Update from a CPAP newbie and BLEEP convert

I began CPAP treatment in Nov. I researched, read and posted for help here on this forum. It was very helpful. I found CPAP treatment to be a difficult journey. I started with a mask that the DME was sure would be successful for me. It was a nasal mask with lots of straps but was also one that I found highly recommended online. The first week I tore it off after wearing it for 2 hours. Before CPAP I had no issues with sleeping, now I was have very disrupted sleep with something that was supposed to help me. I don’t give up easily so like many of you I ended up with 5 different masks. I realized all that garb on my face and head just didn’t work for me. I switched to the P10 and found it much more tolerable. It was lightweight and minimal. I was able to tolerate having it on for a few more hours but just like the other masks I would take it off after a few hours of wearing it. My nose began to hurt and was so sore. I followed all the suggestions I read but nothing really helped solve the issue. At that point I realized I needed something minimal. I then switched to the N30 mask and got rid of the nose pain. I had lots of issues with leaking and having to adjust the mask to make sure it wasn’t leaking during the night. More disrupted sleep. Like many of you over these months I experienced disrupted sleep, mouth puffing even though I used mouth tape, air in the stomach and a feeling that my pressures were pushing my mouth open. When nighttime came I dreaded having to put the gear on because I knew I was going to experience all of this. There was not one night in the first 3 months that I slept through the night with the mask on. I was frustrated and exhausted. I had been reading about the BLEEP and decided I was going to give it a try. It was minimal and I saw that many people had good responses to it. So in Feb. I was able to get a new mask with insurance and ordered the BLEEP. Before it arrived I contacted Stuart and talked with him a bit about the mask and CPAP. I watched all his videos several times so I knew what to do. The day it arrived my CPAP experience changed for the better. The first night I spent an hour trying to get everything attached but each night it got easier to attach. I worked through some issues I was having and Stuart was a wealth of information. I used his suggestions and was able to resolve them. Since Feb and starting the BLEEP I have had some amazing results. My fragmented sleep began to resolve and I was sleeping longer and longer lengths of time. The BLEEP is the first mask I have been able to wear all night! I have slowly dropped my pressures without affecting my AHI’s which are now under 0.5 each night. My pressures have dropped 50%! Yes you read that correctly. I have no more bubbles in my mouth, no cheek puffing, no air in my stomach and dry mouth has resolved. I still have a bit of leaking coming from my mouth but I continue to tape and expect that may improve too. I go to bed at night and don’t dread having to put the mask on. It’s lightweight and is the quietest mask I have used. I’m so thankful that I gave it a try. You could not take my BLEEP away from me now!! LOL. There is hope CPAP newbies! It is not without a ton of work and knowing what you need for yourself. If you’ve been thinking about trying the BLEEP I would not hesitate. You may just find it changes your CPAP experience.

That is quite a testament to the Bleep!

I had a similar experience, except my journey was 14 months and at least that many masks before getting the Bleep! But only because that was when it finally became available. I have used it ever since and it is the ONLY mask that I have been able to tolerate for longer than a few weeks without searching out something else. Like you, the only leaks I have are mouth leaks. I just can't bring myself to tape. And I agree, Stuart is AMAZING! He is so responsive if ever someone runs into any issues and needs help. And he never stops trying to improve the best mask ever.

Glad it has worked out so well for you.

Couldn’t agree with you more arteach. I tried over 20 masks and the bleep is absolutely the best. No leaks,no adjustments needed during the night and very low AHI’s. Surprisingly some Dme’s don’t want to carry it.

I too love the Bleep. I had to switch DMEs to get it, and had to talk quite a while with my insurance carrier to get them to cover it. I now receive all my pap supplies by mail, and never have to drive anywhere to get them. I like that too. Vive La Bleep!