newbie q's - breathing out? vent, what? also...

[Nissus]

Heyas,

Apologies in advance if this is covered elsewhere, my searching is, well, failing so far, and this is kinda freaking me out..

Where does the air that I'm breathing out go? I've seen a few mentions here and there about vents, but I don't know where that is on my mask (sounds silly, I'm sure, but.. anyway), and the not knowing how that part works or is supposed to work is really bothering me.

Also, I keep having to unvelcro and revelcro the headgear when putting the mask on and taking it off. It seems inefficient, is that how it's supposed to be? At this point, I'm not even sure the headgear is right side up.

Thanks!

[kaiasgram]

Hi Nissus, what mask are you using? Every mask has port or vent holes to let exhaled air escape. If you tell us the name of your mask we can show you were those holes are. You can also usually place your hand out in front (not on) your mask while it's on and the machine is on, and move it around until you feel air coming out.

We can also likely direct you to a good video tutorial for fitting and adjusting your mask once we know what mask you are using.

[RogerSC]

You can get more help if you do add your equipment to your postings using the "User Control Panel" link in the upper left hand corner of the web page, right under the search widget, to add your equipment to your profile. This will add it to all your postings.

You can also find your own videos on fitting nearly any mask pretty easily by simply going to youtube and searching for "fitting the <model of mask>"; e.g. search for "fitting the Swift FX" turns up a bunch of helpful video clips for fitting the Swift FX nasal pillow mask. I usually look for the ones made by the company that made the mask first, then look at the others. The "TheLankyLefty27" is someone who produces useful fitting guides for various masks that the above search on youtube would find.

So please do add your equipment to your profile, as mentioned above, you'll get more appropriate help that way. And welcome to the forum, by the way, lots of people here that can offer help *smile*.

[Nissus]

Thanks for the replies, y'all.

Realised after I posted you might need more info. Tried to update my profile.. not sure I did it right..

Anyway, the mask says on it, it's a full face mask, and on the bit between the mask part and the forehead foam jobbies it says Respironics, then on one side of the mask part it says PerformaTrak

I will check YouTube soon as I get back to a regular computer..! (I appreciate the suggestion)

I've just been trying to look for a manual for the mask on the Philips/Respironics website, but keep getting shuffled around to different pages (well, same two or three it seems like) with no actual files/links..

[knightlite]

Masks have intentional leaks to vent your exhale. When you have the machine running put your hand over the mask on your face you will feel the vent holes. Never block these holes , they sweep your co2 out of the mask and remove some breath moisture . Keep them clean and open. Always check your flow this way when turning in .
Your profile of equipment is not filled out so I can't be more specific. Go to the user control panel and fill out your equipment so others can help you.
Use the comments and signature lines to be more specific setting and such .
You might also want to know each mask has an anti asphyxiation valve in case of machine failure/ power failure. Simply put it on without the machine running and you should breathe easy through that valve, it is your job to see its functioning properly and to take care of it. I slept through a 2 hour power outage once.
Most masks have clips to release the mask to not disturb the velcro adjustments. Can't see what mask you have. Most masks can be removed by undoing just one clip and put on the same way.
Try getting comfortable wearing mask during the day and cleaning it will also be good to learn how to care for it. Ask anyone here and they will help you.
Good question on the vents --smart girl ,people have blocked their vents accidentally and it usually wakes you up . Kind of like trying to breathe under heavy covers in the cold . its warm but you quickly give it up.
There is lots of nice people here to gladly help you no matter what the question. In a awhile you will be helping others. Hang in there.

[RogerSC]

Thanks for the replies, y'all. :)

Realised after I posted you might need more info. Tried to update my profile.. not sure I did it right..

Anyway, the mask says on it, it's a full face mask, and on the bit between the mask part and the forehead foam jobbies it says Respironics, then on one side of the mask part it says PerformaTrak

I will check YouTube soon as I get back to a regular computer..! (I appreciate the suggestion)

I've just been trying to look for a manual for the mask on the Philips/Respironics website, but keep getting shuffled around to different pages (well, same two or three it seems like) with no actual files/links..

Well, looks like your equipment isn't appearing in your postings...you need to go into the User Control Panel. There you see several tabs. Click on the "Profile" tab. The click on "Edit Equipment". Next, select each piece of equipment using the drop-down equipment lists. When you're done, click on "Submit" at the bottom of the "Edit Equipment" page, and you should get a verification message that your modification has worked. I'm not sure what you might have done, there are lots of areas that you could have wandered into in the "Profile" stuff, but the above should work for you.

You can see if it worked by looking at your postings, and you will see your equipment should be listed at the bottom of your postings if this worked. If you don't see it listed in your postings, then something happened and it didn't work for some reason.

Edit: Oh, I see that you edited it in as part of your first posting. If you follow the directions above, it'll appear in all your postings automatically, which is nice for your readers. Up to you *smile*.

[kaiasgram]

Where did you get this mask? I'm seeing the Respironics PerformaTrak mask online described as a "Single Use" Hospital mask with "Multi-Use" versions (see this under "Downloads" on the right side of the website page).

http://www.healthcare.philips.com/main/ ... matrak.wpd

I couldn't find a video tutorial for it at all on youtube or on the Respironics website.

[Nissus]

Thanks kaiasgram, the mask I got from the hospital. Went in coz of a fever, come home with oxygen and a cpap. Not.. totally confident I'm doing things the way I should be.. the tech from the company providing the cpap machine and oxygen concentrator said I should take and use it, as they (the hospital, supposedly) would just be throwing it out otherwise, and it's a better option for me than the nose only mask that they (the provider) would ordinarily supply, since I tend to breathe through my mouth..

RogerSC, yeah, I went back and added the signature. I saw where I could choose a machine and mask etc from those lists, but none of what I have seems listed.. I tried just adding it under comments, but I guess since I don't have anything else selected, that doesn't show up..? Should I make the sig text larger, you reckon?

knightlite, there's a floppy circle that I think is the anti-asphyxiation valve you mentioned..

There is a little port on one side that has a sort of removable plug allowing it to be open or closed.. it was closed by default, I think, but I'm wondering if that's the vent and it should be open..

[knightlite]

I'm not real comfortable with your mask as it is intended for short term hospital use and you can't buy them . I have seen some discussion about them here, but I can't recall the specifics . Something tells me its about the venting. If you are going to stay on cpap you will have to deal with your provider to get a good mask , which is different for everyone and an ongoing search for a better mask.
Maybe someone here will cover this hospital mask question .

[Julie]

Hi - have you actually been diagnosed as having sleep apnea, or is the mask supposed to be only a temporary post-op/hospital business? You need to be in touch with your doctor as apparently no one's taking care of your situation. Do you know anything about your machine - full name and model # (often on the bottom - but don't just tip it over if there's water in the humidifier that may be attached (or integrated as a built-in) because it will ruin the machine if it gets inside - would need to be emptied properly first). Do you have an appt. for sleep apnea testing or has that been done?

Three of your straps should be left closed all the time, only one (usually the right lower, unless you're left handed) needs to be done/undone, and you'd pull the whole thing over your head and do up the 4th strap, then wiggle the mask around til it fits well and doesn't leak around the edges when machine's on.

[knightlite]

Found this old posting on hospital masks ==talk to your doctor soon about a good long term mask .

Re: CAN'T BUY COMFORTABLE HOSPITAL MASK

Postby archangle on Tue May 21, 2013 10:44 am
You need to be very careful with hospital masks and CPAP machines. Some hospital only masks don't have built in vents and anti-asphyxia valves and you could suffocate if you don't connect it with the proper external vent and valve. Because of this, they tend to very tightly control sales of "hospital only" masks to non-hospital user.

The RT040 does appear to have built in exhaust vent and anti-asphyxia valve. http://www.berner-ross.ru/uploads/files ... 40_Eng.pdf

Some hospital masks don't have these things and are dangerous.

I suspect the "disposable" nature of hospital masks would also make them bad for long term use.

[Nissus]

Hi Julie, yes, I probably should have explained better (sorry).. I had a sleep study done a little over a year ago, but then never got the results back from the doctor. When I went to the hospital earlier this year, they noticed the snoring, etc and were able (eventually) to retrieve the results from the study. The fever was just what prompted the trip to the OR, and it went went away after a couple days. Just while I was there, then they diagnosed all this other stuff, including telling me I should be using a CPAP machine at home. The doctor at the pulmonary clinic where I went for a followup visit also said I should be using it. Unfortunately at that point I was struggling more with compliance, so I didn't realise about the issue with the mask, or have any idea to ask about it.

knightlite, I suspect you may be right. I will contact my provider later today to ask about masks. I need to ask them about the filter for this machine too, anyway. The provider, that is what you guys call the DME, right?

[Nissus]

Also, Julie what you said about the mask straps kinda makes sense.. thanks.

I'll have to double check the model of the machine and will try to check back in later today after some sleep, work, etc.

Thanks everybody!!

[Julie]

You really need to connect with your doctor and/or a proper sleep doctor and have to get a 'regular' mask rather than what you're using - it wasn't made for longterm home use. Also, by law, your doctor has to provide you with a copy of the sleep study (long form vs 'summary') so don't be afraid to ask for it. Good luck!

[robysue]

Nissus,

In addition to straightening out the fact that the mask you are using is a single use mask that needs to be replaced by something that is designed as a permanent mask for home use, you also need to follow up on just what machine you should be using long term.

The machine you list in your signature: CPAP: ResMed S7 Lightweight is a very old, discontinued model. It's probably at least 7 or 8 years old: The Resmed S9's have been around for at least 3 years now; their predecessor was the S8 and a model's lifespan seems to be about 5 years. The S7 you're using predates the S8. The fact that the S7 is no longer sold by our host cpap.com is why you cannot find it in the pull down menu. So I sure hope that the intention is that the machine you are using is a short term loaner machine.

While the S7 can still provide the positive pressure needed to keep your airway open, CPAP technology has come a long way in the last 7-8 years. The newer machines are smaller, quieter, better exhalation relief, and have better humidification features. The S9's even have an optional heated hose. All these things are important comfort features that make the machine much easier to use each and every night. The machine you've been given only records compliance data if it records anything at all. While some new machines still record only compliance data, the better machines record data concerning leaks and the efficacy of your therapy. Such data can be critical when you are troubleshooting to fix the inevitable problems that many people runs into during the adjustment stage.

So please follow up with your docs and find out what the long term plan for your equipment is.