Tiration Study last night, mask hurt like crazy, panicking

Sleepless on LI wrote:
And, YES, the sleep study RTs put those masks on so tight, almost as if they are getting back at their spouses for an argument earlier in the day and are using your face to strangle the life out of them. They make them way too tight.

Yup, there is a trap in putting on most masks. If they are done up to what seems like normal tightness while standing up, the straps will strain when you lie down.

Most masks (I learned this particularly from the activa) don't need to be too tight when 1st placed on. If it is too loose when you lay down you can always get up & adjust a fraction tighter. Sooner or later you will get it right.

Also, I believe that a new mask too will require a bit of tightening over the 1st week.

The other *musts* with masks esp full face masks, is to wash your face (I use pure soap, not any with additives) before putting it on. As a man I used to shave as well but interestingly that didn't seem to offer the benefits I thought it should so I no longer bother.

PS also make sure you check the 'bridge' adjustment *after* lying down & not before - that can affect the pressure on your nose bridge.

Good luck

Cheers

DSM

Bill and Lori,
Yes, I did wrap scotch tape around the "slits" and it really helped with the noise.

Yawn,

"Slits," meaning where the little slide goes over where the bottom of the sleeve is? THe actual bottom of the barrel (no pun intended)?

Thanks.

Yawn, as I posted on the other thread where you mentioned using the tape on the ends, I've never had this problem except once, and rotating the barrel of the interface solved the problem. Since these ends snap in quite well, I'm wondering if perhaps you had the straps too tight and that was slightly pulling the ends out. Remember, above all, the Swift should be worn really loose. I can put about 2-3 fingers under my straps, laying them flat against my head. Adjusting the top strap tighter will keep the pillows up and in your nostrils better if you have a problem with them slipping out or the barrel rests too low on your upper lip. Adjusting the lower strap will affect the pressure on your upper lip. Actually, the lower strap can be quite a bit looser than the upper lip. I think this is where the people who tried the Swift and slept on the side and it kept breaking the seal were failing.

Most of the masks come with CDs now with instructions on adjustments, cleaning, etc. Be sure you look at them (in your computer with the program running, of course) I know how men are about reading instructions, but it IS very important on something like this.

As far as that Respironics Full face mask the link went to, I can see that thing causing major dry eye with the air blowing on the total face like that. And even with an inflatable seal I have my doubts it would fit ALL face types and sizes

Regarding using a nasal or nasal pillow/prong interface if you breathe through your mouth. Try my technique.

Place the tip of your tonge against your upper or lower incisors. Against the lower ones you can even yawn and talk and your tongue will block off the back of your mouth so no air comes out when using the machine. Stop and think right now where your tongue is while you are reading this. I think most of us put our tongues in nearly this position all the time. One reason why people develop the most tartar there. I find myself placing my tongue there all the time now, even awake. Some on this list have found the method very effective. I don't know how it would work on high pressures but it works very well for me even up to about 12 or 14.

Janelle wrote:I know how men are about reading instructions, ...

Hey! I represent that remark.