wailing & moaning mask

[Rose DeShaw]

DEMONIC SLEEP APNEA MASK – CPAP CAN BE CCRAP!
August 28th, 2010 by Rose I need more sleep than most. 8 hours doesn’t cut it. 10 hrs is more likely. BUT with my deviated septum, I need a mask, called CPAP, so I can keep breathing while I sleep. (That’s the little demonically-possessed item in the picture. It fits around your nose).
Yes, it’s the best mask in my 12 year history. Sleep apnea science is progressing. This one is flexible, fits snugly, gives lots of air BUT it wails and moans unexpectedly during the night. Exorcism? Mistreatment? I’ve all but stood on my head to make it shut up.
Finally I’ve narrowed it down to one tiny component of all the bits of moveable and immobile plastic that make up this little triangular dictator.
It’s this tiny tooth-edged plastic circle on top that lets out the air. Here’s the view from inside. There are some rocks like this in the Alaskan cliffs of Lost River where the wind howls and the aboriginal legends say the souls of their ancestors cry out there in pain. That’s the kind of noise I hear from this #%!! mask in the middle of the night.
I’ve tried water levels, attempting to hold the hose rigid as I sleep, duct tape, fiddling with the connections but the only thing that works (and often for only a short time) is thumbing the air holes around the circle in a strangulation movement. But why would this work?
Obviously I don’t understand apnea engineering. There it sits, the llittle circle on top. Can you see it leering?
This is a post from my blog that contained pictures.

[Julie]

Rose... welcome to the forum, but a) your pictures didn't show up, and b) if you register as a member, you can then go to your member page, fill out the Profile and (see the blue info. under other posters' notes) tell us (automatically each time you post) what equipment you have, i.e. the full name of the machine - model, type, #'s, etc., and the same for your mask - its name, manufacturer, whether nasal or full face, etc. With that information, we can all try to help, but not with what you've given us because there are many, many masks and machines out there so our guessing at what you referred to is not much help to you.

[Rose DeShaw]

Very helpful reply, Julie and of course it should be obvious this is a world-wide forum. I have a 2010 Fisher & Paykel CPAP, Thermosmart & heated Serial # 091204033412 Part #HC60rMJHu The mask is made by Res Med, with headgear & cushion. It is a Mirage Active LT which has AMER MULTI after it in the book #608232 o8 09 (which seems to indicate last year's mask. My problem area seems to be the vent.

[OutaSync]

We haven't heard of this particular complaint about this mask, so it's possible that you have a defective one. I once had a defective Hybrid that drove me crazy. Of course, I was new to CPAP and didn't know it was defective, just thought it was a noisy mask. I have found that the Activa LT is one of the quietest masks that I have used, and I've tried over 20.

Bev

[torontoCPAPguy]

Very helpful reply, Julie and of course it should be obvious this is a world-wide forum. I have a 2010 Fisher & Paykel CPAP, Thermosmart & heated Serial # 091204033412 Part #HC60rMJHu The mask is made by Res Med, with headgear & cushion. It is a Mirage Active LT which has AMER MULTI after it in the book #608232 o8 09 (which seems to indicate last year's mask. My problem area seems to be the vent.

FWIW, I am using the Mirage Activa LT nasal mask when I am not inclined to mouth breathe or when I am watching TV and inclined to doze off. It is my second happiest mask and fits well. My #1 mask is my Mirage Quattro. Everyone is different however.

I actually have about FOUR of the Mirage Activa LT's and rotate them as I wash and disinfect them and on two machine locations. I have not had this issue with any of the four of them and would suggest that your mask is possessed of a demonic spirit which requires excorcism. If interested please send PM and I will come over and help with the ceremony.

BTW, I found that lighting up one of my Activa's with a blowtorch in front of the others stopped them from any further messing around. They are all well behaved now although that fourth mask doesn't fit so well anymore. Or you could just use a flashbang when it's not looking to put the fear of G-d into it. That works too.... but the rest of the family winds up with skidmarks in their pants.

[OutaSync]

TorontoCPAPguy,

Watch it with that blowtorch around your oxygen tank.

[KatieW]

Toronto cpap Guy, you make me laugh.

Rose, you made me laugh too. I use the Activa Lt also, and find it very quiet. A few thoughts:

- try cleaning the vent holes with a soft toothbrush and vinegar/water solution
- is your humidity too high, and causing condensation on the vent holes?
- is the air bouncing off bedding or your pillow, and making the noise? I have a PAPillow, and sleep on my side, so the mask is on the edge of the pillow

Or, perhaps it is defective, as Bev suggests.

[irishgranny]

Hi Rose; you describe the masks I have tried. They are little nasty beasties aren't they. I am still attempting to get a good night's rest without the #$@!@ thing making cussing noises at me; or my ancestors are all angy with me and have moved into the darn thing.