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Wonderbeastlett wrote:There's a difference between knowledge and experience and I think a lot of techs, DME's etc try to just throw stuff at you out of knowledge. I wish we had some sleep centers, techs, DME's available to us who actually have OSA!

The tech who "fitted" me with a mask told me she also had OSA. Maybe that is why she thought that she could tell the fit from across a desk and that even though I felt the mask was too big that it was no problem because they didn't carry the smaller size.

When I went back to the DME, I had thought that I could get the Bella loops that go behind your ears; less headgear. Came to find out that my nasal mask didn't work with those straps. So, then the tech tried nasal pillows on me that would work with the Bella straps. Well, the minute she turned the air on to 11, I had to pull the masks off. I couldn't handle them. She asked how long I have done the CPAP and at that time it was about 2 weeks. She said I was too new to CPAP therapy to feel comfortable with the nasal pillows. We tried lots of different masks, and I traded in my Mirage FX for a True Blue. I have fewer leaks and am doing pretty well with it. Just saying, try lots of masks on.
Lori

2kittymom wrote: Well, the minute she turned the air on to 11, I had to pull the masks off. I couldn't handle them. She asked how long I have done the CPAP and at that time it was about 2 weeks. She said I was too new to CPAP therapy to feel comfortable with the nasal pillows. We tried lots of different masks, and I traded in my Mirage FX for a True Blue. I have fewer leaks and am doing pretty well with it. Just saying, try lots of masks on.
Lori

When I first got my hybrid which has nasal pillows too, I wore it for a half hour each night (switching to my quatro) until I got used to them. It took me two weeks to get the straps right and get used to the feel of the stupid things up my nose. I just kept the mask on longer each night until one moring I woke up wearing it. After that I had no problem - except when I have a cold.

BlackSpinner wrote:

Wonderbeastlett wrote:There's a difference between knowledge and experience and I think a lot of techs, DME's etc try to just throw stuff at you out of knowledge. I wish we had some sleep centers, techs, DME's available to us who actually have OSA!

The tech who "fitted" me with a mask told me she also had OSA. Maybe that is why she thought that she could tell the fit from across a desk and that even though I felt the mask was too big that it was no problem because they didn't carry the smaller size.

Maybe the problem then is techs etc. who have OSA thinking they know everything. Lol I might not know the actual problem but I do know there is a problem. Try to learn all you can yourself before just taking advice about your health decisions.

Okay I got a Swift FX and am using extra small pillows. And it comes in pink for girls! I've used it two nights now and I really really like it. It takes me about 5 minutes to get used to exhaling against the pillows - maybe that is how long it takes for my machine to figure out my breathing? I don't know how that works but I'm able to fall asleep. It's a lot more comfortable and easy to lay on my side. And when my nose itches, it is, of course, a lot easier to get to my nose.

I don't seem to be mouth breathing, because the blast of air in my nose really gets my attention and that's not happening.

I have noticed that I seem to be drooling more than ever before so maybe my mouth is open. What's up with that?

I'm looking forward to really getting used to this thing so I can actually get some good quality sleep. Ah sleep, I miss you.

Originally I got a Nasal mask, but I went with the Nasal Pillows and love them. I do find that they are troublesome to breathe out against at first if I'm at my prescribed pressure (which is just 9), and I use the ramp feature now where I didn't before with the nasal mask.

Glad you're getting to sleep!

You probably won't notice if you're mouth breathing (air leaking while you're asleep). You would wake up with a dry mouth and notice a lot of leaks on your data. But, if you don't experience those things, then I wouldn't worry about it. They can happen with any type of nasal mask or pillows.

I had a lot of weirdness starting out breathing "with" the machine, or against it and thinking about it. It's best to just try and breathe without noticing the machine, and you should get in sync over time. I hope that makes sense.

I need to find the time and bite the bullet and get the card reader and SleepyHead or whatever, so I can start looking at my data to see if I'm leaking.

It "seems" like I'm sleeping well. But I'm still really tired. OMG so tired of being tired. I should call in to the techs and find out if they are seeing leaks, since the modem is still spying on me.

If your computer has a SD slot (like for SD cards from digital camera) then you don't need a card reader at all.
Card readers are only needed when there is no slot available for the SD card and you have to use a USB port to hook up the SD card into a reader/adapter.