Please help an new CPAP user

Dale92 · Post by **Dale92** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:55 pm

I just started with my CPAP machine 3 weeks ago and I am unable to find a mask that works for me on my pressure setting of 18. I have tried the Ultra Mirage ff and the Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows System both of which I am currently using now. The full face mask does not work for me because of terrible air leaks below my mouth. I have tried the ff mask both extremely tight and loose. I have a slightly receding jaw and I think that causes a lot of my leakages. I have tried adding mole skin and using a chin strap attached below the exhaust tube and up to the top of my head to bring the lower part of the mask tighter to my face and still have leaks, it is also extremely uncomfortable.

When I use the Swift I mouth breathe. I have tried using chin straps to close my mouth and even taped my mouth closed. I still manage to open enough of my mouth to lose the seal and pressure. Can someone give me an idea of what to do? My RT told me after my 3rd try on a new mask that was it for what he could offer me in masks. I have looked around the internet and see that there is plenty more to try, are there any suggestions for someone with a high pressure like mine and maybe not the ideal face for a ff mask? I feel so much better on CPAP and want to continue to look for a mask that will work for me so any help would be greatly appreciated!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 5:12 pm

The Resmed Activa would be a good next mask to try and if they ever come out with a full face version which was alluded to by little birdies a while back, it would be a wonderful choice.

Dale92 · Post by **Dale92** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 5:35 pm

Thanks rock and roll! I will look into that and see if my RT can get it or if I would have to look into getting it on my own. Have you heard of the Total face mask by Respironics it comes in one size only. I just located it on CPAP.com. I don't know if that would work out for me or not. It looks like it surrounds the entire face from the top of the head to under the chin. That might solve some of my leakage around the mouth/cheeks. It sure is frustrating trying to get something to work. My RT is a nice guy but when I asked him about different masks he said he was all out of options and when I asked him to adjust my CPAP machine (respironics pro2 w/cflex) to increase the humidity for my dryness he looked at it and said there was no adjustment. After he left I looked at the machine myself and found that the heater had an adjustment from 1 to 5 which I guess would increase the humidity for me. I set it at 3 last night and noticed that a lot more water was gone from the chamber and I felt better also.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 6:01 pm

The heater is your adjustment for your humidifier. You are going to find that your DME or RT don't know much. In fact most would seem to be absolute morons. They charge a fortune for something that really effects a persons health, yet they wont' take the time to educate themselves about it. I know there are excelptions, but I have not come across one nor do I know many thyat have. That is where this forum will help you. Much info to be had here.

IMHO, Respironics products when it comes to masks are louzy. If I am wrong you will hear it here soon, but I doubt it. I like resmed products and a lot of the people here if not the large majority agree. I have yet to find a FF mask that works, the Activa seems to be the best for newcomers to try. They will come out with a FF one in the future but you can't wait. Try the Activa and maybe you will have to either wear a chin strap to keep your mouth closed or you can tape your mouth shut, don't laught I bet almost all of us have done this. After a while, you can train yourself to not mouth breat. I am one of these that did. Good Luck and welcome to our group.

Dale92 · Post by **Dale92** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 6:16 pm

Thanks again rock and roll. I have tried the taping my mouth shut and using a chin strap at the same time. What I am doing and correct me if I am not doing it correctly is I am placing the tape which is I think about a half inch wide in an X across my lips to keep them together along with the chin strap. I am then parting my lips at the corners during sleep to let the pressure out. This may be silly but is there a wider tape that would entirely cover my mouth?

My history is that I have been a mouth breather since very early childhood because of a deviated septum. I had never been able to breath through my nose until last year when I had nasal surgery and a uvalectomy to help my snoring before I found I had sleep apnea. Do you think that it is possible for me to stop mouth breathing at night? I tried for a week but was so uncomfortable that I gave up and begged my RT for another ff mask.

OldSeaRock · Post by **OldSeaRock** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 6:38 pm

Dale, I'm struggling with masks too.

Though I don't need a full face mask, the Activa so far has been the best mask I've tried.

Still, I'm looking for a nasal pillows system that will work.. the pillows system leaves me feeling more refreshed in the morning. My problem with the pillows is leaks.

Hang in there - and R&R is right about the DME's. The R/T's are good people at my DME but they don't know half of what they're talking about when it comes to the masks. All they know is what has worked for most of their patients. And as I've learned here, each situation is a little diffferent.

Good luck and persevere!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:58 pm

Dale,
I've read (no personal experience) that Fisher and Paykel http://www.fphcare.com make a full face mask that fits under your chin - which might be better for you.

The hosts of this forum https://www.cpap.com have a mask fitting screen on their site where you can enter your measurements and get mask suggestions. It's not perfect yet, but certainly worth a try.

I hope you find a mask that fits you. Good luck!
O.

Dale92 · Post by **Dale92** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 11:42 am

First I want to thank you all for your contributions on my search for a mask that will work for me. ozij, thankyou for your tip on Fisher and Paykel's site at http://www.fphcare.com. While I was looking at the full face mask I noticed that they offered an oral only appliance. This was the Oracle 452.

Does anyone have any experience with a mouth only appliance for CPAP use? I like the idea since I am a mouth breather at night by nature. I am just wondering if it works, I can't see how the pressure can be kept without escaping through the nose? If you have experience with this mask or one like it any comments would really help.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:27 pm

Dale,
I had a very bad experience with the Oracle. Read this post. It will explain.
viewtopic.php?t=4667

In the meanwhile, a great way to tape successfully so you don't mouth breathe is to use a Tegaderm patch, but before you place it over your lips, turn your lips inward, almost like a woman blots her lipstick on a tissue, and seal your mouth with them in that position. That makes it much harder for air to escape. I used to get those leaks, too, no matter what I did. That works for me every night.

My advice about the Oracle? I know of ONE person who has continued use of it. You could be trading mouth leaks for nose leaks and a whole host of other problems, as you will read in the thread I gave you the link for. But, then again, what doesn't work for me could work for you.

Best of luck to you. Don't give up. You will find the right mask.

Humidifier

Additional Comments: ResScan and SleepyHead software