Please help me : I hate it

Hello,

I just found you yesterday, I didn't read the post but I need to talk and ask your opinion.
I have a apnea machine and mask since 6 months and still sleeping bad, still being tired. I did not know nothing about apnea except that I would sleep better and be happier. Hum, ts ts ts... false! I never slept well indeed but now it is the mask that is awaking me.

First I got the Mirage Swift™ LT for Her Nasal Pillow, because the lighter. I couldnt sleep with that, awaked many time a night by air leaks from mouth, could not go back to sleep because of legs cramps, after 2 weeks it was better but still a nightmare, I was sleeping 2 times 2 hours by night.

The "inhalo therapist" (sorry dont know the term in english) told me that I had to get used and it would be all wright, there was no leak on the sheet. I insisted ans he gave me the Mirage Quattro™ Full Face to try, It was really better I slept 4 hours before I had to take it out. But I was sleeping later because I couldnt read anymore to calm down.

I saw the doctor who told me that it was good, waring 4 hours by night was so god that I didnt have apnea any more. She told me that I was a mouth breather, snoring even I get the machine on. She suggested to have a chin strap with the pillows mask to read and relax.

Here we are 6 months after. Last week I ask to try Mirage Liberty™ Full Face, they told me that it is not very good, and indeed it is not. It is a try and the headgear is too big not adequate. I hesitate to buy it if I am not well with it.

Could you please tell if it is normal all that trouble. It appears to me that it is for almost nothing as I am not in a better mood and fell than before. I am very anxious before going to bed.

Yesterday I found this page, I saw the oral mask, is someone have it? How it is. I didnt saw it at the store (I am in Montreal and perhaps it is not the same stock) I only saw Resmed material.

Thank you to have read me, take care of you.

You came to the right place. I'm into my forth year of cpap, and now I don't believe that I could sleep without my machine/mask. Recognizing that every face structure is different I recommend that you try a Quattro Full Face in the proper size. That will allow you to remove the failure mode of mouth breathing long enough for you to feel the benefits of proper therapy. Your energy level will rise and you will be able to get into the deep all night long sleep our system requires. However you make it work it is essential that you accept it as a no vote issue and acquire a positive approach. Regards

First off..........the leg cramps are probably not related to sleep apnea in my opinion. I would guess that your natural electrolytes are out of balance or a disease process like arthritis. You may need something simple like more magnesium in your diet.............several common products (like diet soda) strip this mineral and others from our bodies.

Secondly.........the sleep apnea. You've come to the right place and a world of wisdom among the users here. I too found myself mouthbreathing or leaking at first. I tried the blue painter's tape--taping my mouth shut--as is promoted by some--but it just was inconvenient for me. If the kids came up to my bed at night etc, it was too freaky............but it did work okay along with Swift FX--the newer model of what you are using. Then I started using a simple, inexpensive boil and bite mouth guard--purchased in the sporting goods dept at WalMart for less than $1. That's been the answer for me.

It takes a while to find the answers and the right mask for you............keep experimenting. There are individuals sometimes willing to trade masks or send you one to try...........keep trying, questioning, and asking. If you're determined, you will find the answers here, and you'll feel tons better like so many. I myself could not imagine sleeping without my cpap--I even have a back up. I never leave home without it, and use it consistently, all night, every night.

Consider starting at the top of the window with the CPAP Wiki for lots of valuable information.

Welcome!

Did you try the Swift LT with the chin strap? If you were able to sleep with it on but woke up because of mouth leaks the chin strap might be your answer. That is the first thing that I would try. You say that you are anxious before you go to bed. Have you tried to put the mask on, slowly ramp up your pressure and read or watch TV just to get used to it? I know you should not read or watch tv in bed, but if you do that to get yourself comfortable I don't see how it can hurt.

The hardest part of xpap is finding the right mask. Our faces are all so different that no one mask will work for everyone. The only real way to find the right mask is trial and error. If you like everything about the nasal mask except the mouth leaks, you could do what I (and many others) do and tape your mouth closed at night. I've been taping my mouth shut for years. I use Roosters method of taping found at this link;

viewtopic.php?t=7952

Hopefully some one with the Liberty mask will chime in with tweaks for the mask.

Brenda

I used a mirage Micro nasal cushion mask for 4 months, because it was the only thing the DME showed me that fit--sort of.
I now use a Swift FX,which is like sleeping naked, but I have to go to extremes to keep my mouth shut.
The best method for me is a home-made PapCap. and poligrip strips in the corners of my mouth.
Look up PapCap--it is the only chinstrap that is not elastic--way more comfortable than anything else.
My head is too small for it, but I have a little head.
Don't give up--I feel like a new person, er, frog.
Best wishes--it's worth the effort.

No wonder you hate it. 6 months is a long time to be struggling to find a mask that works well for you. It may be that there are some things others have tried that have helped them with the same mask you have. For instance, every nasal pillows mask I've used had to have an extra strap added to keep it from moving and leaking. Is sounds like you're getting a good idea what WON'T work for you, so that should help you move forward.

By the way, how are your leg cramps doing now?

Kathy

I thank you all, it is very conforting to hear you, I really feel less alone.

I am eating bananas for magnesium and I am going to see a nutritionist in few weeks. I found that rubbing the leg with vinegar when cramp happens helps very much.

I understand that I have to keep trying. I will also try some of your tips.

Thank you.

Hi - look at your "PM's" - vous avez un message.

I pm'd you. I am also in Montreal and I use a hybrid by innomed
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

Lena

Thank you for your support. I am glad to see that problems can be resolved even it is not so easy.

Take care!