Masks are torture Help

[purple]

Have you looked at : http://www.padacheek.com/index.html

Not related, just a satisfied customer.

[Cyndi5000]

All I can say is what a fabulous support group with great ideas. As I type this in the middle of the night and I am awake again but armed with ideas and Pad a Cheek on the way. I thought the Taming the Mirage link was very informative and have printed it out to try in the morning.

I am not sure on how to change the ramp setting to accomplish the fitting suggestions and did not find the booklet terribly helpful in that department either but will tinker with it in the light of day.I am a newbie and can confirm the DME was of no value in fitting suggestions, The advice I got was, tinker with it when you get home.

The silicone is a problem for me and I do have the mask too tight to try and stop the leaks which are guaranteed to wake me up. Once awake, sleep does not come back easily, but at least I have some ideas and the Pad a Cheek to try and make this a more comfortable fit. That failing, I also have some ideas for other masks that might work.

[Julie]

Cindi - the ramp has nothing to do with mask fit... it's just a slower route to prescribed pressure (some people can't take the air rush of putting the mask on at full pressure, but if you set the ramp time for too long a lead up to your set pressure, you're effectively being undertreated for all that time... most of us just turn the ramp off altogether after a short time (haven't used mine since 2006).

[Cyndi5000]

Ok so to date, I have tried the mask fitting instructions added a Pad a cheek liner and I'm still having a horrible time. Every time I first put on the mask get it secure and lay down just at the point I'm about to drift off my nose itches. I have to remove the mask put it back on adjust everything then the other side itches and I go through the whole thing again. Some where in between I get air leaks. I adjust the mask, adjust the straps adjust the way I am laying. About this time every night, and about three more times a night because I don't sleep more than 1.5 to 2 hours at a time, I go through this ritual. I'm ready to throw this whole mess in the trash.

I know everyone is different with mask fits but I need some help. I forgot to add that I apply lotion, a cortisone face lotion before all the itching begins. I think I need a different mask still leaning toward the hybrid because I would like to be able to read before going to sleep and I'm thinking the less mask (plastic and silicone) sitting on my face the less itchy I'll be. Money is an issue so I cant keep buying masks and even with the insurance at CPAP.com the fees can be hefty. Or any other ideas for stopping the itching would be a relief.

[Julie]

Two things - a) thin little crochet hook or something like it to slip under mask for odd itches rather than removing it all, and b) can you use your cream in the a.m. as it quite possibly is affecting the seal, if not the silicone itself, which is sensitive to chemicals.

[herefishy]

You can't put it under where the seal of the mask goes, but you might try just petroleum jelly on the places that itch, as it might block the air from hitting your skin.

[Julie]

NO NO! Petro. jelly (Vaseline) rots silicone... do not use that near the mask cushion!

[chunkyfrog]

Lansinoh, maybe. Purified lanolin, made for mommy faucets.

[old dude]

Ok so to date, I have tried the mask fitting instructions added a Pad a cheek liner and I'm still having a horrible time. Every time I first put on the mask get it secure and lay down just at the point I'm about to drift off my nose itches. I have to remove the mask put it back on adjust everything then the other side itches and I go through the whole thing again. Some where in between I get air leaks. I adjust the mask, adjust the straps adjust the way I am laying. About this time every night, and about three more times a night because I don't sleep more than 1.5 to 2 hours at a time, I go through this ritual. I'm ready to throw this whole mess in the trash.

I know everyone is different with mask fits but I need some help. I forgot to add that I apply lotion, a cortisone face lotion before all the itching begins. I think I need a different mask still leaning toward the hybrid because I would like to be able to read before going to sleep and I'm thinking the less mask (plastic and silicone) sitting on my face the less itchy I'll be. Money is an issue so I cant keep buying masks and even with the insurance at CPAP.com the fees can be hefty. Or any other ideas for stopping the itching would be a relief.

Cyndi, if you are applying lotion prior to masking up this may be your problem. With any mask I've ever used successfully I've had to thoroughly wash the silicone seal and let it air dry before using. I use warm water and baby shampoo and I do this every day. In my case it's to remove facial oil from the seal, but the principle remains the same. You don't want anything oily between your face and the seal; it will prevent the seal from doing it's job and cause leaks. Same with my face. Directly before masking up every night I wash my face with warm water and soap to remove any oil from my skin.

You might want to give this a try. In order to seal properly, your mask likes a clean, non-oily surface on both itself and your face. Made a huge difference to me.

Good luck.

P.S. If you're looking for a light, minimalist FFM you might want to take a look at the Quattro Air. In fitting the mask, keep in mind that it runs smaller that most other masks with the same stated size.

[Joshkins]

I've found that I get a better seal by washing my face with an acne treatment cleanser for oily skin before I mask up for the night.

[palerider]

you probably won't like this, but... I and others have found that the air blowing around in the mask tickles nose hairs, and the reaction to that is an itchy feeling, only, it's not where itchy where your nose hairs are getting tickled, it's just 'around the nose' somewhere.

trim them aggressively and your itching may disappear.

[Cyndi5000]

Ok good advice as usual. However I same using a homemade cloth similar to pad a cheek which I am waiting to arrive. Would the lotion be a problem with this cloth cover?

[Julie]

I think it could compromise it, not knowing what it is... and probably any fabric that's not literally non-porous (like plastic) might do the same - can you not use the stuff earlier in the day so it's just not a factor when you go to sleep?

[Cyndi5000]

Update: I received my pad a cheek in the mail, trimmed nose hairs and found a small crochet hook (which works wonderfully), To bed I went thinking confidently.

i spend a good amount of time adjusting the mask again with the new pad a cheek liner. Still had the nose itch so the nose hair issue may or may not be a contributor but it cant hurt. But thanks to the crochet hook satisfied the itch without removing the mask.

Still woke up about every 2 hours but overall I thinkit was a better longer sleep session. I will know more when I transfer data from the SD card later today.

I am starting to have hope!

[Julie]