Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 7:46 pm
Sorry all, I didn't see that you had responded to this post til just now.
RG,
The possibility of going back to a nasal interface of some kind is something I'm going to talk over with my sleep specialist (actually, he's a pulmonologist that "knows a lot about sleep apnea." That's the closest thing we have around these parts). When I used a nasal interface only, I felt like I was being smothered - but, then again, I was also using a CPAP on a much-too-low pressure at that point, too. Though I mouth-breathe during the day, I *am* able to breathe through only my nose for periods of time while I'm falling asleep, and think I probably do it even more regularly when I'm actually asleep. So, I don't know - I guess it's one of those "try and see" things. IDEALLY, I would like to get both a nasal interface of some kind and a FFM that fit well, too, to try both and see which made me feel better (with a little taping while using the nasal interface, of course). I just want to go through the whole trial-and-error bit, but the DME makes it nearly impossible, and I absolutely don't have the financial resources at this time to purchase additional masks on my own.
Barnaby, what I meant by that comment was that it's difficult to find that perfect mask when you are any of those things. Because I'm a stomach sleeper, masks tend to slide around. The interface that would be good for that (I've been told) is the Activa, which still only comes in a nasal interface. Since I'm a mouth breather, I use a full-face mask, which cuts out the activa, but I can't even find a full face mask that fits me because, apparently, my face is freakishly small! No, it's not really freakishly small, it's just somewhat difficult to fit for some reason (according to my DME). Every FFM their head RT tried on me leaked. So either I'm oddly shaped, or they're incompetent, or a combination of the two.
Severeena, I only have asthma, and I find it really hard sometimes. I can't imagine what it must be like to have even more difficulty. I admire you for your resilience.
RG,
The possibility of going back to a nasal interface of some kind is something I'm going to talk over with my sleep specialist (actually, he's a pulmonologist that "knows a lot about sleep apnea." That's the closest thing we have around these parts). When I used a nasal interface only, I felt like I was being smothered - but, then again, I was also using a CPAP on a much-too-low pressure at that point, too. Though I mouth-breathe during the day, I *am* able to breathe through only my nose for periods of time while I'm falling asleep, and think I probably do it even more regularly when I'm actually asleep. So, I don't know - I guess it's one of those "try and see" things. IDEALLY, I would like to get both a nasal interface of some kind and a FFM that fit well, too, to try both and see which made me feel better (with a little taping while using the nasal interface, of course). I just want to go through the whole trial-and-error bit, but the DME makes it nearly impossible, and I absolutely don't have the financial resources at this time to purchase additional masks on my own.
Barnaby, what I meant by that comment was that it's difficult to find that perfect mask when you are any of those things. Because I'm a stomach sleeper, masks tend to slide around. The interface that would be good for that (I've been told) is the Activa, which still only comes in a nasal interface. Since I'm a mouth breather, I use a full-face mask, which cuts out the activa, but I can't even find a full face mask that fits me because, apparently, my face is freakishly small! No, it's not really freakishly small, it's just somewhat difficult to fit for some reason (according to my DME). Every FFM their head RT tried on me leaked. So either I'm oddly shaped, or they're incompetent, or a combination of the two.
Severeena, I only have asthma, and I find it really hard sometimes. I can't imagine what it must be like to have even more difficulty. I admire you for your resilience.