frustrated newbie that needs advice

[Sneezie]

Hello! I have had my CPAP machine (remstar m series) since Oct.13 I started with the respironics comfort gel mask but hated it. My DME sent me the ultra swift resmed nasal pillows, which is so much better. The only problem is it seems to be leaking where the seals are and the air that blows out of the holes is like I have a fan blowing on my face. Is this normal? Its a steady stream of air. I don't feel better and I am not sleeping very well, which I expected for a while, I am assuming I will get used to it and it will get better. My machine is set at 6. Should I have a machine that has the card reader in it? Mine doesn't. Also, do you normally have a trial period to trade machines if you want? It hasn't even been 30 days. I got the new mask without any trouble and I didn't even have to send the other one back. Are the auto cpaps good for everyone or just people that have severe sleep apnea? I am just wondering if the remstar m series with the c-flex is a better choice.
Thanks so much!!!

[Offerocker]

Hello! I have had my CPAP machine (remstar m series) since Oct.13 I started with the respironics comfort gel mask but hated it. My DME sent me the ultra swift resmed nasal pillows, which is so much better. The only problem is it seems to be leaking where the seals are and the air that blows out of the holes is like I have a fan blowing on my face. Is this normal? Its a steady stream of air. I don't feel better and I am not sleeping very well, which I expected for a while, I am assuming I will get used to it and it will get better. My machine is set at 6. Should I have a machine that has the card reader in it? Mine doesn't. Also, do you normally have a trial period to trade machines if you want? It hasn't even been 30 days. I got the new mask without any trouble and I didn't even have to send the other one back. Are the auto cpaps good for everyone or just people that have severe sleep apnea? I am just wondering if the remstar m series with the c-flex is a better choice.
Thanks so much!!!

Hi, Sneezie, and welcome!
I cannot address the "M Series", but can offer personal experience on the C-flex. It was a GREAT help for ME. Hopefully you'll be able to try one out to see if it helps you in exhaling. Not everyone needs or likes that feature, but many do.
YES, by all means get a machine that has a "smart card"! That's the only way your doctor can verify your compliance. Some machine models record more data than others. Check them out at cpap.com. The 'Auto-titrating' ones will record more data. I cannot speak about bi-paps.

Did your DME have you TRY OUT different masks at their place, or come to your home for that purpose? They are usually trained to be able to judge what masks might be good choices for you to try, depending on what position in which you sleep, if you are a mouth-breather, facial structure, etc. They should not arbitrarily send out just 'any' mask to you. Again, check out available masks at cpap.com. There are pictures, descriptions, and even customer comments that could be of help.

Also, do a search here on the forum on different masks that you've made note of that interested you, and you'll get further information. This may be confusing and contradictory, but it IS information. Masks are an extremely personal choice. Numerous people do have more than one, and sometimes wear a different mask at times.

Re the Nasal Pillow problem: do a 'search' here on those words and you'll get a lot of information. Again, a personal choice. I don't do well with them, but other people would most likely sick their dog on you if you tried to take theirs !

The mask fitting is usually the most difficult part of this treatment, and your DME should be doing their best to ensure that you get one that does not leak while being comfortable. Be persistant about that. If it doesn't fit without leaking, you will not be getting the most out of your cpap treatment.

Good luck, and let us know how you're doing!

[snoregirl]

What pillows are you using on the swift s m or l. If not large try the next size up. Many are "fitted" with pillows that are too small.

Some find that chapstick or other ting around the nares helps with seal (I don't use that but I have heard). You can do a search on this forum for other past posts like the chapstick one.

Yes a lot of air blows out the front of the barrell. Aim it away from yourself. It is normal, has to vent the co2

On the machine question. You were given the lowest/cheapest Resprionics machine. It does not have the ability to provide data I believe. Someone with M series correct me if I am wrong.

Many of us were handed (or they tried to hand us) base level machines.

One has to go into the DME with an idea of the features we think that WE will find valuable. The DME gets the same insurance payment for Plus model, Pro model or Auto model (cpap e0601) and of course the humidifier is a seperate code etc. So they make the most money off the Plus in the Remstar series. So unless doc presribes data capability or auto most times a Plus is what they will hand you (without asking, heck why should the, you took it). Now you are getting informed and know that a CPAP is not a CPAP.
What you do now is up to you.

Are you rent to own or did you pay the full thing up front? If you are rent to own in your first month you should easily be able to go back and get something different. May involve a new prescription from Doc or not.

If the DME is unwilling to give you better you should do the math and figure how much you will end up paying for this and consider handing it back to them (rent to own is just that, a rental) and buy cash online.

Many DMEs will work with you rather than lose the $$$

Good luck. First figure out what you want. Then if possible get a new script (and get it in your hands, and a copy of your sleep study) then do what you want. You can order whatever you want with your CPAP script at CPAP.com. CPAP script is good for CPAP, APAP. Your humidifier may well be a total purchase up front. If you return a rental, keep the humidifier that your insurance and you have paid for and you won't need to purchase a new one. Same with the tubing and mask....

[Offerocker]

Sneezie:

I forgot to ask you to please fill out your 'profile' so that everyone can see what your 'current' machine and mask are. In addition, others members will be able to Private Message you!

Keep On Truckin'

[cflame1]

Sneezie needs to register before they can fill out their profile.

[ozij]

The only problem is it seems to be leaking where the seals are and the air that blows out of the holes is like I have a fan blowing on my face.

Sneezie, is that the pillows holes, or the vent holes? If it's the small row of vent hole, that's blowing at your face, then I think you might be wearing the mask upside down... I had a Swift for a very shot time, and if memory serves correctly, the vents are not supposed to point at your face like that.

Whether your pressure is high or low, whether you use your machine as an automatic machine or as a cpap, the one (almost) unbeatable advantage of an automatic machine is its software, that lets monitor your data.

When I started out, my Puritan Bennett was set at 4 (yes, four) to 8 - and that's what was good for me. I used the software daily to see where I was at, and still do - though not daily. 20 months later, I am now running the machine at 6.5 - 7.5, and sleeping longer each night. The ability to have a low starting pressure was a god-send for me as was the flexibility.

Whether or not you benefir from an automatic mahcine doesn't really depend on the severity of your apnea. And severity does not have to do with the amount of pressure you need either. Severity is defined the number of events you had per hour when sleeping withou cpap - also know as your Apnea Hyponea Index, AHI for short.

Respironics makes an non automatic machice, the M Pro, (or Pro 2 in the older, non- M series) which will give you as much data as an automatic machine. It won't vary your pressure based on what it thinks you need, but will let you find out what stable pressure you do best at if you monitor you results.

If you have the money, I'ld say - go for a automatic machine - and if it turns out you do better at a straight pressure, put in on the same lower and upper range. The reason is that if it turns out you are one of the people who do better at variable pressure - you'll have that in an auto, and not in a straight cpap.

And Resmed said they will no longer sell their software on the net, but seem to make an exception for their local internet sites in Australia, and their software apparently can be obtained from Australian sites (or at least one of them).

So, think: software, data, and after that, straight or self adjusting pressure delivery.

O.

[Sneezie]

First of all, thank you sooo much for posting back with your advice!! I have been to other apnea message boards and you are lucky if anyone posts back. I really appreciate it! The only way you learn is from others who are going through the same thing.
When I went for my cpap study the next morning the sleep tech had the remstar m series and mask right there for me to take home. I didn't get a choice, wasn't given any options. When my DME called to see how I was doing I told him the mask was awful for me. He said ok I'll send out the mirage swift right away with all of the different sizes of nasal pillows. Recieved it very fast. They did call me Monday and left a message to see how I was doing but I havn't called back yet because I wanted to do a little research first. I had no idea that machines keep data about how you did at night.
On the question about the mask, I did know about the holes facing down and it is on the right way. I just think maybe there is a leak somewhere where the seals are. I am going to call my DME today and see what they say, I will let you know what happens.

[oldgearhead]

Hi Sneeze and welcome to our peer-to-peer group. My breakthrough came in Y2K when they came out with the Adams Circuit and a bit later the Breeze.
These are the hose over-the-head type of nasal pillow mask. Since then the hose-over-the-head type masks have evolved even more with the ComfortLite 2 and the Aura. If you are a side-sleeper, be sure and tryout a ComfortLite 2, with the largest pillows you can fit into your nares.

I, like many others on this forum, put tape over my mouth, when using nasal pillows, to prevent the treatment air from escaping. I hope you do not need to do this. However, its not really a big deal. Some of us feel mouth taping is easier than dealing with a full-face mask (one that covers both your nose and mouth). But you will, no doubt, try a few things until you find what is right for you.

I wish you success in the land of the hose-heads.

[curtcurt46]

Your swift mask is not up side down. The pillows are installed upside down. It's real easy to do.
Good luck