1st Time User...awful night

[Wanttosleep]

I picked up my new CPAP machine last night and used it for the first time as instructed. Settings are low to start with because they had trouble getting an accurate reading for me during the test since I woke up every 14 to 30 minutes. Humidification is set to 2 and air flow at 9. I received a full face mask (Mojo) and although it felt comfortable, I felt leaks all night long and made numerous small adjustment. Each adjustment fixed one leaky area but a few minutes later, another would start. I'm committed to sticking with the CPAP machine but I don't think the FF mask is going to work for me and I'm positive I will not make the 3 weeks of trial with it that the tech suggested. I was wondering if perhaps what I think is leaking is actually the air exiting from the mask through the holes that are there for that purpose. I didn't get to a setting of 9 during the sleep test so I was unaccustomed to the strength of the air flow. Any and all suggestions welcome.

Machine: https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/resme ... chine.html WITH https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... ntrol.html
Mask: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Mojo-G ... -Mask.html

[mars]

Hi Wanttosleep

Just a few quick thoughts....................

Test for leaks with your hand. You should be able to feel them, but note where the exhale port is.

Wear the mask during the day, with the machine on, and check the fit.

Most of us have to try more than 1 (or 10) masks before we find the right one. I have bought about 10 masks through cpapauction, and it was well worth it.

First rule of cpap initiation - experiment

second rule of cpap initiation - experiment

third rule of cpap initiation - read above.

Attitude is everything - keep your commitment firm. I found this to be true -

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44824&p=400479&hili ... an#p400479

Keep on asking questions.

Do not be fobbed off with 2nd rate treatment.

Have you the software to read your data?

Good Luck

Mars

[robysue]

I'm only a couple of weeks into my adjustment, and it's not going very smoothly. But here are some additional suggestions that may help increase your comfort at least a little bit.

1) Find out if EPR was turned on. If not, you might want to ask your DME to turn it on or download the clinical manual and turn it on yourself. That will help with exhaling against that blast of air coming into your nose.

2) I second the suggestion to get the software for your S9. Look for posts by Uncle_Bob or PM him. His signature has what you want.

3) You do need to identify where those exhaust ports are blowing. It took me a couple of nights to figure out that my Swift FX nasal pillows mask's exhaust flow was what was being reflected back into my face from the covers instead of a leak. Still haven't found a really good solution, but knowing what the problem is helps.

4) In addition to putting the mask on during the day to check for leaks, make sure you lie down in your normal sleeping positions to check for leaks. It's possible for everything to feel fine when you're sitting up, but then have leaks start when you lie down or turn over.

Good luck!

[danimal71]

Wanttosleep - I am in a similar boat as you. I am into my 4th week and haven't made it past 5 hrs. I am at a constant pressure of 12. The tech that came out and set up my equipment eyeballed my size and left me a large Quatrro FFM (as I am a mouth breather). I was getting leaks near my eyes each night. I called back the provider and they sent me out a medium. The medium is better but I still get leaks near the eyes. I called them back and only had 1 other choice for a mask which is the Mirage Liberty. I am hoping this one is going to work for me. I am near the end of my 30 days so once I make a choice on the mask it is what I will be stuck with...unless I get one on my own. I too am frustrated but am determined to stick with this and make it work....after all it is our lives we are talking about here. Good luck and keep posting with your progress. I know from reading through the forums here that many have been in our shoes before.

[Emilia]

Hi Wanttosleep.... Please take a minute to go up to the User Control Panel (top left) and then to Profile. Choose Edit Equipment and then from the pull down menus, choose your stuff. When done, choose to show them in TEXT not icons. This will put your equipment at the bottom of each of your posts automatically like mine below.

You might want to try a mask liner to help with comfort and also seal some leaks. Some folks on here have made their own or have used a retail product: http://www.remzzzs.com/

Good luck!! Stick to it.... and keep reading.

[DoriC]

The Quattro has a knob that can be adjusted that should eliminate leaks near the eyes.

[Janknitz]

I don't know if this is any comfort, but a bad first night (or first several nights) is very common. This is a lot lot to get used to and a lot of adjustments to make, but you're doing well to keep trying and post here for help.

First, look closely at your mask. You will find little holes somewhere, possibly on the elbow attaching the hose. Those are vent holes. They are supposed to be there. You breathe in room air which is a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide and other things. Your body needs oxygen and exhales what it doesn't need. The other stuff (mostly C02) must go somewhere, NOT back into your lungs as it will cause chemical reactions that lead to oxygen deprivation. So it must vent out, and there should be a pretty significant outflow from the vents.

Leaks are another matter. Leaks come from a poor seal around the cushion of the mask. You can often feel them, sometimes even hear them if they are big. Leaks make the CPAP ineffective if they are too large, because the mask can't then deliver enough air pressure to do it's job in keeping your airway open.

There are various tricks and strategies to getting a good seal on different masks--look around here for help on that. The biggest newbie mistake is making the mask too tight. I'm not familliar with your mask and the photo on CPAP.com doesn't show if it has a silicone outer layer that inflates with air to help create a seal. That's not a very common mask, so you might have to post a separate thread to ask for help with it. The reviews for this mask aren't particularly good in comparison with some of the more common FF masks. It looks like it works very well for a few people and not well at all for many. You may want to ask your DME to try other masks.

[Janknitz]

Danimal said:

I called them back and only had 1 other choice for a mask which is the Mirage Liberty. I am hoping this one is going to work for me. I am near the end of my 30 days so once I make a choice on the mask it is what I will be stuck with...unless I get one on my own. I

You need to be a little more forceful with your DME. There are MANY dfferent masks, and you should NOT be limited to only one more choice. If the Liberty does not work for you either, there are options. Go to our hosts, CPAP.com and see the wide variety of masks available. Your DME should have a wide variety of choices from the major manufacturers at the very least (Respironics, ResMEd, Fisher and Paykel, etc.). Don't let them tell you there's only one more choice!

Secondly, I personally think that so-called "30 day limit" starts counting anew with every mask you get, not from the date of the first one. The manufacturers will replace masks on the DME's request within a limited time, but I would argue that the clock starts running for each new mask. Furthermore, you DME probably has samples it gets free from the manufacturers just so people like you can try them out until you find the right one. But they won't offer these to you unless you are firm about your expectations. Or they sell them on auction sites to boost their profits, instead of offering them to you.

Some of us went through half a dozen masks or more until we found the one that worked. Your DME should be working with you to find one that works, but you need to put some pressure on them. A comfortable and well fitting mask is the key to CPAP compliance, and if they want you to have sufficient compliance that they will get paid for the machine, they need you to be able to wear the mask to use it. They should be bending over backwards to help you (not that they will!)

[elena88]

did they only offer you a full face mask?

did they offer you anything else like this nose pillow mask?

do you have problems breathing thru your nose?

if not, they should have suggested one of these first..

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

[Jersey Girl]

If you are a mouth breather (your mouth falls open while you sleep), then a full face mask may be the easiest solution, although we have some folks here who use nasal pillows or nasal masks and tape their mouths shut (some use painter's tape). My husband uses a Quatro full face mask, but those who find a difficult fit with a Quatro sometimes will try an Ultra Mirage full face mask.

I tried 4 masks to find the best one for me and the fourth one was a charm! So, now is the time to try other masks. You are within the 30 day period, so insist upon trying others so that you can find the right one. You may have to speak strongly with your DME - don't be afraid to advocate for yourself.

Eventually you WILL find the right mask. Eventually you WILL be able to sleep through the entire night with your cpap. It takes time and patience, but it is well worth it.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

Wishing you peaceful, restorative sleep,

Jersey Girl

[Wanttosleep]

Thank you all for the advice. First and foremost I am going to contact me DME and ask for the nose pillows - I think the Swift FX for Her Nasal Pillow looks like something that will work for me. I don't sleep with my mouth open so I don't understand why he felt I needed a FF mask. I will be sticking to this because even though I had an awful night, I didn't get sleep at 2pm as I have been for months and months and months now. All the information on this site is extremely helpful. I hope that some day down the road I'll be able to give someone else advice that will help them too.

[elena88]

Hi,
I tried many full face masks and could not tolerate them, I have the swift fx and I love it..

Now starting off on a pressure of nine is going to maybe freak you out a bit, make sure you use your ramp features and expiration relief if
you have that..

but you can get used to it, it takes a bit of time.. soon the pressure which seems unbearable, will feel like nothing at all..

the first week is the hardest for some.. so hang in there... the more information you have the better.. keep reading!

practice wearing your new mask watcing tv during the day... do it every day, that will help a lot!

You have a great attitude, I can tell youll find out what works for you!

elena

[brazospearl]

Wanttosleep, welcome, and congratulations on your resolve to make this work! You've purchased an excellent machine because you'll be able to track your data and not be at the mercy of medical-type folks who think they know more than they do and guess at what would be best for you. Mask selection is key to successful therapy, and it can take several/many tries to find the best mask. Choosing the best mask is sort of like trying to find the perfect pair of jeans...what works for one might not work for another. The only way to figure out which mask is best is to try several. That said, the process of adjusting to therapy takes a little time, so you might want to give your current mask a few more nights to see if you can be friends.

[Junebug999]

hi there, welcome to cpaptalk.com and good luck with your journey to good sleep. I started with my machine last thursday night, and while I'm a newbie also, I have noticed I have had good nights and bad nights. remember to be patient with yourself and the process. ask ANY questions you have here at this site -- there are some people who will help you a lot and walk you through this. I'm very committed to making this work also.

Best wishes to you for a good and encouraging night's sleep tonight for you!

[Wanttosleep]

Hello everyone. Thought I'd drop a line on my progress. It's been 7 days now since I first picked up my CPAP machine and mask. I have come to the conclusion that the FF mask is not a good fit. I have tightened and loosened it based on the information I've read on this site. It's always a good fit when I first lay my head down but once the pressure hits the target (mine is 9) I get leaks in the corner of my eyes and at the bottom of the mask. It starts to sound like a wind storm. I can adjust it but if I move my head even one millimeter, the leaks start again. I finally contacted the Tech and once I explained to him what the troubles were he got me nose pillows that I'll be picking up from the Sleep Center this evening. I cannot tell you what model it is yet because I forgot to ask him while I had him on the phone.

The long and short of this story is that I've heard people talk about their nostrils being sore from using the nasal pillows and thought I'd get ahead of this problem by asking what I can do IF I encounter such problems. I'm very hopeful that I won't have any issues but I want to be prepared. I had done alot of research into the masks prior to picking up my equipment and had decided that the nasal pillows looked as if there would possitively be the best solution for me. I was dissappointed when the Tech told me he'd prefer to start me with a mask and asked me to give it a try. I'm a really fitful sleeper and I toss and turn all night long. I'm hoping that the nasal pillows will allow me a bit more freedom to move and I'm also hoping that once this starts working for me I develop a more restful and motionless sleeping pattern.

Thank you all for listening (or reading) and I look forward to reading your suggestions. I plan on being ready for anything I may encounter to make this gear work.