I just can't get the hang of it

[mikeylou]

I started on the hose about 5-6 weeks ago. I (mistakenly) thought that it would be cake, I'd get a good night's rest for the first time in ages, and life would be good.

Clearly, DH and his CPAP is an anomaly that is making me very jealous. I guess I shouldn't be surprised - he can fall asleep whenever, however. Me? It takes forever.

First, it takes forever to get a good seal. It's primarily on the bridge of my nose, which means I get air leaks across my eyelids. Who can fall asleep with that? I've fiddled incessantly with my straps. My nose is cranked all the way in. My DME was no help when I called to talk about it. 'Your straps and knob will achieve your seal. That's how you adjust it." At least they got me the tube cover to help with the water torture. [I am working my humidity back up, as I had to turn it off, which is probably what caused my sinusitis 3 weeks ago.] Even without the rain, I'm getting about 3 hours before I either wake up and take it off, or strip it off in my sleep. I used my last Ambien last week - checked my usage before bed, and when I got up. I managed three hours before I removed it in my sleep.

I'm sure it doesn't help that I'm a stomach sleeper currently confined to side and back. I have sinus issues in general, so I try to avoid sleeping on my back at all times. That leaves me with *tada!* side! I find half the time I'm shoving an arm under my pillow to help adjust the mask and reduce leaks, or just trying to shove my mask into the pillow to "hold it".

I also wear a night guard as I grind my teeth in my sleep. It's an upper jaw one, so I'm starting to wonder if the little "lip" of the appliance is throwing the bottom edge of the mask off kilter. I do not want an FFM. I have enough issues with needing to scratch my nose in the middle of the night. I wore an FFM during my Study and they commented that I was reaching in to scratch around my mouth very frequently.

My forehead stuff is rubbing zits out. My daughter keeps pointing out my "booboo" on my forehead. *Sigh* I clean my face very night and my gels once a week (as directed). I haven't found that I get less leaks based on face grease levels or how dirty my gel is. [I'm going to have to keep wipes for the forehead thing and do that every night, though. I still have a mark on my forehead from the zit I got during my Study in November.]

Help? I was so certain that this is "The Answer" to so many of my health issues. As House says, "It Fits". But something about my mask and my face clearly does not fit. Due to our current insurance, if I push for a different mask, it's all out of pocket. I almost gave up after the first night - I woke up and my sinuses felt like someone had taken a meat tenderizer to my face overnight. Are the pillows any help? I move from side to side during the night. Even when I get to stomach sleep, I toss around.

[If I've forgotten something, I can answer questions later. The kiddos have been hassling me while I write, so my train of thought is often derailed.]

[dsm]

Mikeylou

Hang in there - you are at the right place to get feedback & help.

Mask management is the 'last frontier' in cpap therapy & the single biggest caus of frustration to possibly the biggest group of cpap users.

The leaks & the seals & mouth leaks & tubes flopping around are the down side of the therapy & take some of the biggest effort to get right. Many of us wrestled for months & even years to reach a balance & we all feel it any time things get unbalanced.

Good luck

DSM

[mdintx]

Getting the right mask and learning how to fit it are big challenges in getting going with CPAP. It may be that the Mirage Micro is not the right one for you. I would suggest going to the cpap.com website and entering your measurements to which masks might be a good fit. Buying through cpapauction.com or lightly used masks is a great and inexpensive way to try different ones.

[Wulfman]

I started on the hose about 5-6 weeks ago. I (mistakenly) thought that it would be cake, I'd get a good night's rest for the first time in ages, and life would be good.

Clearly, DH and his CPAP is an anomaly that is making me very jealous. I guess I shouldn't be surprised - he can fall asleep whenever, however. Me? It takes forever.

First, it takes forever to get a good seal. It's primarily on the bridge of my nose, which means I get air leaks across my eyelids. Who can fall asleep with that? I've fiddled incessantly with my straps. My nose is cranked all the way in. My DME was no help when I called to talk about it. 'Your straps and knob will achieve your seal. That's how you adjust it." At least they got me the tube cover to help with the water torture. [I am working my humidity back up, as I had to turn it off, which is probably what caused my sinusitis 3 weeks ago.] Even without the rain, I'm getting about 3 hours before I either wake up and take it off, or strip it off in my sleep. I used my last Ambien last week - checked my usage before bed, and when I got up. I managed three hours before I removed it in my sleep.

I'm sure it doesn't help that I'm a stomach sleeper currently confined to side and back. I have sinus issues in general, so I try to avoid sleeping on my back at all times. That leaves me with *tada!* side! I find half the time I'm shoving an arm under my pillow to help adjust the mask and reduce leaks, or just trying to shove my mask into the pillow to "hold it".

I also wear a night guard as I grind my teeth in my sleep. It's an upper jaw one, so I'm starting to wonder if the little "lip" of the appliance is throwing the bottom edge of the mask off kilter. I do not want an FFM. I have enough issues with needing to scratch my nose in the middle of the night. I wore an FFM during my Study and they commented that I was reaching in to scratch around my mouth very frequently.

My forehead stuff is rubbing zits out. My daughter keeps pointing out my "booboo" on my forehead. *Sigh* I clean my face very night and my gels once a week (as directed). I haven't found that I get less leaks based on face grease levels or how dirty my gel is. [I'm going to have to keep wipes for the forehead thing and do that every night, though. I still have a mark on my forehead from the zit I got during my Study in November.]

Help? I was so certain that this is "The Answer" to so many of my health issues. As House says, "It Fits". But something about my mask and my face clearly does not fit. Due to our current insurance, if I push for a different mask, it's all out of pocket. I almost gave up after the first night - I woke up and my sinuses felt like someone had taken a meat tenderizer to my face overnight. Are the pillows any help? I move from side to side during the night. Even when I get to stomach sleep, I toss around.

[If I've forgotten something, I can answer questions later. The kiddos have been hassling me while I write, so my train of thought is often derailed.]

Can I ask what you mean by that? ("My nose is cranked all the way in.")
I don't use that mask, but I do have (and occasionally wear) the ResMed Quattro (full face) which has the same type of forehead support and adjustment. Is the adjustment dial turned all the way to the right? (that should put the forehead support further out and allow the cushion to fit closer to your nose.)
You may also have the upper straps too tight.

Do you have the right size?
How did they fit you?
Have you double-checked to see if it's the right size?

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-mask-sizing.php?PNum=2707

And, bed pillows can make a huge difference with mask leaks. "Standard" pillows seem to cause more leaks.

Are you doing nasal rinses/cleansing before you go to bed?

The mask should never "hurt" you. If everything is properly adjusted, you should hardly know it's there.

Your DME should allow you to trial a mask for up to a month at a time (with no additional charges for other masks)......and if it doesn't work or isn't the right size, they should see that you get one that DOES work. It's why they claim to be able to charge the "BIG BUCKS". If they don't seem to be working for your best therapy, contact the manufacturer (ResMed in this case) and complain LOUDLY.


Den

[BlackSpinner]

You might want to try the Hybrid mask - no forehead and no nose coverage.
You can also use some fabric scraps under the forehead piece to keep it from touching your skin.

[Sleeprider]

Very shortly after getting my equipment (including a comfort plus nasal mask), I found the mask was not what I wanted. I bought one of the first Mirage Swift LTs off CPAPauction for about $159. You can buy them now for under $100. Don't let it get to you. If you can swing a new mask, and don't need a FFM try the Swift. It has minimal contact and you can make it better with some fleece padding. If you really can't swing the cost of a mask right now, say so. Most of us have a bunch of extra used ones laying around you can probably have for the price of shipping. My insurance replaces mine every few months. Get comfortable. We're in this for the long haul.

[Craig P]

Your DME should allow you to trial a mask for up to a month at a time (with no additional charges for other masks)......and if it doesn't work or isn't the right size, they should see that you get one that DOES work. It's why they claim to be able to charge the "BIG BUCKS". If they don't seem to be working for your best therapy, contact the manufacturer (ResMed in this case) and complain LOUDLY.


Den

You can also go back to your Dr and ask for a prescription for a new mask. Unless your Dr is incompetent, they should be advocating for you with the Insurance and DME. I went through probably 5 or 6 different masks before I settled on a nose pillow system that worked for me. Don't give up on yourself and don't let anyone else give up on you either.


Craig

[dtsm]

Your DME should allow you to trial a mask for up to a month at a time (with no additional charges for other masks)......and if it doesn't work or isn't the right size, they should see that you get one that DOES work. It's why they claim to be able to charge the "BIG BUCKS". If they don't seem to be working for your best therapy, contact the manufacturer (ResMed in this case) and complain LOUDLY.


Den

You can also go back to your Dr and ask for a prescription for a new mask. Unless your Dr is incompetent, they should be advocating for you with the Insurance and DME. I went through probably 5 or 6 different masks before I settled on a nose pillow system that worked for me. Don't give up on yourself and don't let anyone else give up on you either.


Craig

Craig raises a great point. I forgot to mention (in my pm to OP) that my DME let's me swap masks as long as it's within one week's time. I read somewhere (not sure where), DME can return masks to manufacturer for no charge. They don't want you to know this but take advantage of it!

[LaCansada]

Ditto here. I swapped masks with my DME within the first 3 nights of use. The second try was also a total bummer due to leaks so I took that back after 2 nights and got yet a third. In addition to all of this, I ordered two masks on-line and paid for them out of pocket. When I am congested I do need a FFM (I have sinus problems). Otherwise I use the nasal mask or the nasal pillows. I also rotate masks to reduce facial irritation from straps. I would say that the mask issue has also been the single most difficult issue for me in starting CPAP treatment. This is week 4 for me. I would say that, if your current mask is just not working out, don't frustrate yourself by trying to force it. It may just be the wrong mask for you and I would hate to see the mask issue drive you away from your CPAP treatment.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi there ---- I can tell you that I went through probably 5 or 6 different masks before I settled on the nasal pillow system that works for me. My husband used to say to me when there was another brown box on our door step--let me guess another new mask??? Please don't give up ---it will be really hard in the beginning but it does get easier!!!

Carrie

[mikeylou]

Hey! Here I am back, and trying to answer feedback before I head to bed. =)

Thank you all for the support and feedback. It's been somewhat reassuring that others have had issues, yet it makes me want to poke holes in DH's hose. [Just kidding!] He actually went from nasal pillows to a nasal mask last year b/c I complained heavily about the air leakage noise. I know -he's- not getting a good enough seal with the nasal mask, and it shows with how lethargic he is again, he just refuses to listen to me make the connection. But I digress..

My DME has a 1 week "return" on masks. Way back on week 1, after the facial tenderness wore off, I thought I "had it". That zone where I would not have leakage. So when they asked, I said I was doing fine. Of course, I lost the zone after that 7 day period was over, and the water torture started. So I guess I've been futilely trying to find that zone again. And I will admit, when I expressed my concern over the leaks to the DME, I was disappointed by the response.

Can I ask what you mean by that? ("My nose is cranked all the way in.")

I'm sorry, I meant that I have the adjustment knob turned so that the beam is closest to my nose. [Does that make sense? I can't peer at my mask atm.]

Do you have the right size?
How did they fit you?
Have you double-checked to see if it's the right size?

I was fitted by the tech holding plastic nose cut outs to my face. I've been given a small, however, [and I do not know if my measurements are off - it's hard to do them in the mirror without your glasses] when I followed cpap.com's measurement guide, the masks it's output for me are all in Medium.

However...He fit me for the size of my nose, not how it sits on my face. [And on the measurement guide, there was no option lower than 1/4", which I needed...]

And, bed pillows can make a huge difference with mask leaks. "Standard" pillows seem to cause more leaks.

That's why I've asked if the "CPAP Pillows" are worth it. I sleep on my side, although I'd prefer to be on my stomach, and I cannot manage to fall asleep on my back. [If I manage to wind up on my back, it's apparently ok... ] I'm wondering if I get an open sided pillow so I don't have to deal with "pillow nudge" if it will make a different at all.

Are you doing nasal rinses/cleansing before you go to bed?

I use my prescribed nasal spray. Unfortunately I am unable to utilize a neti pot to rinse my sinuses out - I cannot get past the feeling of that I am drowning.

The mask should never "hurt" you. If everything is properly adjusted, you should hardly know it's there.

Unfortunately that is hardly the case. I do plan on relaxing the straps tonight as I've clearly overtightened them attempting to compensate for the air leak. I may also turn my pillows vertical.

I'm also a bit of the type of person who likes to make sure that I've exhausted what I can to make this mask work before raising a ruckus. I really do not believe a week is sufficient time to acclimate to a mask to be sure it works for you. If it's totally bad, yes you'll know within a week. But if it's iffy...

You might want to try the Hybrid mask - no forehead and no nose coverage.
You can also use some fabric scraps under the forehead piece to keep it from touching your skin.

Hybrid...Is that like the Vista?

I've been using a bandaid circle over the zits to prevent more rubbage, but I think with the way my skin is, anything that is not adhered to the skin will cause enough friction to pop up blackheads. [DH uses the circles on the bridge of his nose, otherwise he gets a sore.]

I bought one of the first Mirage Swift LT

To be honest, I wanted to try pillows first, however, because I was not tested with pillows in my Study, they would not "recommend" them for me. I really believe something low profile is best for me, considering the way I sleep. Even if I never get back onto my stomach.

When I am congested I do need a FFM (I have sinus problems).

How crucial would you say going a few days without the CPAP would be if you have sinus problems? When my sinusitis cropped up, I was 3 days into it before my sinuses went crazy. Then I came down with DH's cold - which settled in my sinuses. So I was off the machine for about a week. Although even then I was trying to breathe through my nose because I hate breathing through my mouth. I just can't see myself breathing through my mouth in an FFM - if my mouth is open it means my nose is running and I'm going to drool. [Sorry, TMI!]

Sleeplessinaz - as a side sleeper, how does the Swift LT work for you? Were there any others that rated high but not quite? I like the way the hose is routed over the head - I think some of my problem is the weight of the hose pulling on the mask as I lie there.

Overall, I think I may need to bypass the DME when it comes to trying different masks.

I'm off to bed, but I'll be back tomorrow. =)

[BlueHairBob]

Mikeylou, I tried several different pillow arrangements and found that the buckwheat hull pillow sold by CPAP.COM was well worth it for me. The shaped pillows didn't work for me, but the small buckwheat hull pillow made a world of difference. Using it I can easily sleep on my side with my mask on.

[Catnap]

If I were you, I would go to http://www.padacheek.com and check out the forehead and strap pads that are available. I know what you mean about your forehead breaking out, and the forehead pad entirely stopped that for me. I think it's because the fleece allows some circulation and absorption, instead of trapping dirt, oils, and moisture all night. They may or may not help you resolve the leaking, but I'll bet they'll help you resolve some of the comfort and breaking-out issues.