New Guy

[glg]

Hello all, I found this site after my sleep study and before I started using cpap. Lots of good info here.
When I went for my study, I told them I tended to breath through my mouth. They Fitted me with a full face mask for the study, which was very uncomfortable, and caused me a lot of anxiety. I had bouts of anxiety from then until I was fitted for a mask for home use. The techs were very informative and helpful with the anxiety part and started me with a nasal mask (resmed mirage fx). My machine is a Philips REMstar Auto A-Flex. And my setting is at 9. I've been using the unit now for 11 days and found I do sleep and feel better. Although I was anxious at first, I started out cold turkey, knowing I needed to do this, and the anxiety was gone after about 5 days. My nasal mask works well, but I found I still breath through my mouth at times. I contacted the doctor and he prescribed a chin strap that I have been using for 3 days. However, I still wake up breathing or puffing through my mouth. I guess the next step is being fitted for a full mask. Thanks for listening, any comments are welcome.

Gary

[chunkyfrog]

Welcome, Gary.

[Goofproof]

While some here find a FF mask uncomfortable to use, if you mouthbreath you won't get the pressure in your airway to keep it open. We must make it work. Welcome Jim

[Sheriff Buford]

Welcome!: know that your "adjustment" on finding the right mask is normal. Welcome to the world of the papper'!

Sheriff

[JohnO]

My nasal mask works well, but I found I still breath through my mouth at times. I contacted the doctor and he prescribed a chin strap that I have been using for 3 days. However, I still wake up breathing or puffing through my mouth. I guess the next step is being fitted for a full mask. Thanks for listening, any comments are welcome.

Welcome Gary!

Some people are able to train themselves to breath only through their noses. Many others have success with the chin strap. Others find it easier to use the full face mask. Lots of options. I'd give the chin strap a few more days.

John

[Sleepy in Idaho]

Welcome Gary and hang in there! I've only been here (and on my CPAP) for a few weeks now but this site is very helpful and informative with lots of folks with tons of experience! Like you I had anxiety with my full face mask but I am definitely a mouth breather - so full face it is for me. In 2 1/2 weeks my anxiety is gone and I'm sleeping - thank goodness. A few things I have done which help me - may or may not help you - I make sure my mask is on and adjusted before I turn on the machine - that way all I really feel is the first push of the air but nothing after that. Same thing if I get up at night to use the bathroom - shut off the machine and then take off the mask...put the mask back on and adjust, then turn it back on. I find that as long as the mask is sealed, I don't feel the air blowing at all. I also have ramp on my machine and I plan to use it forever - I only have it set for 10 minutes but that gives me plenty of time to fall asleep before it gets up to 10 (my range is 4 - 10). At the odd time that I have tried to remove my mask with the machine on - the noise and the force of the air do still startle me and I don't like it at all - brings my claustrophobia anxiety right back!

Hope this helps and you find the mask that works for you - that really seems to be the most important part of the whole thing. Sharing here will help too as others can tell you what they have done to overcome issues.

Take good care, Debbie

[KEQ5]

I started with a Quattro FX FFM as well since I said I was a mouth breather. If you have trouble with the QFX getting pushed upward and leaking, you might need to switch to the Mirage Quattro which is its big brother with the forehead stabilizer.

Dealing with the monster hanging off your face? Some of the tricks there are to wear it while watching TV before going to bed and hosing up, or go look at it in the mirror and run your hands/fingers over it until you're used to all the different textures and what bits are where.