Newbie... Advice Needed

Hi Fallynkz, welcome!

The mask sounds like it's way too tight! It should be just tight enough to not leak. Have a look at the yellow lightbulb at the top of the page for more tips and do a search on this forum for more help on mask fitting. There are many different mask types and styles, you'll find the one you need.

My major concern is your DME. They gave you an old machine and don't sound like they are too helpful. Maybe you can contact your insurance and find out which other DMEs they deal with.

It's great that you found this forum, I'm sure you'll get the help you need.

Is the machine shown in your profile really the one they gave you?

I ask because it is an old model and not made anymore. There have been 2 newer models since it was made. The M Series came out a few years age, and just recently, the PR System One.

Check to make sure which machine you have.

I agree with the others -- it sounds like your mask is too tight.

When I first started all of this, the bridge of my nose was RAW -- I mean bleeding raw. I used cotton balls and first aid tape, bandaids -- you name it. I finally loosened the mask (still with a bandaid) and just let it leak for a few nights, giving the area a little time to heal.

Now, after 6 months of treatment, I have a cleaning routine for my face, use a plastic bandaid over my nose bridge and tighten my mask just enough to get a good seal, but not so tight as to cause any breakage of the skin. Plus, I think the area as "toughened up" to tolerate the mask.

I had that issue also... The bridge of my nose abscessed before I took it back to my DME to do something about it. They were more than happy to try a different mask. Turns out the one I had just wouldn't seal at my high pressure. Most DMEs are pretty cool about returns in the first 30 days. Definitely check with them and make sure they'll work with you to pick out something that works for you. If you can't get along with your mask, you won't use the machine, which defeats the purpose...

your mask should not give you that much discomfort. Either you have it way too tight or the mask is not the right size. If you have to tighten it so hard thta it hurts it is definitely not the right size. You should have been able to try on masks to make sure one fits and is comfortable. Surprised they did not do that. there is a mask out there that is just right for you the quest is to find it and learn how to use it so it fits properly and works well for you.

I also started out with a full face mask and ended up with a sore on the bridge of my nose that I was sure would leave a scar. I used those bandaids that are clear and thin--- can't think of the name--- until I got an Opti-life nasal pillow mask. I have been using it now for nearly 3 years and love it. I have a drawer full of masks, (full, hybrid, breeze, etc...) like most people on here. You have to find the one that is right for you. I purchased some online and some I got from the VA just by asking. If insurance is an issue, it may be hard for you to experiment, but I think a gaping wound on your nose is reason enough for them to allow you to try nasal pillows.

I'm sure you've already heard this, but if the mask is too tight this will happen. The mask is supposed to "float" on your face. Personally, I think that's hogwash and the full face mask never worked for me. Everyone is different, but you might want to give nasal pillows a try. If your pressure is way high, they may not be a viable option for you.

I wish you luck. Stick with it. The rewards are tremendous. There are good people on this forum who will help you. Do not be afraid to ask and do not worry about the occasional jerk that likes to show his or her expertise. This forum kept me going and gave me the help I needed. Again good luck.

Thank you for all the advice. I did have the wrong machine and mask listed lol.. I wore it last night and things seem to be getting better. I still had a red mark on my forehead and nose. I did take it off a few times in the middle of the night, and that because i was having nightmares that I was being smoothered. So i hope things are getting better.

I had similar problems and had to do three things to overcome them:

1) loosen the mask, but that wasn't enough, I don't like leaks, they wake me up.
2) I had a sore at the bottom of my nose, reminded me of diaper rash, I put chapstick on it
and put more on if I have to get up and go to the bathroom. I had to use neosporin
at first to heal the wound, but it is not good to use an antibiotic for prolonged periods,
you don't want to breed antibiotic resistant bacteria on your nose, so I switched
to chapstick as soon as I could. Lanolin has been recommended for this too.
3) for the forehead I had to put a pad between my forehead and the mask.
When I sleep on my side the pillow pushes the mask in, so tightness was not the issue for me.
I have two pads that work, one made of neoprene, and the other made of nylon
webbing (sewers will know what that is), which is the material nylon straps and seatbelts
are made out of - can be bought at most fabric stores too - get one with a fine mesh
not a rough one or you will wake up with the mesh pattern pressed into your forehead.

Fallynkz wrote:Thank you for all the advice. I did have the wrong machine and mask listed lol.. I wore it last night and things seem to be getting better. I still had a red mark on my forehead and nose. I did take it off a few times in the middle of the night, and that because i was having nightmares that I was being smoothered. So i hope things are getting better.

Do you know what pressure your machine is set to? And when you say smothered, do you mean you can't breath in or you can't breath out?

I'm a newbie too..10 days in..I had the same problem with my full face mask, my nose hurt so much! I had a painful sore within 4 days. I went in and was fitted for a nasal mask, it does not give me any sores at all. I still am dealing with leaks but I don't look like I'm injured! It is less claustrophobic as well.

Fallynkz wrote:My other question is, who do i call if i think i want to try another mask? My Sleep Study and DME were the same people. But, the offices where i live are ran by a company in another part of the state. When I had my first study done I had stopped breathing so many times that they had to place a CPAP on with just a nasal mask. So, yesterday when I went to pick it up, they ddidn't let me try any masks on and they had picked out full face mask size medium.

The same people you got this mask from are the people you need to talk to about trying another mask. Don't be shy. If your mask is not working for you (within 30 days) - they should provide you with another FREE of charge.

Any mask should be tried on and adjusted at full pressure while you are laying in your sleeping position. Your Ins. should cover what is called a "Mask Fitting". If this place won't do it call your insurance to see if there is another place on their list who will.

Fallynkz wrote:I got my Cpap machine yesterday and used it for the first time last night. I did wake up feeling not at as tired but some negative things. I still have a red mark on my forehead and nose. The one on my nose hurts so bad. When i drink or winkle my nose I'm in pain. I was wondering if that is normal?

My other question is, who do i call if i think i want to try another mask? My Sleep Study and DME were the same people. But, the offices where i live are ran by a company in another part of the state. When I had my first study done I had stopped breathing so many times that they had to place a CPAP on with just a nasal mask. So, yesterday when I went to pick it up, they ddidn't let me try any masks on and they had picked out full face mask size medium.

I know it is suppose to take time to get use to but the way my face has felt all day I feel like something isn't right.

As others have noted, the mask may be on too tight. Another possibility is that the mask just does not fit.

Getting the right mask to fit just right takes time ... everyone has ever so slightly different (or very different) facial geometry. The masks on the other hand, have very limited adjustments.

Next thing to keep in mind is that YOU .... not your DME is in charge of your therapy. YOU have to take control in both management and monitoring your treatment. It is a bit of a learning curve but there is no better forum to get ahead of that learning curve than this one (all the others suck in one way or another). The sleep centers and docs are very good at diagnosis but terrible at treatment ... so YOU must learn all there is to know about your treatment.

Read read read and ask just as many questions.

Many DMEs, especially the one-stop-shop sleep centers that do both lab studies and sell equipment have a conflict of interest and that interest is generally not yours. So beware cuz based on your initial description of events, they want your money and not for you to get optimal treatment ... but time will tell for sure.

Important thing is that you get used to being the boss when it comes to treatment.

Im assuming that my pressure is at 13. They told me i stopped breathing 131 times and that my oxygen level went below 60 many times. When i first put it on it starts at 6 and works up to 13. The smoothering feeling i was waking up to was like i couldn't breathe in. I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. When I talked to the DME on Saturday, he said because im a mouth breather and my doctor said i needed the full face. I have been looking at masks that are full face but nothing goes on the bridge of my nose. Im wondering if that might help with the claustrophobic feeling.

I will agree with DreamStalker. The company I had to deal with made things horrible and made things very discouraging. I think I might call my insurance company tomorrow and see if I can through someone else. Someone that will let me try a different mask.

Fallynkz wrote:When I talked to the DME on Saturday, he said because im a mouth breather and my doctor said i needed the full face. I have been looking at masks that are full face but nothing goes on the bridge of my nose. Im wondering if that might help with the claustrophobic feeling.

I recommend you try the hybrid and/or liberty. Both have nasal pillows and a cover for the mouth. I was surprised that a full face mask didn't make me feel claustrophobic and not surprised that I often get a headache from the forehead brace on most full face masks. After 1 1/2 weeks using a liberty I have nights with no leaks or small leaks and really having nothing on my forehead.