I have some mask questions......

[Viking4]

I am a new cpap machine user. Just picked up my machine about 30 days ago. I was diagnosed as moderate when I did my initial study and was put on the cpap machine. It was like heaven for the first week or so then I started to have some small mask issues. I tried the masks at the DME and ended up with the Respironics comfort gel mask because it fit and felt the best. After a week, I still had a red bridge of the nose and as long as I wear the mask, my nose stays red and is sore first thing in the morning. After about 2 weeks, I started to get leaks around the mask on my nose, blowing into my eyes. I went back to the DME and they gave me another mask due to the nose redness issue. It was a Resmed Mirage Liberty. I need a mask that will cover my mouth due to it being open during the night because of sinus/allergy issues. I tried it for a few days and was having issues getting adjusted to the pillows stuck in the base of the nose. After trying it for a couple of nights, and getting 2-3 hours of sleep per night, I decided to go back to the other mask. Slept much better. Felt better. Then came the red/sore nose issue again. And leaks. And trip to doctor to get eyes drops for infection that doctor said was due to air and germs blowing directly into the eye all night long. DME recommended "cloth fillers" for the leaks. Helped some, but nose still red. Tried bandaids on nose, same issues. Bought rubber nose protector to help with leaks and nose soreness. Actually made leaks worst and nose is still sore. Have been on Resmed mask the last week. Feel better than before I started cpap, but not as good as when I was using Respironics mask. Also, with the Resmed mask, my AHI number is starting to increase. Was 1.8, two days ado 2.8, this morning 3.3. I feel like I am currently somewhere in between no cpap machine and cpap with full face mask. I could feel much better, but could also feel worse.

I like the full masks the best due to the more "natural" feel of breathing. But, due to what the sleep lab called a deep nose bridge, I am having trouble getting the full mask to seal correctly without getting it so tight on my face that it is causing nose issues. I have to have the head gear on its tightest setting to get it to seal.

Is there a way to fix the the Respironics mask to ease up on the nose pressure and still not leak? Or is there another brand of mask that works better for this issue? The pressure and breathing to me is 100 times better with the full mask than using the Resmed hybrid mask.

The DME said the only other choice was a total mask and she said I would not like it and she does not like to recommend them.

Two weeks ago, I had more energy and felt better than I had in a year, but now, I am starting to drift back the other way........

I want to make the full mask work, so what do you recommend I do?

Would a full mask work better without the headgear?

[Pugsy]

Actually we have several forum members who do use that total face mask and love it.
It does present its own leak challenges though...just like any mask does. Surprisingly they also say that the eyes don't have a problem like we would think with the pressure. I think because it is more evenly dispersed over the face.
Which brand of cloth liner did you use?
Have you seen Padacheek liners?
http://www.padacheek.com/
What pressure do you use?
Did your DME only offer Respironics full face mask options or did he have some ResMed full face options to try? There are several brand makers of full face masks and several models within each brand. You can see them here. https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/full-face-cpap-mask.php

The nasal pillow issue with the Liberty...have you seen the tips for using the hybrid and using tights to secure the nasal pillows? While this trick is mentioned for the Innomed Hybrid...it works for the Liberty also.
wiki/index.php/Hybrid_Mask_Modifications

Do you think if you were able to resolve your congestion/allergy issues that you could breathe through your nose and use just the nasal pillow mask?

No mask should cause pain and sores or abrasion anywhere on the face. Either it is too tight or wrong size or simply wrong mask.

[WindFlyer]

You could also try some moleskin on your nose bridge. Another cheaper alternative is to cut a "template" out of an old cotton T-shirt in the shape of your mask face cushion, and use that kind of like a "gasket" between the mask and your face. These are a couple of methods that I've heard will improve seal and increase comfort.

Something to try anyhow.

[Viking4]

Pressure is 10.

Remzzz liners. Never tried the Padacheek.

I like the full mask due to the pressure issue. Pressure is more "even" feeling with full that hybrid. I feel and sleep better with the full mask. But due to nose depth, pressure is really heavy on the nose.

I wear a large mask. The large Resmed mask was to small and did not fit as good as the Respironics. I have only tried their masks. I have thought about going other places to find different masks to feel and handle them.

If at all possible, I think I would like to get away from the nasal pillows due to comfort.

[Viking4]

Another cheaper alternative is to cut a "template" out of an old cotton T-shirt in the shape of your mask face cushion, and use that kind of like a "gasket" between the mask and your face. These are a couple of methods that I've heard will improve seal and increase comfort.

Tried that. Cotton strips over the nose actually worked better than the full cut out.

[Pugsy]

There is a mask trial available. For $14 you can try a mask for a week...the money covers postage both ways. Might be a way for you to try other brands that your DME doesn't carry.

http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials No RX required to try. Disregard exchange program notice unless you wish to purchase a mask from them and that does require RX to be on file.

Many members go through many, many masks before they find the "right" one for them.

Padacheeks does make high quality items. Whether they will work for you...all depends but sure worth a try. The anti leak strap might help..offer added tension without the need to have things dig into the skin.

You will find that with anything cpap related they all come with a YMMV (your mileage may vary) sticker and what works for one person doesn't automatically work for another person so you just have to keep trying till you find something that works for you.

A pressure of 10 cm is not considered to be a very high pressure. While it may feel like it to you initially.

Could you please take the time to add your equipment to your profile. Some models of machines have software available and we would like to point you to it if your model is full data and software is available for that brand. Having this information available at a glance also helps us help you better.
Here's how to add your equipment if you don't know how. Please use text as you see in my profile.
Images all look alike and we can't see model name.
wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

[Viking4]

Could you please take the time to add your equipment to your profile. Some models of machines have software available and we would like to point you to it if your model is full data and software is available for that brand. Having this information available at a glance also helps us help you better.

Will do that tonight.

[Viking4]

Updated

[Pugsy]

The machine you have in you profile does collect efficacy data and there is software available to view it.
There is a tiny bit of data available on the machine's LCD screen but sorely limited.

Check out the links in my signature to see which software choices you have. SleepyHead is easier to manage than Encore and links to it are also in my signature. Using the software you can see the leaks and just how bad they are. Leaks over 85 to 90 L/min can negatively impact the machine's ability to effectively prevent the events and might even miss scoring of events. So those for sure need to be worked on. If your leaks are less but are still causing you to wake up often and disrupting sleep..then those also should be worked on because we don't want anything to disrupt our sleep.

[jilliansue]

I used the Respironics comfortgel nasal mask for awhile. Then, using the cpap mask trial program, I tried Resmed's Comfortgel nasal mask, and I liked it better. With either mask, I have had to adjust the forehead pad in order to strike a balance between leaks/nose pressure/ upper teeth pressure. If the mask still leaks nonstop into your eyes, that is of course a problem. I have to use a chinstrap in order to keep my mouth closed. I currently use the Premium chinstrap, and have just ordered the Papcap. I have not found a full face mask I could wear successfully yet, although I will continue to try some. For me, the air blowing direcly into my nostrils with the nasal pillows mask (Swift FT) bothered me, although I loved the minimalist design of it.

Good luck!
Jill

[Viking4]

I used the full mask last night for the first time in a week or so. My AHI level was cut in half of what it was the night before. I feel better today and more rested. I seem to do better with the full mask versus my mouth being covered and using the nasal pillows......

I just need to get my mask adjusted or find another mask that will not leave me red on the bridge of my nose.

[bipapper]

When you find it...let us know!!!

[Frede]

I have a full face mask and have found that if I wash the mask every night and wash my face every night with baby shampo that gets all the oils off my face and off the mask and it dont leak at all and the mask dont have to be as tight