When I started CPAP I had an F20 face mask and it really hurt my nose. I had a red ridge on my nose and it "sat" right where the nose had been broken years before. I was concerned it was actually weakening my nose! 2 weeks "in" my DME gave me the F30i (similar to the Dreamwear).
I liked the smallness and the fact that it sits under your nose (kind of hugs the sides). The first week or two was frustrating as I could never fit the mask correctly. That little red face saying bad fit was a constant, and it was pretty much a disaster. I was thinking I was heading for mask #3 but the DME had waxed ecstatically about how wonderful the F30i was so I kept trying.
Somehow it worked. I think I'd been putting it too low on my face (as I said it has to hug the side of your nose). Since then it's been great. My AHI ranges from 0.7 to 4.2 (I move around a lot so I assume the worse nights are maybe on my back instead of side?). Consistently good results -- and aside from the reports I just feel SO much better.
I have a ton of energy. My 20 year old son calls it "CPAP crack energy" and it ticks him off because I'm chatty and cheerful all the time! I am not napping in the afternoons and am just feeling so much better. More and longer walks, more chores getting done... oh, and did I mention that my blood pressure is a ton better? I was on 4 BP meds and it was around 135/80 with meds. Now I'm off one medication (my BP went down to 101/53!) -- and it is averaging around 120/72. Perfect1
I love CPAP, Resmed (my equipment manufacturer) and the doctor who figured this out. I have thyroid and diabetes problems so am curious what my next round of blood tests may show as CPAP can actually help your metabolism, too.
