CPAPtalk.com

MiMi wrote: dude you looklike a child molestor.

And you writelike a child... What a coincidence!

Does Mommy know you're playing with her computer again?

I try on atleast 3 masks per patient.

Zero.

Tech gave me the same mask I wore during the titration. Its been OK, but I have no baseline for comparison. May try the Mirage Quattro in a month when I'm eligible for a replacement.

kteague wrote:Debjax - count your blessings!

Daily.

Your first mask could be the difference your determinination to work towards success, or discouragement. But in my case, it wasn't the first mask, it was miraculously finding Cpaptalk.com.
My Dr sent me to a DME for my equipment. The therapist handed me a mask, LT Swift, "this is what your Dr ordered. Put it on - do you feel leaks? " I couldn't answer because of the air pressure, I felt leaks everywhere, I nodded, the Therapist told me to pull on all the straps until the leaks stoped.

I pulled straps until my face flattened. Therapist: that's your mask. Me: Can I try another mask. Therapist; "You are doomed to failure if you don't follow your Dr's orders"
After a few minutes debate about trying me trying another mask & a different machine, He repeated: 'You are the type that is doomed to failure'. I decided my dr's medical degree had to have some credence, & went home the LT Swift with medium pillows.

That night, after fiddling with the mask, I discovered the medium pillows fit outside my nares, and I could bet one pillow in, but not both. I turned the air on, The leaks shot in every direction, I couldn't tighten the mask enough. I was discouraged, turned it off.
I got up and looked on the internet - hoping to find some help.

I found a few informative sites & since my Dr. was out of town, I tried various internet sites and about 2 weeks later . . the miracle happened - I found cpaptalk.com. I discovered CPAP had worked for thousands . . I got a new mask - it didn't fit, I now have a Mirage Swift - and with adaptions I learned here, it works - It isn't perfect, I will try others. I hope to try other DME'S, I have yet to have a good experience with my present one. But I will continue - & I owe that to the members of Cpaptalk.com. Thanks to all. Jan

At my titration I used the Swift LT For Her, and it worked great. I slept all night. At the RT's, I tried the Nasal Aire 2, and the Swift For Her, and decided to go with the Swift For Her. So far, so good. I don't seem to have any leaks. I use the extra small pillows, and they seem to fit perfectly. I guess I got pretty lucky. I may still try the Nasal Aire 2, though, just for kicks.

1 nasal mask during titration. As they cranked up the pressure, they put on a elastic "Deluxe" chin strap while my lips imitated a motorboat. But they said I stopped snoring and having apneas at 13cm

1 CG nasal mask with Apria after trying on the plastic sack nose template for sizing. Sent home along with a super (NOT!) M-series DS100. Don't think we ever even turned the machine on to check for leaks, just showed how to put it together and clean. Maybe we did and my memory wasn't working good enough to recall...

TheDreamer wrote:I thought I had it working...but the sore that I got from the first nights...then became infected, and MRSA...and then doxycyline for 2 weeks and orders to not use CPAP for a week or so.

You and I went to the same sleep center. They gave me MRSA, too, by ripping the tape off my face and ripping a few inches of skin off with it. They wouldn't answer to me or my doctor and as far as I know the state board didn't give a hoot about the letter I sent them, either. Don't go back there! There is another place in town. Drop me a message if you want to know more, I probably shouldn't post the name of either place on a public forum.

>>>how many masks did your tech try on you?>>>
Since its private pay for me, One mask. He did a quick measurement, and fit the quattro to my head, hooked up the hose, told me to sit still, and he turned the blower on. Then he showed me how to adjust the straps, warned me it was to be worn every night, without exception, and that was it. I was in and out of there in 10 minutes.

If memory serves me correctly they tried on a few masks when I was being tested. I had my first test and that night they stopped the test came in woke me up and had me try different masks. When I went in to pick up a machine and mask I tried several on. I was also sent home with different ones to try.

I have heard of some techs who measure but can also look at a face and know what will work and what won't. Mine didn't measure anything just tried different masks in different sizes.

Three different ones (all Respironics) during my sleep study. A full face, and nasal, and finally a Swift (old style) nasal pillow. The last was the only one that sealed well enough for them to get titration numbers.

When I was told what equipment I would get, I was told that I would receive a "Respironics full face mask". I mentioned that that had not sealed successfully, and neither had the nasal mask, only the nasal pillow one. (thick beard and mustache). "Well, we only provide full face masks, that's all the insurance company will pay for and they work for everyone."

Thank the gods for this forum. I already knew about insurance reimbursements and different masks, and I knew I was being sold a load of old rubbish. I thanked them for their time, went home, and ordered my equipment from cpap.com.

stacia123 wrote:

TheDreamer wrote:I thought I had it working...but the sore that I got from the first nights...then became infected, and MRSA...and then doxycyline for 2 weeks and orders to not use CPAP for a week or so.

You and I went to the same sleep center. They gave me MRSA, too, by ripping the tape off my face and ripping a few inches of skin off with it. They wouldn't answer to me or my doctor and as far as I know the state board didn't give a hoot about the letter I sent them, either. Don't go back there! There is another place in town. Drop me a message if you want to know more, I probably shouldn't post the name of either place on a public forum.

Actually, I got the infection about 2 months after my sleep study...and after I had been on CPAP therapy for about 2.5 weeks. But, it was an itchy open sore that I couldn't keep my fingers off of during the day....and I'm sure there's all kinds of sources to find MRSA at work.

The Dreamer.

I"m just now reading "Critical" by Robin Cook. Its central theme is MRSA.

TheDreamer wrote: Actually, I got the infection about 2 months after my sleep study...and after I had been on CPAP therapy for about 2.5 weeks. But, it was an itchy open sore that I couldn't keep my fingers off of during the day....and I'm sure there's all kinds of sources to find MRSA at work.

Ah, it sounded like cause-and-effect. But there are 2 sleep centers in town, although many doctors don't mention the 2nd one.