Starter Mask

[ottsca]

Hi Folks,

My question concerns starter masks.

My AHI=30 and my nadir of SaO2=67% so doc prescribed ACPAP for me but didn't hook me up during the sleep study. So I have never used the ACPAP. I am 41 and have a full beard.

Thanks to this board I've got the equipment company to order a REMStar Auto c-flex with humidifier and I will order the appropriate software as well.

I am going to start with a Breeze Nasal Pillow system on the recommendation of the equipment provider.

My main goal is compliance and I'm fearful of the nasal pillows not being a good solution because they sound sort of hard on the nose and they sound sort of complicated to use. Which type of mask (nasal pillow, nasal mask, or full-face mask) do you folks recommend for beginners?

Within each category of mask (nasal pillow, nasal mask, full-face mask?) do you folks have any recomendations as to the best STARTER mask? I'm aware the masks are highly individual and what works for one might not work for another, but I'm trying to figure out which are just plain simple or if there is no such thing.

I searched the boards but didn't find a post, so please point me in the right direction if I missed something.

Thank you very much for all the help up to now!

Ottsca

[ozij]

I don't think there's such a thing as a starter mask - your mask has to be comfortable, and usually, for a mask to be comfortable it has to be adjustable. Don't let the need to adjust a mask turn you off from it.

I started with a number of nasal masks, and they were not good for me (all of the Respironics). The a Swift, which was also not good. And then I was given a Breeze and it worked after I learned how to adjust it.

For others, the Breeze was a catasrophe, and the Swift just great - so it's really very hard to tell beforehand what's best.

Don't think of it as "looking for a "starter mask". Think of it as "looking for the mask that will be the most comfortable". And don't worry about complexity. You're going to spend many hours of sleep in your mask - spending some time an getting to know your mask and make it fit you better is well worth it.

If there's one thing I've learned on this forum (thanks, Rested Gal) it is that masks frequently have to be tweaked - and a tweaked mask can be the best there is. That is not a drawback in a mask.

Good luck!

O.

[Linda3032]

"and I will order the software as well"

Be aware that you can purchase a card reader fairly cheap, and you can download "software" for free. No need to purchase the software.

Here's some starter info on getting the reader. We can give you the software sites if you are interested.

You can purchase a reader for $30.80 (includes shipping from Hong Kong to the USA). Some use a credit card, some pay via Paypal. It takes about 8 to 10 days to get to the USA. This is the one I purchased for a desktop computer:

http://www.2factors.com/index.php?sp=&p ... s=&lang=en
You do NOT use the CD that comes with the Hong Kong reader – at all.

Another place to purchase (in the USA) at a cost of $56.00 is:
http://www.securetech-corp.com/mako_dt.html

[Mile High Sleeper]

Here's my take as one of the many who has struggled with masks.

1. I researched masks on this site and at https://www.cpap.com.

2. I then requested the masks that looked like options at my local sleep lab, which was able to get most of them. A few seconds in a mask can tell you a lot. Got proper mask fitting from the sleep tech. I tried them on laying down on right and left sides and on my back with pressure leaks tested on the lab equipment. A good DME should be able to do almost the same, but you may need to be weird and lay on their floor after you talk them into it. I had to go as high as a regional manager at a DME to find out that they did have other masks to try.

3. A middle-of-the-road approach is to start with a nasal mask. It's midway in terms of bulk between nasal pillows and full face. You can get used to it as a frame of reference. I'm glad a started with one, if only to find that a nasal mask doesn't work for me. Made both the nasal pillows and full face feel better in comparison.

4. I strongly recommend getting at least 2 types of masks at the get-go. Then if one doesn't work, you have a second as a backup without waiting.

5. I didn't try the AIEOMed headrest (aura) before just buying it from cpap.com. It's my best mask.

[Jim Eads]

I used an Aura nasal pillow mask the first night I used CPAP and kept it on 8.5 hours. My nose was a little sore but not bad.

I also have an Activa nasal mask that I also find pretty comfortable.

I'm waiting on a different size pillow for the Aura and plan on alternating the masks to give the different parts of my face a break.

Jim

"It's all attitude!"

[rock and roll]

If I had to pick just one mask it would be the Activa. But I wholeheartedly agree with the previous answers in that one should have at least two interfaces and for a second I recommend the Aura. You will not form sore spots if you incorporate two interfaces and with a beard, the Aura can't be beat. The Swift comes in second. I persoanally don't like the Breeze, too top heavy and two much adjusting, but it is always subjective and one mans trash is anothers golden goose. Good Luck!