Sleeping finally!!

[Bawstin]

Hi all, I don't post much but do read the forum alot and want to thank everyone for their wonderful knowledge,insites and general information.
I'm hopeing my post may help someone who is struggling useing their CPAP. I have been useing my CPAP 2 & 1/2 years without good results.
I can't tell you how many masks I've been through on this journey (I have 2 bags of masks). Any FFM either leaked, left me with horrific sores and woke me through the night many times. I was more tired than ever. I've tried every type of strap pad, silcone pieces & cloth pieces to try to prevent leaks & sores. Even though I breath through my mouth I said I got to try a nasal mask with a chin strap.
I went with the Pilairo & chin strap. First night I slept good, but after a couple of nights the mask still felt great but I felt as though I was loseing treatment through my mouth.
I knew I had read where people had taped thier mouths and I didn't know if I could do that.
Well I started tapeing and haven't looked back. I LOVE the Pilairo (I know it's not for everyone) I sleep through the night, don't wake up at all, and best of all NO MORE SORES!!!
The strap on the Pilairo is something they definatly need to work on but what I do is when my mask is on I take the back of the strap fold it over to where I need it and attach it to my hair with one of those snap clip type barrets (like the kids use) I don't know what they are called? Works perfect! As I said I can finally sleep!
I have been useing the Pilairo for a month (I wanted to use this for awhile before posting results).
I just wanted to let people know who are having problems to keep looking and try different options. There is a mask out there for you. I hope my post can help or comfort someone else.
Thank you all again for great information!!

[Pugsy]

WTG!!
Congratulations on finally achieving success and not giving up.

[49er]

WTG!!
Congratulations on finally achieving success and not giving up.

I second this sentiment. Thanks for posting about your success.

49er

[nanwilson]

Bawstin
Great news Bawstin, you and I both started at the same time and I feel the same way you do...finally the Hybrid works for me....but...I am trying out the Fitlife..to see if that works too .
If you have a stash of masks, why don't you offer them up to those that need help with buying and trying masks. Whenever some of us others have had a mask that we tried and didn't work, it got passed it on to someone else that needed it.
There are many on the thread that would love to try a different mask but with the sate of their $$$$ and lack of insurance, they cannot afford to experiment.
Cheers
Nan

[sylvie]

Regarding the strap, for the extra one I bought, I did not mutilate it by cutting it and sewing in elastic like I did with the first one. I wrapped it around my teddy bear (lol) tightly for about 10 hours. Perfect! It is absolutely perfect now. I know what you mean....I don't know how I lived without the Pilairo. It is heaven on earth (as I kiss it extensively over and over ).

[Bawstin]

Thank you all! Nan that's a great suggestion! I'll go through my bags of masks and post what I have, I would love to help out other people! I'll post either later or tomorrow.
Nan also glad your finding something that works for you

[Bawstin]

I did not mutilate it by cutting it and sewing in elastic

Yeah I was afraid to do this. I'm glad to hear this wonderful mask is working for someone else also WOOOOHOOOOO!!!

[kaiasgram]

Bawstin, I'm sure your post will help some folks. I didn't think I'd ever tape either (I'm three+ months on cpap) but a few nights ago I decided to just try it. I'm also having trouble finding a FFM that fits well enough and my mouth stubbornly refuses to stay shut all night, after years of me training it to NOT shut to avoid clenching that was causing dental problems. I was a little afraid of taping mainly because I have very sensitive skin but on day 4 I'm doing ok -- I apply some 99% aloe gel after removing the tape and within an hour or two I have no soreness or redness. So far so good. I also came up with an idea that I'll post in a new thread about minimizing the skin exposure when taping. I still do use my chinstrap but now I don't have to cinch it up tight and my jaw feels much better.

I'm still not totally sure about taping on a regular basis, but I'll see how it's going for a while. Sure minimizes leaks.