nasal mask success stories?

[zackds]

has anyone here at one point had a hard time adapting to a nasal mask and then
eventually made it work?
how did it working come about for you?
how long did it take?

i tried a mouth guard with mine last night and it didnt work for me
i have yet to try a cervical collar or chin strap
and i know if i tried tape i would still be woken up by my cheeks inflating

[chunkyfrog]

I had to keep trying DIFFERENT masks, as a mask that is not right does not get much better,
no matter what is done to it.

[zackds]

I had to keep trying DIFFERENT masks, as a mask that is not right does not get much better,
no matter what is done to it.

why do you say a different mask would make a difference?

[chunkyfrog]

Fit.
Size is NEVER uniform.
Each company has their own idea what is a small, medium, or whatever.
Size and shape varies between patients--and luckily they do not agree.
Otherwise, people like me might NEVER find a mask that fits.
Shoes come in many more sizes than cpap masks--
one might think price would justify SOMEBODY trying just a teensy bit harder.
I had to try over 20 masks before I found ONE that was acceptable.
Your DME does not know everything--and very few will have try-ons in the office HOOKED UP TO A MACHINE.

[chunkyfrog]

Actually, please explain HOW your mask does not "work".
I was always offered the wrong mask.

[zackds]

Actually, please explain HOW your mask does not "work".
I was always offered the wrong mask.

no my nasal mask works very well
i like how it fits and everything
what im saying is im having trouble with keeping my mouth shut while wearing it
and wanted to hear if others had trouble like that when first trying to use a nasal mask
and if they overcame it and how

[Doug_Nightmare]

I’ve been on CPAP less than a week now, but with nasal pillows. It is quite comfortable and unintrusive. That I am not a mouth breather is not enough. Last night I wore duct tape and it worked. I’m looking forward to more REM sleep tonight.

So far it has been a success but for the fact that I believe that my root issue is Central Sleep Apnea with high-drive Cheyne-Stokes Breathing. I understand the difficulty in the differential diagnosis given the financial constraints. I have also neuro-cardiogenic hypotension and bradycardia, probably undiagnosed Athletic Heart Syndrome. I’m still bicycling about 100 miles per week.

[dreamingofdreaming]

I have to use a chin strap. It's the only thing that worked for me. Well, except for the time that I was waiting for my chin strap and I wrapped an ace bandage around my head and chin (it looked ridiculous, but worked). My mouth falls open when I fall asleep. I had to learn to hold my tongue against the roof of my mouth to stop the chipmunk cheeks.

[zackds]

I have to use a chin strap. It's the only thing that worked for me. Well, except for the time that I was waiting for my chin strap and I wrapped an ace bandage around my head and chin (it looked ridiculous, but worked). My mouth falls open when I fall asleep. I had to learn to hold my tongue against the roof of my mouth to stop the chipmunk cheeks.

yea i dont think my mouth falls open when i fall asleep
how long did it take you to stop the chipmunk cheeks?
did you wake up during the night and try to push through and get used to it each night or something?
how did the process of getting used to it work?

[jilliansue]

I use a Chin-Up Strip, http://chinupstrip.com/ which helps keep my mouth from falling completely open, and two pieces of tape, crossed in an "X" over my mouth, to hold my lips together. This works GREAT for me. I have yet to find a full face mask that has fit without a lot of leaks, so my nasal mask with the above adaptations are what work for me.

[prodigyplace]

Actually, please explain HOW your mask does not "work".
I was always offered the wrong mask.

no my nasal mask works very well
i like how it fits and everything
what im saying is im having trouble with keeping my mouth shut while wearing it
and wanted to hear if others had trouble like that when first trying to use a nasal mask
and if they overcame it and how

I use the same P10 nasal PILLOW (not mask) that you list in your profile.
You can train your tongue to block the air coming into your mouth to avoid chipmunk cheeks. I think that took me less than a month.

I have issues mouth breathing sometimes but I am also prone to sinus allergies. I sometimes try positioning my hands to help keep my mouth shut. I probably should try a collar or chin strap.

[zackds]

Actually, please explain HOW your mask does not "work".
I was always offered the wrong mask.

no my nasal mask works very well
i like how it fits and everything
what im saying is im having trouble with keeping my mouth shut while wearing it
and wanted to hear if others had trouble like that when first trying to use a nasal mask
and if they overcame it and how

I use the same P10 nasal PILLOW (not mask) that you list in your profile.
You can train your tongue to block the air coming into your mouth to avoid chipmunk cheeks. I think that took me less than a month.

I have issues mouth breathing sometimes but I am also prone to sinus allergies. I sometimes try positioning my hands to help keep my mouth shut. I probably should try a collar or chin strap.

cool im glad to hear you had struggle with it at first then adapted without any help from chin strap etc

[palerider]

and i know if i tried tape i would still be woken up by my cheeks inflating

Same as with chin strap or mouth guard... none of those keep the air from going into your mouth, and the chin strap doesn't even keep the air from then going out your lips.

Some folks have had good luck with a stretchy headband worn over their lips.

[D.H.]

I wear a chinstrap and that seems to work.


BTW, it's possible that you're opening your mouth without it adversely affecting the therapy. If you're not showing significant leakage, air is not escaping from your mouth (even if it's open). This can happen because the pressure under which the air is entering your nose is sealing the throat. Ideally you want to keep your mouth closed (for a variety of reasons), but possibly not because it's interfering with the effectiveness of CPAP therapy.

[Goofproof]

I wear a chinstrap and that seems to work.


BTW, it's possible that you're opening your mouth without it adversely affecting the therapy. If you're not showing significant leakage, air is not escaping from your mouth (even if it's open). This can happen because the pressure under which the air is entering your nose is sealing the throat. Ideally you want to keep your mouth closed (for a variety of reasons), but possibly not because it's interfering with the effectiveness of CPAP therapy.

Hogwash! Jim