You all are right......

daddyof7 · Post by **daddyof7** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:29 pm

I am trying, still. Thanks for all the encouragement and advice. I have gone back to the Comfort Classic medium nasal mask. The last two nights proved negative. After "tweaking" the mask for 3 hours each night, I took the device off and tried to sleep "solo". Am I just expecting too much? Should there be leakage around the mask? Should it be blowing "raspberries" most of the time? If I tighten it in the least, it is too tight or if I move, it leaks again.

My pressure is 14. My RAMP is 6-14 over 20 minutes. I use a humidifier. I do not have software to tell me how much leakage I am having.

Should I just slap it on and make it where it is comfortable and ignore the leaks although the blowing "raspberries" sound is almost as bad as my snoring!

Thanks for any help!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:36 pm

First of all welcome back ... its great to know you are still at it.

If you have oily skin, make sure you wash your face and the mask seal daily ... even use an astringent on the areas of your face that make contact with mask.

I'm sure others will chime in who have specific experience with that mask.

Also, the machine you have will not provide useful data only compliance for the DME to charge your insurance. Talk to your doc about prescribing you a better machine ... ask for an Respironics M series with AFLEX. The AFLEX will help reduce the "raspberries".

Best wishes.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:42 pm

the ComfortClassic used to be referred to as the CrappyClassic and I'd still put it there. The ComfortGel is slightly better mask yet still noisy in my opinion. Respironics makes good machines just not very good at making masks (my opinion).

Classic doesn't seal very well, is very noisy, it is basically a throw-away mask given by sleep labs and DME's because they used to get them for free with x amount of Respironics machines purchased, know of a better way to increase profit then selling you a mask they got for free?

As a cpap newbie, that mask makes it harder to get to sleep from all the noise, better get some foam ear plugs at a minimum.

Nasal congestion plays a big role with this therapy, if you have those issues you may want to visit a ENT and have your nose checked out from the inside, a deviated septum can make this therapy much harder. Those blockages happen so gradual over the years you may not think you have a problem.

My suggestions:

-ignore the leaks, just keep any leaking out of your eyes.
-use ear plugs
-increase the Ramp time, increase it to 30 minutes minium use 45 if you are having difficulty falling asleep with it.

don't over tighten the straps to stop leaks, crush the cushion it leaves a crease in the mask then it will leak at the crease even more. You may have to shave to use that cheap ass mask.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:52 pm

Yes, welcome back.

In addition to getting a different mask, since you've only had your machine for a couple of weeks, I'd ask your DME to replace it for a REMstar Pro 2 or an M Series Pro (although the humidifier would be different with the M Series). OR, if you've got your prescription and some extra money, consider getting a Pro 2 or a REMstar Auto from CPAP.COM and keep your present machine for a backup.
The machine you now have doesn't have C-Flex (exhale relief) and that in itself could make this therapy hard to get used to.

You're going to be using this therapy for a LONG time, so you might as well get the best equipment (and mask) from the start.

I would recommend a good full face mask like the Quattro of Ultra Mirage FF and make sure it is properly sized.

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:20 pm

Hey, your experience is TYPICAL! It took me 6 weeks before I could sleep all night long with ANY mask! (and that was 8 masks in 6 weeks, too)

And even now at 100% compliant, I still fiddle with my mask all night long. It's better than any other mask I've tried, but I don't know anyone who "sets it and forgets it" and can sleep blissfully all night long without ANY awareness of the mask, or noticing a leak when you turn over. Nature of the beast.

Give it time. Keep trying. Keep typing.

Small offer - If you decide you might want to try a Bravo mask (check out our host's website), holler at "Babette" on the PM and I'll send it to you for just the cost of postage. Free trial. If you love it, we'll talk trade/sale. If you don't, send it back. Comes with all sizes, DVD, original packaging, etc. etc. Only briefly worn by other test drivers.

I'm a guest here when I type from work, but when at home I'm "Babette".

Cheers,
Babette

DreamDiver · Post by **DreamDiver** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:27 pm

Wulfman wrote:...You're going to be using this therapy for a LONG time, so you might as well get the best equipment (and mask) from the start.

I would recommend a good full face mask like the Quattro of Ultra Mirage FF and make sure it is properly sized...

I agree with Den. Ditch the old machine, get an M-Series Pro with smart card and buy the software to get feedback.

If you don't have too much trouble breathing out of your mouth, you might want to try the swift II nasal mask. It's comfortable - works well with facial hair, and others have suggested that it will work at your pressure.

Glad you decided to keep at it.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:43 pm

I'm glad to see you back and trying, daddyof7 welcome. The first mask for most of us a Respironics mask - and most of us don't stay with it. (I ran a poll on this once...) Or, in different terms: many of us are here because of our frustration with that first mask.

Den's point is so right: think of all the night you're going to sleep with those machine an mask - and look for the best.

If you have to chose either machine or mask (I hope you don't) - start with the mask - Non of us can tell you which will fit your face without leaking - we can only share our turn around points. For me it was a nasal pillows mask - the Breeze.

Like dreamstalker said, making sure mask and face are not oily is very important - my face is not oily, I use nasal pillows -- and even then, a wash with soap and water makes a difference.

O.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:21 pm

On another thread (sorry can't remember which one) someone said they were having luck sealing their mask with the silicone ear plugs. You know the soft pliable ones that look a little like silly putty. I am unsure of the exact names for them.

They would take one of the ear plugs roll it around till it was soft and pliable and then make a narrow roll like a snake (remember making snakes with playdough as a kid) and then putting it around the edge of the mask on top of the seal. It provided a securer seal. Unsure how this would work with a beard though.

Might be able to just use it on those spots that are leaking.

Glad you are still trying!!

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:23 pm

Welcome back - I don't know if you are a baseball fan but you have to play this one like the Red Sox....NEVER Give Up!!!

For me I would have to say you have to get rid of the leaks BEFORE you will get any measurable sleep, I know I did. I just could not sleep with the raspberries & air blowing into my eyes during the night - but hey thats me.

I use a Full Face Mask (FFM) but if your pic is correct it looks like you would HAVE shave in order to stop the leaks. There may be other ways but I think shaving is the easiest to start with. If I am correct, the beard and/or mustache WILL grow back - once you get the seal & sleep thru the night, hey grow it back, when it starts to leak again - you WILL know what to do.

If you know any firemen they will likely tell you that any facial hair will keep the mask from sealing. You can try a nasal but will likely have to trim some of the mustache anyway. Plus you don't have one and the idea is to get it working now.

So I would say - shave clean. Then go into the bedroom and work out the leaks BEFORE bedtime. If you are like me (and who isn't?) by time you get to bed, you want sleep. So work out the kinks BEFORE you get tired. Turn up the press. just like it will be during the night. That is when I get more leaks at the higher press.

If during the night, you develop more leaks and you feel up to it fix the leak. If not, hey take the mask off, get some sleep and start again the next night but fix the leak BEFORE bedtime. Just lay down and take a break

Hope That Helps (HTH),
So from this Yankee fan -
Good Luck &
NEVER Give Up!!!

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:47 pm

One solution is to see if there's a hospital sleep lab nearby that does mask fittings. You may have to pay a small fee, but most are free. This may mean phoning all the hospital sleep labs in your region, like within an hour or hour and a half drive. Find out if they do mask fittings, which masks they have, etc. I did this and it was very helpful. I ruled out a bunch of masks that I won't try.

The mask that many people use to start is the Swift. I started with it and it is reasonably comfortable for me. I did move on but the Swift gave me good therapy for a few months before I tried other things. I did have to mouth tape, but that was far preferable to a nasal mask which leaked and caused a lot of facial pain and headaches. I tried those at my sleep study. They gave me no other choices.

I'm glad you are back! Keep on trying! Don't give up!

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:23 pm

daddyof7,

Glad you're still sticking around.

From reading the many posts on this forum, and see the comments when someone says, "I've finally found one!", masks seem to be one of the major issues we face.

I use the ComfortClassic, and agree with Snoredog's opinion (and I've given it a fair shot for 3 months):

Snoredog wrote:the ComfortClassic used to be referred to as the CrappyClassic and I'd still put it there. The ComfortGel is slightly better mask yet still noisy in my opinion.

The only reason I'm still using it, is because I'm entitled to receive a new Mask and Hose every three months (this month). I thought I'd try a few through my DME, which are covered 100% by my insurance, unless I absolutely have to pay for one. Then I'll get that from our host.

As soon as I can, the "CrappyClassic" is going to go. In the meantime, I've had many of the same issues as you.

So keep hunting for that perfect mask, get yourself a data-capable machine, and keep trying night-after-night. It may be quite a trial right now, and you've every right to feel frustrated, but once you get that perfect fit, all your struggles will be worth it.

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:53 am

Daddy,
You may have seen this comment before, but some folks suggest that using the ramp means you don't have the opportunity to get the mask adjusted for full pressure right away so you are likely to be awakened when the pressure goes up. If you have the capability, use x-flex to lower the exhale pressure which bothers some and get the full inhale pressure right away. Then adjust for minimal leaks. Leaks are a problem if they bother your sleep or if they are so large that the machine can't compensate.

I have used the Swift handily even with my mustache, so don't ley that stop you. It does push out of place in side positions though. I have had the best luck with the ComfortLite II which comes down over the forehead. Both of these are nasal pillow masks which seal only at the nostrils.

Good Luck,

TerryB

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:07 am

Daddyof7, if you are the person who PM-ed me yesterday, my apologies. I was so very whipped after a very stressful day at work that I didn't log on to get my messages last night. I'll check them today at lunch, I promise.

Cheers,
Babette

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:48 am

Welcome back Daddyof7, those of us who have discovered our SA the hard way(complete respiratory failure,etc) tend to get excited when someone talks of giving up. Regards

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:02 pm

Glad to have you back! For me starting with a full face mask was the way to go. It gave me a chance to correct the mouth breathing before I moved up to the swift II. I also had to go back to the FFM because I am sick.

If you are looking to test drive a mask feel free to let everyone know that. Someone just might have one they are willing to let you use....just like babette.

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: RemStar Auto A-Flex System One Pressure Setting=17.5 cm

You all are right......

You all are right......

Welcome Back!