Got my new mask this morning

[christinequilts]

Were you diagnosed with OSA at the time of your last surgery? I'm not sure how it is with OSA when it comes to surgery but in my case with CSA they were very careful to not give me any more medication then I absolutely needed so recovery may not be such an issue this time. Even with the pain meds in recovery they gave me 4 small doses instead of 1 or 2 bigger ones. I never felt like falling back to sleep at all which is unusal compared to past surgeries- one time I woke up and saw the nurse didn't see me and decided to fall back to sleep for awhile longer so I know what you mean about sleeping through recovery.

Unfotunetly with OSA if they give you general anesthesia you will probably end up with a tube, especially since you will be under for some time with a rotator cuff repair. I know I went to the hospital with my friend when she had a minor 15 minute surgery under general recently and they used a ballon thing at the back of her throat instead of a full tube but she doesn't apnea. Even with all my surgeries (over 10) I've only had a sore throat a couple of times so a lot depends on the anesthesiologist technique- the worst was the anesthesiologist who put something in my IV to knock me out before I even got to the OR. The one I had last week was great- if I wasn't coming too when they took it out I would have never known about it. One thing I always recomend is having a family member bring some hard pepermint candies to sooth your throat after sugery once the nurse says its okay. Chap stick is another thing I always want as soon as possible after surgery too since its so dry.

Did your mask come with an owners manual? If not maybe you can check the manufactures web site for one or at least find some decent pictures on-line so you can see if you are missing a part or something. If your BiPAP could 't read you correctly something has be wrong with the mask. Over time you get to the point that you're not aware of the pressure changes from IPAP to EPAP. I really can't feel them unless I concentrate now but if I'm trying out a new mask or something I definantly pay attention to it. Does your machine show what pressure it blowing at? My Synchrony shows what the exact pressure is in real time so I can always use that to double check too.

[rested gal]

Betty, are you saying that there is no clear soft silicone crescent shaped piece covering the big opening of the exhaust port? No small rubbery "lid" with 6 small holes in it, covering the exhaust port of the hard plastic shell of the mask?

There should be a removable crescent-shaped piece of soft silicone with 6 small holes in it, covering the otherwise big, hard plastic openings of the exhaust port.

I wasn't sure if that "lid" for the exhaust port is what is missing, since you mentioned "reseating the soft seal several times". If by soft seal you meant the cushion itself, not the little silicone exhaust cover, then maybe the little crescent shaped thing with 6 holes in it is missing?

It's normal for exhaust air to come out very forcefully - out of any mask's exhaust. So, from your description I'm not quite sure if the exhaust cover is actually missing from your Ultra Mirage FF.

If your mask has a small crescent shaped soft silicone seal, seated over the exhaust on the upper front of the mask, blowing upward -- a soft silicone "cover" with 6 small round holes arranged in a crescent pattern -- that part is not missing.

[photogal]

There is NO soft piece with 6 holes in it over the port!!!
That piece is missing. And yes, the soft plastic thing I was talking about was the seal that goes around the whole mask. That's what I kept checking to make sure it was in tight, and then the hard plastic piece that goes over it to hold it in place is what I kept checking to see if all the snaps were in place.
I thought there was something wrong with the port, dangit.
I'll call them. I'm so disgusted. Considering the mask hadn't even been washed since I tried it on last week with makeup on, I am now wondering if someone in the sleep lab pilfered that piece for one of their masks.
rested gal, thanks, you confirmed what I thought.
Betty

[ballast949]

Yes Photogal, there is supposed to be a small crescent shaped clear rubber piece in that hole. It has groves around the edges to hold it in place and several funnel shaped holes to exhaust the air. The side that goes outside has a small bump in the middle.

Having cleaned mine the first time, I put it with the bump on the wrong side - that produces way too much noise. Finally looked closely at the instructions. In the process of cleaning, I also dropped the clear rubber fitting that goes between the mask and hose coupler. Thought I was going to have to order one, but my dog found it and somehow managed to NOT chew it up. Since you didn't get the instruction sheets with your mask, you also didn't get the detailed disassembly/assembly instructions with the detailed parts diagram. Shoot your DME.

[photogal]

You are right about not getting the instructions. The BiPAP came with its own booklet, but the mask was stuffed in the Pap bag in a plastic bag with nothing else with it. That was the first mask, the large. Then this one was opened to try on me but I was sent home with the large because the medium whistled. Who knows what happened with this mask in the week since I tried it on, since the bag was open. It came without any instructions, either.
I don't have a clue what happened to that missing piece. I left voice mail to my ah-hem, totally efficient DME gal, but she's not answered. I would imagine she'll scramble to find a piece, and if she has to order one, I won't hear from her until it comes in. That's the way she works. Meanwhile, I'm left dangling wondering if she got my message or what.
Tomorrow, I'll call again. And again. And again.
Today I ordered the Swift pillow interface from cpap.com. I don't know how long it will take to come, but I don't expect it will work without my doing some kind of chin strap. I will see if I can rig up something myself, and if that doesn't work, I'll order one. I'll probably have to use tape, too, but am thinking about making one of those mouthpieces someone on this forum invented.
I assume if the mouthpiece works, I won't need a chin strap?

[Janelle]

Photogal, I know the Swift and Activa come with their own blue zipper cases for travel/storage. From what I understand you did not get that either. But I don't know if the Mirage Ultra comes with one. If it does I'd call and demand one! You need to be given everything you and your insurance company are paying for.

[rested gal]

If the mouthpiece works, you won't have to use a chinstrap. Actually, it was invented by a woman nicknamed frequenseeker who posts on the TalkAboutSleep message board, but several people on both message boards are making their own versions of it now.

I still have the gobs of melted down mouthguards I bought months ago to try to make it a la her good instructions, but wasn't able to get it to work for me. I'm going to have a go at it again soon, though. The concept is good -- I just need to try some more at getting it customized to work for me.

[photogal]

LOL, rested gal! You can always throw those gobs of plastic at your enemy!
Janelle, no, I didn't get a case for my mask. The DME gal probably uses them for her own personal storage of personal items.

[ballast949]

Actually I don't think the Mirage comes with a bag - my DME opened mine when I was there, and I didn't see one. It would be nice though, especially for traveling. I've just been using a zip-loc bag to keep it in.