Another CPAP newbie

Hello all

I'm a 22 year old female that has just started CPAP therapy. I've suffered from daily tension headaches for about the past 7 years. After seeing many doctors and having countless tests performed, I was recently diagnosed with OSA. I have only a mild to moderate case of sleep apnea, but my doctor felt this could be a contributing factor to my daily headaches (I hope he's right). Now, after almost 3 months of fighting with my insurance company, I was finally approved for a CPAP.

I went to my DME this Wednesday to pick up my equipment. I was given a Remstar Auto with heated humidifier, pressure set at 10. Since I am claustrophobic, I decided to try a Respironics Comfort Curve (I was a little unsure about the amount of leakage I was having with it at the DME office, but I was assured this amount of leakage would not be a problem). Plus, the DME had gotten the Comfort Curve as a free sample, so they were not charging me for it. I walked out of the DME, happy that I had gotten such a good deal (or so I thought).

As you may have guessed, my first night was awful. I could not get the Comfort Curve to seal, at all! There was air blowing everywhere, except in my nose. The cheek pads hurt my face horribly. After an hour of swearing at the thing, I took it off and slept the night without it. In the morning, I had the worst sinus headache ever and extreme nausea. I called my DME for another appointment.

The DME took back my Comfort Curve and set me up with a Mirage Activa instead. Things have gone much better since then. I was actually able to sleep well with the Activa, and it is fairly comfortable. Tonight will be my 4th night on CPAP and I've decided that therapy is tolerable (still not fun though).

I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone on the forum. I'm sure I will be a regular here.

Sorry, I thought I was logged in when I wrote that. The above post is mine.

Welcome Brandy,


You are very lucky that they gave you an auto at first, very few will do that. Anbother activa convert. They just ought to make it automatic the first mask a new patient gets. If you can't tolerate the activa you have problems. IT may not be some peoples favorite, but most all will tolerate it which is much more than 90 percent of the others.

Hi Brandy and welcome to the forum!

I'm a newbie here too and am still trying to read through all of the information that is packed into this site.

If you're still having a sore head from the harness, try reading the thread "pillows" (my head and ears were very sore from the straps)

That is amazing that they got you set up with an activa. You know, maybe it's a psychological ploy to give new folks the Nasal Pillow things to try, and then giove them the "good" nasal or face mask. The mask is so much better that we immediately fall in love with it!

You have quite a piece of technology there in the Auto. Be sure to read Derek's posts about the software.

- JB

I'm not sure what category the Comfort Curve would fall into.

It's not really a nasal "pillows" interface since those are always two little thingies that fit at/into both nostrils - like the Breeze, Swift, and Aura nasal "pillows".

Nor is it a traditional "nasal" mask (covers the nose) since it sits under the tip of the nose, not over it.

Perhaps the Comfort Curve is best just regarded as "another type" of Respironics mask. Everyone would know right away that often means "leaky". LOL!!

The Activa is a wonderfully designed nasal mask. Sure suits many, many people.
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My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field. Those are just my personal opinions. A mask or machine I love/hate could be completely the opposite for others. Finding suitable equipment can be an expensive trial and error experience.

I think I jinxed myself by saying things were going okay. Last night was not so good. I went to bed late, about 2am (hey, it was Saturday night). I just couldn't get comfortable with the mask. As soon as I would start dozing off I would wake up claustrophobic and uncomfortable. I finally took a sleeping pill at 4am. I fell asleep okay with the mask after that, but woke up at 9am and found that I had taken the mask off while sleeping. I think my claustrophobia is going to be the main thing standing betwen me and successful treatment. I suppose I will get used to it at some point.

By the way, what is everyone's opinion on the Mirage Vista? I tried one at the DME and liked it, but found it might be harder to maintain a seal than the Activa. I may have to try that eventually.

Brandy,

We all seem to go through good nights and bad ones. It happens now & then, so you needn't worry unless this becomes your new norm!

Just go back to the beginning, wash your mask, wash your face, and try it again. (See the thread about washing your equipment.) I now use baby shampoo on all my equipment (mask is washed every day) and Neutragena Facial Wash on my face every AM and every night. Makes for a no-leaks night for me..... but then I am still a newbie too!

- JB

Brandy, a lot of people have reported that the Vista tends to leak up toward the eyes. That's certainly what I found it did on me, too. Too leaky. It hit my mask discard drawer pretty fast. But who knows? Vista might be fine for you.

If you want to try a mask that has nothing in front of the eyes, I'd try the Swift, rather than the Vista.
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My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field. Those are just my personal opinions. A mask or machine I love/hate could be completely the opposite for others. Finding suitable equipment can be an expensive trial and error experience.

Welcome Brandy,

I'm fairly new to all this too, I guess it's been about 7 weeks for me and I feel like I'm settling into a routine finally. For me, and I think many of us, the first couple weeks are the roughest. Actually I had 2 trial weeks before that which I don't count, lol. Those first attempts were horrible, I ripped the mask off more than once swearing it would never work for me.

But after finally coming to grips with the importance of it, and accepting it, I've been able to adjust and I can now say I sleep through the night with it. I still cannot sleep more than 6 hours typically, but blood oxygen tests don't lie and mine has been normal for a few weeks now.

Anyway, hang in there, keep working at it, and before long it will seem normal, in an odd sort of way..


Ron

I started with the Swift and the Nare pain was too much to handle. Moved to the ComfortCurve and after lots of modification got it to seal on a hit and miss basis. When it sealed it was great, the exception for me not the rule.

Now I am using the Vista and it has been great for me. Because it can be adjusted downward the leaks I had have been at the bottom not the top. None major enough to even wake me up. I really do like the fact there is nothing on my forhead or between my eyes.