Buying a Full Face Mask...

Ok so my first night on the CPAP, Nasal Mask and I had it off within an hour and a half. I figured instead of already being tired at work I didnt want to be even more exhausted trying to deal with the mask so I took it off... and will get more use out of it this weekend...

I just don't feel like I am going to get used to the Nasal one, I hated it during the sleep study and now I remember why...

I'd rather just pay for my own full face mask, I already had to pay 20% of the machine, and I know that I could probably find a mask cheaper online myself rather then waiting around for my Dr. to approve it and my insurance company and then Apria... I don't want to wait that long...

Does anyone know where I can maybe get a full face mask that is a good mask and cheaper then getting it through a DME?

My DME told me I could keep exchanging masks if I had problems for 60 days. Have you checked to see if you can exchange?? What is it about the nasal mask that is the problem? I had awful issues with nasal mask at titration and going to a full face wouldn't have solved my issues so I opted for the nasal pillows. I love the nasal pillows that I am using. cpap.com our hosts for this forum offer a wide variety of masks and the prices are very reasonable considering what I have seen at other websites. Some offer a return insurance policy if the mask won't work. They also offer a measuring guide to you can get a much closer idea as to the size that is needed.

Everytime I start to feel myself fall asleep, I just automatically stop breathing through my nose, then my mouth wants to open, and of course then I panick and I have to start all over... it's more exhausting trying to fall asleep then it is without it. I know I have to have it, but I am not sure if it's enough pressure or if it's to high. I am set at 10, and I feel ok during ramping, until it gets to 10 and then I start to feel the suffocation...and I still stop breathing so what it is really helping? I don't see my Dr. for another couple of weeks, so in the meantime I do want to try and get used to the mask, and Apria said I have to get atleast 6 hours a night on the machine, if not I am going to have to pay for the whole thing! per my insurance company... I am stressed out lol

I know I need more time on it, and maybe I could ask to try the nasal pillows instead...

Here is what happened when I tried the nasal mask at titration. I found that after 15 or 20 minutes I simply could not pass any air through my nose. I got congested to the point it was like someone had stuck cotton up my nose. I called a halt to things, pulled it off and immediately began to move air easily. This wasn't a panic, all in my head reaction. If I sit and put the least little pressure on my nose or down the sides or across the cheeks, I get immediate congestion. Pressure on the labrynths (can't spell it) does this to me, even my eyeglass's weight (titanium frames, no rims) does this. In other words the least little pressure causes the congestion. For me it wasn't a problem with the pressure of the machine. My only option is some type of nasal pillow.

If you have problem exhaling against the pressure you may need some sort of pressure relief. I don't remember seeing what machine you are using. If your problem is strictly related to inhalation / exhalation pressure relief and getting used to it then your mask choice won't help there. Maybe ramping longer??

I'll try ramping longer tonight and see what happens... I am just a newbie with it all and I guess I just need to have patience... I'll update tomorrow, as to how tonight went, and atleast with it being a friday I can work on it all night until i am comfortable enough

You can get some new ( never opened) masks on cpapauction.com for very good prices. I have been able to get some very good masks ( for me) on that site.

Unless the mask comes with several sizes of cushions, you have to guess at your size or use a measuring guide from the net.

Also do you know if you have EPR mode turned on on your machine? EPR offers exhalation relief beyond ramping so if it isn't turned on, you might want to consider turning it on. Three settings. 1,2, and 3 with 3 being the most relief.

Adjusting to sleeping with CPAP isn't always easy.

Your mouth dropping open is a common problem, because in the past, that's how you got air when you had an apnea. It will take time to train yourself that those days are gone.

CPAP.COM has a variety of masks, most with return insurance in case it doesn't work.

As far as a full-face, I bought a Zzz-mask when I had a respiratory infection, and replaced the straps on it (which were way too big for my head) with the strap off my Comfortlite 2 mask. This gives me a dealable full face, although I'll warn you that I still had to use my chin-support with the full-face to keep my mouth from dropping out of the mask. Full-face is AN answer for SOME mouth leakage, but it's not the panacea some full-face advocates make it out to be.

LaurieJ31981 wrote:Everytime I start to feel myself fall asleep, I just automatically stop breathing through my nose, then my mouth wants to open, and of course then I panick and I have to start all over... ......

You figure it out quickly - you need a full face mask. Full face masks are designed for those of us who sometimes breathe or leak through our mouths. Don't let anyone here convince you to buy another nasal mask - get a FF mask. Mine works great!

I knew I was a mouth breather because my sinuses closeup at the slightest irritation. I have no problems with it except that I had to put a piece of fabric between me and it to keep my skin from reacting.
The full face mask only leaks for me if I sleep on my back because then my jaw drops back and it looses the seal

You should be able to change ,masks within 30 days - no questions asked. The type of mask is not in your prescription, it is solely up to your comfort.

Kiralynx wrote: .......... This gives me a dealable full face, although I'll warn you that I still had to use my chin-support with the full-face to keep my mouth from dropping out of the mask. Full-face is AN answer for SOME mouth leakage, but it's not the panacea some full-face advocates make it out to be.

K,

I have three full face masks. I use a Hybrid almost every night and occasionally a F&P432 and I used a Quattro for a short time. My mouth drops wide open at times during the night especially during the pollen season when I have some congestion. The FF mask continues to work properly with no leaks and my mouth does not drop out of any of these three masks.

With a properly fitted full face mask, your mouth, when open, will stay inside the mask and not cause leaks.

Regards,

I have always been a mouth breather and snored something vicious. during my second sleep study I suggested the full face because of that... after 20 minutes I took it off. I was miserable. I tried the nasal mask and did fine. Strange enough, I did not snore or mouth breathe at all. That is what I got from my DME and used for a few days, until it started to hurt me..
I then switched to nasal pillows which is where I have been for almost 3 weeks now?
I have tried taping my mouth (at the recommendation of others in here) but that did not work for me. I am still trying to tweak my numbers, it is a long process.
I am finally getting pretty used to the cpap and being connected to a hose though. It is defitnely an adjustment for a few weeks!

drubin007 wrote:......... I tried the nasal mask and did fine. Strange enough, I did not snore or mouth breathe at all. .........I have tried taping my mouth (at the recommendation of others in here) but that did not work for me. ............

Why would you try taping your mouth if you do not mouth breathe?

rooster wrote:Why would you try taping your mouth if you do not mouth breathe?

Probably for the same reason I tried taping. To see if it affected the leak ratio at all. I would have sworn I wasn't a mouth breather and I probably am not full fledged but there was a significant improvement in leak ratio when I did tape. So......I am opening my mouth without knowing it for some reason on occasion. With that knowledge I am now investigating chin straps.

Pugsy is spot on...

still being a noob and without software at this stage, I am trying to get my numbers where they need to be.

Since i started manually logging my stats (the night of May 23rd), my leak rate has varied from 0.08 to 0.64L/s. I have tried different settings on my cpap machine for masks to get a more accurate readting (currently have it on swift, before that I tried standard)...

Everyone says if you feel better you know its working. Sad truth is I never knew I felt bad, and after 3 weeks of cpap I still feel the same. If I could achieve better numbers I would feel better about it every night.