Basic Mask Information!

[jonny515]

So men don't struggle with claustrophobia? Okaaaay!

[49er]

Man, I usually write and try to not wear my emotions or feelings upon my sleeve - but you guys are flat out cruel. So let me get this right - I've worked in the DME field for a little over a decade with CPAP therapy and now I work in a clinic under a sleep specialist as a respiratory assistant. I decide that opening a blog to HELP a NEW user to the therapy as I do on a daily basis and post my writings in here for a weary traveler searching for information on the internet. Honestly, I'm completely taken back by the way all you treat one another here. I'll keep posting, probably just ignore the comments as most of you taken something out of context, cruelly disqualify the information and you do not criticize professionally; you criticize in such a demeanor that it is hard to understand and nearly unbearable to follow up with. I'll give my follow up here my best try.

I think I've addressed the "average DME" concept that all of you like to state. If you would read what I read you would understand that what is written is for a new user. Now, from my perception it does not seem that any of you are new users? The information is basic, simple and made for a user seeking quick help on the types of mask available; not a seasoned technician, respiratory therapist or CPAP no it all jack monkey (that is what I will call the rude people here - I think - working title). I want to help a new user, that is all.

Secondly, you cut down my blog? My little blog that I enjoy doing because I honestly like to impart knowledge to others? I have four posts...FOUR. I'm beginning and I want to get a lot of the basics out of the way to reference for people in other forums or even Facebook... Thanks for stating that anyone can create a blog, yes they can. At least that isn't one thing despicably rude that most of you have commented.

Lastly, thank you for all of you that added the different types of "hybrid" mask! I thought very long and hard about that category, but I thought that could get very convoluted for a new patient to therapy. To understand the Circadiance cloth style, The Oracle, The FitLife, The Jason, The Liberty, The DreamWear and so forth would be sort of confusing. I am hoping to write something devoted entirely to the popular hybrid style of masks. What do you think?

In the end - I have one thing to say. They way you treat people, especially through your words, is a simple reflection of yourself. I don't get paid to write, I don't sale CPAP's, I don't sale interfaces - I am just a technician. I've been a part of a lot of forums along the way, but this one is especially difficult to deal with. Hopefully all of you do impart knowledge upon, I welcome it. And I can promise you one thing that none of you can no longer promise to someone - I won't be rude to you.

Sleep well!

cpapguy,

Even though I understand your reasoning for sticking to the three "main" categories of masks in writing this up for a new user, I hope this omission didn't extend to not offering these options to patients at the DME you worked at who could benefit from them. I kind of feel passionate about this as I feel that if I had used my elan nasal mask alot sooner, maybe I would have gotten off to a better start with pap therapy and wouldn't have struggled so much. I obviously don't know that for sure but I do wonder.

I am also concerned because when I tried to recently order an elan cloth mask from my DME,they said they couldn't even special order it. I should have been alot more assertive but for various reasons I wasn't. But my point again is if many DMEs are like mine and won't even special order it, patients who could benefit would be deprived of successful pap therapy.

And substitute the any other mask like the hybrid, oracle and Full Face Fit Life and the same points I made regarding the elan apply to these products also.

[49er]

So men don't struggle with claustrophobia? Okaaaay!

Thanks jonny, I totally missed that. Sheesh, nice to know sexist assumptions are alive and well in the sleep medicine industry.

49er

[grayghost4]

Quote:
Where a nasal mask and nasal pillow mask both require the patient breathe only through their mouth, the full face mask allows the patient to breath through both the mouth and nasal passage

Am I the only one that thinks this must be a typo ??

[OkyDoky]

Quote "The pressure interaction with this mask and the patient can cause high amounts of discomfort and even irritation of the skin within the nairs."
Is nairs a typo?

[palerider]

Nasal Mask... This style has progressed greatly in the technology applied in the recent four to five years offering a great number of masks on the market that are much lighter and more conventional for the more modern style of CPAP machine's available to patients.

I won't even go past that... my brain tried to parse anything coherent out of that sentence, and I swear, I came close to having to reboot the damn thing, the same way that the hospital rebooted my digestive system... (turned it off for a couple days then started it up slowly... still didn't take the first time)

what the everlovin...

[palerider]

So, this new "expert" has knowledge equivalent to your average DME.
I guess anyone can write a blog.

I think he is your average DME.

and, of course, our ladies nailed it.

[palerider]

I think I've addressed the "average DME" concept that all of you like to state.

so, you're saying you're an above "average DME"? perhaps.

I don't sale CPAP's, I don't sale interfaces -

I think the word you're looking for is "sell". sale is what one makes once one has performed the act of selling, ie, getting someone to buy your overpriced stuff.

[palerider]

It's like FFM users are some kind of second-class users and the nasal pillows crowd are the "elitists" (snobs).

well, we certainly have much less area to worry about getting a good seal

[chunkyfrog]

I am NOT an elitist!
It is not my fault that the makers of full face masks have IGNORED the fact
that some of us have different shaped faces--(but are adorable nonetheless.)

[palerider]

Quote "The pressure interaction with this mask and the patient can cause high amounts of discomfort and even irritation of the skin within the nairs."
Is nairs a typo?

I don't have enough red ink to go through and correct that post. between the typos and grammar, as well as semantically null sentences, it's a mess.

[palerider]

I am NOT an elitist!
It is not my fault that the makers of full face masks have IGNORED the fact
that some of us have different shaped faces--(but are adorable nonetheless.)

I think your nose is *adorable!* well, don't tell bullfrog, but I think you're adorable!

[jonny515]

So men don't struggle with claustrophobia? Okaaaay!

Thanks jonny, I totally missed that. Sheesh, nice to know sexist assumptions are alive and well in the sleep medicine industry.

49er

Here we go. Oh brother!
"This masks style greatest strength is it's convenience of minimal headgear which makes the style the least cumbersome. This can be especially important for the female population of CPAP masks as it helps with feelings of claustrophobia, night sweats and overall discomfort in anyway to headgear (which the male patients receive benefit from as well!)."

Because we "he men" (like myself), don't really enjoy being comfortable but by golly we might "benefit" from it.

[OKCSleepDoc]

I will admit that thecpapguy probably needs to take a few more English Courses and get his degree, but overall I think he has started off well with a description of the 3 "mainstream" classes of masks.

If we want to be specific there are
1. Cloth masks
2. Oral Only
3. Hybrid Full Face/Nasal
4. Full Face
5. Nasal
6. Hybrid nasal/pillows
7. Nasal Pillows
8. FitLife - "the fireman's mask", sometimes great for patients with claustrophobia
9. Pediatric Sized Masks like the Pixie
10. No Headgear type masks like the CPAP TAP Mask
11. The Jason Mask - old school, great for Halloween costumes

I have probably still missed some other mask. I do agree that it would be good to tell patients about all these masks up front, however there are not only many categories, but many styles within these categories. I doubt many sleep labs carry all of these masks, but there are some clinics and DME that may. It is great that many of you followed up to his original posts with some additional masks as it may make for a good resource for those new to PAP therapy to understand all of the various options that are available (may not necessarily help them decide on which mask to start with, but at least realize that PAP adherence is a process and that there are many more masks out there than most patients realize).

Have a happy new year everyone!

[ChicagoGranny]

The OP doesn't explain how a newbie should pick a mask. It's only a description of different types of masks.

I prefer action. Here is my shot at a mask decision process for newbies.

How to Choose an Initial CPAP Mask for Newbies

1. If you had a sleep lab titration and liked the mask that was used, and that mask was recommended by your medical team, then go for it.

2. If not 1., then did your medical team recommend a nasal mask or a full face mask (FFM)? For many people, nasal masks are easier to use assuming they don't mouthbreathe, leak air out the mouth or get air inflating the cheeks while using CPAP during sleep. If you have any of these problems, you may need to use a FFM. (Despite what you may see in the forum, there are many of us that find FFMs are easy to use, do not leak and are not uncomfortable.)

3. Once you have decided whether you need to start with a nasal mask or a FFM mask, begin looking at the mask descriptions and images at https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php . This is the website of this forum's host.

4. For a newbie, you should select a popular mask that gets high rankings from the reviews. Some people in this forum get excellent usage out of masks that are not popular and do not get good reviews. They might rave about the mask to you. But for a newbie, you want to start with a popular mask with high rankings. After you get some experience, you can experiment with masks that pique your fancy but are not popular.

5. Once you have a category (nasal or FFM) of masks selected, you can go to that category on CPAP dot com's web page and sort by Biggest Sellers and then by Rating. You can check the ratings and read reviews.

6. When you receive your mask and machine, you should watch the mask manufacturer's videos (On CPAP dot com's web page) for instructions on use and adjustments.

7. If you have any problems using the mask, please start a new thread here and ask for help.

8. It's not unusual to try different masks before settling on one that works well for you. If you find yourself buying a fourth or fifth different mask, the problem may be with the way you are trying to use the masks, instead of the mask itself. Please get help from the experienced forum members.

- ChicagoGranny