INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

DrMargi · Post by **DrMargi** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 3:49 pm

HELLO!I’M IRENE,35,FROM GREECE.I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SLEEP APNEA(SEVERE=40APNEAS/MIN)AND I’VE BEEN USING THE CPAP FOR 2DAYS NOW.I KNOW IT’S EARLY BUT I’D LIKE TO ASK ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS….I HAVE PROBS WITH THE MASK AND THE HEADSTRAPS.AFTER I REMOVE IT MY FACE WHERE THE MASK LIES IS ALL READ(FOREHEAD AND BILATERAL OF THE NOSE)AND APPEARED 4”BUMPS”2 ON THE FOREHEAD AND 2 ON THE NOSE.I TRIED TO LOOSEN UP THE MASK A BIT BUT I GET AIR LEAKS.I TIED IT A BIT AND I GET HEADACHES AND NECK PAIN,WHERE THE STRAP LIES BEHIND MY HEAD.I CALLED THE SUPPLIER OF THE DEVICED AND TOLD HIM ALL THAT,HIS ADVICE WAS TO APPLY VASELINE SO THE MASK COULD BE APPLIED BETTER….I DID IT,SAME THING.ANOTHER THING I’VE NOTICED IS THAT EVERY TIME I REMOVE THE MASK MY NOSE IS BLOCKED(I HAVE CHRONIC ALLERGIC RHINITIS).HAS ANYONE HAD SIMILAR PROBS?OR ANY PIECE OF ADVICE?
SORRY FOR THE CAPS.I HAVE 50% VISION(ONE BLIND EYE)AND I CAN’T SEE VERY WELL…..

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 4:47 pm

Hello and welcome! Thank you for explaining about your vision... sorry. You should not have to tighten the mask so much - not helpful and sometimes can even start new smaller leaks around the mask. How many others have you tried? There are so many available now and make sure you have the right size for yourself. Also here's a link to an American website that many people use the products from - helps with leaks and also marks... Karen is the owner's name and she's a member of this forum too.

http://Padacheek.com/

HerbM · Post by **HerbM** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 9:35 pm

Also in most browsers you can press CONTROL-+ (plus sign) and get the page enlarged JUST for YOU.

Your browser may use different keys to enlarge.

Personally I don't mind the caps but this gives you choices

kaiasgram · Post by **kaiasgram** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 10:20 pm

Hi Margi -- Vaseline is not recommended for use with a mask, something about petro chemicals degrading the silicone. I'm surprised the supplier would suggest it. An alternative is pure grade lanolin (Lansinoh brand in the States). Just a thin application.

Have you tried a nasal pillow mask? Much easier on the face.

DrMargi · Post by **DrMargi** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:02 pm

It’s my first week with the device.But the experience is terrible.I don’t sleep more than 2hrs,I feel sleepy and tired all day.I’m going back tomorrow to check the mask and definitely will ask to try the nasal pillow.What I didn’t write in my previous post is that from 2009-2010 I’ve had undergone a series of brain surgeries and I have a ventriculoperitoneal shunt with one end temporally making my head/skull/skin extra sensitive which makes the straps a very unpleasant experience because they lay on the shunt and cause me pain and discomfort…as for the vaseline,it sounded strange to me too but I thought the guy wouldn't give me a bad advice....don't know.thanks for the replies.

LoneStar · Post by **LoneStar** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:16 pm

Hi Margi,

If you have a sensitive scalp/head, you might want to try the TAP PAP nasal mask (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/tap-pa ... roved.html) as it has no straps and is held on by use of a mouthpiece. It is a nasal pillow mask.

Lisa

wyosleepyhead · Post by **wyosleepyhead** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 9:51 pm

Hi there and welcome!
I am new here too and have only been on CPAP about 2 weeks now. I am on my second mask, but I couldn't stand the nasal mask and now am using Swift FX for her. It is a nasal pillow and I highly recommend it! It has limited headgear and seals well without having to tighten very much. The nasal mask drove me insane - claustrophobic. Don't be afraid to request another mask. It's no lt worth being uncomfortable. You should not have to tighten to get a good seal!

Good luck and try the pillows!

DrMargi · Post by **DrMargi** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 1:41 am

I requested a new mask and the seller's reply was that he can't take it back I'll have to pay 150euros for a brand new one!!!!I am going back to the shop later to see what will happen.....I searched online and found all the masks you here suggested me.My question is how safe and cost effective is to order a mask from the internet because I suspect the masks the shop here has are quite limited in types I mean.

kaiasgram · Post by **kaiasgram** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 1:51 am

Irene, our forum host is https://www.cpap.com -- they provide excellent, trustworthy service. You can purchase return insurance on most all of the masks which allows you to return a mask within 30 days for a refund of the mask price. Some masks have free 30-day returns.

Oh, you're overseas -- here's the page on their website that explains their international shipping policies: https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Shipping.html

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:04 am

Cpap.com is not only very reliable (we've all ordered from them for years and years) but has the best variety, choice and pricing of any website out there, plus LOTS of information (with pictures) on every mask and machine and accessories, plus reviews (good and bad) of equipment. Really great!

Sheriff Buford · Post by **Sheriff Buford** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:07 am

I would also recogmend that you try to find another DME (Durable Medical Equipment - the place where you by your cpap-stuff) in your area. They can be frustrating and finding a good one is tough. If not, I would also recogmend Cpap.com. They are reliable and the prices are reasonable.

Sheriff

49er · Post by **49er** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:12 am

Cpap.com is also excellent at resolving problems which greatly impresses me. Even our host isn't perfect but in my opinion, the big test of how great a company is is what do they do when things break down? How do they treat the customer?

In my opinion, they definitely pass this test big time.

49er

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:19 am

Does this mask interest you?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html
I think I have a spare that was minimally used you can have.
I probably don't have all sizes of nasal pillows as I only used XSmall or Small but I can include one of each that are totally new and unused.

cpap.com is great but they can't ship Resmed or Respironics masks to Greece if that is where you are.
I will be happy to do the paperwork...done lots of if for international shipping.

DrMargi · Post by **DrMargi** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:20 am

I understand that.My concern is that since I don't live in USA or Canada it might be difficult and yes,why not,costly to ship to Me or send back a bad item.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:53 am

The free return insurance is not much of an option when shipping internationally even if cpap.com can ship the mask.
30 days is from the time the mask it purchased (not received) and customs will likely eat up all the available trial period plus if the mask gets returned and gets held up in customs coming back and cpap.com doesn't get it back before that 30 days...no refund.
Same thing with the masks where insurance is paid for....not a good option for international buyers.
I have had things arrive internationally in a week after I sent them (that's really good) and I have had things take 3 weeks.
That's just shipping one way..

So you are in Greece...and things are different over there.

Masks are very expensive and there is really no way to know if you will like a mask until you try it. Doesn't matter if I like it or the next person likes it...you have to try it. Everyone has different needs and preferences.
There are people using masks that I wouldn't have if someone gave them to me.

Here in the US we forum members will often give away or sell at a discount unwanted mask experiments that have failed.
Just because a mask doesn't work for one person doesn't mean it might not work for someone else.

Since you are in Europe...it does sort of limit your options for participating in similar exchanges or purchases because of the added work and expense of shipping internationally. Some members just don't want to mess with it.

I don't mind. I do usually ask for mailing reimbursement though. I have PayPal account for such things.
I have some masks that have been donated to me to send out to people in need. I don't think I have any nasal masks at the moment....at least not any complete sets.

The Swift FX I offered.....was one I used prior to my changing to the Tap Pap...so it's a mask I paid for or my insurance paid part and I paid part. Typically around $40....but since it is used I don't expect you to reimburse what I paid.
It's my gift to you.

Send me private message if you want it and include mailing address. I use the USPS ...its easier and most often cheaper.
Probably around $18 to 20 $US for international mailing Priority...which gives me tracking number and some insurance.

INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS

Re: INTRODUCTION AND MASK PROBS