New at CPAP …….. please help!!!

FromJuarezMex · Post by **FromJuarezMex** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:05 am

Hi I just was diagnose with severe obstructive apnea Im 33 year old Yes im mucho over weight I had the symptoms for the past 10 year but I think private practice Mexican doctor don’t know a great deal about sleep apnea because I have seen doctors lots of them about my excessive sleepiness during the day and also during driving the car and the circulatory problems and all of them told me than as soon as I lose weight I be better, but I have tried to lose weight and not succeed, I was fired from my job this past 22 of December 2005 due to low performance and tardiness I was not able to concentrate and driving to work was a pain always falling a sleep at the wheel (thanks god I had never had and accident but I did have close calls), and this is not the fist time I lose a job due to this conditions, I started to believe that I was lazy and irresponsible and I could not take care of my wife and my 3 year old boy, but been out of work and the money short I decided to go the IMSS (Mexican institute of social security) where government pay doctor attend the needs of all the workers on México to get treatment for the poor circulation problems on my legs there this well inform doctor diagnose my condition as sleep apnea her then channel my case to a respiratory system specialist been a government facility and the lack of specialist I had my appointment schedule with this specialist till this next march 2006 my father-in-law help me with money so I was able to visit a private practice specialist so this doctor did some test where we find out that I had and average of 115 event per hour and my oxygen level as low as 51% and a % pREM of sleep time 14.3

Im using the ResMed S7 lightweight the CPAP setting at 14 and a Mirage Activa nasal mask (shallow)
After the fist night with this equipment felt like a new man, the second night was great also but I develop pressure behind eyes and frontal headaches and also a mayor skin laceration on the bridge of the nose
And also I need to tape my mouth

Do I need a larger mask and what can I do about the pressure behind the eyes and frontal headaches are they normal, will they disappear after time?

thanks for any help.

Bella · Post by **Bella** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:54 pm

I'm very new at this myself, so I can't be of much help. I would certainly say that you need a different mask. For now maybe you could put some padding across the bridge of your nose.

If you click on the CPAP FAQ button at the top of the page you will find a listing of issues. There are links to previous discussions and you may find your answers there. I've been reading at this site for a few months now and that is how I have been learning.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:07 pm

FromJuarezMex,

Buenos dias!
The thoughts that come to my mind are that your mask may be the wrong size or that you might be wearing it too tight. I haven't used that particular mask, but if some masks are too tight, they can leak pretty badly.....which may be the cause of the pressure behind your eyes.....which could bring on the headaches. Only YOU can know how it fits, so if you think it might be too tight, try loosening it up a bit......and if you then think it might be too small, go back to your equipment supplier and see if they will give you a different size.

Best wishes,

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:29 pm

As you mouth breath if you can take it a FF Mask works the best, Mine is a Comfort full, most people don't like them but I have made peace with mine. Too tight is even worse than too loose, you just have to keep adjusting until it sets right and it did take the skin off my nose, but I've lost skin before.

You have to stop the air leaking out of the mouth, without sealing it up the treatment isn't as good. I know it's not always possiable to get a machine that can tell you how it's treating you. (Software) But if you can it's one of the more important things you can do. I shave minutes before I put mine on, it helps seal leaks and weird noises. It doesn't help with the wife, she's always yelling at be for something or other, and I can still hear her.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:37 pm

Goofproof wrote:It doesn't help with the wife, she's always yelling at be for something or other, and I can still hear her.

FWIW, I've also noticed that the Ultra Mirage FF mask doesn't help with this much either. The Ultra Mirage actually seems to draw a comment or two right after I put it on - when I can't answer back.

Regards,
Bill

FromJuarezMex · Post by **FromJuarezMex** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:56 pm

Thanks to all that answer back.

I talk to my sleep doctor today about the nose skin laceration and he told me that I need to learn how to put my activa on and more important to let the nose skin heal but in the mean time he is going to fit me with a Mirage Swift Nasal Pillow (this will happen tomorrow at 6:00pm) any pointer on the use of this type of mask will be appreciated

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): mirage, activa, nasal pillow, swift

Barnaby · Post by **Barnaby** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:56 am

Buenos dias senor: I am very satified with the swift nasal pillow system.
I have best reults sleeping on my back. I have been using it for about 10 months and am able to sleep all night.
su amigo- Barnaby

Ergin · Post by **Ergin** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:13 am

I was wondering if the pillow works at 14cm pressure.
My doctor had told me that at high pressure pillows were practically not useful.
I have never tried pillows since then.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:22 am

The Breeze nasal pillows can handle up to 30 according to their brochure, and forum members have reported being very satisfied with it at pressures of 18.

The Headrest with nasal seal (aka Aura) can take up 20 - I don't remember what the Swift can, but something like that too.

O.

Bella · Post by **Bella** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:45 pm

Ergin wrote:I was wondering if the pillow works at 14cm pressure.
My doctor had told me that at high pressure pillows were practically not useful.
I have never tried pillows since then.

I use the Swift and my pressure is set at 14/4 and I have no problems. I've played around with the 3 sizes of pillows that come with it and I find the medium works best - no leaks. Someone who is a mouth breather might want to use a chin strap. I did at first but seldom do now.

I have a Comfortfull ff mask and it certainly leaks - making all of those wild noises! I've tried tight and loose

Barnaby · Post by **Barnaby** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 2:58 pm

My former CPAP and swift nasal were set for upper pressure of 17 and worked okay...I had dry sore throat and mouth from the two and when i went to APAP by resmed with the swift nasal..all problems were resolved.

Jan in Colo. · Post by **Jan in Colo.** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:42 pm

Hi---I don't currently use a Mirage Activa mask, but I think that is the one where you should fit the straps very loosely. The air pressure will make the mask kind of suck onto your face.

You should love your Mirage Swift though. Much more comfortable than the Activa in my opinion. I use a variable pressure of 10-15...but often the pressure seems to be around 14 and I have no problems with that mask.

Best of luck to you. Hope you continue to improve your health and life.

Jan in Colo.

FromJuarezMex · Post by **FromJuarezMex** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:12 pm

Thanks for all the help and best wishes

I just got my Mirage Swift Nasal Pillow, I give it a small test drive at the doctor’s office this afternoon it felt pretty comfortable so tonight will be the real test

So now I have the Activa and the Swift is it a good idea to keep them both so I can alternate or do I take the active back to the doctor’s

Any and all help will be appreciated

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:59 pm

So now I have the Activa and the Swift is it a good idea to keep them both so I can alternate or do I take the active back to the doctor’s

Definitely keep both masks so you can alternate. Very good idea.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:24 am

I too have about 3 or 4 masks...but in more than 6 months I have not found any need to change from the swift nasal to any of the others, i am satisfied to getting accustomed to one style

Barnaby