Help for a New CPAP User

Howkoolguy · Post by **Howkoolguy** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:02 am

I have been using my CPAP for five nights now. I have a Repironics machine (without C-Flex) and use a comfort gel nasal mask. I am an occasional mouth breather. After feel really rested the first night, I am now finding I wake up 5-6 times per night when my mouth opens. I will be speaking with my DME provider today about options, but wanted input from experienced users also. It seems that either a chin strap or full face mask are the most common options to fix this, but are there others? And which would you recommend, strap or mask?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Howard

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:52 am

Hmmmm. Well, first off, I'd highly suggest staying away from masks with "Comfort" in the name. They rarely get good reviews, comfort-wise.

I've never used a chin strap. FF masks (particularly the ResMed Ultra Mirage) work very well, but have their problems.

First off, they're much more prone to claustrophobia than other types of masks. Second, I have never gotten as good a seal with my Ultra Mirage as I did with some of the others (activa, Swift). It was the worst in terms of leaking when I rolled over in my sleep.

If you don't have a problem with claustrophobia, it's probably a good thing to try.

One other thing to note: I found that while heated humidification is WONDERFUL for nasal masks (helping to keep the sinuses open and the air flowing freely), having it on at all with the FF mask made the air feel stale, like entering a small room in which a number of people have been sitting for a while. It felt like breathing someone's just-exhaled lungful of air.

Good luck!

Liam, performing mouth-to-mouth on an Ultra Mirage.

sleepygalpa · Post by **sleepygalpa** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:02 pm

Five nights is not enough to know if you will adjust. Originally the RT told me it would take about a week. Her supervisor told me 1 week was rare and it would most likely be between 3 and 6 weeks. I'm in my 3rd week and just beginning to sleep through it all and waking up very refreshed! Hang in there.

I love my ComfortGel mask. Wouldn't have any other one. I'm sure its a very individual thing so don't form any conclusions on what other people (including me!) say about a particular mask. I find the ComfortGel very effective, seldom leaks, and remains comfortable as I move about through the night. I will note that I was originally sized wrong with a size medium. Lots of leaking then but since I got a size small it's been wonderful.

Howkoolguy · Post by **Howkoolguy** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:29 pm

Just got back from appointment with DME. They gave me the Ultra Mirage FF mask in exchange for my comfort gel. They said that with patience and a chin strap, I could get used to keeping my mouth closed and keep my comfort gel nasal mask, if I wanted or go to a full face mask. Since patience is a virtue that I lack (especially when I do not sleep well), I opted for the full face mask. I can't wait till bedtime tonight to try it.

Howard

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 1:01 pm

I use the Resmed Ultra Full face mask.

I would rather have a gel filled mask as to one that uses air to make it seal.

My face is all red and blistered when I wake up. I am allergic to my mask.

wcampion · Post by **wcampion** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 1:27 pm

Sharon,

I had the same problem, this is why I had to go to a nasal interface. I didn't have many choices back then. It seemed the only choice was the ADAM circuit, but now there are many different types of nasal masks. I'm sure if you talk with your DME you should be able to find something that meets your needs. It may take some time but keep at it. It will be well worth your time. It took nearly a month for my face to heal. I felt like a teenager all over again........no Thank You!!

Best of Luck,
The Road Warrior.

Howkoolguy · Post by **Howkoolguy** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 1:31 pm

Sorry to hear the mask is not working for you. I agree with wcampion that you need to look at other options. I had no complaints with the comfort gel except my mouth kept popping open and I would wake up almost every 30 minutes.

I do not know if the Ultra Mirage is the answer, but it is the next step to test. I hope it works, but if not, we will try something else. I want my life back and will keep at this until I can get a good nights sleep.

Howard

P.S. I hope to someday sign my name as Howard the Rested.

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 2:15 pm

I've been using the Ultra Mirage FF mask for a couple of months now. Definitely the one for me, since I am a mouth breather.

I use humidified air (definitely with distilled water only) with no problem, as long as I keep the hose hooked over the head of my bed. No problems with "rainout"......where the humidifier water condenses in the hose. Also, read the manual, read the manual, read the manual! It gives great instructions on how to set up the mask, cleaning, adjusting, etc.

One area I found to be a problem was overtightening the mask. Put it on with the straps adjusted very loosely and one strap still unfastened (it goes on pretty easy this way). Also, put it on with your CPAP blowing air! Then, pull it straight out from your face and place it lightly over your face to give it a chance to seal. THEN attach the last strap and do some light tightening. If you tighten it too much, it will leak and squeal and sound like "face farts". I sleep on both sides (not at once, of course! lol) and have no trouble with it leaking until my APAP gets up to over 14 or so. Then, it wakes me, I roll over, move the mask around a bit and am back to sleep inside a minute. As for cleaning it, I use Ivory liquid in warm water once a week or so and swish the mask around. Then, rinse well and let air dry. I don't have any problems with claustrophobia, so that wasn't a factor.

Good luck and remember: This therapy WORKS, but only if you keep the mask on all night and your XPAP running!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 3:36 pm

I put adhesive tape (folding a bit of each end down for an easy "grab tab") across my lips to keep treatment air from rushing out or puffing out. It's the only way I can use the more comfortable masks I prefer. If not for tape, I would have to use a FF mask all the time.

Night Owl · Post by **Night Owl** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:05 pm

OH, I'm so glad to hear that someone else tapes their mouth shut ! Had trouble using the gel mask and ff mask on sleep study -- now use the Swift and Infinity with the addition of the tape.

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:17 pm

Night Owl wrote:OH, I'm so glad to hear that someone else tapes their mouth shut ! Had trouble using the gel mask and ff mask on sleep study -- now use the Swift and Infinity with the addition of the tape.

My wife tapes my mouth shut. I hope I'm not alone.

Liam, mmMMmmMmmmmmm.

Davidmcc · Post by **Davidmcc** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 5:31 pm

Choice of mask is very subjective. Reading through past strings you will find many members profess strong support for a particular mask that works for them and to criticise effectiveness of others that simply did not work for them. At the time of my sleep study I was trialled on four different masks, initially 10 minutes on each and then much longer overnight for one or two. I found the ComfortGel mask appealed to me most and have used one successfully ever since. May I suggest you inquire of your supplier if there is any way you can trial other masks before committing to a particular mask.

NeuroSxNP · Post by **NeuroSxNP** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:06 pm

I go the route RG goes...I tape too. Likewise, this is the only way I cna use the Activa nasal mask on a regular basis. I also use the FF Mirage Ultra, but only when I need to due to congestion, etc.

Machine	Mask

Mask

Machine	Mask

Help for a New CPAP User

Help for a New CPAP User

Update after meeting with DME

Sharon