To find the right mask...

Used my CPAP machine for 7 nights now, still trying to find a mask that suits me. I'm now on no3. Nose pillows didn't work at my long hair made it impossible to keep straps on and me being restless made the pillows pop out of my nose while twisting and turning. Nr 2 was a nose mask worked semi ok but it was too hard and made me sore on side of nose when tight enough and when being fitted looser leaked. Tonight I'm trying a resmed nose mask feels nice so far and no leakage. Yay could this be the one?
I'm greatful that my CPAP shows allows me to try different masks until I find one that works, all this for the cost of $25/week that is later removed from original price when I buy the mask. How long did it take all you out there to find a mask that suited you?

Oh, man it is a journey! I went through 6 or 7 masks before I found mine. It's taken me 4 years to find a second mask. As far as your hair... do a search on "hair". It's a common topic among you womenzes. Some women use a squeegee and some use a stocking cap with success.

Sheriff

I got lucky and found the right one right off the bat...first one.
But then I had really researched my choices and had a good idea what to expect from my body and what would make it happy or unhappy.

But over the first few months of therapy I did experiment with others but never found anything better than that first one until a brand new mask got released and I eventually tried it and it displaced the former number one...and then a year or two later another new nasal pillow mask gets released and I try it and maybe it replaces the number one.
I have pretty much tried all the nasal pillow mask (my preference) except maybe a couple and they aren't all the same and some I like better than others.

So over the years I have tried so many I have long ago lost count but it was because I was curious...and not out of unhappiness with what I was using. It was just because I like to try new stuff and sometimes it works out great and sometimes is doesn't.

Good luck but do not give up. Personally I only lasted one night on pillows, they made my nose so sore. So the hunt ws on for a nasel of full face mask, I sleep with my mouth open alot.

There are no single answers, or that mask would be outselling everything.

Some recommendations:
1) see how many your CME will let you try, I was limited to 2.
2) try sites like cpap.com and others..... often a vendor will offer a trial offer...... take them up on it. To do this you will need to get a perscription from your dr and get it to the site... Ask the DR for a paper copy for cpap supplies that has never expires written on it.... Then you can send it to any site that needs it....

I ended up with my current favorite which is a cloth mask that adjusts to being squished pretty well because it was a try for 30 days and return if you do not like it.......


If you to to cpap.com select masks and look at new products, there are a lot that have "free return insurance" that means you can try it and return it... the most you are out is the return shipping. I have never had a problem with CPAP.com.... I know they host this forum, but I have had really really good customer service from them and never had a problem returning a mask using the free insurance.... and I went through a few......

You cal also look by top rated and top selling.... it may give you some pointers.

once you find a good one, you can work with your DME to get it regurarly and it will be covered by insurance......

Good luck