New CPAP patient

[lvmickey]

I am new CPAP (As in I don't have it yet) patient and I have a couple of issues.

1) Noise, I can't use a tower fan on low most days.
2) I have had brain surgery and can't wear most baseball caps. I even don't wear a beanie in the winter.
3) I have an adhesive allergy.
4) I have allergies, however a very sensitive nose and have never tolerated nose spray.

Does anyone make custom headgear or swap headgear to different masks? If you make custom headgear what type of material do you use and where do you get it? I'm thinking I can mix a couple of headgear peaces to get a good full mask fit or modifying a head gear potentially.

Any recommendations on the quietest machine available?

[Coatimundi]

I didn't really get my pick of machines because of where I live, so my machine may not be all that quiet. I have started using earplugs because I felt that the noise could have been keeping me up too much. It's still early days with getting used to my settings. I stayed with my prescribed settings from my sleep study for about the first month before I started changing anything.

As far as masks go, I was able to get the ResMed Swift FX recently (https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apne ... /swift-fx/). That doesn't make much contact with your scalp. The holes for the air delivery into your nose are supposed to rest at the front of your nostrils. Close enough to make a secure seal but not jammed up inside your nose.

There is also the Bleep mask which has no headgear at all. I haven't used that.

[chunkyfrog]

I am new CPAP (As in I don't have it yet) patient and I have a couple of issues.

1) Noise, I can't use a tower fan on low most days.
---Resmed makes the quietest cpaps
2) I have had brain surgery and can't wear most baseball caps.
---dozens of masks-all with different headgear. Padacheek makes padding that might help
3) I have an adhesive allergy.
---Only one mask uses adhesive: the Bleep.
4) I have allergies, however a very sensitive nose and have never tolerated nose spray.
---If you don't spray now, you are less likely to start.

Does anyone make custom headgear or swap headgear to different masks? If you make custom headgear what type of material do you use and where do you get it? I'm thinking I can mix a couple of headgear peaces to get a good full mask fit or modifying a head gear potentially.
--Go for it. Others do every day.

Any recommendations on the quietest machine available?
Resmed--avoid lower tier machines.

[GrumpyHere]

2) I have had brain surgery and can't wear most baseball caps. I even don't wear a beanie in the winter.

Take a look at:

Tap Pap https://tapintosleep.com/products/mytap-pap
Held by a mouthpiece.

CPAP PRO https://nomask.com/
Mouthpiece held like Tap Pap.

Oracle https://www.fphcare.com/us/homecare/sle ... ks/oracle/
Uses a neck strap

[Janknitz]

The ResMed machines are very quiet. I can't even hear mine when I listen for it. The mask and/or hose can sometimes make noise either from the airflow or the CO2 vent. You want to make sure the vent isn't bouncing air off any surface.

A lot of noise people complain about with CPAP is conducted noise. If the hose is touching your pillow it may conduct noise through it. Ear plugs may not help with that, so pay attention to positioning of the hose.

I like the Dreamwear mask because there's very little contact with your nose, but the air flows through the silicone frame and some people complain of the noise. It also is on the top of the head with a strap behind the occiput of your skull, pretty much where a hat goes. So it doesn't sound like that's your ideal mask. If you can find any nasal mask that works, though, it's a lot easier than a FF mask--a much smaller surface area to seal and manage throughout the night. The clean air flow and humidified air may help your sinus issues.

I use "white noise" (podcasts on my iphone I listen to through "sleep phones"). But that may not be ideal for you if you can't even stand the sound of a fan.

The bottom line is that you are going to have some work cut out for you to get used to it. It may be hard at first. Ask for help as issues come up. And most importantly, DO NOT GIVE UP. Not suffering apnea all night is especially important to support your brain function after brain surgery.