Newbie

[Kerch]

Hey Everyone,

Have been using a CPAP since March 9th. Haven't had too many issues other than being paranoid that I feel leaks.
It's actually becoming so I'm hesitant about falling asleep and moving or rolling around. I often feel what I 'm calling "leaks" at my nostrils towards my lip.
Does anyone else have this problem? It seems like my nose pillows are ok and when I plug up the vent holes and breath out thru my nose no air comes out,
but when I lay on my side it feels like it does sometimes.
I am getting more sleep than I used to; (6-8 hrs now) but it's often broken up with me waking up and fiddling with my head gear. I'm sure if I can get past this leak issue I'd sleep much better. Anyone have any suggestions?
I'm using the Phillips REMstar Pro C-Flex+ with humidifier and the GoLife mask with nasal pillows. My pressure is set to 11.

Thanks!
John

[ChrisD]

Welcome to the club John!

Please take a few minutes and add your equipment to your profile. That way if you have any specific issues/questions it will help us zero in on a solution.

Chris

[ChrisD]

Do you have the software to read your data to see how bad your leaks are? If not, use the forum search and look for encore viewer or sleepyhead.

Chris

[Kerch]

Hey Chris,

Thanks for the welcome.
I tried a couple of times to enter my equipment and it still doesn't show. I'll keep working on it.

I'm using the Phillips REMstar Pro C-Flex+ with humidifier and the GoLife mask with nasal pillows. My pressure is set to 11.
I have the "ramp" option which goes from 5 to 11.
I have been changing the humidity level. It was on 3, I went to 4 and then my hose started whistling. I went back to 3 and it was better.
I was going to try it at 2 tonight and see how my nose felt in the morning.

I currently do not have the software available. It has a modem attached right now until I meet the insurance company's requirements it's just a "rental".
After I meet the requirements I'm told they will purchase it outright then I'll be able to put the memory card in.

I check every morning and there are no large leaks and my AHI has been going down. This moring it was at 1.3.
The other days it was aorund 3 to 4.

John

[Cavmdc]

Good luck.

Greg

[Debijo]

Welcome! I understand, I guess thinking there is a leak has been my biggest problem, it is frustrating, they need to route the vent to another room I think. I am using a wisp right now and sometimes just moving 1/4" I think stops the air noise. I am still experimenting with pillows and am finding that I am doing better with my cheapy fiberfill pillows than my nice memory foam pillows

This is a really great group, They have solutions for everything!

Debi

[Sheriff Buford]

Welcome! Go ahead and put the memory card in, download the software (you can get it here for free) and monitor your progress. The insurance company only wants to see if you are using the machine as you should. You need to see what your leak rates are. If they are high you are wasting therapy. The data will also show the insurance company that you are complying with their policy. You are more interested in being sure you are getting maximum therapy.

Sheriff

[NotLazyJustTired]

Hi John. Welcome. I am new too and also paranoid about leaks. My first night was a disaster. Over time you will learn how to control leaks and what is acceptable. I originally thought I was hearing massive leaks; it turned out it was just the vent blowing on the covers. You will have some good nights and bad nights. Just hang in there, the good nights make it all worthwhile. I am looking forward to starting to feel better. All I can say now is that I do feel a change in overall attitude when I've had a good night.

7 days and counting!

[Julie]

Have you considered trying a full face mask to see if your leaky feelings might go away (and incidentally improve your AHI's even more)? Not much to lose by doing that for a few nights I would think, or at least try taping and see if mouth breathing could be a factor.

[Deenie-deen]

I have a nasal pillow mask and the strap placement on my head looks nothing like the pictures. I first put the mask on as the picture shows. Nose hurt. I saw posts that said I may have had the straps too tight. I messed with the straps and I was able to get the nasal pillows to fit in my nose just right but the strap across the top of my head is actually across my forehead just at the hairline and the both straps are a lot more loose than I thought I could get away with. I actually woke up this morning and didn't think I had the mask on it was so comfortable. It helps if you can place the hose in such a way it is not pulling on your mask. I have my mask tube attached to the strap across my forehead so it looks like a snorkel going up the bridge of my nose but not touching it. I then stuck a hook in the wall above my head and the hose dangles from that by para cord. This set up helps my stabilize the mask. I don't feel any air escaping with this setup. I hope this helps.

[Sheriff Buford]

I have a nasal pillow mask and the strap placement on my head looks nothing like the pictures.

I have come to believe that most straps don't fit our coconuts the way they're supposed to or.... the way it does in the picture in the instructions. Our coconuts are all different and if you can get a mask to fit comfty and doesn't leak, you are on the road to success!

Sheriff