Any hope for highly sensitive mouth breather?

[Grandma Lynn]

I am new to all of this and having a lot of trouble. I am hoping someone out there has already found a solution to my multi-issue problem and can help me get around "re-inventing the wheel".

I am almost 60. I was diagnosed with severe apnea in June (combination of obstructive and central nervous symptom)and have had my Resmed S9 since 30 August. I have mild allergies that I treat with Allegra, a deviated septum, very small nasal passages, have been a mouth breather all my life, and sleep mostly on my back. I have had headaches all my life, but began having severe morning headaches on a daily basis about 2 years ago.

Problem: I have tried several full-face masks (all Resmed brand), the hybrid nasal pillow with mouth mask and nasal pillows with chin straps to keep my mouth closed. The nasal pillows are the most comfortable on my face, but the headgear is the most uncomfortable. My face and head are so small that the smallest masks and headgear are still too large. The masks all leak and/or the headgear slips or has to be tightened to the point of agony. With full-face and hybrids, I swallow so much air that I now have severe reflux (and can't tolerate Prilosec and Nexium, etc.) and constant gastric upset. I wake with severe cramps within 30 minutes of falling asleep on the cpap and as a result, I avoid even trying to sleep. I now can only sleep by taking short naps in a recliner.

I have gone back to the supplier almost daily, switching out headgear and masks and nasal pillows. I finally just quit using the cpap and am still feeling awful after a week. I was at least coping with the headaches before cpap. Now I am exhausted, and the gastric distress is worse than the headaches! Has anyone else had this much trouble and found a solution? HELP!!!

[zoocrewphoto]

Resmed masks come with regular headgear standard. Even the smaller masks. Have you gotten a SMALL headgear that has to be ordered separately? I had to do that with my Quattro FX as the headgear was way too loose on me. I got the small headgear, and it fits so much better now.

[Meg Kafka]

Sorry for your problems. I guess everybody here has gone through this major adjustment challenge, and very specific problems they had to solve.

Just my opinion, but backsleeping is an absolute no-no. It may not show up in your AHI averages, but it will in your significant sleep events that leads to disturbing panic awakenings. If you have small airways all the more. So your conundrum is finding a full face that you can rest your head sideways on the pillow with without leaking.

I think you'll find the mask, and how tight it is through your experimentation. Id suggest investing in the cpap pillow, or perhaps a thick square one, the type you see on small couches. That way you can keep your mask clear of the pillow, and your head secure and stop the leaking.

[nanwilson]

You can order a small headgear for most masks...just talk to your supplier. You can also order a papcap it is a small cap with velcro fastenings to attach your mask..no headgear involved. Go to pursleep.com Brett is the inventor and supplier of the papcap. I am a mouth breather too...but I find with any mask that tighter is not better.
Good luck
Nan

[KenH]

I dont want to scare you, BUT, have you been to the Dr? I just had a Pituitary Gland tumor removed and the only symptom I had was bad headaches every morning. They found mine looking for sinuous problems.

[Pugsy]

What are your prescribed pressure settings? Are you using EPR? If so at what setting?

[brettindetroit]

I switched to the nose mask. No pillows. I use a chinstrap at night and everything is perfect now. I also switched to an autopap because I have medicinal issues, I take oxy and muscle relaxers for my pain. The Mirage Softgel is what I use and its CHEAP (99 bucks, I never use insurance Durable medical goods companies piss me off). It has a double seal and you only have to tighten it down so it lightly touches the face. And that right there is the NUMBER ONE GOAL when fitting your mask. If this doesnt happen you have the wrong one. Lightly fitting with NO leaks. Not chinched down cutting off all circulation to your brainpan. When I first started I knew nothing about masks and I was poorly fitted by people in Apria healthcare with the cheapest machine. I got into a car wreck because of this and I was no longer pleased with them to say the least. Good luck with your mask, and if you have any issues with your nose plugging up at night make sure you keep some Afrin Severe Congestion by the nightstand. Does the job and helps with nose breathing 100 percent.

[Grandma Lynn]

Thanks to all who replied! It helped me with my visit to the techs at the doctor's office yesterday.

They thought the solution was to switch to bi-pap with a FFM, so I wouldn't swallow air or leak. That worked last night for a whole 15 minutes after I fell asleep. The pressure went up to 17.6 over 13.6, causing the mask to REALLY leak and I had already swallowed enough air to have heartburn and gas! I doubt that the bi-pap will be better than my cpap (which is paid for), but I am annoyed that they now say I should have a bi-pap. I wanted a bi-pap and the doctor said it wouldn't be as effective due to my central nervous system caused issues. I can't afford to buy a machine that costs over twice as much as the first one and I doubt the insurance will be very happy.

I tried nasal pillows and a chin strap in my recliner the night before I went in to see the tech. I was able to sleep for a little over 5 hours and felt a little better than previous days. The machine said I had a leak factor of 24 and the tech was not OK with that. I DID NOT swallow air and I did actually manage to use the cpap. Seems to me that would be better than what I was getting. I also asked if that leak reading could be high because I have to open my mouth briefly to speak and to clear my ears.

I am leaning toward checking out a nasal mask and seeing which is most comfortable and at the same time trying the new respironics chin strap. I think I might have fewer leaks with a better chin strap. My goal is to start sleeping all night in my bed with my poor abandoned husband, and wake up feeling good for a change.

[chunkyfrog]

Since wearing the Sleepweaver élan, (cloth mask) I find every other mask feels awkward.
Wearing this mask, and her elder sister, the Sleepweaver Advance, requires a learning process.
These masks have been called either a dream or a nightmare--nirvana or nerve-wracking.
Those who have mastered a fabric mask love it; those who don't have 30 days to return it.
SleepWeaverMarketing is a member of the forum, and several videos on YouTube are helpful to watch.

[archangle]

You might ask your doctor to turn the max pressure down until you are able to sleep with the machine, then up it later if necessary.

[DebboL]

Hi I went through several problems with masks as well. I recently changed to a Pilario Mask that is a nasal mask and has only one strap that goes around the back of your head. Since I've started using it I have been able to sleep 6-7 hours a night and not have any leaks. It has a smaller pillow that inflates around the nasal pillows and keeps the piece secure on your face. I love mine and would recommend it to anyone. In addition to this mask I would recommend you get a humidifer on your cpap if you don't have one. I have headache problems too and it was because I was so dry. Hope things get better!

Deb

[zoocrewphoto]

I use the Quattro FX, and I sleep on my side with no problems. I do not use a special pillow, nor do I hang the mask off the side of the pillow. I smush it right into the pillow with no problems.

The only fitting issue I have is getting it right when I put it on. I have a small face, so even the small mask is borderline too big. If they had an extra small, I would get it. I also had to order the small headgear as the medium was too big. I have to be careful to get it on my face correctly, not too high and not too low. I always put it on, turn on the machine,and wait for it to get up to 11 (my starting pressure, takes about 10 seconds). If it isn't leaking, I'm good and will be good for several hours. If it leaks then, I turn off the power, take the mask off and repeat. I usually get it within 3 tries, often on the first try now. Every now and then, I have a hard time, it takes a lot of tries. But most nights are pretty good now. And I am only 6 months into this, so I know it will get better with practice.