How long to try a mask

[DirtyDusty]

Hello, new to cpap, just started 5 days ago. Haven't had a decent nights sleep since. I am using the go life nasal pillows, and I am getting leaks during the night. Not to mention my nose stops up lately due to allergies, and that causes my mouth to open during the night and awakens me. Second day the dme gave me a resperonics chin strap. I still have air venting out of my mouth with it closed, and the chin strap is uncomfortable to say the least. The guy at the sleep study said that if I had mask issues, that I needed to let the dme know quickly or they would not exchange it. So how long do you try a mask before giving up on it?

Also, does the cpap machine track sleeping events during the night?

[LSAT]

Most DMEs will give you 30 days. Check with yours and be damanding if they won't.

[Pugsy]

Also, does the cpap machine track sleeping events during the night?

It will if it is a full efficacy data machine.
Your profile points to a PR System One 250 machine. It doesn't gather any useful data beyond hours of sleep which is used for compliance purposes.
You might want to read this blog if your machine is either a 250 or 260 machine.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/
You need a model 450 or higher to have any useful data. Model number is a 3 digit number on the bottom of the blower unit.

I have information about the software available for full efficacy data machines in my signature line.

Regarding mask issues. Talk to your DME about what their return or mask swapping policy happens to be. The mask manufacturers typically offer 30 days but sometimes DMEs make their own in house rules about how often or when you can swap out a mask for another when you determine the mask isn't suitable for your needs.
If you can't keep your mouth shut during the night and a chin strap won't do the trick and/or you don't want to tape your mouth closed....you likely will need a full face mask.
Mouth breathing to the point of waking you up often means that likely the therapy pressure is going right out your mouth and it is for sure waking you up which is of course unwanted.

Sometimes if the mouth breathing is intermittent and short lived and there is no severe nasal congestion involved causing the mouth breathing, a person can train their tongue to stay in position (roof of mouth) so that it blocks the air from entering the mouth and thus no loss of therapy pressure...and sleep is not interrupted then the mouth opening doesn't make a huge impact on therapy.
To know for sure how much of an impact you would need a machine that gathered leak data...and the 250/260 does not gather that data.

[old dude]

Hello, new to cpap, just started 5 days ago. Haven't had a decent nights sleep since. I am using the go life nasal pillows, and I am getting leaks during the night. Not to mention my nose stops up lately due to allergies, and that causes my mouth to open during the night and awakens me. Second day the dme gave me a resperonics chin strap. I still have air venting out of my mouth with it closed, and the chin strap is uncomfortable to say the least. The guy at the sleep study said that if I had mask issues, that I needed to let the dme know quickly or they would not exchange it. So how long do you try a mask before giving up on it?

Also, does the cpap machine track sleeping events during the night?

Everybody's different, but I can usually tell right away if there is no chance for a given mask. There's normally a big problem that is obvious right away. But sometimes it can take a week or two to determine if a particular mask will wind up giving you pressure sores, or develop an unmanageable leak. So I guess the real answer is that it varies. I'm with LSAT though, I thought 30 days was the industry standard.

[DirtyDusty]

I have a full beard, which full face mask is recommended? I read a review that was several years old for the resperonics gel. Is the new amara better?

[Sheriff Buford]

I agree with "Old Dude"... most folks will fight a mask until they wake up screaming one night and kick that sucker into the next county. I have helped folks with the mask I use and I can tell when they are ready to "quit". It all depends on what issues you have and how bad they are. I feel that all masks have a "personality", and when you realize what the "personality" is... if you can't "tame" it... you need to move on.

Sheriff

[hyperlexis]

I have a full beard, which full face mask is recommended? I read a review that was several years old for the resperonics gel. Is the new amara better?

1.) Try a mask for at least 2 weeks. Some require breaking in.

2.) Did you have a titration study? If so you may be fine on a straight cpap. It may be too late now to demand a data capable machine anyway. Ideally you should ask for one, so you get better therapy, but DMEs hate to change machines once given. Do try your best to demand one, and tell your Dr. you want help getting one, but don't be surprised if you are now stuck.

3.) The PR comfort gel is an ancient mask, noisy and bulky and heavy. The Amara is a great, new mask but has some known cushion problems with developing sores on the nasal bridge. They just introduced an "Amara Gel" version -- I would definitely try that one first. It may have solved the problems of the original Amara. The Quattro series full face masks are also great choices. The newest one the Quattro Air, seems to have good reviews. (There is also the plain Quattro and Quattro FX). The Hans Rudolph V2 is also a great FF mask to consider, and is built like a tank, seals well, and has a chin cup to help keep your mouth closed while sleeping.

Good luck!

[chunkyfrog]

Remember, you may not be looking for the mask that is just right--as in Goldilocks.
Perfection may have to wait for something that works--minimal leaks, and NO PAIN.
On pain, I would not compromise. I alternated between two masks for a while,
because either was close, but my face still needed a break to avoid sores.

[Pugsy]

Check with your DME about whatever mask swapping policy they have...if it is 30 days...make use of that 30 days and don't spend a lot of time on one mask and use up your swapping time.
Ideally it is 30 days per mask but most DMEs have changed it to 30 days period and not per mask. So if that is what their policy is...make use of it. There's nothing stopping you from going back to a particular mask if it happens to work out better than subsequent trials.
So know exactly what the mask swapping policy is...DMEs don't have to go by the mask manufacturer 30 day thing if they don't want to and most don't want to.

[Julie]

Look at the Forma FF mask on Cpap.com - I know people with beards that it works for when others don't.

[sawinglogz]

Check with your DME about whatever mask swapping policy they have...if it is 30 days...make use of that 30 days and don't spend a lot of time on one mask and use up your swapping time.

This. Don't wait 2 weeks if you're in your first 30 days.

If you've got a good DME, they might not even bother to take the old mask back, since it costs them nothing (the manufacturer will replace their stock for free) other than the effort to fill out the paperwork. And if they take it back, there's more labor involved.

I initially waited a while because I had something that worked OK and didn't want to lose it. When I found out my DME would let me keep it regardless, I was much more aggressive about trying a few more masks, and I'm really glad I did. The result was MUCH better than the first mask I tried.

[russ hall]

I have been using a nasal pillow system for 15 plus years a well fitted system will not leak all nasal pillow are not the same I prefer the hose attached over the head you may want to try the Bravo original has worked well for me . In the beginning I too used a chin strap you just half to teach yourself to keep your mouth closed. I also use a inline hose filter for the dust and dirt in the air good luck and stick with it

[DavidCarolina]

If youre having stuffy nose then you need a full face at the very least as a backup.

You need more than 1 mask anyway, we all need backup systems for emergencies.

I recommend the quattro mirage full face. Its the best non leaker ive found but may be better ones.

Also neti pots can reduce swelling of sinus.

But to answer your question, you should be getting leak relief within a week or somethings wrong IMHO

[Denial Dave]

It would help greatly, if you added a note in your tag lines that showed what your pressure settings are

If you are in the "over 15 club" for pressures, it'll take you more than 5 days just to get accustomed to the pressures.

[DirtyDusty]

Went back to the DME and they fitted me with a pr comfort gel full mask. Seals good, but have a little soreness on the bridge of my nose. I have slept better with it by far. Only thing now is, I don't want to get up. I am sleeping 9 hours.