I am a WORTHLESS OSA patient!!!

[IncyderEMT]

Well, it's been 4 miserable weeks, and I am still ripping this friggen mask off in the middle of the night. At first I thought it might be that I am somewhat of a mouth breather, and that a full face mask, but I can't get Apria to find my new scrip for one. I am at the end of my rope here. There is no worse feeling than being jarred awake in the middle of the night, and being too tired to put the mask back on. Any of you folks have a similar experience? I think another problem is that I am a side sleeper, and due to being in a fire station environment, I have spent years training myself to be a side sleeper, to keep from snoring. Sleeping on my back just feels totally unnatural....way out of my comfort zone. Anyway, just needed to rant...thinking about buying my own full face mask private party to see if it works any better. I'm dying for this better nights sleep that I hear so much about. BTW, I have a REMstar PLUS, and from what I understand is this thing doesn't record all the specifics of my nights sleep and my numbers, but can I be in some sort of trouble if they find out my mask spends 3/4 of the night on the floor each night?

Thanks,
Eric

[brain_cloud]

A good place to find inexpensive masks is cpapauction.com

Also, why are you trying to sleep on your back?

[pdean44]

For me when i went back for my review they did a compliance cvheck which was how much I wore the mask and I believe how well the treatment was going. If i did not wear it enough i dont think my insurance would continue to cover the costs.

You are better off not sleeping on your back from what I am told here.

[IncyderEMT]

A good place to find inexpensive masks is cpapauction.com

Also, why are you trying to sleep on your back?

It seems to me that when I sleep on my side, I spring huge leaks in the mask, and it bothers me and ends up waking me up anyways. I'm pretty frustrated. Also, from years of sleeping on my side, I think my back is mas at me...it's been really sore the last couple of years.

[IncyderEMT]

For me when i went back for my review they did a compliance cvheck which was how much I wore the mask and I believe how well the treatment was going. If i did not wear it enough i dont think my insurance would continue to cover the costs.

You are better off not sleeping on your back from what I am told here.

I'm thinking about going and finding a memory foam pillow for side sleepers.

[KatieW]

I know you're just ranting, but it bothers me when people say they are worthless. I think you are sleep deprived and frustrated, but not worthless.

You need a data capable machine and software to monitor your therapy. You need a proper mask fitting to find a mask that works for you. If you are having congestion which then results in mouth breathing, you need to address that too. Some comfort items like a head pillow that accommodates your mask, and a hose management system will also help.

My insurance has a high deductible, so I bought all my cpap supplies on line, mostly from cpap.com and cpapauction.com. If you are unable to get what you need and have it covered by your insurance, then make the financial investment, and buy it yourself, out of pocket. You are worth it.

[Wulfman]

Please fill out your profile so we know exactly what you have......including pressure, Ramp and humidifier settings.
We have a number of members who work in the "emergency response" groups......fire departments and EMTs......so, you're not alone. (I was on a couple of volunteer fire departments, years ago, too.)

Getting a data-capable machine would help you immensely.


Den

[brain_cloud]

A good place to find inexpensive masks is cpapauction.com

Also, why are you trying to sleep on your back?

It seems to me that when I sleep on my side, I spring huge leaks in the mask, and it bothers me and ends up waking me up anyways. I'm pretty frustrated. Also, from years of sleeping on my side, I think my back is mas at me...it's been really sore the last couple of years.

So step one is to find a solution to your mask problem. And you can find a solution. It is definitely possible to find a mask that fits you that is comfortable to wear for side sleeping. The Mirage Quattro is my favorite and I'm primarily a side sleeper too.

Work the issues as they arise. Stick around this forum. Ask questions. Try different things. You won't regret it.

[Slinky]

Hokay, WAIT just a cotton-picking minute. You've only had this setup for 4 weeks, give or take a day or so? First thing Monday morning get on the phone and call your insurance company. No excuses, just do it. You are running out of time. Ask your insurance what local DME CPAP providers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than just this Apria office. (Apria has a lousy reputation, you are encountering why that is so).

You are going to want to return this bottom of the barrel Remstar Plus and insist that you NEED a fully data capable Remstar PRO. Also INSIST that they exchange your current mask for the full face mask that was scripted for you - and if they have managed to lose it then it is their repsonsibility to contact your sleep doctor for a duplicate. Remind them this is YOUR health, YOUR sleep, YOUR therapy AND as an EMT there are people, patients, accident victims, COUNTING ON YOU to be alert, aware and in top form to care for them during their crisis. AND YOU are paying for this equipment, whether thru insurance or out of pocket is immaterial, YOU are paying for it. Be diplomatic, but be firm. Assuming you do have other local DME provider options, calmly inform Apria you WILL go elsewhere for your equipment if they don't "straighten up and fly right". And, if necessary, don't stop there at the local office. Climb up the corporate ladder to district, state and national levels to make them aware of your dissatisfaction and why.

BUT you MUST do this NOW. 30 to 45 days is about all you have for time and I wouldn't count on 45 days.

[GumbyCT]

but I can't get Apria to find my new scrip for one. I am at the end of my rope here.

Each DME can exchange a mask (no matter who the manufacturer) if you have problems in 30days. What I think Apria is trying to do is wait for the 30 days to lapse so they can charge YOU and/or your Insurance again. Escalate this within Apria AND your Ins. right away. Let your Ins. know this is keeping your compliance down.

Listen to what Slinky said - get on that before it is too late.

[bilnap]

Take a look at the Liberty full face mask with nasal pillows. I had the problem you are having and this mask is great. I ripped mine off, gasping for air, so I got a feeling of what you are going through. I just had my titration with this mask and things went well. Please ! don't quit.

[akosidave]

I had a similiar problem while sleeping on my side. I bought one of those funky looking Sleepap Pillows and haven't had much of a problem since then. I think I got it off of amazon.com

[PST]

So step one is to find a solution to your mask problem. And you can find a solution. It is definitely possible to find a mask that fits you that is comfortable to wear for side sleeping. The Mirage Quattro is my favorite and I'm primarily a side sleeper too.

I'm going to add a ditto to that, but without suggesting that some other mask might not be the one for you, since the choice seems very individual. So are pillows. There are two approaches. One is with pillows that have an indentation or a furrow or a definite edge, all of which are designed to let you support your head and neck while leaving the mask sort of hanging out untouched. Lots of people love these, see akosadave above. The other approach is that lying on a big soft pillow can actually help stabilize the mask on your face. When I started CPAP, I had a bunch of old pillows that were kind of flattened by years of use and they tended to push the mask around and unseat it. I got a new pillow, no particular brand, of the side-sleep variety. That's any big pillow designed to be thick enough to keep your head and neck aligned while on your side, which for most of us is too thick to be comfortable while on our backs. The side of my mask touches the pillow, but the pillow is still fluffy and resilient, so it's a light touch, and the mask doesn't get dislodged anymore. It works for me, but I think more people like the specialized CPAP pillows. One advantage is that I don't have to bring a pillow with me when I travel.

[Jersey Girl]

Dear Eric,

No, you are presently an uncomfortable WORTHWHILE newbie. I totally agree with Slinky, by the way, please, please demand a new full face mask from your DME. Make the exhcange before your 30 days are up. Also, a cpap pillow might just help you. When I was using a nasal mask I purchased a memory foam cpap pillow that had generous cut outs on the bottom corners for my mask. I purchased it from http://www.contourliving.com. Later on I discovered the Regenesis buckwheat hull pillow from http://www.pur-sleep.com. This pillow works on the same concept as the bean bag chair we had when we were kids. I can run my hand over the pillow anywhere I like and make a spot for my mask.

I know you are frustrated right now, but please hang in there. I tried 4 masks and the fourth one was a charm - became my absolute favorite! I love the Swift FX with nasal pillows. My husband is a newbie - just started on the hose on April 29 and his first mask was a Mirage Liberty but he had so much trouble with it and got really frustrated and so after 4 nights I drove down to the DME and got him a Quatro. He loves his Quatro full face mask - it seals easily. He is a mouth breather - starts out breathing through his nose at night but then later on his mouth drops open and he didn't want to tape his mouth closed and decided early on to get a full face mask. So, what I am really getting at is that mask choice is a very personal thing and you may need to try living with a few before you find your perfect mask. If money and insurance is an issue (and it certainly was for us), try the cpap auction. I purchased a full face mask from them just to have on hand in case I get a really bad cold and need to breathe through my mouth for a night. I also got some filters for my machine for $1 a piece there. It's a great site.

Getting used to cpap takes time, but along with it you must learn to be your own advocate - both with the DME and your sleep doctor. Demand what you need. Stay on top of your appointments/important dates. Remember to reach out here on the forum for help - there are plenty of caring, knowledgeable cpapers here who are ready to help at a moment's notice. Give yourself a pat on the back for hanging in there. Tell yourself that you WILL eventually find the right mask. You WILL eventually feel well rested and healthy. None of us were born with a mask and hose attached to our faces, so yes, it does take some getting used to but remember, you are not alone. We are all here and ready to support you along the way.

Wishing you peaceful, restorative sleep,

Jersey Girl

[Scarlet834]

I second the opinions of everyone who recommended that you DO sleep on your side. Once you find the right pillow you can and will be able to sleep on your side without springing a million leaks. I use a rather inexpensive comfort foam pillow myself. Good luck in finding the best mask and pillow for you.