Questions about nasal vs. FFM (New user)

[lyris]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new user to PAP (roughly about a week). I first started out with a full face mask and found that I was waking up, gasping for air and ripping the mask off of my face. I thought at first that my pressure was too low, like I wasn't getting enough air into the full face mask, so my DME switched me to a nasal mask, which is decently staying on my face, but it's not providing me with any kind of benefit. As in, I'm still waking up with headaches, not getting rest, feeling terrible in the morning, etc. I am partially confused about the nasal mask. Am I supposed to keep my mouth shut the entire time that I wear it? If so, that would be a problem for me as my nose is usually too congested to allow be to breathe in and out of it exclusively. I need to be able to breathe out of my mouth. My DME told me that generally more people have more success with a nasal than a FFM, but if I can breathe in and out of my mouth, this isn't going to work very well at all. Should I go to my doctor and try to get the pressure increased, or should I just keep trying different masks until I find the right one? Do more people have more success with nasals over FFMs? I'm so confused right now and I need a little bit of help. Thanks everyone.

[StuUnderPressure]

If you don't want to use a FFM AND you do breathe through your mouth, you will need to use a chinstrap to keep your mouth closed.

Some (including me) have had limited success with using a soft cervical collar to keep your mouth closed.

So, you have to pick your poison.
A FFM mask, a chinstrap, or a soft cervical collar.

If your mouth leak is not that large, you may not have to use either of the above. But, you would need some data to tell you how large your mouth leak actually is.

[BlackSpinner]

"Loose lips sink ships" as the used to say.
In our case they waste therapy air. If you open your mouth you get little or no therapy.

Try an Ace bandaid as a chin strap before investing money in something which might not work

[hyperlexis]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new user to PAP (roughly about a week). I first started out with a full face mask and found that I was waking up, gasping for air and ripping the mask off of my face. I thought at first that my pressure was too low, like I wasn't getting enough air into the full face mask, so my DME switched me to a nasal mask, which is decently staying on my face, but it's not providing me with any kind of benefit. As in, I'm still waking up with headaches, not getting rest, feeling terrible in the morning, etc. I am partially confused about the nasal mask. Am I supposed to keep my mouth shut the entire time that I wear it? If so, that would be a problem for me as my nose is usually too congested to allow be to breathe in and out of it exclusively. I need to be able to breathe out of my mouth. My DME told me that generally more people have more success with a nasal than a FFM, but if I can breathe in and out of my mouth, this isn't going to work very well at all. Should I go to my doctor and try to get the pressure increased, or should I just keep trying different masks until I find the right one? Do more people have more success with nasals over FFMs? I'm so confused right now and I need a little bit of help. Thanks everyone.

1.) What FFM were you using, and 2.) What pressures are you talking about? Without knowing your sleep study results, it is not easy to advise changing prescribed pressures, etc. until you start using cpap longer term and have data available.

Just know that first off, the FFMs are designed so that if the pressure cuts off (power failure) a valve opens up inside the mask and outside air will flow in and out. So there is no danger of suffocating. It may not be amazingly comfortable, but it's perfectly safe. No need to rip anything off, etc. Second, some machines are set to start with the 'ramp' setting automatically on. If your machine is set up this way, the lower 'ramp' pressure may be a bit too low for your preference and may need to be shut off or adjusted. You can do that without affecting your prescribed pressures. Some people like the lower start pressure with the ramp setting, while others want their full treatment pressure from the start.

If you have bad allergies, etc., a nasal mask may not work so well as a primary mask because of your stuffiness. Plus, if you have been a mouth breather forever, you will have to train yourself to adapt to only nasal breathing if on a nasal mask. That may take some time and concerted effort. Because, no, you cannot open your mouth if on a nasal mask. The air will just pour out your mouth, not enter your lungs. And you will be asleep whilst this happens. That's why FFMs are used for mouth breathers, especially at the start of cpap therapy. Once used to it, then perhaps go with a nasal mask, -- or keep both masks to alternate based on preference later on.

One great technique for acclimating to both FFMs and nasal masks is to just use them for a few hours a day while awake, watching tv or whatnot. You will more easily get used to the pressures and the masks by trying this.

Above all you should relax while using the machines. Let them do the work. With perseverance you will very easily get used to either a FFM, or nasal version. Just get over this initial hurdle and you will do fine.

Good luck!

[DEXSUZ]

Tell us more about which models of masks you tried.

My first was a FF Quattro Mirage and the farting leaks of air drove me nuts. I then tried a nasal but could not keep my mouth closed. Finally, I got a Quattro FX (FF), fashioned a little strap (which connected the two lower head straps) under my chin to stop the mask from riding up on my and it's been smooth-sailing ever since. I'm now in my fifth month of restful and peaceful sleep.

God bless and good luck.

[Julie]

What are your pressures set at?

[RandyJ]

You really need to keep your mouth closed 100% all the time with a nasal mask.

I have the same issues with congestion. Most of the time I can use a nasal mask; I do frequent saline irrigation with NeilMed bottle & saline packets (using heated distilled water) and I use a prescription nasal spray, Nasonex, just before bed. If only one side is partially blocked, I can usually breathe well enough with the nasal mask.

If I am still too congested (I know in the first 2 minutes of trying to breathe with my nasal mask and my mouth shut), I use the full face mask.

[Stormynights]

It is possible that the pillows may open up your airway.