Nervous about picking a mask!

[claudann]

Hi, I'm a newbie. I'm very nervous about picking a mask. My insurance just approved me for my machine &mask. I will probably go get them in the next few days. During the sleep study they used nasal pillow type and I did really well with it. Used a chin strap with it. I'm not as nervous about the machine as the mask. I know it is such a personal thing and it is of utmost importance to be sure I comply with therapy. Any advice or words of wisdom?

[BlackSpinner]

Hi, I'm a newbie. I'm very nervous about picking a mask. My insurance just approved me for my machine &mask. I will probably go get them in the next few days. During the sleep study they used nasal pillow type and I did really well with it. Used a chin strap with it. I'm not as nervous about the machine as the mask. I know it is such a personal thing and it is of utmost importance to be sure I comply with therapy. Any advice or words of wisdom?

You have 30 days to return it to try another mask. The manufacturers cover that so don't let the DME's screw you. You can try until you succeed. You should be more nervous to get a data capable machine that shows your apneas and your leak rate, not just the hours you use. Look for the member janknitz and her blog for details.

[mayondair]

Hello claudann and welcome! Please read Janknitz bloghttp://tinyurl.com/2arffqx, about meeting DMEs and getting set up with equipment. She has excellent advice. Your DME should have a 30 day mask exchange policy, check with them to be sure, so you can relax about getting the right one for you. It is not unusual to try more than one. You definitely want to do your homework on machines, don't just accept what the DME wants to give you, ( usually a cheap dataless brick) you will be using this machine for 5 years, and unlike masks it's hard to change if you get one that isn't the best for you. You'll find lots of help here, good luck to you. kathy