Another Newbie w/???

needanap · Post by **needanap** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:02 pm

I am another newbie to this CPAP thing. I have read a lot of postings and am not sure what to surmise. Here’s my stats: RemStar Plus, set to start at 4 and ramps up to 10 in 20 minutes; heated humidifier; ResMed Comfort Gel mask small (yeah, I know, booooo!). Anyway, when can I expect to feel some relief? I have been on the machine for a week and cannot tell much difference. I do not have any leaks when I am on my back, but when I sleep on my side (which is much more comfortable for me) I get a little one right above my lip. Also, I am pretty much sleeping through the night. I am committed to this treatment, as I am so tired of being tired! The other issue is at the sleep study they identified that I have bruxism (which I have long known, but chose not to admit). So, while I am keeping my mouth closed, I wake up and my teeth and jaw are definitely out of whack and I am going to be spending more money crowns!! I am not so sure it is the mask because the RT was not happy that the Comfort Gel was the one that fit me the best and the only one that did not leak when we fitted me for the mask and machine. We tried all the other masks (couldn’t tell you which ones) and the Comfort Gel small was the only one that did not leak around my eyes.

In sum, my questions/concerns are: Am I going to get relief and if so, when? Does anybody else have Bruxism and how do they reconcile that with the use of CPAP? Is it possible to sleep on your side and not have any leaks and not be paranoid about the mask slipping off!

In advance, thank you for any advice!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:49 pm

What is bruxim?

Grant I · Post by **Grant I** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:58 pm

Bruxism is the fancy doctor word for "grinding one's teeth"

I have had no problem using my night-guard with my FF mask. Would certainly cause problems if trying to use an oral interface!!

Grant

darvuku · Post by **darvuku** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 3:00 pm

Bruxism is when you grind your teeth while you sleep.

littlebaddow · Post by **littlebaddow** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 3:28 pm

Welcome to the forum needanap

It is only the lucky few who start using CPAP and get instant reults. Most people take a while to get used to the equipment, and then there is some catching up to do on what's known as the sleep debt. In my case, I didn't get a dramatic improvement and only noticed a gradual improvement from about the 3rd or 4th week. It was about 7 or 8 weeks before I felt I was nearly back to normal (if there is such a thing!).

I sleep quite comfortably on my side without mask leakage. As you're probably aware, there are many different masks on the market and it's about finding the one that suits you best. I was lucky and the second mask I tried works for me. It's a Resmed Mirage Vista, but I seem to be in a minority in thinking that to be a good one!

Keep at it and good luck

Machine	Mask