Getting Really Frustrated

[koldmiser]

So after years of my wife complaining about my snoring and me feeling like I'm always tired and chronic headaches I had a sleep study and was told I have an AHI of 59. So for the last 2 months I have been using a Resmed Airsense 10.

Here's where I'm having issues...The Respiratory Tech that brought everything to my house gave me a Airsense F10 FFM. Showed me how to adjust it and explained it would take me a few tries to get a good fit. Showed me the Sad/Happy Face. After two weeks of trying to get a good fit I called and the Respiratory Tech brought out a different mask for me to try, an F&P Vitera to try. I tried that for 3 nights and it leaked so bad it kept waking me up. I had read about the F20 that came with the silicone and memory foam masks and decided to buy one myself hoping that would help. Unfortunately the memory foam mask is to tight on the bridge of my nose so I can't breath out of my nose and I can't get a good seal on the silicone mask.

How bad is it? the leak rate is between 25 and 45 (with a 65 the first night I used the Vitera). Sometimes the leaks wake me up, sometimes they don't. I'm a very stationary sleeper (side sleeper) so I'm not pulling the mask off.

While I do feel better now, and I'm not having daily headaches, I just wonder how much better I would feel if I could get the mask to seal properly. Or am I looking at this the wrong way? Is having mask leaks an every day thing? In two months of wearing this every night I've had one "happy face".

I've spent so much time searching on line and watching videos to try and resolve this.

Oh and I use a FFM because that's why my Doctor Ordered.

Any suggestions or insights? I really want this to work out.

[LSAT]

I know all our faces are different, but I have been using the Vitera and my leaks have been almost zero every night. That mask is not to be worn tight. I have used several different FF masks with out problems, but the Vitera seems to be the most comfortable for me.

[Jlfinkels]

Welcome to the zoo!

We all go through the frustration of getting started on CPAP. I’m 12 weeks in myself and went through 4 different masks before settling on my current one. I started with a P10, then F20, F30i, N30i, and finally settled back on the P10 when I learned how to stop mouth-breathing thanks to folks on this forum. My AHI is now hovering averaging between 0.0 and 0.5. I was so frustrated at one point I considered sending the bloody thing back, but the advice I received on this forum got me through it.

I leaked horribly on all the masks, but over time learned to fit them properly so the leaks were within the recommended limits. I now get almost no leaks and none that wake me up. It takes time but you can learn how to get the masks to fit and stop most if not all large leaks.

Some things to get you started. Read the mask info and download OSCAR to help the smart kids on the forum to help with your CPAP machine settings.

https://www.cpaptalk.com/wiki/index.php/CPAP_Mask

https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

Good luck and hang in there. Glad you found this forum which is a excellent source of good information and helpful folks.

[ChicagoGranny]

I've spent so much time searching on line and watching videos to try and resolve this.

Have you watched three or four youtube.com fitting and adjusting videos on your specific mask(s)? Some of the videos are quite good.

[zonker]

I've spent so much time searching on line and watching videos to try and resolve this.

Have you watched three or four youtube.com fitting and adjusting videos on your specific mask(s)? Some of the videos are quite good.

came to see this, left satisfied.

[zonker]

Welcome to the zoo!

[Jlfinkels]

Welcome to the zoo!

[JLROhio]

I've spent so much time searching on line and watching videos to try and resolve this.

Have you watched three or four youtube.com fitting and adjusting videos on your specific mask(s)? Some of the videos are quite good.

@koldmiser: Here's one...

Fitting the F&P Vitera Full Face CPAP/BiPAP Mask --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a628ADin5lE

[zonker]

Welcome to the zoo!

[koldmiser]

I've spent so much time searching on line and watching videos to try and resolve this.

Have you watched three or four youtube.com fitting and adjusting videos on your specific mask(s)? Some of the videos are quite good.

No, they are actually not very good. I'm convinced Resmed has a side business making music for porn.

[koldmiser]

I've spent so much time searching on line and watching videos to try and resolve this.

Have you watched three or four youtube.com fitting and adjusting videos on your specific mask(s)? Some of the videos are quite good.

@koldmiser: Here's one...

Fitting the F&P Vitera Full Face CPAP/BiPAP Mask --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a628ADin5lE

Thank you. I'll try that one, I hadn't see it yet.

[Miss Emerita]

Do you mostly breathe through your nose during the day? If yes, you might do well with a nasal pillow mask. Let us know.

[JLROhio]

... I'm convinced Resmed has a side business making music for porn.

Somehow, I'm thinking this statement deserves a meme response...but I can't find one rated PG (or less) to put here!

[koldmiser]

Do you mostly breathe through your nose during the day? If yes, you might do well with a nasal pillow mask. Let us know.

Yes, unless my allergies are acting up. I will probably end up asking my doctor to order me a nasal pillow to try. Or just buy one myself.

[chunkyfrog]

. . .
Yes, unless my allergies are acting up.
. . .

If allergies only appear at night, consider the possible allergens in your bedroom.
(An antihistamine can help if you cannot narrow it down.)