CPAP machine - fixing to become dust collector

[clifsmith]

Hi All,
First post and I apologize to start off negatively, but I am getting frustrated with my machine. I am new to CPAP and I have a ResMed with CFLEX with the Ultra Mirage FF mask. First the facts on my disorder. I have 70 or so respiratory disruptions per hour. I snore loudly. I sleep on my side. I am a mouth breather and will ALWAYS be a mouth breather. My pressure is 16. I the Respiratory therapist first recomended the nasal mask with a chin strap. that Did not work with the chin strap all the way tight. When I would dose off my lips would flap open and wake me. I tried tape. That was just uncomfortable with mustache and my jaw started hurting. Then I went back to DME and they fitted me for Ultra Mirage Full Face mask. That seemed to be OK in the office, but when I try to sleep on my side the pillow pushes the mask and breaks the seal. I also noticed that the "back and forth" of the CFLEX pressure seemed to "work" the seal loose. This mask would not stay sealed once my jaw started relaxing. I am shocked that the DME company only had 2 masks to physically try. You would think that they would have every size of every brand to try to get the right fit. I do not want to go back to them. I am sure my insurance company is going to not buy another mask for me. I am desperate for a good night sleep and am desperate for any recommendations based on my sleeping habit, machine CFLEX, mouth breathing, and 16 pressure setting. Please help.

[DreamStalker]

You stated that you have a ResMed but show an M series machine. Your pressure is a bit on the high side at 16. I think others may advise you try and get a BiPAP machine instead.

It is quite true that the most difficult thing to tweak in this treatment is getting a comfortable mask that will seal the whole night through.

1)Try and make certain you have a good working relationship with your doctor … essential to getting the right equipment. Make certain you communicate your difficulties.

2)Educate yourself about your condition and its treatment … you have already got a good start by finding this forum.

3)Talk to your insurance rep and see what options you have for DMEs as you may well have to find another one that will work for you instead of working purely for bottom-line profit.

4)Don’t give up … I can only imagine how difficult it is to keep on keep'in on under poorly treated apnea (I was lucky and got off to a good working start).

Best of luck!

[Julie]

Hi, you can buy pillows especially made with cutouts for Cpap masks. There should be a link somewhere on the site, but if searching doesn't unearth one, google cpap pillow (singular - you don't want to bring up 'pillows' as in the Swift Mirage mask) and you should have no trouble finding the company that sells them. The foam is either TempurPedic or a close clone. Good luck.

[nana]

Welcome
I am also new at all this gear and the "tweaking" syndrome. Similar pressure to start off and now at 13. I'm also a side sleeper and seem to push my face into the pillow to seal the nasal mask which leaves 'great marks' for the morning mirror!. Don't give up and keep coming to this forum. These 'hose gurus' are the best at finding answers or pointing us in the right direction. I found that I am the patient but the DME really has to listen to the doctor. Because the md ordered an Elite, the DME RT only brought ResMed masks! Let us know how you are progressing with this problem. DreamStalker is right.

[ClayL]

I am new to CPAP (two months) , new to the forum (today) and certainly no expert, but I did find that a down pillow allows me to sleep on my side.
It seems to conform better without pushing the mask so much.
I have the same mask as you.

[oldgearhead]

Two things, and one has already be mentioned.

A lot of "higher-pressure" users are issued Bi-Pap machines.
Bi-Pap machines are different from
"CFLEX" machines in several ways: First their blowers are capable of higher
pressure. Second, they can be set for both a inhale and exhale pressure
(16/11 maybe). Third, the exhale relief continues throughout the entire
exhale cycle, not just a short time, like CFLex.

Beard + side-sleeper + high pressure = Hybrid full-face mask, and a tube of Ary Gel, for the nose friction.

[NightHawkeye]

Welcome Clif,

. . . I am getting frustrated with my machine.

Folks here understand. The therapy is tough enough to adjust to that less than 50% of folks who get CPAP machines stick with them. Support provided by physician/DME/medical professionals is often very poor.

Nevertheless, the therapy is easy enough to adapt to once you get the right equipment and you get it adjusted properly.

There are a couple of other popular mask choices for mouth breathers. One is the Hybrid mask, the other is a Fisher and Paykel (model 431, I believe). Maybe somebody will come along and comment on these models for you. If not, you can read the reviews for them on CPAP.com.

As others have suggested, a BiPAP can provide you with pressure relief, but there's a good chance that an APAP machine would offer as much or more relief. (A BiPAP is harder to adjust to - at least it was for me.) Then, there's always the BiPAP-auto machine which combines the two.

I'd suggest you ask your physician for an APAP trial to see if the lower pressures provided by the APAP help, and I'd also suggest that you demand other mask sizes from your DME. If they are unable to provide adequate service, then you shouldn't be penalized by your insurance. Give that DME the mask back and shop elsewhere. (DME's are just businesses, for crying out loud.) Let your physician know that you are not happy with the service provided by the DME, (especially if he recommended the DME to you)

Regards,
Bill

[Mile High Sleeper]

Research full face masks on cpap.com.

See if you can find a hospital sleep lab that does free or low cost mask trials of various masks. For example, at least three hospitals in the metro Denver area offer fittings.

See if a small PAPillow would work for you. Mask either hangs off the side or is firmly supported while side sleeping.

For more, read the article under the light bulb above on masks, and the one on solving equipment problems-masks.

[Mile High Sleeper]

Research full face masks on cpap.com.

See if you can find a hospital sleep lab that does free or low cost mask trials of various masks. For example, at least three hospitals in the metro Denver area offer fittings.

See if a small PAPillow would work for you. Mask either hangs off the side or is firmly supported while side sleeping.

For more, read the article under the light bulb above on masks, and the one on solving equipment problems-masks.

[Racehorse]

I suspect your answer will be ==== buy a Fisher-Paykel brand Oracle II mask.

Most of the few posts I've made on this very helpful forum have been about the Oracle mouthpiece mask.

Nearly ALL folks here despise it .. the few who like it LOVE it.

After giving more than a bit of thought as to why this is, I've come to the conclusion that a goodly sum of the people who say they are mouth breathers really aren't FULL BLOWN mouth breathers nor do they comprehend what it is to be a really confirmed mouth breather.

It wouldn't suprize me that I'd pass on to whatever ever reward I have coming in the next life if I taped my mouth shut. For several reasons I can NOT get an ample supply of air through my nostrils .. awake or sleeping ... my mouth opens and I gasp for air.

The Oracle cures this difficulty as pertains to apnea FOR ME.

and, as others have said ... keep on hanging in there and don't quit the treatment.

good luck

[lvwildcat]

Look into the pap pillow at http://www.papillow.com
I bought mine from someone who didn't like it so I got an awesome deal but I love my pap pillow

[linda b]

I'd like to add my vote for the papillow, too. I got one for Christmas and absolutely love it.

Another idea I'd like to offer is Super Poligrip Strips to hold your lips together. They are sold for use with dentures, but several of us use the strips, cut in half and the two pieces placed on very wet lips, with great success. I've been doing it for 9 months and only "popped" open my mouth unintentionally once when I was having a nightmare and tried to talk in my sleep. I would think these would be an especially good option for men with mustaches and/or beards.

My last comment is that if you can tolerate the high pressure, but think the C-flex is causing you a problem, it can be turned off, or at least way down.

Good luck with getting your problem solved. Long-term untreated sleep apnea can cause some really serious health problems, so please try to keep at the therapy. It really does get easier, especially if you can find the right mask for you.

[clifsmith]

Wow, this is great information. Thanks. I am still trying. I really tightened down mask strap last night. The mask did not leak but really started hurting my face. I did manage to fall asleep (for the first time at home with the cpap) only to wake up 2 hours later with a sore face and dry mouth so bad I could not even swallow. I had the humidifier set up all the way.

I have heard a lot about the "hybrid" mouth mask with the "nasal" pillows and am thinking about trying that one. Do you think 16 pressure is too high for the nasal pillows? Anyone think that might be the answer?

[Linda3032]

I would probably try the Hybrid before trying nasal pillows -- because of your high pressure and the probability that you are a mouth breather.

If you are willing to tape your mouth - then you could try the nasal pillows. But unless you have software (which you don't with that machine), then you won't truly know if you are mouth breathing.

People think they don't mouth breath, because when they wake up they close their mouth. Most of the time, only the software data shows mouth breathing -- as major leaks.

If you try the Hybrid or nasal pillows, make sure you use Chapstick or Ayr gel - before your nose starts hurting.

[kteague]

Hi. Don't know what part of the country (or world) you're from, but anyone else who says "fixing to" is okay in my books. I hope you're fixing to find solutions.

Kathy