Bipap problems

short of not eating any thing at all i've slowed way down my heart keep going in to afib dr says probably bc im not sleeping i've been putting mask on at night i need to find mask easy to put on hard to get off so it doesn't fall off or i don't subconsciously take it off i put it on every evening i go to sleep with it on but wake up with it slid off my face i wish could live in a hyperbaric chamber

Have you tried taping the mask straps to your cheeks in a couple of places in an effort to prevent mask removal during the night?
In theory...hopefully the minor discomfort from the tape from pulling on your skin will wake you up enough so you don't take the mask off and sleep right through the taking it off...wake up and stop the removal.

If that doesn't work..maybe I need to go dig out my handcuffs.

You gotta keep the mask on longer than you are doing...somehow some way and your brain needs to learn that the mask is a good guy there to help you.

Now if your mask is uncomfortable..that's one thing but I haven't heard a lot of mask complaints here..

mikebrant97,

I know it's probably somewhere in this thread, but what kind of mask are you using?

And have you tried other kinds of masks? If so, which ones?

I've tried lots different thing even played with ratchet strap but couldn't get it to work short of breaking mask. Its Phipps resptronics full face. Even with the pressure down to 18 its still leaks I tried shaving my beard for 3 days no different either the strap come loose aka cheap Velcro or they pop out of the mask mike

pugsy i dont mind hadcuffs

mikebrant97 wrote:pugsy i dont mind hadcuffs

Somehow this doesn't surprise me.

I am serious about taping the straps to the facial skin though.
Sometimes the brain just doesn't want to accept the alien on the face as a good guy and tries to remove it while asleep no matter how comfortable a mask might be otherwise.
So searching for the "perfect" mask might not solve the issue if it is simply the brain trying to remove the alien because it's there.

I have done it myself..removed the mask and not have any memory of what, why or how. I just woke up with it off.
Fortunately it was a rare occurrence and I didn't have to do anything about it but you aren't alone with it being a common occurrence.
People have worn mittens to bed to try to limit the fingers...only to find the mittens off in the AM also.

I've only used the one that was issued to me

mikebrant97 wrote:I've tried lots different thing even played with ratchet strap but couldn't get it to work short of breaking mask.

The design of masks is such that there is a critical point where either loosening or tightening it beyond that will result in leaks. Overtightening deactivates the leak control qualities. If you are "ratcheting" it down to the point of breaking it you're WAY too far over that point.

Proper adjustment is:

• Lie down in bed.
• Turn the machine on, place the mask on your face with the straps LOOSE.
• Adjust the mask with your hand so the leaks JUST disappear.
• Snug up the straps so this point is maintained.

It's doesn't matter I try's that several time when I get the leak to stop then after few mins the strap slip out of the retainers bc how they are made I tried ductape last night still didn't work the was laying in front of my face neck straps still on but head straps off taped to my face

mikebrant97 wrote:Its Phipps resptronics full face.

and

I've only used the one that was issued to me

PR makes at least 4 different full face masks. Which one are you using?

Perhaps it's time to insist on trying a different mask. Maybe one of the other FFM from PR would fit you better. Maybe you'd have better luck with a ResMed FFM. Maybe you'd have better luck with a FFM from a manufacturer other than PR or ResMed.

In other words, there are a whole host of full face masks out there, and they don't all have the same design for the headgear. So if you're current FFM has a forehead support and a gel cushion, you might want to look at masks without forehead supports or with air cushions or both.

mikebrant97 wrote:It's doesn't matter I try's that several time when I get the leak to stop then after few mins the strap slip out of the retainers bc how they are made I tried ductape last night still didn't work the was laying in front of my face neck straps still on but head straps off taped to my face

Well, this your "best" day, and it's awful re: leaks, so if you tried the above to get a good seal and this is the best you can do:



you need a different mask.

Can you put up a photo of how the mask is assembled? I don't know of any mask these days that simply slips apart spontaneously.

Hi Mike
I too just began bipap and it is a different animal. You have to just learn to breath like you normally do and let the machine do its job,cause it will . It took me about a month and 1 adjustment to the pressures but my numbers are now wonderful and I am starting to feel better. My exhale is 23 and it's hard to get used to but just kind of go with it.
I used to get ready for bed at night and I would be a nervous wreck hoping I was going to get at least some good sleep without my mask popping off.
It's getting better most nights! Cpap will never be fun or an easy adjustment but it is worth the trouble.
Before I was diagnosed with OSA I started with chest pains so I had an echocardiogram and they said I was developing pulmonary hypertension which is even worse that OSA.
Had an echo last month and no sign of pulmonary hypertension. Just be patient and vigilant work with your Dr Best of luck!

Sclark, you've got your pressures reversed, your inhale is 25 and exhale is 8. You'd probably do better with a narrower range. I think I've asked you this before, what is your Pressure Support? That makes a difference in comfort too.

it should be on teh server now the clos eup is the mask top strap holder its bendign bc of the amout of force i have to apply to keep from leaking but it still leaking and the straps pop out

mikebrant97 wrote:...the mask top strap holder its bendign bc of the amout of force i have to apply to keep from leaking but it still leaking and the straps pop out

That



looks like Amara



see fitting instructions

http://www.theanswer.philips.com/amara/resources.html

including the cpap.com video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKtaUul2tDc

where they say

"Do not overtighten."

"The most common problem is overtightening."

and make sure the Fine Glide Adjuster is properly set

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz5alBj ... yBAArZwt6Y