mask

Hi

I have had my cpap mask for two months and i am already tired of it and i know it is doing good anybody feel the same way and how did you deal with it liz

What mask are you using?
What type of problem are you having?
What is your pressure setting(s)?
Which machine are you using?
Are you using a humidifier? At what setting?

Some people have more than one mask and switch between them to give their faces a break.

But, before you go switching masks, you say "i know it is doing good" but what does that mean? Are your AHI's down to a good level? Are you feeling well? Are you comfortable and sleeping well in the mask you have? If the answer to all of these is yes, it ain't broke so you may not want to fix it. Sometimes switching out of a mask that is doing well for you can cause a lot of problems and disrupt your sleep.

IF you still want to change out masks to have options, the next thing you need to consider is the type of mask you are using now. Do you want the same type or something altogether different? Do you want to experiment with different masks?

As far as getting a new mask, you have some options. First, see when your insurance will cover a replacement mask. some do it as often as every three months (note that you may have a co-payment). If your current mask is holding up well and doesn't really need to be replaced, you might want to try a different mask courtesy of your insurance coverage. Better DME providers will let you come in and be fit for a new mask.

You can also find masks for inexpensive prices at the cpapauction.com site, but you must get a prescription on file before you can buy from there.

Most importantly, once you get a new mask, you need to carefully evaluate if it is doing as good a job for you as you believe your current mask is doing. Make sure it’s not leaking or having other problems that cause your AHI or pressure needs to increase. Make sure it’s comfortable and not causing any skin irritation. And, of course, make sure that you can sleep well in the new mask.

CPAP.com is a good place to start looking for a new mask. They have descriptions of every mask, tools to help you determine the best types and size for your face, and customer reviews. Remember that if you are a mouth breather, you will need some additional things (i.e. a chin strap or tape) to help you use a nasal mask or a nasal pillow mask.

4lizzylou wrote:Hi

I have had my cpap mask for two months and i am already tired of it and i know it is doing good anybody feel the same way
and how did you deal with it liz

Liz,

I've been using mine for over five years......and it HAS made my therapy successful.
Do I wish I didn't have to wear it? Sure. But, I don't want to go back to sleeping and feeling like I used to......so, it's what I do and wear EVERY night. Five-plus years ago, it became my new way of sleeping.

How did I deal with it?
I took it one night at a time. Nights turn into weeks......weeks turn into months......months turn into years. And, pretty soon a whole lot of time has passed. It's "baby steps".

I also put a lot of thought into the mask I chose in the beginning. I liked the design and felt it was the best I had to choose from at that time. I'm still using the very same mask I started out with, so I guess I either did my homework well or I lucked out......or some of both.

Hang in there.


Den