tights (I know that is crazy, but I don't have the money right now for a a proper hose cover). I have the hose rigged to my head board with hair ties .

Third, I am still tired! I guess I had hoped the CPAP would give me instant energy, but it hasn't. I am still wanting to nap during the day and have a few times even though the doc told me not too.

Thanks in advanced!

[RiverDave]

evelyn,

As far as the condensation goes, try using a hose cover or reducing the setting on your humidifier.

The mask, I haven't heard much good said about the comfortgel masks. I don't use one, so I'm not the best source of information about it. You could try a bit of moleskin on the affected area, but make sure to lose some of the stickiness first (stick it to a countertop a few times before applying it).

Good luck

[Yoda]

You are doing well if you are already getting some relief! My husband had the nose problem with his mask when he started and he used a little moleskin to protect the place that was hurting.

You may be able to readjust the pressure on the top of your nose. I use the comfort gel nasal mask and there is an adjustment for the angle at the top of the nose.

Cecile

[Pugsy]

Third, I am still tired! I guess I had hoped the CPAP would give me instant energy, but it hasn't. I am still wanting to nap during the day and have a few times even though the doc told me not too.

Rarely do we get instant energy unfortunately. Lots of work instead.
Can you access your data to see how your leak rate is and what your AHI is? This would help someone help you better. If leak is up and/or AHI is up, therapy may not be optimal and that could explain why you haven't seen as much of an improvement as you hoped. It is a starting point to investigate though.

Welcome to this forum. Lots of really nice people here willing to help.

[cflame1]

Evelyn... your machine and humidifier don't match.

What exactly is printed on the machine? Is it a mseries Pro or is it a Pro2?

If it's a Pro, have you found the directions to check your data off the LCD?

[Wulfman]

If you have the Comfortfull 2 mask that's listed in your profile........"I feel your pain....."

After more than a year with my Ultra Mirage Full Face (UMFF), I thought I'd TRY the Comfortfull 2 because it had been one like I used in my sleep study. I could only stand to wear it about three nights before giving up from pain......and went back to my UMFF.

I would suggest either the UMFF or Quattro as a better full face mask option.
You can find them listed pretty reasonably priced in the http://www.cpapauction.com site.
One other nice thing about those masks is that you can replace any parts that may eventually wear out or break without having to replace the whole mask.


Den

[RipVW]

Hello & Welcome, evelynlopez! Glad you found this forum—SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help!

You're lucky to have found this forum as you begin CPAP--took me almost year before I found this place and, with the help of folks here, got my CPAP therapy working as it should. It does take time to get everything tweaked and working at its best, so patience is key as one begins CPAP.


"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[evelynlopez]

Evelyn... your machine and humidifier don't match.

What exactly is printed on the machine? Is it a mseries Pro or is it a Pro2?

If it's a Pro, have you found the directions to check your data off the LCD?

Hmmm, I will have to re-check it. I will try to remember to put it on here tomorrow.

Thanks for all the advice. I don't have any software that I am aware of . My machine sends the data directly to the place I got my machine. I plan on calling them tomorrow to see how things are looking and maybe if they can e-mail me a copy of the results so far. I think i am going to ask about a different mask. Thanks again!!

[JoyD.]

Hi Evelyn,

Check your Messages (see "new messages" top left next to Control Panel). Click on it and then go to the Messages Tab.

I have an extra (never used) fleece hose cover for you.

Joy

[mthomtech]

The fleece hose covers definitely helped. Cured my rainout over the winter. Of course the humidifier setting can be adjusted lower too.

I had the same top of nose issue when I started, but after a couple of weeks of fine tuning (and my nose getting used to it) there was no real issue. But it was frustrating for a while. I'd move the mask higher and irritate the bottom of my nose, and go back and forth.

I eventually settled on the F&P FlexiFit masks. I really like the foam cushion instead of the gel. The latest one I found is the Zest ... and I really like it. My DME provider didn't have it, but I got it here on cpap.com