New cpap user

I am a new cpap user and I am desparately trying to find a mask that I can wear thru the night! I have alot of sinus problems and feel like I can't breathe when I tried the nasal pillows, but this kind seems to be the mask of choice for most women. I desperately need some suggestions and guidance because I have tried just about all kinds of masks and I am about ready to give up for the second time! My pressure is a 9.

Do you use the ramp feature? If so at what pressure?

Can you normally breathe through you nose only during the day or do you have congestion issues during the day?

jbarker wrote: I have alot of sinus problem

what kind of sinus problems? All the time? or just at night?

Please add your equipment to your profile so we know what you are using. It helps us help you better?

Thanks for the reply! I don't use the ramp feature since my pressure isn't that high. I usually have sinus congestion as soon as I lay my head on the pillow at night! I also sleep half way on my stomach and side so full masks have be giving me trouble also.

jbarker wrote:I usually have sinus congestion as soon as I lay my head on the pillow at night!

Did the congestion predate the CPAP? And if so, what did you do to alleviate the congestion pre-CPAP? And do you still do any of that?

If you never used to need to do anything about the congestion OR if the congestion problem is new, then you need to get serious about nasal hygiene. You might want to start by reading my blog post Nasal Congestion and Problems with CPAP to find out what kind of things worked for me. I found that in order to tolerate the cpap, I simply cannot tolerate any congestion. Fortunately, there are ways of dealing with the congestion---ways that I never needed before because pre-CPAP, I could manage to sleep "good enough" even while tossing and turning due to the congestion. "Good enough" basically meant that subjectively my sleep was not much worse due to the tossing and turning than it was with just the (unknown) OSA, but no congestion.

I also sleep half way on my stomach and side so full masks have be giving me trouble also.

Have you considered getting a special CPAP pillow that has cutouts to accommodate the mask? That might help with the issues you have with FFM or nasal masks why sleeping on your side/tummy.

Thanks for the reply! I usually have to use some kind of nasal spray to clear up the congestion. I tried the cpap pillow and it still smashed the mask/pillows up on my face and I would then get leakage or collapsed nasal pillow. I am basically looking for what might be another type of mask to try! Has anyone used the sleep weaver with good results?

jbarker wrote:Has anyone used the sleep weaver with good results?

I tried the Sleep Weaver just recently. For me, it was one of those "too good to be true masks". The soft cloth over the nose was wonderful, very comfortable. However, the leaks were constant and I ended up going back to the mask in my signature. See if you can try it before you buy. It does work for some people.

There are some Sleepweaver mask users here. I am sorry but I am no help with it as I have not tried it.

I do use the Swift FX nasal pillow mask and often end up with my face squished in the bed pillow and I don't have any issues with the nasal pillows collapsing and making it difficult for me to get air and my leak line is rarely much to get excited about and for sure never leak enough to wake me up.

jbarker wrote:Thanks for the reply! I usually have to use some kind of nasal spray to clear up the congestion.

What kind of nasal spray? Please be careful with things like the OTC Afrin sprays. If you use them for more than a day or two, they will trigger rebound congestion, which makes things worse---sometimes much worse. And it's worth talking to your sleep doctor and your PCP about your battle with the nightly congestion and its adverse affect on your ability to tolerate the cpap. They may suggest trying a prescription nasal steroid spray; in that case it's well worth trying it.

I tried the cpap pillow and it still smashed the mask/pillows up on my face and I would then get leakage or collapsed nasal pillow. I am basically looking for what might be another type of mask to try! Has anyone used the sleep weaver with good results?

Like pugsy, I use the Swift FX. Pre-CPAP my favorite sleeping position was with my nose nestled into my hubby's underarm. It took me a while to learn how to do it, but I've now figured out a way of partially smooshing my face against his side without causing any serious problems with the mask leaking or the nasal pillows collapsing. Or rather, I should say, when I have problems with the pillows collapsing or leaks, it's a sure sign that my nasal pillows need to be replaced.

You might also want to try other kinds of bed pillows. Pugsy uses a buckwheat hull pillow if I recall. My own pillow is a 20+ year old down pillow held together by two zippered pillow cases. It's lost lots of feathers through the years. What both pugsy's pillow and mine have in common is that they are very easy to squash and push around. In my case, that allows me to create an indentation for the mask if I need to.

I think the Sleepweaver has a 30 day money back guarantee/trial. I'm thinking of trying it.

If you sleep on your side and half on your stomach, sleep on the edge of your pillow and hang the mask over the edge. I do that and I use a Respcare/Innomed Hybrid......nose pillows and mouth piece, so technically a full face mask. Take a look at the photos and descriptions at cpap.com and you will see. With this mask nothing is above my nose, can wear my glasses if I need to.

nanwilson wrote:If you sleep on your side and half on your stomach, sleep on the edge of your pillow and hang the mask over the edge. I do that and I use a Respcare/Innomed Hybrid......nose pillows and mouth piece, so technically a full face mask. Take a look at the photos and descriptions at cpap.com and you will see. With this mask nothing is above my nose, can wear my glasses if I need to.

I'm a fond Sleepweaver mask wearer, but I don't think it helps with nasal congestion. You have to resolve that first: I use netipot, nasal steroid sprays, Vicks... and sometimes I just suffer
Nan's suggestion of the hybrid is what I figure I'll do if and when I have to to resolve the need to mouth-breathe. Good luck with your CPAP and breathing!

Welcome to the club.

I know this may sound odd, but I switched from the Swift pillow to the Zest nasal mask. It is working for me. With the Zest, I don't fell like the air is being shot down my nose. I have a much more normal inhalation than it did with the pillow. Also, I find exhling easier with the nasal mask. I have learned to sleep with my nose & mask hanging over the side of my pillow. That works, too.

Please heed the advice above on your sinus problem. Folks here know what they are talking about. But, everyone is different, and we each have to find our own combo.

Good luck finding what works for you. Keep us informed, please.

Thanks for all the replys. It seems as if most of the women use nasal pillows. Every time I try these types of masks, I feel like I really can't breathe. Don't know if this is some kind of panic attack, but I have to take it off within a few minutes. If I do stand it on any longer, just as soon as I turn on my side, I lay up on headgear and make nasal pillows collapse due to pressure from face! My biggest success is from a FFM, but even then I get bad marks on my face from pressure from masks or last night I took off because I woke up with drool all up on inside of mask. This is very disgusting and I am getting so frustrated that I am about ready to give up for the 2nd time. I need all the help that I can get! On the nights that I do wear all night, I still don't wake up full of energy like alot of people say that they feel after starting cpap therapy. Are there any other successful alternatives to cpap therapy?

Don't give up! I've only been at this for 60 days and I am a rare one that has had very few issues. The one thing I can tell you is that effective CPAP therapy can feel outstanding! It's so very worth finding a way that works. I have some days where I don't sleep enough (my own fault for staying up too late) but in general I have more energy and I cope so much better with life. I understand about the nasal pillows.... I felt like I was drowning and didn't even get as far as getting the headgear on! I lucked up that the cheap no frills mask the DME stuck me with works beautifully. Sometimes I think I am being short changed because I don't have a fancy comfort what ever mask... but what I do have works, and the fancy whatever mask leaked badly ALL Night long. Moral of that being, perhaps starting at square one again with a mask like they used to figure out your pressure is worth a shot.