Which type mask do i need?

Hi.Im really not sure how much i breath thru my mouth. Any thoughts on which mask to get? Thanks...

Well gee RIckey, you gave us so much info that we have too much to process!

Can you do a bit better please if you'd like advice?

Julie wrote:Well gee RIckey, you gave us so much info that we have too much to process!

Can you do a bit better please if you'd like advice?

I'm not sure what info i need to give.

The mask you need is one that fits you and works well with the way you breathe.

Only you can figure out which of the hundreds of mask on the market works for you.

Anything more - a little history, how long you've been at it - in fact are you even on C/Apap now and at what pressures, using which mask? How is your sleep in general, do you wake up overnight or sleep thru and how do you feel? What machine - in as much detail/wording as you can find - do you have? What did your study say? More, more!

Julie wrote:Anything more - a little history, how long you've been at it - in fact are you even on C/Apap now and at what pressures, using which mask? How is your sleep in general, do you wake up overnight or sleep thru and how do you feel? What machine - in as much detail/wording as you can find - do you have? What did your study say? More, more!

I'm buying my own machine, tomorrow. I'm new to this. I sleep ok, but I'm very tired most days. I don't know what my exact results were. I was told I have sleep apnea. I asked the Dr. for a second opinion, and he said" you are ugly, too" lol

Rickey wrote:
I'm buying my own machine, tomorrow. I'm new to this. I sleep ok, but I'm very tired most days. I don't know what my exact results were. I was told I have sleep apnea. I asked the Dr. for a second opinion, and he said" you are ugly, too" lol

Ask about a mask trial plan so you can try multiple types to see which works best. Barring that, I suggest starting with the least intrusive type of nasal pillow or nasal prong mask; if you can't keep your mouth shut, you'll see big leak numbers and you'll know you need something bigger.

Check out this video:
http://youtu.be/wUsAZ2QOfV4

Rickey:
Can you get a copy of the study so you could see the leak rate information (if its in there)?

Let's start with what mask they used in the sleep study. Was it a full face mask?
If you are buying your own machine, does that mean no insurance is involved? If so, then it makes it a little tricky to get just masks and supplies from a local DME. The cost of any machine from an online supplier will be substantially less than at a local DME. That said, ask at as many local DME's about being able to try different masks at there store to see if you can get a good fit until you find one. Also ask about their exchange policy. How many exchanges, how long does the exchange period last, is there any extra cost involved, etc.?

Thanks guys..The place I'm dealing with is very reasonable, and will let me exchange a mask within 30 days ,at no fee. Scott, I'm starting off with a pillow mask, thanks for the heads up. I bought the Respironics Dream Station, and the DreamWear nasal pillow, 645.00 for everything. Thanks...

Rickey wrote: I bought the Respironics Dream Station,

which of the five types did you get?

palerider wrote:

Rickey wrote: I bought the Respironics Dream Station,

which of the five types did you get?

CPAP Auto with humidifier.

Rickey wrote:

palerider wrote:

Rickey wrote: I bought the Respironics Dream Station,

which of the five types did you get?

CPAP Auto with humidifier.

awesome.... just wanted to make sure you didn't get the 200 "CPAP machine" with no pro or auto .... ie, the BRICK!

The DreamWear is a great mask IF you can sleep with your mouth shut and lips sealed. If you tend to mouth breathe, there's a few things you can do:
1. Some people use surgical tape to tape their mouth shut. Search "taping" in the search box above for instructions.
2. Some people find that wearing a soft cervical collar helps them keep their mouth shut.

You may know you are mouth breathing by the sound and sensation, but often it happens when you are asleep. So your bed partner may tell you, or the leaks and dry mouth will let you know.

If you are a mouth breather and the tactics above don't help, you're going to need a full face mask or hybrid. But give it a few nights to see if you can learn to keep your mouth shut.

You're probably going to have to wait all weekend before you get your equipment, so you can practice by putting the tongue up on the roof of the mouth and sealing your lips shut. Do this all the time unless you are eating or talking and it can become a habit that carries over into sleep.

I was a mouth breather before treatment. But I have found that the pressure coming through the nasal mask makes my mouth snap shut. I got good results with a full face mask also, which might be recommended if you keep mouth breathing with the other types. I did not have a great experience with nasal pillows.