Trying not 2 give up.......pls help

Hello Shez, I am new to sleep apnea myself and just had my titration last night. I don't know why they would say not to use the humidifier but it's the most wonderful thing you want to use! My nose is twisted inside severely from birth and I am always clogged up in the mornings even with living here in Florida and also with a very dry sore throat. Last night with that humidifier it was heaven. My setting was put on 2, (you can adjust it), and instantly I felt my whole mouth become moist. I awoke the next morning and my nose was clear, no sore throat.. Only thing was my lips were super dry because I was using a pillow type mask and not a full one. This morning because I have to wait for my prescription I woke up to the sore throat and stuffed up nose... I cannot wait to get my machine!

Sorry that your having issues with your mask leaking,. I hope someone will come along and advise you on that. Please don't give up!

Good luck!

I have the same machine and mask.

Petroleum jelly is a no-no in terms of life of the mask.

If you have not replaced the face cushion yet you might consider doing that. I found a world of difference between a used face cushion and new one.

I wash my face cushion and face each evening prior to putting the mask on. Clean surfaces go a long way towards helping with the leak battle.

Consider a humidifier. I can only report my personal experience with that... and know I could not get along without it. I seem to go through distilled water at an alarming rate but I don't have issues with sore throat, dry nose, etc.

The very best of luck with your therapy... keep at it... just a matter of finding the right combination that works for you!

Hi Shez
Don't put anything petroleum based on your mask. If you use a moisturizer a night, don't. What works well for me is washing my face at night just before putting my mask on AND cleaning the area that the mask rests on with a toner/exfoliant. My face tends to be a bit oily and just washing it doesnt get all the oil out of my pores, so when my face sweats a bit, the little bit of oil makes my mask slip more easily. I cut my leak rate in half this way. If youre having a problem with fit, its worth a look at the Lab Rat Awards viewtopic.php?t=15104 to see what other users have tried, as well as searching Mack's Silicons Earplugs on the forum. I hope you find something that helps. Keep us updated.

Best of Luck

I agree with previous posters re the humidifier. This will keep your throat from getting dry. I use a nasal mask and every night I used to get the stuffed up nose. Now I take a 12 hour decongestant/allergy pill which really helps with the stuffy nose. When I'm all stuffed up and have my mask on, I feel like I'm suffocating and I'll whip that mask off real quick. But if I take the pill about an hour before bed, then my nose isn't stuffy and I feel like I can breath and its much easier for me to fall asleep.

my suggestion:

1. Set the machine in AutoSet Mode. Set Minimum pressure =6.5 cm. Set Maximum=15
2. Set up or enable Settling. If using the easy breathe, set it on the middle or 2 setting.
3. Mask: Clean your mask and never use oil with it, that makes it leak much more. Clean with dish soap if that is all you have.
4. Wash your face before bed, as mentioned oils make it leak more including skin oil. Makeup or lotion will result in the same.

If you have had nasal surgery in the past including repair of a deviated septum, you may NOT be able to use a nasal prong mask interface as they apply pressure on the end of the nose, while your nasal valve may be open with no mask or pressure, apply pressure on the end and it can flex the cartilage and cause blockage. You can test this with your fingers pushing on the end of the nose. Most people who have had surgery in the past cannot tolerate those type of masks, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Just try and use the machine as much as you can, you will get tired and resort back to it, if you can only use it a few hours per night then that is better than not at all.

If you lay awake bothered by the machine noise, try some of those foam earplugs. Try Tylenol PM if you have difficulty falling asleep. Use the Settling feature if you find the machine increasing pressure before you are asleep.

Hang in there.

Hi - 12 days on a ship, surrounded by water = lots of humidification = feeling great (apparently). I think it's time you tried to use yours. I live a block away from the ocean so never needed one, but if I were to move anywhere else, probably would.

Have you tried the nasal wash trick?
I bought a sinus rinse plastic bottle and use 1/2 teaspoon of a 3:1 mix of salt & baking soda in 8 oz. of warm water. insert the tip of the bottle (some use a 'neti pot') into one nostril, squeeze gently & let the solution run out of the other nostril. I use 1/2 of the solution to rinse each side.
I used to HATE to put ANYTHING up my nose, but I do this nightly - religiously. Then I also use my humidifier.
I'm thinkin' voyage = no dust.
Hang in there, Shez, you'lll be glad you did.
All the best.

Rhinocort is a steroid spray, it should reduce swelling but it will also inhibit your immune system. I have also received steroid sprays from my doctor, even when I was actively infected and found they made me worse rather than better. I highly recommend a humidifier, and neti pot or saline spray for the nose.

I have had good luck training myself to not mouth breath, not remove my mask, etc. by setting my intention firmly in my mind before I go to sleep. Try thinking of the relief and good feelings your mask can give you, imagine seeing yourself wake up with your mask in place, etc. It sounds flaky, but it has worked for me.

Good luck.

Another trick to con the brain. I had a real hard time adjusting to wearing a mask. I was absolutely paranoid about stuff "covering" my nose and being able to breath. I had a few nights where I whipped off the mask thinking I couldn't breath. So I decided I had to get used to wearing the mask while I was awake in order to convince myself it was ok. As corny as this sounds, I would wear my mask during the day to read or watch tv, just to feel more comfortable with the mask. And it seemed to work.

Hey Shez,
First of all, welcome to the forum!! You have found a great place for information and support as you have already found!!!


Be sure to search the Collective Wisdom and the New Users icons above -- there is an incredible amount of information held there......

I'm with everyone else on the humidifier. I use mine on a setting of 2 most of the time. That said, when I visit my old stomping grounds, Santa Cruz CA, I don't generally take the humidifier with me as the coastal air is moist enough that I don't need it. That said, I know of others that live in that area that use their humidifier. I had the same thought about the cruise - I haven't taken mine on a cruise yet, but it makes me want to ensure I take the humidifier just in case. My own logic would tell me that I don't need it with all that moisture, but in your cabin the air is very controlled and could be quite dry -- I'm glad to hear you had a great experience -- perhaps you could consider moving on board ship???

I would have the same comments about petroleum jelly, oils, cleanliness as everyone else, so I won't be redundant!!!!
Hang in there -- you obviously have the right attitude, so you will succeed!!!!!

Once again, welcome. Feel free to post your ups and downs and keep us up on how you're doing......we're here to help any way we can.....

Take care
cheers
goose