UGH...Ya'll tired of me complaining yet???

[tmorris]

As many of you know...I just keep on complaining. Okay, got a new hose so thats good. Using True Blue nasal...the ridges in it cut up my nose. so I tried a size up...no different really. Software still shows leaks. Went back to swift LT pillows for two nights. First night, seemed good. checked software..AHI .3 (lowest ever). very minimal leaks. Felt horrible all day...so tired! ( slept 8 hours). Next night, woke up with air shooting out side of my nose...kept trying to adjust...threw across the room..slept without it. of course, felt bad all day again. Nomatter how long I sleep...im still exhausted. After working all day, its all I can do to get home and go to bed. I am unable to fix my kids supper..my husband is pretty much Mr. Mom right now. Its so depressing. I go to sleep doc Nov 15. Nuvigil does nothing but make my heart race. It does not make me feel better. But Im not giving up!! May try Fisher & Paykel flexifit 460 mask as my best friend is a sleep tech and she recommends it. Maybe I will get this striaghtened out one day.....

[Sheriff Buford]

I don't see you as "complaining". You are searching for your sweet spot, and I'm tryin' to help!!

It is of my opinion that maybe the nasal mask is not for you. If you don't get control of your leak rate... you are whistlin' dixie (er... for you non-texans.... "wasting your time"). I first tried a full face mask (could not use a nasal mask because I have a deviated septum), but could not stop the leaks around my cheeks. Go to your DME and try a few different brands of nasal masks and some popular full face masks. The Quatro seems to be popular here, but it seems to be a well-known leaker and folks fight the leak-rate. Look at the resmed mirage liberty. Have the DME hook up a display machine that is set at your settings. See if you can control the leaks with the different masks and by all means, get one that is comfortable.

Keep us in the loop and best of luck...

Sheriff

[RandyJ]

Have you considered trying out nasal (or other) masks through the Mask Trial Program at http://www.cpaplibrary.com ?

You pay $14 to cover shipping both ways and you can try out a mask of your choice for a week. It's an inexpensive way to try out a mask without having to buy it first. I tried out 3 different ones before I found my perfect fit, the Mirage FX nasal mask.

[nanwilson]

You are complaining...thats a good thing. It means you are trying to fix this therapy so that you get the best sleep you can. I'm proud of you, no matter what gets thrown your way you are trying to adapt to the right way for you...keep at it, things will turn around soon. Let us know how your appointment on the 15th goes, I'm willing to bet you come home with the mask that will work for you and you will be able to sleeeeepppp, and sleeepppp some more.
Keep your chin up...IT WILL WORK!
Nan

[DoriC]

Please don't think you're "complaining", you're asking for help and that's what this forum is all about. I worry more about the ones who come here, ask one or two questions, don't give any more information needed to help them and then disappear. Finding the right mask is not always easy,you might need to use some "fixes" posted here or you may need a full face if you're a mouth breather, but once you find "the one" I think you'll be a successful cpapper! Keep us posted!

[tmorris]

Thank all of you for your encouraging words. To answer some of your questions, I do not use the 14.00 mask trial thing because under my insurance I can get a mask at any time at 80% coverage. I usually pay 9.00 or so for a mask. I have tried full face masks...Quattro and the quattro fx with no luck. I have two sets of nasal pillows and about 2 nasal masks...gonna just keep trying.They do not seem to be leaking when i go to sleep...its later when they start the leak according to the report..but i do not hear it or feel it anywhere. Im so tired right now...that i went to my boss today crying and told her I need a few days off to rest....i do not work for very compassionate people...Im so tired to the point if they fire me when I get back , I do not really care. I will keep you all posted....

[chunkyfrog]

Have you tried any mask liners yet?

[Emilia]

Are you using the Ramp feature that starts off at a low pressure and moves up to a higher pressure after you are asleep? If so, you should be sure your mask is fitted at the higher pressure first. Put the mask on and manually put the machine on your high end pressure to fit the the mask to that air flow. If you aren't using Ramp, but are using a pressure range, do the same thing but use the high end pressure to do this. It could be that you are having some spikes in pressure that is creating leaks that awaken you. Using liners may help, too as Chunky has suggested.

How is your data for nights you get at least 4 hours with the mask on? Are you viewing your data to see where some issues may lie? Keep on keeping at it... you will get to your spot and some of the tricks and fixes will eventually get you where you need to be!

[robysue]

I have two sets of nasal pillows and about 2 nasal masks...gonna just keep trying.They do not seem to be leaking when i go to sleep...its later when they start the leak according to the report..but i do not hear it or feel it anywhere.

Are you using an S9 Elite or S9 Autoset? And if it's the Autoset, are you using it in AUTO mode or CPAP mode? What are your pressure settings? And do you use the ramp?

[DoriC]

Something else to think about, is your bed pillow interfering? And what about hose management? Those things play an important part in leak control too. You can do a Search here for those topics.

[tmorris]

Yes I have tried mask liners. I tried the pad a cheek for the quattro fx but you can forget that mask...nothing helped. She does not have one yet for the True Blue...so im using the pillows right now. I have the s-9 auto set. I was titrated for straight cpap of 12 but i changed it to auto awhile back because it did not look like 12 was helping the apneas fully at times. so now it is at a min of 12 and max of 15. The highest it usually gets is 13.7. Some nights the leaks rate looks decent but some nights its above the red line alot. I always try the "mask fit" which puts it to the highest pressure of 15 before I go to bed and check for leaks....

[peterg]

have you considered a total face mask? I dont know anything about them , just that they are different.

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/total-f ... p-mask.php

[Newbie Woman]

You're not a complainer. We're all in the same boat, or used to be anyway. Our bodies need sleep and oxygen and preventing us from getting it is considered torture.

[sheep1234]

Hi, I have the swift lt for her mask and I love it. I just wanted to mention that if I don't have my mask tightened up on the top of my head and the back, it won't keep the pillows in properly. I usually have to tighten it nightly because I guess it gets a tad stretched out from putting it on. Also, are you using the correct size of pillows? This will cause leaks as well if the pillows are too big. Sometimes, I have to readjust once I get comfy and relaxed as you tend to sink a bit farther into your pillow once relaxed and the mask slides upward a bit.

[Captain_Midnight]

UGH...Ya'll tired of me complaining yet???

Some here will find this an interesting and provocative title. Not me. The title is precisely as far as I read.

Maybe it's just me, but I almost never read any posting that looks like a rant or whine.

I'll just say that OSA patients (we are not "victims") seem to do best when we avoid negativity and self pity.

Nothing is perfect. Each of us can point to many roadblocks, large and small (and real and imaginary) along our paths to successful therapy. Optimism and a sense of humor are your best friends.



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