New to Forum w/ a couple of questions??

SleeplessinWI · Post by **SleeplessinWI** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 2:26 pm

Hi:

I just found this forum while searching the net for alternatives to the full-face mask I was prescribed. I believe it is the Comfort Full Face Mask (size small). I started w/ the CPAP last Dec. 05 after my second sleep study & 1st multi-latent test. It was difficult getting used to. I am a mouth breather when I am not grinding my teeth. My major problem is air leakage on the sides of my face. It is so bad, it wakes not only me but my husband up. The noise wakes me up more than the times I wake up snorting or gasping for air and more fully, too; whereas at least w/ the snorting or snoring, I don't completely wake-up.
It is really obvious the mask doesn't fit on my face well no matter what I do. I think it may happen more when I am moving my mouth while grinding my teeth. It is hard to gauge cause I am half asleep.

My first question is: I was looking at the Hybrid Universal Mask and I was wondering if the price was worth attempt? Is there good place online I could order it from? We have sh*t for insurance and have had to pretty much pay for my machine and all that goes with it out of pocket. I am still miffed over the fact that the doctor I started out w/ after the third appointment, he left and was replaced with a colleague, who, anytime I ask a question, he responds as though I am questioning his expertise or authority. The first doctor prescribed the passive humidifier because I have sinus problems. It didn't help, so the new doctor prescribed the heated mount-on version, which helps a lot better. However, I paid $169 for the passive and then had to pay another $300 for the new one. Any suggestions would be most appreciative. Look forward to hearing from someone soon.

PS> I forgot to mention that I gave up on the CPAP for a couple of months. A few weeks ago, I started feeling quite sleep deprived which has been negatively impacting the quality of my life. It when from bad to worse. I want to try a different mask to see if I can develop a better rapport w/my machine. Again, thanks. JE

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 2:44 pm

JE,

Welcome to the forum.
Mask size is as important as selecting the right one. Quite a number of folks here have tried the Hybrid and have reported mixed results. It's just like any other mask.....and just because it has the word "Universal" in it doesn't mean that it'll work for everyone. I haven't tried it as I use the Ultra Mirage Full Face mask. I have a Comfortfull 2 mask which I tried for about 3 nights......it wasn't that comfortable for ME, but I might give it another shot in the future.

Sounds like the DME got to you, too, on the humidifiers.
Have you checked out:

https://www.cpap.com/

They also have a mask sizing guide on their site, too.

If you could fill out your profile including what pressure you're using, it might help in future questions/answers.
(Never mind.....I see you filled it in)

Best wishes,

Den

SleeplessinWI · Post by **SleeplessinWI** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 2:52 pm

Thanks for your response.

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:00 pm

I used the ComfortFull 2 mask and haven't come across much for leak issues. Although if I smile at my husband with the mask on, THEN I have leaks.

I tried the Hybrid but had leak issues wearing it when sleeping on my side. I loved it for being able to watch TV or read while falling asleep. (I wear contacts during the day and need my glasses at night - impossible with most masks.)

I suppose if you wore a device to stop the teeth grinding, you'd probably have to breath through your nose. (My husband grinds his teeth. Now THAT drives me nuts.) But then you could wear your mask and not have to deal with the leaks.

Kimberly

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:44 pm

I used to spend a lot of time in WI.

For lots of info on selecting a mask, see http://smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com/2 ... oices.html

I wear a plastic dental device to prevent teeth grinding. It works with all types of masks (nasal, pillows, full face) and works whether I'm breathing through my nose or mouth.

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:18 pm

Hello SleeplessinWI,

I am glad you are not giving up.

I am surprised a teeth grinder is also a mouth breather.

I have no experience with the masks you are talking about so I can not help you.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:24 pm

The hybrid is theonly mask I've ever used. I have had only one problem. The swivel connector by the hose started whistling. Tooly posted about a fix that I tried and it worked. I do love this mask!

Brenda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:08 pm

SelfSeeker wrote:Hello SleeplessinWI,

I am glad you are not giving up.

I am surprised a teeth grinder is also a mouth breather.

I wouldn't think so either. But I don't think I do it simultaneously. I must switch back and forth depending on how stuffy my nose gets as the night progresses. I have never been good at multi-tasking. JE

SleeplessinWI · Post by **SleeplessinWI** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:35 pm

For lots of info on selecting a mask, see http://smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com/2 ... oices.html [/quote]

Bless your Mile High 'Heart'.

The information on your blog was awesome. I didn't quite have the time to read everything, but just the section about mask choices was well-written, easy to understand and in lay-man's terms, too. I wish I had found this forum last Dec. when I started out. It might have saved me a lot of the frustration I have been feeling.

Thanks. JE

jeepdoctor · Post by **jeepdoctor** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:40 pm

Sleepless, have you considered using a nasal interface device (perhaps ComfortLite 2) and taping your mouth? Works for me.

SleeplessinWI · Post by **SleeplessinWI** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:13 pm

jeepdoctor wrote:have you considered using a nasal interface device (perhaps ComfortLite 2) and taping your mouth?

No can do, (although my husband might suggest duct tape). I have a phobia about having my mouth covered even if I can breath through my nose. When I was a teenager, I had a really bad cold & was very plugged up. Something lodged in my throat and I totally couldn't breath. I couldn't call out for help & panicked.

Then when I had two brain surgeries where they went up through my upper lip and through the nose, I had to have my nose packed for five days each time. It scared the sh*t out of me and caused a lot of anxiety. Following that I had a six week course of daily radiation with my head in something that looked like a hamster cage and spaghetti strainer bolted to the table for an hour a day. I had a terrible time wearing a full-faced motorcycle helmet. To add to the mix, I have had to endure approx. 18+ MRI in the past ten years; brain tumor. I had serious reservations about even doing the protocol for my sleep apnea. I tried the nose pillows, but freaked because I knew I couldn't keep my mouth shut. I felt like I was drowning. The full-face mask was the only thing I felt I could deal with. I occasionally use a mouth guard for my teeth grinding, but end up spitting it out have way through the night. Thanks for the suggestion, though. JE

New to Forum w/ a couple of questions??

New to Forum w/ a couple of questions??

What does DME mean?

mask info and teeth grinding

Re: mask info and teeth grinding

Taping mouth shut? Yikes!!