Mask Woes

larbabe · Post by **larbabe** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:11 pm

Well, a week and a half on CPAP and I'm noticing a difference, but struggling with the equipment. The machine was making a loud whistling noise. The DME exchanged it. Had to tighten the mask too much to get it sealed and found out it was the wrong size. They traded that, too. But I still can't get the leaks by my eyes to stop. The other night I had to jam a rag in there so I wouldn't feel it.

Today I had a really good appt with the sleep dr, and had them do a fitting. After trying a few masks, looks like it'll be the Liberty, with mouth mask & nasal pillows. Gotta have the mouth available because of allergies.

The only thing I don't like about nasal pillows is it feels like I have to breathe harder. Seems like the air flow is restricted. Do you get used to that? Otherwise it's a much more comfortable mask and I'm looking forward to not having air in my eyes all night.

Thanks to everyone for the advice you give here. It's helped a lot. And came in handy today in choosing a better mask. Now that I've noticed a change in my health I'm determined to make this work.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:17 pm

Well, Larbabe, I'm not sure there's a definitive answer to your question about breathing with nasal pillows. I've had that sensation at times and did find that a larger size pillows works better for me. On the other hand, some of that may improve with time. When I first started all masks felt somewhat clautrophobic and for me that can result in feeling like I'm not getting enough air. After almost 8 months on CPAP, I had to think hard to dredge up those memories so that may give you a little perspective on the issue.

You may want to give it a little more time and if it continues, see what other options are available.

Best of luck!
Mindy

larbabe · Post by **larbabe** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:11 pm

Thanks Mindy. I'll give it the 'ol college try.
Larry

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:19 am

My favorite cure for leaks is using Mack's silicone putty. Just roll it out into a rope and put it around the cushion, then smush it down on your face. Seals the leaks and lets you back off the straps enough to be comfortable. And I just love waking up in the morning, hitting the buttons on my machine and reading a "0.0" leak rate for the night!!!

Issac · Post by **Issac** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:00 am

Larry, have you tried called the nasal aire II ?
I wear the hybrid, myself, but I have one for my off nights and it works better than pillows for several reasons:
First, if you are lucky enough to have a high pressure, like my 18/20, pillows can leak or blow right off your face.
Pillows condence the air flow and the air flow can get painfull if there is not plenty of space to free it in the mask first, like the hybrid. The nasal aire, on the other hand, has no condenced flow as the opening is as large as the nostril itself, thus allowing better flow for high pressures. I can sleep comfortably all night with one and a good strong chin strap because I like to open my mouth at night and that is not good.
The company that makes it now sells it with all six sizes and you can sell or donate to your forum friends (Babbette is the forum saint when it comes to finding the correct size for this thing without spending hundreds of dollars and has helped countless people on this board overcome their pillow problems by lending something from her stash to them to try)Also, I've noticed CPAP.com is selling the all sizes included nasal aire II bag for pretty much the same price that I paid for one prong with tubing. This little mask has done wonders for keeping my wife and I on the hose every night.

larbabe · Post by **larbabe** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:09 am

Good suggestions, guys! Thanks. Now I've gotta do my homework!

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:06 am

[quote="larbabe"]Well, a week and a half on CPAP and I'm noticing a difference, but struggling with the equipment. The machine was making a loud whistling noise. The DME exchanged it. Had to tighten the mask too much to get it sealed and found out it was the wrong size. They traded that, too. But I still can't get the leaks by my eyes to stop. The other night I had to jam a rag in there so I wouldn't feel it.

Today I had a really good appt with the sleep dr, and had them do a fitting. After trying a few masks, looks like it'll be the Liberty, with mouth mask & nasal pillows. Gotta have the mouth available because of allergies.

The only thing I don't like about nasal pillows is it feels like I have to breathe harder. Seems like the air flow is restricted. Do you get used to that? Otherwise it's a much more comfortable mask and I'm looking forward to not having air in my eyes all night.

Thanks to everyone for the advice you give here. It's helped a lot. And came in handy today in choosing a better mask. Now that I've noticed a change in my health I'm determined to make this work.

larbabe · Post by **larbabe** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:08 pm

I've never tried a neti pot. Have used saline spray and done rinses using cupped hands and snorting sea salt and glycerin in hot water. Sounds like this would be easier and less messy. Yes, it's a strange sensation, but it works. I'll have to give the pot a try.
Thanks!

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:55 pm

Another option is the NeilMed Sinus Rinse squeeze bottle. It's faster and easier, IHMO. It's like masks - some like one, others prefer the other and still others don't like either!

Mindy

larbabe · Post by **larbabe** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:16 pm

Thanks!

Capri · Post by **Capri** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:35 pm

I carefully cleaned my ResMed Ultra Mirage nasal mask's cushion in a full dishpan with a tablespoon of Baby Shampoo added for some suds. After rinsing and air drying, the softest part of the cushion that creates the seal against the face is now all cloudy instead of clear. I used the Citrus II to try to "clean" the cushion, and it's better, but still cloudy. What have I done?

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:30 pm

Capri, mine do the same with and they still work just fine. I don't know what causes it but there are no ill effects from it.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:58 pm

mindy wrote:Another option is the NeilMed Sinus Rinse squeeze bottle. It's faster and easier, IHMO. It's like masks - some like one, others prefer the other and still others don't like either!

Mindy

I wondered if the squeeze bottle works. How does it feel different from gravity flow pressure?

larbabe · Post by **larbabe** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:12 pm

Mindy[/quote]

I wondered if the squeeze bottle works. How does it feel different from gravity flow pressure?[/quote]

Good question, Mindy. I wondered that too. Looked on the mfg website and read about them, & just ordered a sprayer. But I've never used either one. Anybody out there have a preference on spray vs pot?

larbabe · Post by **larbabe** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:09 pm

Just about a week now on the Mirage Liberty mask. It's a lot more comfortable than the Quattro, but hard to keep from leaking. The small nasal pillows fit nice but constrict breathing and blast a stream of air up into my sinuses. The med size works a whole lot better, but doesn't seal very well. and every time I move the mouth part leaks in places.

Anyone had experience with custom or home made nasal pillows?

And a follow up on the nasal rinse. I got the sprayer and mix packets the other day. Night and day difference from the old sniffing salt water from cupped hands. Nice stream, no burning and very little mess and cleanup. Quick and easy. I like it a lot!

Mask Woes

Mask Woes

Re: Mask Woes

Cleaned cushion - now all cloudy

Mask and nasal rinse update

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pursleep, Padacheek, Regenesis™ Pillow, Neti Pot, Travel Buddy hose hanger