New with loads of questions

[SingleMom]

I'm beyond excited to have found this site!

I just got my stuff on Tuesday, and so far two nights now I've woken up with the mask placed neatly on my night table with the machine turned off! How is this supposed to work if I can't keep the mask on my face?

On to my questions:

Does head gear come in different sizes? How can you tell if it's too big?

I'm a mouth breather (always stuffy so no chance of nose breathing) but the mask I have is the same horrible one used during my study. I can't get it to not leak without pain. The resp therapist wants to order some thing that covers your mouth and sticks in your nose (I think a liberty). The full face part of this doesn't bother me, but I just can't get a good fit. How do I look for a better mask, what features do i need to look at?

How do I know if the humidifier is actually on and working? Does it come on automatically when you turn on the machine?

I have the ResMed S8 Elite CPAP with HumidAire 3i humidifier and some very basic Fisher & Paykel full face mask.

Thanks for any help!

Desiree

[DreamStalker]

Welcome to the hose clan Desiree.

Most headgear comes in one size but is usually adjustable with the straps. It is often more difficult to find the right mask fit as we all have different size and shape of facial features.

If stuffy nose is only thing keeping you from trying nasal type interfaces, you may want to consider trying regular nasal saline rinses. Saline water will flush out sinuses and keep them in clean operating order for most people. Otherwise you may want to seek an ENT to see if you have deviated septum or some other physiological obstruction/condition that could be addressed.

Humidifier water should feel warm ... not hot or cold. The HumidAire 3i generally provides less humidity than that of other brands. You may consider getting a stand-alone HH such as the Fisher & Paykel HC150 (the best HH I think).

Good luck with your therapy and come back and visit often so you can get up to speed on optimizing your treatment.

[SingleMom]

Thanks for the reply.

I was curious about the head gear because the bottom strap sits around the back of my neck, and not on my head. So it's near impossible to get a good fit it seems.

It's very possible that I have some ENT issues because I've always had ear problems and recently had had tubes put in, tonsils were taken out when I was a kid. I also live in a basement (no chance of it changing soon either). I go back to the ENT in August so I guess I'll bring up the nose issues.

I'll turn up the humidifier tonight and see if that makes a difference.

[Guest]

Hi Desiree and Welcome.

Taking your mask off in the middle of the night and not remembering that you did it is a common problem for newbies. I had it but solved it by doing the "Tell yourself you need this thing" and the fact that my husband would roll over and tell me to put the mask back on. It's not that easy for everyone. Click on the Yellow Light blub above. You can also do a search on "taking the mask off" for more information.

Most headgear comes in a one size fits most.

The resp therapist wants to order some thing that covers your mouth and sticks in your nose (I think a liberty). The full face part of this doesn't bother me, but I just can't get a good fit. How do I look for a better mask, what features do i need to look at?

I personally don't like anything in the way of a nasal prong or pillow, others love them, but there are full face masks that don't use this system. You can go to cpap.com to do some research on what's available. I just started trying the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask, it's my first full face mask. So far I like it. I sure others will chime in on thier favorites. Many DMEs have a "30 day guarentee", if you don't like the mask trade it. The fact that you refer to your mask as "horrible" may also be a clue as to why you took your mask off. If your therapy is going to work you have to have a mask you like or at least can stand. It is the second most important part of making your therapy work. The first is your attitude, and I think you have that one covered.

I can't answer your question on the humidifer, because I don't own it, so I don't know - but your machine is a good one that many own, so you should get an answer on that soon.

Good Luck,

Pineapple

[Needsdecaf]

If stuffy nose is only thing keeping you from trying nasal type interfaces, you may want to consider trying regular nasal saline rinses. Saline water will flush out sinuses and keep them in clean operating order for most people. Otherwise you may want to seek an ENT to see if you have deviated septum or some other physiological obstruction/condition that could be addressed.

Ditto on all counts on this. Start with the nasal flushes if you can't see an ENT. It helps tremendously for me. My ENT indicated that there wasn't much that was radically wrong with me aside from a deviated septum. But he suggested nasal flushes (search Neil Med) before surgery (I am always willing to do something to avoid surgery!) and it has worked wonders!

Also, you live in a basement....you probably have issues with dampness and possibly mold or whatever's living there. I understand you can't change your situation but you can change your air. Get a good, large de-humidifier and whole room air purifier. A basement is a tough place to live if you have respitory issues, trust me on this one I know.

Your machine is a good one, and the only issue with your integrated humidifier is you may have to fill it daily..no biggie.

Mask...whatever is a) comfortable enough that you will wear it and b) provides good therapy (meaning it doesn't leak and you won't mouth breathe) is the mask for you. It may take some trial and error to get there, however, so don't give up. Personally I like nasal pillows (the things that go in your nose) and don't like the full face or nasal type masks but each person is different. Whatever works for you is the best thing.

Good luck!

[Guest]

One way that many of us have found to ease our transition into 100% compliance is the addition of PurSleep products.

http://www.pur-sleep.com

You can also purchase these from https://www.cpap.com.

I am 100% compliant at just over a year, and continue to use PurSleep every night.

Good luck and be patient with yourself!
B.

[Claire]

Hi, gld you found this forum.

I have the same machine and humidifier. The humidifer works automatically and how much warm air you get depends on the humidifier setting which is a dial numbered 0-5. Try different settings to see what works best for you.

I second the motion on nasal rinse or spray. I use a neti pot every night and it's really helped.

Best of luck!

[Slinky]

10 days to 2 weeks is plenty enough time to know whether your current mask is comfortable and relatively low leak or not.

PROPER mask fit before you ever bring a mask home from the local DME supplier is IMPORTANT. And all to often a PROPER mask fit isn't done. Take a look under the Red Ball w/the Question Mark in it at the top of the page. Scroll down to the link to mask fitting tips and read thru them.

And whilst you are at it you will find LOTS of GOOD info about all aspects of CPAP therapy and adjusting to it under the Red Ball AND under the Yellow Lightbulb also at the top of the page.

Try donning your mask, turning your CPAP on in the late afternoon, early evening or even during the day when you can and just sit and read a book or magazine, do a crossword or jigsaw puzzle, crochet or knit, whatever takes your mind off of wearing that mask. Just so you are NOT concentrating on "I've gotta get to sleep". But rather on something interesting and diverting from the mask and CPAP.

When you go to bed at night, lay down in bed BEFORE you put your mask on and put it on whilst laying down (the law of gravity changes our facial landscape), turn your CPAP and THEN mask your fitting adjustments and leak adjustments.

[snoregirl]

Don't rule out nasal mask/pillow due to stuffiness.

I was like you. Nasal spray junkie for years, and after I got off that I would congest terribly when I lay down every night. I know over the counter decongestents well.

Since starting CPAP I have been 1000 times better. I use a nasel pillow (never ever ever thought I could) and rarely resort to decongestant much less nasal rinses...

Not to say you are the same as I am, but, I just don't want you to close your mind to the possibilities as I was very very sure I couldn't use nasal stuff either.

[Guest]

I posted a long story of how I got over the congestion when I started using nasal prongs. It's at the end of this thread:

viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

I am no longer congested, I'm no longer a mouth breather 24/7, and I don't cough all night long choking on phlegm like I did pre-therapy.

I rarely use the Sinus Rinse. I attribute this 100% to my use of the NAII.

Cheers,
Babs

[oakmont]

my sleep study had me use a mirage quattro which i hated due to the device interfering with my field of view.. i had terrible claustrophobia wearing it... I did alot of research and decided to ask my dme when they set me up to give me a hybrid style which was the ResMed Liberty... It has the nasal pillows integrated with a mouth cover... It doesnt obstruct your field of view and is very comfortable.

I found that I was mouth breathing some last night and never had a leak.. one caveat is, it comes in small and large size, I was originally given a small and had leaking... when i asked to trial a Hybrid brand the therapist also gave me a large mouthpiece for my liberty... we instantly saw a huge difference in fit quality

hang in there and be proactive! Your dme should offer you free trades on your mask during the first month or so to allow you to get the best fit...after all, if the mask doesnt work, you wont be compliant and they lose you as a customer