Hello - Newbie here with questions

[gm46]

Hello,

I can't tell you how much I already have learned from this forum. I'm brand new to all of this. I started using the CPAP machine in August but after about a week had what felt like a burn along side my nose from the mask. Its like a welt. (ts the actual mask that causing the rub not the straps.) I ended up in quite an argument with the cpap provider and later insurance and stopped using the machine until now. I'm 3rd day back to it and have the welt again. I'm a stomach sleeper, side at least but find that the mask leaks as I move around. I'm pulling the strapes tight to stop the leaks so I'm sure that what's causing it. My questions....

Will any other manufacturer's mask or nasal pillow work with my Puritan Good Night machine?

I'm thinking about buying either Breeze with nasal pillows or the comfort lite 2 any recomendations?

When you purchase new masks do you need a perscription to purchase and bill insurance or does the orginial perscription work?

I see everyone has lots of stats about their problem. Where do you find out that information? All I know is that my unit is set at 11, which I guess is high?

Thanks for the help!
Geri

[tomjax]

The best thing a newbie can do is to go back several forums and look for topics that discuss your problems.
Look at lots of posts.

One of the things you are doing is very common. It is counter intuitive to LOOSEN the straps rather than tighten them for leaks.
Does not sound right, but is often the case.

I personally use a Breeze and have no such problems.
I cannot imagine the gel masks not leaking.
Some seem happy with them though.
keep reading and learning-------

[CollegeGirl]

Every mask will work for some, but not for others. That being said - I am also a stomach sleeper, and the only mask I ever got to work without any leaks at all was the TwilightNP nasal pillows (used in conjunction with a homemade additional "pantyhose strap"). It's amazing - the mask vents toward the headboard, so it doesn't blow air onto your bed partner, and it doesn't get blocked when you stomach sleep. IMHO, it's the best option for stomach sleepers like me

Yes, any mask will work with your PB machine. And no, 11 is not high, it's actually pretty average. 15 and up is considered high.

We get stats from software purchased for our machines. I'm not sure if your particular machine has software available for it. Look for references to "Silverlining" in posts here - that's the software for PB machines.

What kind of RX you need depends on your DME & your insurance, so you'll have to check with them.

Good luck!

[snoregirl]

If you want to purchase with insurance from a local DME you need to check prescription requirements with the DME, but for a cash purchase out of pocket online, no prescription needed for supplies (only for actual machine which you already have).

[oldgearhead]

I'm thinking about buying either Breeze with nasal pillows or the comfort lite 2 any recomendations?

As CG stated, a mask is a very personal item. One that works for me, may
not work for you. That said, I would suggest you give the CL2 a try. Why
the ComfortLite 2?
1) Its totally different than what you are using now.
2) It is available with three different interfaces, and you can buy it with two of these three. (I prefer the nasal pillows and the Simple Cushion)
3) Great for side-sleepers

Here is the garbage bag tye treatment, that made my CL2 work:





...or..

[Slinky]

I'm not a tummy sleeper any more. I had to train myself NOT to sleep on my tummy (life-long habit) after a whiplash did a number on my neck.

I can vouch for the ComfortLite 2 working well for me too. What is really nice about it is the choice of nasal pillows and nasal cushion to alternate whilst you're getting used to wearing any device on your face OR the choice of nasal pillows and nasal seals to alternate whilst adjusting. I haven't tried the seals. I mostly use the nasal cushions.

There are choices for fit adjustment w/the CL2 as well. The straps, of course; but also at the forehead to adjust closer to or further, an up and down adjustment for length between brow and under the nose, and even some minor adjustment just after the elbow.

I used the Breeze during my titration study as well as the F&P HC 407 FlexFit nasal cushion but when I went to my DME's to pick up my equipment I opted for the Swift because it looked so "light" and there was so much "less" of it. I liked it - for about a week then started getting very sensitive and tender nostrils. So I alternated w/the FlexFit (which the Sleep lab, NOT the DME, had given me). That worked for a while but didn't quite get me past the tender nostrils so I switched to the 407 (FlexFit) full time which worked okay for about a week, the I started w/a tender bridge of nose. I finally gave up and asked the DME to let me try another mask. The RT suggested the CL2. I'm glad she did! It has worked well for me, altho I did go back to my sleep lab for assistance in getting the right "fit" of the headgear, etc. Unlike my DME who had no bed and a machine incapable of checking leaks, my sleep lab manager had me try the CL2 w/the machine running at "my" pressure, had me try it for leaks on my back and both sides, making adjustments each time all the while checking the leak rates.

This has worked great until just the last few days. I'm running into leak problems but when I switched from the Medium nasal cushion to the Small nasal cushion I found the leaks were gone again - except the Small is too small and uncomfortable on the top of my snozz. The problem seems to be my Medium cushion is just getting too "aged" and needs to be replaced. I am allowed TWO nasal cushions a MONTH which surprised me greatly. But I think I'll be back to success once the new Medium nasal cushion comes in. The DME didn't have any "on hand" and has to order them.

cpap.com has a "sizing guide" available online. You will need a second person to help you w/the measurements but with those cpap.com can make some suggestions for masks that might do well for you. The one thing I did find was that altho both my sleep lab tech and DME RT both felt that the Small nasal pillows and cushions were best for me, I found in experimenting that the Medium was more comfortable and worked best w/less leaks. I intend to have someone help me w/the measurements and then see which masks cpap.com suggests for me, despite my being happy w/my CL2 w/Medium nasal cushion, just out of curiosity and to see if there might not be an even better mask for me.

Judging by others who've done well w/and really like their results w/the CL2, I'm thinking of the (multiple name changes) ... can never seem to remember the name until I see it. (RestedGal is one who likes the name changes mask as well as the CL2).

RG, you are gonna have to tatoo the name of that mask on my forehead!!!

[Slinky]

Ha! I'm pretty sure it is the Everest Aura Twilight NP Nasal Mask that RestedGal likes as well as the CL2!!! You can find it about half way down the second page (or near the bottom) of the CPAP Masks at cpap.com