CPAP Wearer-desperate in VA

[kejones53]

Hello all,

I have been wearing a full face mask now for over 2 years. Yes I am sleeping better, but I need a different mask! This one is driving me crazy, I've gotten where I don't want to wear it at all. Which isn't good for me or my husband (Snore loudly!) I need to wear the full mask because I will open my mouth and breath through there and this just defeats the whole purpose of wearing the mask at all. I do need to give my Dr. a call, but found you guys and thought that MAYBE I would get some encouragement from you, since you use the products.

Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions will be most helpful.

Thanks in Advance!!

[LoQ]

Welcome!

Mask choice is very individual. If you want suggestions, I think you will get higher quality of help if you explain what is wrong with your current mask--why don't you like it? Please say what model of mask it is, because every piece of information you supply helps to improve the quality of the replies.

[DoriC]

And to add to LoQ's questions, are you wearing the same mask and cushion for 2 years?

[OutaSync]

Have you been wearing the same mask for two years? Did it work well at first and is now driving you crazy, or has it always givenyou trouble? There are lots of different masks out there that you can try, if this one doesn't fit, but if you have been wearing the same one from the beginning, it may be time to get a replacement cushion. Please let us know what mask you are using and what about it drives you crazy.

Bev

[kejones53]

Thanks for the advice. I have a : ResMed Mirage Quattro™ Full Face Mask & Headgear. I guess the reason I'm getting to not like it, is that it seems to have gotten very uncomfortable. It seems way too tight around the sides of my nose area, yes I've loosened the straps, but then it leaks, and it is not comfy on my nose anymore, plus it seems to bulge up into my eye area. It is so frustrating, I have two sizes small & med. I also have a RespCare Hybrid Universal Full Face Mask and Headgear, that kills my nose!

[kejones53]

I've gotten a new cushion for the smaller mask, the old one tore. It is about 3 months old now. I've been using the med. one lately. It seems when I have trouble sleeping the mask really drives me crazy. That could really be the root of all of this, but I'm up for trying something new too.

[OutaSync]

Have you tried replacing the cushion (the part that touches your face)? Sometimes those masks get floppy when they get old. I think it is suggested that they get replaced every three months.

[Julie]

If you've gained weight, you may need a larger size.

[DreamOn]

You mentioned that you have both the small and medium Quattro. You didn't say which one of those actually fits you best. Most people aren't able to wear several different sizes of those masks. If it's bulging up into your eye area, then it sounds like it may be too big for your face. Also, consider that if you have gained or lost weight in the last few years, you may now need a different size than before.

I suggest that you determine which size fits you better, and make sure you have a newer cushion for that. You may also need to turn the dial to find the best nose bridge adjustment setting, and then readjust all the straps. If your headgear is old, you may need to replace that too, as they do stretch out. You may want to try this Anti-Leak strap that was made for the Quattro (and some other full-face masks): http://padacheek.com/PAC_AntiLeak_Strap.html. It's had some good reviews from forum members here. That strap may allow you to wear your Quattro a bit looser, which would probably be more comfortable for you.

Please let us know when you find something that helps because that may help someone else here. And if you have any other questions, please do ask.

[kejones53]

Thanks for your replies. Weight is not an issue. I was originally fit for the small face mask. I did switch back to it last night and slept MUCH better. I have just gotten (in the past few months) a new cushion for it, the last one tore. Any suggestions on where the least expensive place to purchase products is? My insurance will pay 50%.

[sleepnationtv]

Here is a link to a video that shows a few options for the full face mask.
http://www.sleepnation.tv/post/942170110/episode2

[Slinky]

If your insurance will only pay 50% the odds are that you will get by for the same amount of money out of pocket to buy direct from cpap.com

Some people NEED to replace the cushions on their masks once a month, or every three months and quite often need to replace the mask headgear at six months. Once you have a back up hose you seldom need to replace the hose. Maybe once a year.