What Mask Are You Using???

Hello fellow sufferers. I'm so glad I found this forum. I have learned so much about this condition called sleep apnea just by reading all of your posts. There are more of us than I had realized. Okay, on to my question. I am currently using the ResMed S7 Elite with HumidAire 2iTM humidifier and a Profile Lite mask. My machine is set at 13 using the ramp feature of 15 minutes. I was diagnosed in December and I have been using the machine every night. I started using the nasal pillows with the tubes that strap around your ears. That did not work well since the pillows kept slipping. I like the mask that I am using now except for one thing......The pressure of the mask pushing against the roof of my gumline which will in time cause buck-teeth. When I wake in the morning my two front teeth ache. I've loosened the straps to the point where I start leaking air. I wanted to know your opinion on what mask you are using and if after numerous trials which one works best. I know this is purely a subjective area but I figured I'd ask. Thanks for all of the informative posts. This is a great place to meet, greet and share information on sleep anea and products. Now if only those other forums would follow suit. Have a great and restful day......

CPAPNEA

Hi,

I used the Profile Lite mask for 2 years...the first 9 months or so just as it came out of the box, so I know what you mean about the pressure on the mouth. It made quite a difference for me when I molded it to my face, using the hot water instructions included with the mask.

Also, I don't know where you might find them, but there are some support rings available (actually made for a different mask) that I used to help eliminate the troublesome leaking spots around the mask. Some of the lower-end Respironics masks use these support rings, I think...you might try a Respironics dealer. I found that I could put a little tape or something on the ring wherever the leak was to help push the mask in toward my face a bit more...and the leaks went away. The only problem is that any moving around made the mask push over to the side and leak. But if you don't move around too much, the straps can be quite comfortably loose without leaks.

Just in the past few weeks, I've changed to a different type of mask...the ResMed Activa. I'm still getting used to it, but I must say it leaks less than any other mask I've ever tried. The seal flexes up and down, side to side...whatever it takes to maintain the seal. The only complaint is that the seal is such a small one, that I still feel like it's tight when it's not. I wake up with no marks to speak of (or very little), but some nights I readjust the mask 2 or 3 times before I get it just right.

Hope this all helps....

george

Yes it does George. I will check in to that. Thanks for the insight. Every little bit helps.

CPANEA

I just started CPAP on the 3rd of this month. I use a ResMed Ultra Mirage FF mask, and like it very much!! It took some tweaking to get it to stop leaking. The tech at the sleep center put me into a nasal mask at first, what a"disaster"!! Can't breathe thru my nose that well. He came in later and changed it to an FF mask, and I went to sleep. In fact when the Sleep Doc came in, he prescribed an FF mask.
Wouldn't go any other way!! I got my 1st mask from the DME and liked it so much, that I ordered another one on line, just to have a spare. Therefore you could say that I'm a confirmed FF mask user.
Hang in there, it gets easier with time. Soon you'll be a "hose head" just like the rest of us!! In closing, I say "ain't sleep apnea FUN"?