custom fitted masks

I wonder why some company hasn't come up with the idea to custom fit all masks (like put a mold on your face and make a mask to form exactly to your face). I know this would cost a lot of money but buying multiple masks to find the right one or the one that works the best and the accompanying frustration and anxiety are not exactly cheap either. Of course, I already know the answer. The companies can mass produce hundreds of cookie cutter masks probably reasonably cheap and even sell a bunch that people will end up not using and even buy another mask and therefore, the companies can make even more money. I just wish somebody with some heart that understands what a hurdle this is to overcome with would try it. Dental appliances are custom fitted or are supposed to be. I just think that if people could get the the really proper fitting mask the first time, compliance would be much higher and a lot of other health issues such as high blood pressure and heart damage could be lessened. I guess I'm a dreamer!

Also, I have a question if anybody out there can answer me. I got a Respironcs Comfort Full full face mask because I tend to mouth breathe no matter what I try. Taping the mouth shut works great but I've been using Curad Scar Reduction Tape which is very comfortable but also quite expensive so I decided to go with the full face. I used the Breeze Nasal Pillows before and loved the mask except for waking up usually once a night with dry mouth. I used the Comfort Full for a couple of nights and would still wake up with dry mouth. I have my humidifier turned up as high as I can without getting rainout and I have the straps fitted pretty well too. It's just not as comfortable as the Breeze also and I tend to get leaks about the mouth anyway and it hurts my nose. I tried the Ultra Mirage while at the DME's office and they all had large leaks where the hose fits to the mask that he couldn't fix. I didn't like the feel of the mask either. The Comfort Full felt pretty good but it's just not my Breeze. I guess if I can't get the dry mouth thing fixed, I'll go ahead and splurge on the Curad Tape. Like the commercial says, "Go ahead, you're worth it!"

You do the same thing I do tater pie. You open your mouth too much. I also have that problem while I'm awake, but weird as it may seem, words seem to spew out! Turning up my humidifier only made me retain water, don't know why, it stopped after I got off of the FF. I switched to CC and a chin strap because no matter how much I practiced keeping my mouth closed and breathing thru my nose, it just didn't work while I slept. The Respironics FF also hurt the bridge of my nose and seemed like I had to tighten more and more to fight off those leaks.

Patti

You said you switched to a CC and a chin strap. Pardon my ignorance, but what does CC stand for? Thanks for your reply.

Canadian Club - that's why you need a chin strap so you don't lose any!

Bob F

tater pie

I think unclebob must have overdosed on his hollywood pills today.


CC is the new Respironics Comfort Curve mask.

Thanks for your translation unclebob.

Patti

AllShookUp, what kind of chin strap do you use? Does it completely stop the mouth breathing? I've not had much luck with chin straps either. Please let me know.

tater pie
I made my own chin strap with velcro for adjustability. No, some nights I still manage to open my mouth, but not too bad.

I like unclebob's explanation of CC better.
Good Stuff

With all this talk about mouth breathing, may I ask why no one uses the Oracle? Are there bad things about it I don't know about? I am waiting for mine to arrive today and only ordered it at the insistance of a friend of mine who swears by it. She is a mouth-breather, too, and insists it is the "Cadillac" of masks, especially if you use your mouth as your choice method to breathe at night. Yes, you must use a heated humidifier with it, but I think no matter what mask you use, that is a must. I have been given a temporary basic nasal mask; and if there was nothing other than that to use, I would die from the effects of OSA because I couldn't use that mask. It is an effort in futility. I am praying for a miracle when the Oracle arrives because at this point, I am highly depressed and feel like OSA is almost like hearing that I have a terminal illness. I know, I have to take baby steps, like everyone has said. Patience and give it time. It's just such an overwhelming thing to have to deal with when you are so tired and now they're asking you to change the way you've been sleeping your whole life when all you really want to do is lay down and get some sleep; and you'll NEVER, EVER do that without wearing some contraption on your nose, face or mouth again. And, yes, I know there are a million and a half other diagnoses out there that you'd rather not hear you have, but there are also a million and a half other diagnoses out there that you'd rather hear you do have. I guess I'm just having a bad morning. Hope the Oracle comes today and my friend is right. Anybody have any input on it? I'd appreciate some comments. I have read what has already been posted but would be interested in anything new. Thanks, all, and have a pleasant day.

Sorry, but I forgot to log in. Guess was me!!!

The oracle sounds like a great idea for mouth breathers.
I think the full face crowd is split, though, between mouth breathers, and mouth leakers. I am a leaker... I breath through my nose but leak air out my lips, which breaks the treatment cycle with negative results on treatment. Chin straps don't seal the lips for most of us, so it becomes a choice of taping lips shut, full face masks, DIY dentals devices to seal the mouth or whatever works to make this all more comfortable and effective.

Coffee, you hit it on the mark. This nasal mask almost started to work for me when I got in a position once, and I repeat once, where it didn't leak. But just as I almost fell asleep, my mouth opened and, poof, all the pressure popped out. I finally went and got some, get this, shipping tape used to pack boxes and tried putting that on my lips to seal them shut. Needless to say, that wasn't a comfortable solution. I guess if I don't have success with this Oracle, there will be no choice but to use a full face mask (OMG). I am really putting all my hopes into this thing. And much to my displeasure, I just found out it's not coming today, but tomorrow. Yet one more night of no sleep and waiting to start the getting used to the process (huge sigh...)

Once again, it signed me in as a guest. Last reply to coffee was me.

Sorry to go off topic, but getting guested twice (including the post to notify all of who got guested) just struck me as extremely funny.