Issues Finding a Mask

[hiker0001]

Hi,

My first post but I've been lurking for a while. I've been on CPAP now for two months and have made great progress. I have learned how to breath through my nose, reduce congestion using nasal irrigation, and have gotten used to the hurricane up my nose. However, one thing I continue to struggle with is the mask.

I'm now on my third mask. The first one was a Mirage Micro nasal mask. The Micro didn't leak and had no condensation problems but it left a mark on my nose that took hours to go away and discomfort increased with time wearing the mask. Next was the Swift LT nasal pillow mask. Excellent comfort but the leaking was not tenable. Finally we come to the Comfort Gel nasal mask. Good comfort but I still get the mark on the bridge of my nose and am having major condensation issues with all humidifier settings.

All of these issues have caused me to not get the most out if the therapy by prematurely removing the mask before rising from bed. I've been averaging only less than four hours a night with the therapy.

For now, I'm going to try going back to the Micro and put a piece of moleskin on the bridge if my nose. It's less comfortable than the Comfort Gel, but at least I don't wake with my face all wet.

Any suggestions with any other masks to try? Starting to get discouraged that I can't get the full benefit of the therpay.

I appreciate any advice.

Andy

[jweeks]

Hi,

What was the exact issue with the Swift LT? I do really well with that mask. I can see issues if your nares are very thin and long. But if they are oval or round, there should be a solution for the leaking. I use Lansinoh on the pillows to help get a good seal. I also found that if I add a little slack to the hose between my nose and the clip on top of my head, that tips the pillows just enough to really improve the seal. I do that by clipping my feed hose into the headgear rather than clipping the little hose on the mask into the headgear.

-john-

[vipertec]

Welcome to the forum ,the first thing is ,if your having condesation (rainout) problems get a hose cover ,I haven't had any rainout since I got one ,no matter what I set the humidifier on.
I got lucky on the mask thing my 1st one was a Swift LT ,I didn't like it ,so then I got a Optilife and that was the one for me ,I also use a FullLife for when I get really congested. Even though it's tough going at first keep at it ,it will get better , Good Luck!

[mattman]

I also had the red sore spot on my nose. Basically, I just pretty much stuck with it. Over the course of a week or so it got worse and then as my nose toughened up it got better over the next week until it I finally realized I just didn't have any soreness issues anymore.

I do occasionally get a red spot on my nose that goes away during the day but it's not as bad as it was and it doesn't hurt. I figure if it's not hurting me, who cares? I'm sleeping now!

Just my results!

[hiker0001]

Hi,

What was the exact issue with the Swift LT? I do really well with that mask. I can see issues if your nares are very thin and long. But if they are oval or round, there should be a solution for the leaking. I use Lansinoh on the pillows to help get a good seal. I also found that if I add a little slack to the hose between my nose and the clip on top of my head, that tips the pillows just enough to really improve the seal. I do that by clipping my feed hose into the headgear rather than clipping the little hose on the mask into the headgear.

-john-

john,

my nares are thin and long. however, i'm not sure what caused the leaking. i would fall asleep with no leaking and wake up with leaking, readjust, fall back asleep, rinse, and repeat. suffice it to say that this routine got old fast. i did have the hose clipped into the head gear with some slack. i also used a hanger to keep the hose above my head. the comfort curve is on my list now.

andy

[hiker0001]

Welcome to the forum ,the first thing is ,if your having condesation (rainout) problems get a hose cover ,I haven't had any rainout since I got one ,no matter what I set the humidifier on.
I got lucky on the mask thing my 1st one was a Swift LT ,I didn't like it ,so then I got a Optilife and that was the one for me ,I also use a FullLife for when I get really congested. Even though it's tough going at first keep at it ,it will get better , Good Luck!

vipertec,

i've tried keeping the hose under the covers with no help. i don't think the hose is causing the rainout since i have absolutely no condensation issues with the mirage micro. i've heard of others also having condensation issues with the comfort gel. i think it's the venting.

andy

[Muse-Inc]

Might investigate one of the 2 hybrid style masks: RespCare Hybrid or the ResMed Liberty. Both cover the mouth and use nasal pillows. Neither one covers the nose or touches the forehead. I love the Hybrid, pretty easy to get a good fit as it comes with 3 sizes of oral cushion, 3 sizes of pillows that can be positioned at 2 different heights. These are considered full face masks.