Some questions for my husband

[Coravh]

My husband was just diagnosed with sleep apnea (which came as a complete surprise) and has started with a cpap. He is in the process of getting used to it but we have a few questions. Is there anything he can put on his face to stop the itching from the mask? He doesn't mind the mast so much but it itches, and then he wakes up. Any good advice on adjusting the mask? He was fitted, but it ended up it was too loose and every time he moved he got massive air leaks and noise.

Thanks so much.

Cora

[Lizistired]

Welcome, Please go tothe User Control Panel and select his equipment in TEXT format so it displays in your posts and we know what kind of mask he needs help with.

[Coravh]

I didn't see any of his devices there, so I've added them in the comments section. It's a Respironix REMstar Pro CFlex and System One Nasal CPAP unit with heated humidifier. The mask is a full face, but I can't find any more info on it. The receipt just says "mask".

Cora

[robysue]

I didn't see any of his devices there, so I've added them in the comments section. It's a Respironix REMstar Pro CFlex and System One Nasal CPAP unit with heated humidifier. The mask is a full face, but I can't find any more info on it. The receipt just says "mask".

Cora

The correct text selection given your verbal description of his machine is most likely the PR System One REMstar Pro CPAP Machine with C Flex Plus. The naming of the Reprionics machines is complicated. I hope he really does have the one with the word PRO in its name---that means that it does record full efficacy data. Hence he will be able to determine (for himself) how well his therapy is managing the OSA in the sense of what his treated AHI runs on a nightly basis. There is a similar looking and similarly named PR System One REMstar Plus CPAP Machine with C Flex that only records compliance data---i.e. how many hours your hubby used the machine. The PR System One PLUS does not give the user any useful data concerning how well therapy is working. Nor does it record any data about leaks, so there's no help from the machine in tracking down how bad a leak problem is or whether a potential solution to the leak problem actually has fixed the problem. (Some of us can sleep through some pretty massive leaking without realizing it.)

As for the mask, did the DME give him any manual or fitting guide or anything else with the mask? They should have. If not, call the DME back and demand that they tell you the exact brand, model name, and size of the mask they provided to your husband. All that information is important for trying to provide you with quality help in dealing with the leaks.

[Pugsy]

Hopefully it is the PR System One Remstar Pro CPAP with CFlex... that machine has full data available if you use the software. The data available on the machine LCD screen is sorely limited and not very helpful.

I compose some examples of the software options for PR S1 users.
You can see them here and decided which suits your needs the best.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64906&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... re+options

Should you wish to try SleepyHead the link is also in that post but hard to see so here it is again.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead/

Welcome to the forum.
For the itching....is it where the mask material touches the skin or is it under the mask in a large general area?
There are mask liners to help if there is a problem with the mask material itself.

[Coravh]

It is the mask itself that is causing the itching so if there are liners available I think that might help.

Cora

[nanwilson]

Welcome Cora and Hubby
If you go to padacheeks.com and take a look at what Karen has to offer regarding mask liners. In the mean time you can make one of your own out of a well washed cotton t-shirt. Lay the mask on the cotton, draw around the mask adding about 3/4 of an inch all round. Cut out and cut a hole for his mouth and thats it. The itchys go away after awhile, but I still use a liner as I don't want the silicone touching my skin.
Keep asking questions as they come up and do read, read and read some more........the light bulb cpap wiki and the new users guy are good places to start your education.
There are a bunch of us Canucks on the site, I'm sure you will hear from most of us.
Cheers
Nan

[Pugsy]

You need to figure out the exact model of the mask.
Respironics mask? Should at least have a brand name on it somewhere.
Scroll through here to see if you spot it.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/full-face-cpap-mask.php

You can make a home made mask liner from an old T shirt.

Padacheeks makes some nice mask liners that can be used repeatedly and washed easily.
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_Maskliners.html

There is also this product which is more along the disposable lines.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/remzzz ... iners.html

[jules]

you can make your own liners - use an old cotton t shirt, cotton panties, flannel PJ piece or the like and cut one - (my latest are old PJ pants that was beyond repair but the legs were still quite usable for this) - make it about 1/2 inch bigger all around the circumference of the mask cushion (I trace the cushion on a piece of cardboard then make the pattern) and then cut the hole in the center carefully not making it too big (I just cut a T and fold over the pieces first then cut the triangle out - your first attempt might lead to frustration and not getting it right but this is why you are using "rag" materials not brand new fabric

[Coravh]

Sorry, it seems I lied. It is his face (nose, around the lips, etc) that is itching. He takes the mask off to scratch, air explodes, and then he is awake. Thanks for the liner tips. Sounds good if that ends up being a problem too.

Cora

[tinbanger]

I wear a full face mask Quattro, FX, I have itches every night. I usually end up unbuckling one side scratch the itch and go back to sleep till the next one.
Usually 2 to 3 times a night. Under normal circumstances you would wake up to scratch an itch anyway. When I look at the leak portion of the graphs
I can see exactly how many itches I had in a night. I don't think it's a big deal. If your partially removing the mask to itch, and replacing it right away
who cares. I never used the humidifier before, I would even put ice cubes in the water chamber, preferred breathing cold air.
Since using the humidifier I found that the itching was no where near as bad.

[Zeke351]

I had the same problem when I first started. What helped me was using skin lotion on the area just as I was going to bed. Just make sure it is one that will not affect the mask. I did this for about a month and by then I didn't need it any more. I swear for me it was mostly mental...as soon as I couldn't reach my nose because of the mask it would start itching. LOL

[DaveMunson]

I could never get any of the full face masks to not leak. They are not built for my face yet. Not all masks work for all people. If you can't keep it from leaking, don't be afraid of trying some thing else.

[codinqueen]

Swift FX or Opus 360 are nasal pillow masks and don't cause as much contact with the face and nose, so might not be as itchy. Maybe he needs to ask for a different mask. Swift FX nasal pillows sit on top of the upper lip, and if you do get an itch, just move the nasal pillow aside for a minute to scratch. Is he taking any pain pills that might make his nose itchy? Opiates (narcotics) cause itchy nose and face in some people. Usually the DME will switch masks with no additional charge( except difference in mask price) in the first 30 days while the new CPAPer finds one he likes.You might want to ask. If he is a mouth breather, he might need a chin strap or even tape(tape to keep mouth closed, should only be used, if at all, with EXTREME caution.)

[.mike]

I have to itch under my mask sometimes, but the sleep I get with the mask greatly offsets the discomfort.
There is a company that will let you try other masks, by mail.