mask recommendations? and autopap help

kenrose · Post by **kenrose** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 9:42 pm

I am currently using the respironics convert select. It leaves interesting red marks on my face and is really uncomfortable and has to be on very tightly or there are leaks all over the place. I don't mind a mask but this is ridiculous. I am getting ready to do battle with my DME for an autopap(remstar auto with cflex?) so I can use the software to monitor myself. Which masks should I harass them for? My insurance is currently paying for the monthly fee and the DME gave me the least expensive machine they could find.PG goodnight 420G with heated hum. I have severe apnea and had an O2 level of 69% so having to fight battles over the health care "business" besides trying to get the best care is crazy. My sleep doc is quite possibly retarded but says he is willing to write an RX (he didn't want to at first until I told him I lived alone)
Thanks for any suggestions
Ken

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:33 pm

My sleep doc is quite possibly retarded.....

I laughed so hard, I cried...

Mask selection is very personal and what works for some won't work for others. There are so many variables: the length and width of your face, the size of your nose, even the size of your head.... its hard to make a recommendation for everyone.

It appears the majority of users of the ResMed Mirage Activa are pleased with it, find it doesn't leave a lot of marks and doesn't leak too much. Since you're dissatisfied with the Respironics Comfort Select nasal interface, I would suggest the Activa.

The 2 auto machines I see most often recommended on this forum are the PB GK420E (with heated humidifier) and the REMstar Auto with C-Flex (and heated humidifier). Both have software allowing you to monitor your treatment.

What is your current pressure? Do you find it difficult to exhale against the pressure you're at now? Is size and portability an issue in your decision? These factors may play a role in your choice of machine.

Good luck!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:40 pm

My sleep doc is quite possibly retarded.....

omg...I do love dry wit! Pass the kleenex, neversleeps!

Welcome to the message board, Ken.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:45 pm

I love my Hans Rudolph. They have a number of sizes. I use the full face mask.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:45 pm

Ken, here are some masks that work well for many people:

ResMed Activa - nasal mask - straps are worn very loose. By far the most comfortable and most leakproof, imho, of all "covers the nose" type masks.

ResMed Swift - nasal pillows mask - be sure they give you all three sizes of nasal pillows that come with all new Swifts.

Puritan Bennett Breeze - nasal pillows mask - get larger nasal pillows than you, or the person fitting you, thinks you should have - they'll seal better and be more comfortable as you won't have to cram them up into the nostrils. The Breeze is my very close personal 2nd favorite.

This last is my #1 favorite, but with a lot of drastic tweaks I've done to mine since the headgear straps are too long for many women's heads. You're a man, so that probably wouldn't be an issue. However, if you have very large nares (nostril openings) you might want to wait until they come out with Extra Large nasal pillows:

Aeiomed Aura - nasal pillows mask, comes with two sizes of nasal pillows - Med. and Large.
_____________________________________
My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field. Those are just my personal opinions. A mask or machine I love/hate could be completely the opposite for others. Finding suitable equipment can be an expensive trial and error experience.

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:58 pm

Severeena:
How do you get the HR ff mask to NOT leak when sleeping on your side. Mine seals great when on my back but even slight pressure to the sides of the mask cause leaks. The leaks are at the bridge of my nose and even the Sensa Seal option does not help. As a matter of fact it seals better without the Sensa Seal. It is not a size issue as I am a perfect size large according to Hans Rudolph and my mask provider.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:07 pm

You will not believe this, I am using polyester pillow batting at the bridge of my nose and no leaks.

I also pull out on the mask at the cheeks, and out and down on the chin.

No leaks.

The Hans Rudolph has six holes on the bridge part of the mask. I cover them up with a finger to feel where the mask is leaking and I do not have any leaks at all. I also keep my mouth open and this helps the seal.

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:16 pm

Severeena:
What is polyester pillow batting and how is it used? My only leak with my HR is at the bridge of my nose. The rest of the mask seals fine. I am interested in anything that will make my HR work.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:23 pm

You can get this at Ben Franklin, Hobby Lobby JoAnn Fabric and Michael's.

You go to the sewing department and ask for help. You can get a big bag of the polyfibro fill for about 2.00.

You ask for pillow batting. You do not want quilt batting or pillow forms, but the loose batting.

I forgot something.

You put the mask on first and then plug up the six holes on top of the bridge of the nose. Locate the leak and then take the batting and plug up the leaks, but make sure you get it away from the eyes.

I also pull out the mask at the chin, the cheeks. This also helps to seal the HR.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 5:54 pm

Will it work to fix a leaky boat ? Sounds alot cleaner than the tar and rope I've been using. What happens when you take the mask off ? Will I need to hire someone to clean up. Or just pretend its snow.

Whatever works , works IMHO. If you pull some nylons over your head it will keep the batting from littering your bedroom should you forget you plugged your leaks.

:twis ted:

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:41 pm

The batting doesn't go all over the place it stays put in the bridge of the nose. You have to work with it a little.

kenrose · Post by **kenrose** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 1:29 am

thanks to all.
I have a pressure of 12, have no problem with exhalation, don't see how the pressure / volume works with all the air that comes out of the "valve" -three slits on either side of the mask tubing interface-. It looks like the Activa is the next one I should try although my DME told me they won't let me try different masks until 3 months go by for each mask. or nasal pillows, Some suggested the "dog ate my mask, machine fell into the bathtub story, which would probably work but it is really annoying to have to tell stories to get the DME to do what they are getting paid to do in the first place.
Ken

dankazoo · Post by **dankazoo** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 10:09 am

I'm with Rested Gal! I used to think the Mirage Activa was unbeatable. It is still a wonderful mask, but I'll riddle you with bullets if you try to take my AEIOmed Aura away! All mask choices are very personal preferences, but for my money you can't beat the Aura on comfort. And since I'm a guy with a large melon, I don't have to do anything out of the ordinary to adjust the Aura for a good fit.

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:07 pm

I agree that the Mirage Activa Nasal Mask is the best..no tightness and I have has great luck with it.

SnoreNoMore2005 · Post by **SnoreNoMore2005** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 2:41 pm

"...and since I'm a guy with a large melon, I don't have to do anything out of the ordinary to adjust the Aura for a good fit.
dankazoo"

Dangazoo, I don't think you should be bragging about the size of your melon in this forum. :

Humidifier

Additional Comments: ResScan 3.11 Software

mask recommendations? and autopap help

mask recommendations? and autopap help

A large melon?