unable to handle the mask

I have gone to get set with treatment. My problem is two fold. One I get claustrophobic and the pressure made me feel sick. The other problem is that I do not have feeling in my hands. This makes it impossible to attach and detach the mask. I am looking for alternatives. They finally gave me plain oxygen at the overnight sleep lab. I still have not heard from the doctor.

cheshire wrote:I have gone to get set with treatment. My problem is two fold. One I get claustrophobic and the pressure made me feel sick. The other problem is that I do not have feeling in my hands. This makes it impossible to attach and detach the mask. I am looking for alternatives. They finally gave me plain oxygen at the overnight sleep lab. I still have not heard from the doctor.

I've not had much success with this particular mask, but it seems like it could very well fit your bill: Tap Pap. It's a nasal pillow mask that uses a mouth guard to keep it steady instead of head gear. Should alleviate both of your concerns -- No full face/nasal mask for claustrophobia and no headgear for your hands.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/tap-pa ... roved.html

The Oracle 2 mask may help your situation. I am very claustrophobic and cannot tolerate any of the masks that cover my face. With this mask, there are no straps that you have to use, it just slips into your mouth and you're done.

Please read my post on using this mask with the link in my signature block.

Please post your equipment list and your pressure(s) if you have other than straight CPAP. it will help in getting appropriate advice.

Might consider talking to your dentist about an oral appliance for sleep apnea. I'm new to cpap after having 15 years with sleep apnea and suffering greatly. Have been using this 5 to 6 weeks and beginning to feel human again. This is a real life saver for me. Once thing you will hear in the forums is be patient. In 6 weeks (I'm also at 7,000 feet) which is a double whamy, have not woken up exhausted, had shortness of breath or felt like take 3 naps a day starting at 10 am! You will get all the help you need right here in the forums. The contributors are fantastic. The mask I use is the Mirage Liberty, hybrid nasal and mouth located here: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html. Minimal leakage, no claustrophobia and I actually look forward to wearing it! There's a small comfort / learning curve, but once you begin living the benefits will look forward to wearing it. Might need a chin strap for the nasal pillows if you are a mouth breather. It also helps to bump up the minimum pressure a bit if your default is 4.5 LPM (liters per minute). Eat some ginger root before bed. Can get it at any supermarket. Cut a small piece and chew some before bed. Ginger has been around thousands of years and fantastic for nausea. Look closely at what you are eating before bed or drinking. The pressure does take some getting used to, but what's in your stomach might make a difference.

JDS74 wrote:The Oracle 2 mask may help your situation. I am very claustrophobic and cannot tolerate any of the masks that cover my face. With this mask, there are no straps that you have to use, it just slips into your mouth and you're done.

Please read my post on using this mask with the link in my signature block.

Please post your equipment list and your pressure(s) if you have other than straight CPAP. it will help in getting appropriate advice.

JDS74,

As an FYI, when I click on the link about your experience with the oral mask, I receive an error message. Thought you might like to know.

49er

49er wrote:JDS74,
As an FYI, when I click on the link about your experience with the oral mask, I receive an error message. Thought you might like to know.
49er

Thanks, there was a bad character included. It seems to be fixed now.

I used nasal prongs for several years. There is not much to it. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/innome ... e-kit.html