First night experience ??'s

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:25 am

So I hosed up last night for the first time.

I couldn't wall asleep until 1:00am. I guess I was just anxious about the whole thing. Finally fell asleep and was awakened by a leaking mask when I moved in the bed. Readjusted the straps. Fell asleep again... was awakened by the rubber seal flapping against my cheek on exhale. I repeated this several times. The mask is a Fisher & Paykel Flexifit 431. I then tried the other two silicon seal sizes. Still leaking on exhale.

The CPAP machine is the bottom of the line Remstar M (no C-flex).

Does the C-Flex feature help relieve the exhale pressure so the leaks would stop?

I got maybe 3 hours of sleep.

Thanks,

JQP

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:49 am

Its not your cpap causing your problem, its either mask fit, mask adjustment, or simply not the right mask for your personal needs. After a fair amount of time trying adjusting the mask, lets just say one week, look into trying another type mask, that will fit and treat you kinder. Most of us have tried several different types before settling on one, you will get there, be patient plenty of knowledgeable help on this forum, most of us have been where your at now.
Ed

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:50 am

Thanks,

The Apria lady said my insurance only covers a new mask every 6 months or so. Do do I just keep plopping down $100 per mask to find something that fits?

JQP

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:53 am

Hi JQP,
I know that feeling my provider also said 6 months, but I knew I would not be compliant waiting till then so I ordered from cpap.com our web host, used that until I was able to get another through insurance. When you think of it your car breaks down you will hand out several hundred dollars, a hundred for a new mask doesn't sound all that bad.
Ed

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:58 am

JQP,

There's a mask swapping thread on this site, search for "mask roullette". Unfortunately, the first phase of this therapy can be expensive, but like Jim pointed out, most of the therapy is in the mask fit. Comfort and seal are the two key things. Seems straightforward enough, but it really isn't.

A lot of folks here are happy with their full face masks, but some have had many problems with the seal. Try searching under the "collective wisdom" under mask problems and solutions - there's tons of suggestions for all different kinds of masks. Keep trying, so much of this is just getting comfortable with the idea of sleeping with a giant squid on your face. But 3 hours of CPAP sleep is probably better than a whole night of apneas.

Let us know how you're doing,
Cathy

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:59 am

I've never paid someone to work on my car... bad analogy.

I'll give it a couple days and if I'm still having trouble, I'll get my insurance to spring for a different one, hopefully.

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:04 am

Sorry, Ed, I didn't mean to call you Jim. I'm foggy this morning.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:36 am

Is that the mask they "gave" you or one that you asked for (or agreed to)?

If it ain't working, I'd let them know about it and tell them they owe you one that WILL work. (after all, they're charging your insurance a small fortune)

Did you say in a previous post that they're going to upgrade you to an "M Series Pro" machine? You'll definitely like the C-Flex.

Den

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:04 am

jqp wrote:I've never paid someone to work on my car... bad analogy.

I'll give it a couple days and if I'm still having trouble, I'll get my insurance to spring for a different one, hopefully.

Must get myself a car that needs no repairs, where does one purchase such a machine.
Ed

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:08 am

I just fix them myself. Cars are easy.

Fixing my own health is somewhat harder.

JQP

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 12:10 pm

Hurricane wrote:
jqp wrote:I've never paid someone to work on my car... bad analogy.

I'll give it a couple days and if I'm still having trouble, I'll get my insurance to spring for a different one, hopefully.
Must get myself a car that needs no repairs, where does one purchase such a machine.
Ed

Fantasy Island?

Den