Which full face mask to use? Mouthpiece from dentist?

[ccualumni]

I have been using CPAP for a couple of months now and do not feel much better. I know it is working, because I have slept without my mask and have felt much worse the next day than I normally do.

I have two questions that I am hoping the experts here can help me with.

1. I think my problem is that I breathe out of my mouth if I do not have my strap on and I ALWAYS take it off at night. The strap does not stay on my face and I think that is part of why I am not getting enough sleep.

I started off with a snorkel type cpap and now use the one in my signature, which just covers my nose area.

I want to try a full face mask, but am not sure which one to try.

Any experiences, ideas or advice about which full face mask to get or to try would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: I just noticed that they have masks that cover the nose and mouth. That would be what I would probably prefer to try.

2. I saw in the paper that a local dentist is advertising a mouth guard/mouthpiece type of device that you sleep with that is supposed to help with apnea. Do these work? Has anyone tried one, how did you do with it?

Thanks so much for any help or advice.

[KengEsq]

If you want a full face mask just get one and try it. Each person is different and what works for some does not work for others. My full face mask that works when I use it is the ZZZ mask. Simple, easy to clean and does not cause any irriatation on my face or nose. If you purchase at CPAP.com you can always buy the return insurance.

[ccualumni]

Thanks for letting me know about the insurance. I did not know about it and was worried about buying a mask that I would be stuck with.

[DoriC]

My husband uses the Resmed Ultra Mirage Full Face. You can use the measuring guide on cpap.com to see what size you need.

[ccualumni]

Thanks. I do like the look of that one.

I tried to find one on cpapauction.com, but did not have much luck.

[DoriC]

I just noticed your apap is set to 4-12cms. Most people can't breathe with such a low pressure. Did you have a sleep study? Do you have a copy of the results? What was your titrated pressure? I'd also suggest you register, fill in your equipment info on User Control Panel, Profile, Edit Equipment.

[ccualumni]

i did have a sleep study and they actually set it for me.
When you say the pressure is too low, are you saying that it is not enough pressure?
I am just starting witrh this cpap stuff and it does nto seem to be helping me much at all.

[ccualumni]

I just noticed your apap is set to 4-12cms. Most people can't breathe with such a low pressure. Did you have a sleep study? Do you have a copy of the results? What was your titrated pressure? I'd also suggest you register, fill in your equipment info on User Control Panel, Profile, Edit Equipment.

I really appreciate the help.

I am a bit confused about a couple of things though.

I have a page of teh results from my sleep study, but not sure if I have everything.
I am not sure about the titrated pressure, but I can see if it is on my paperwork.
I added my equipment and it shows up for me. Am I missing anything?

Thanks

[DoriC]

CC, Sorry, of course you entered your equipment profile, that's how I saw your pressure settings. I was referring to your minimum pressure of 4cms probably being too low but I am not expert enough to suggest any changes especially without knowing your titrated pressure. I just get my information by reading on this forum and asking questions. If you have the full report(my husband's report has 7pgs with tech's report and Dr's interpretation), it should state the titrated pressure that stopped your apneas. Unfortunately, pressure settings are not always set correctly by the DME or the Dr's RX and sometimes tweaking is necessary with knowledgeable help.

[ccualumni]

Dori, Thanks again for the help. I am learning as I go.
I was not given all of that information, but I should probably get it.

I will check today.

Thanks

[Hawthorne]

A minimum pressure of 4 cm is too low for almost everyone. Setting the minimum at 6 cm to start and leaving the maximum at 12 cm, as it is now, would be better. You minimum may need to be even higher than 6 cm but it is a good palce to start.

I don't know if your DME set the machine so that you are able to see any data - like your 90% pressure, your AHI and your leak rate. Probably not. If you knew your 90%, you could get the minimum up to a more realistic setting, even if you don't know your titrated pressure. You would want your minimum to be a bit below your 90%.

If your DME set it, you may want to ask him/her to change that minimum pressure to 6 cm at least and enable you seeing the AHI (Apnea -Hypopnea Index), the 90% pressure (you spend 90% of your night at and below that pressure) only going above it for 10% of the night. If you knew your leak rate you could check the graph in your mask owners guide to see what leak rate the machine will compensate for at your 90% pressure. Anything above that is your real leak and you want that difference to be as close to 0 as possible.

If it were me, I would forget the dental appliance until you have your machine working for you

I don't know if you feel comfortable changing your own settings but, if you PM me with your email address I can send you the Providers Guide that will tell you how to do that on your machine.

Thing is, I don't know how happy your DME would be if you did enable the LCD screen data and/or change your own pressure. Most of them like to be IN CHARGE but they are often wrong and the patient doesn't get to know these things!

[ccualumni]

WHat is DME?

[Hawthorne]

A DME is a "Durable Medical Equipment" provider. This is the person from whom you purchase your cpap equipment usually.

If you are Canadian, as I am, we don't use that term in Canada. I refer to the people who sold me my original equipment as a "Provider".

Many of us on this forum buy a lot of our equipment online because it is a lot less expensive!

[ccualumni]

Thanks. I am new to all of this, so I am learning. My doctor gave me my 2nd mask for free after the first did not work. I will be calling them about changing masks again this week.

I was looking through my paperwork and I may have instructions for my machine. I will look for those settings you mention and try to change it.

I cannot find titration anywhere though. Is there another name or abbreviation for it?

Thanks

[Hawthorne]

If you bought your machine from a DME or a Provider, you probably did not receive the Providers Setup Guide. They usually remove those from the box when they give the machine to the patient.

It is just a 2 sided card that diagrams how to change settings and enable/disable certain things.

I can send it to you as an email attachment, but you didn't put your email address in your PM to me. PM me your email address and I'll send it to you.