Cant find a mask, please help!

prostitch · Post by **prostitch** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:06 pm

Hi Group!
I am a newbie to this group, as well as having just been prescribed a BiPap machine.
When I was in the hospital, the full face mask was not so bad since I had tons of wires hooked up to me, it was only one more thing.
Upon recieving this thing at home, I found I just couldnt adapt to the "alien" on my face.
Next, I tried the Swift pillow. It is fine for about 2 hours , then I wake up with the inside of one of my nostrils "burning". Im a side sleeper and its like it sorta mashes on one side. Kinda like ill fitting sunglasses start doing after you wear them awhile. It is that same "burn".
Is there anything else I can try? Im about ready to give up .
Thanx so much! Jola Hodges

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:13 pm

Try the Activa. It seems to be a good newbie mask. It has a high success rate here. You won't even notice it on your face.
Just dont tighten the straps. Watch the CD that is in the box.

:twis ted:

Terry Flower51 · Post by **Terry Flower51** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:43 pm

Don't give up!!!!! I'm a newbie too. I also don't like anything on my face and have found the Nasal AireII prongs are just right for me. Thing is, they insert into your nostrils so the best thing to do is to rub a little ky jelly on the outside of the prongs before putting them in. Also, it is helpful if you have a heated humidifier.

Also you must be sure to get the right size to fit your nostrils...big enough to make a "seal" at the end of your nostrils and not let air escape. They should feel snug at first and will warm to your body temp and feel just right.

So easy to use once the fit is correct. My dme doesnt' carry the med plus which I would have liked to try out, so I have larges. They just carry small/med/large so for now I'm using these and will check into another dme in our insurance's network to see if I can try out the med plus sometimes.

Terry

prostitch · Post by **prostitch** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:47 pm

Hi Chris!
Thanx for the quick reply. I went to cpap.com to check the mask out. It looks big like the first one that I tried.
There is just something about these full face masks that just feel so awful on . Its like something is taking over my whole face.
I think if I slept on my back it wouldnt be so bad, but, when I turn over it is pressed just enough for me to feel "invaded".
Really, it is like this huge thing. The Swift pillow would indeed work for me if it were not for that burning sensation inside my nostril.
Any other ideas? Thanx! Jola

Flower51 Terry · Post by **Flower51 Terry** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:47 pm

If you go to cpap.com you can see the videos on NasalAire II to see how they work and what they're like to wear. They can be worn w/one small velcro band connecting the hose behind your head near the base of your neck, or with a "head band" that is lightweight velcro, or both. Very simple set up and easy to use for a side sleeper, stomach sleeper, etc....adapts to diff positions of sleep.

Also, if you like the swift except for the irritation, did you try using ky jelly on your nostrils before putting it on? Some nights I use that, some nights just a little saline spray does the trick. Terry

stetsongirl · Post by **stetsongirl** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:49 pm

Welcome chrisp!
I'm new to this too and also having difficulty finding a new mask. Since I work for a DME company, this morning I called Fisher Paykel and they are coming to the office tomorrow morning with all their equipment and supplies to give an inservice. I've seen several posts from people who love their FP masks. I'm too claustrophobic for a nasal mask, so I'm trying to find nasal pillows. I've tried the Comfort Curve, but mine is one of the first off the line and the headgear doesn't keep it secure enough to prevent leaks. This is a good place to be to learn about OSA and all of the toys available to us.

Best of luck to you!
Susie

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:52 pm

Activa is a nasal mask made by Resmed. It is not a full face mask.

:twis ted:

prostitch · Post by **prostitch** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:56 pm

Hi Terry!
I havent tried the ky jelly. This is more like a pressure "burn". Sorta like if you mash on one certain spot for a long time.
It looks like the mask you are telling me about reminds me of the swift thing. Does it feel different in your nose? Thanx! Jola

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:19 pm

The Swift takes some time to get yourself "toughened up" for it.
And it also takes a bit of fiddling to get this simple looking setup adjusted JUST RIGHT.

AYR GEL is good for smearing on the contact points and its designed for CPAP use and is available at normal "drugstores".

Best thing you can do in addition to the lube is get a second completely different mask and rotate between the two of them. I alternate nights betweem the Activa and the Swift. I HATE not being able to itch my suddenly itchy nose with the Activa, but otherwise it has some good things going on for it. I like the minimalist Swift, but it does tend to beat up my nose.

Get a memory foam pillow for "absorbing" the head gear when laying on your side. (or back)

Fiddle with the barrel adjustment on the Swift. Rolling it a tiny bit one way or the other can make a big difference for comfort.

Tighten the straps JUST enough to seal. Most people keep the back strap fairly loose and low behind the base of the skull, and just do micro adjustments of the top strap until it just barely stops leaking.

I like to route the tube UP on the Swift and use the velcro band just BELOW the Y of the headgear.

Many CPAP veterans have at least two totally different masks for mask rotation. Seems like you can put up with many things for one night that would drive you bonkers for night after night.

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:44 pm

Hi Jola! Welcome!!

I use a Swift, but only for naps because it is so noisy for me. It used to mash one side of my nose because my nares are not symmetrical and one is weaker muscle-wise than the other. But by using a a different bed pillow, it now works fine - especially when I sleep on my side.

I use the "shapeable" pillow, available at Target stores for $12.99. It surrounds you and the mask and holds it in place without dislodging it.
See the threads about pillows::::

viewtopic.php?t=3446&highlight=shapeable
viewtopic.php?t=2997&highlight=shapeable

For nighttime use I use a Fischer & Paykel FlexiFit HC407 Nasal Mask. It seals very tightly and is almost silent compared to the Swift! <LOL>

But everyone's face is different and everyone has different preferences. I wish you luck in your search

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:36 pm

I vote for the Breeze. I cannot imagine using anything else.
There is a newer version and I think it is supposed to be an even better improvement.

It seems to have more positive reviews than most of the others.

texas2step · Post by **texas2step** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:32 am

I've come to the conclusion that the successful patients, the ones who are "long termers" are the ones who have "committed DME support systems into play. The patients who snap their fingers and their DME jumps. I'm teasing a bit, but it is TRUE.
I'm on my fifth mask self purchased. I was dx in an out of town hospital, (houston) and yet live in San Antonio. The people that supplied my mask have a rep covering my area, but he is too lazy to be of any usefulness. He wanted me to drive 180 miles one way to pick up another mask to try. I don't drive and he is is in for a rude awakening soon. Poverty.

Why is a top notch DME key? For all the tricks and hints that you won't have to waste time finding out on your own. Time you will be sleeping instead,

Peg

prostitch · Post by **prostitch** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 9:27 am

Hey Group!
Well, I called my DME this AM. They are bringing out 2 different things for me to try instead of just the one thing at a time. Thats cool!
They are bringing out the Comfort Curve and the Nasal Aire II for me to try next. I will definitely give you guys a full report.
If neither of these works for me, they will come over with a couple of others. Since I seem to be a bad whiner on these face invaders, maybe my opinion of which one works out in my case will help someone else that is way pickey. I feel like such a whimp to be complaining about so many of these things. My DME probably roll their eyes when I call!
Thanx! Jola

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:22 pm

Another thing no one has mentioned or asked, are you on a heated humidifier?

Many times that "burn" is not from the seal around your nose but IN your nose as the air that gets there is cold and fast. If thats the case, it could be causing the trouble.

Flower51Terry · Post by **Flower51Terry** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:05 am

Don't forget when trying the Nasal Aire II that you must insist on having the prongs that fit snugly into your nose and make a seal when tugged on a little. Otherwise they will be noisy and uncomfortable from the whooshing air! And have a tube of ky jelly or ayr handy too to assist w/insertion. I have learned to rub a thin layer of the jel on the outside of the prongs themselves and at the rim before putting on. Makes a world of difference.

Cant find a mask, please help!