How long did it take you to get used to your mask?

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Permalink Reply by Judy on July 10, 2009 at 5:10am

Well, it took me about 5-6 months to find THE RIGHT mask for me. It took me a good 3 months to get any kind of decent sleep w/any mask. Even now some 30 months after starting xPAP therapy I wouldn't say I sleep totally unaware of having a mask on BUT I AM sleeping and sleeping good and feeling rested and have some energy during the day and do NOT have to nap or fight taking a nap every day!!! I've come a lonnnnnnng way, baby!

Try "getting used to" your mask during the day or early evening too. When you are NOT trying to go to sleep, when you have something to occupy your mind other than "having" to get to sleep. Just remember to remove your humidifier water tank before you move your CPAP and take it into the living or family room and don your mask and turn your CPAP on whilst you read a book or magazine, work a jigsaw or crossword puzzle, knit or crochet, whatever, as long as you are keeping your mind busy w/something other than "I've GOT to get to sleep!"

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Permalink Reply by Russ Burt on July 10, 2009 at 5:14am

I have a humidifier water tank?! What part of the device is that?

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Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on July 10, 2009 at 5:27am

RuRuss,
What mask are you attempting to wear? Have you or were you afforded the opportunity to try different types and styles of masks? Did anyone show you how to properly fit the mask?

What machine are you using and what are the pressure(s) set to? All of this information can affect the mask fit and operation.

Share some additional info and I am sure the folks here can offer some suggestions and assistance.

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Permalink Reply by Russ Burt on July 10, 2009 at 5:33am

I'm using a full face mask, it goes from the bridge of my nose to under my chin. I was given another one which stops in the cleft of my chin but I couldn't get used to that ones. The pressure is set at 12 (they worked this out from my titrate device) and I'm using a ResMed S8.

They showed me how to apply the mask, that didn't seem like a problem. Although i have to say I got used to the titrate mask almost immediately.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on July 10, 2009 at 11:02am

What brand and model CPAP do you have and we can better answer that question? However, w/o the water tank filled to the indicated line w/distilled water and placed in the humidifer you are NOT getting humidified air. Weren't you shown how to set up your CPAP and humidifier when it was delivered or you picked it up - or was yours one of those UPS drop-offs?

You SHOULD have AT THE VERY LEAST received a Users Manual for both the CPAP and the humidifier when you received your CPAP whether delivered, dropped off or you picked it up at the suppliers.

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Permalink Reply by Russ Burt on July 10, 2009 at 11:04am

I just said what model I'm using - and I'm afraid I've got no idea what this humidifier you're talking about is and I've never heard of a UPS drop off, sorry.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on July 10, 2009 at 2:00pm

No, all you told us was brand and series. There are the Resmed S8 Compact, the Resmed S8 Escape, the Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR - and if you have an APAP, there is the Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage.

AND, it is also possible to have the Resmed S8 Escape II, Resmed S8 Elite II w/ EPR; and if an APAP, the Resmed S8 AutoSet II.

I suggest you need to get out your Resmed S8 whatever Users Manual and read it! Then maybe you will know what the humidifier is and whether you even have one - altho since you ask about the humidifier water tank I assume that you probably do have one.

You OBVIOUSLY have not been very well informed by your supplier!

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Permalink Reply by Russ Burt on July 10, 2009 at 2:03pm

It's the Escape - and I've no idea if there's a humidifier in it, nobody mentioned it before and there's nowhere to put water in the unit. And my supplier was the NHS.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on July 10, 2009 at 2:37pm

Okay. So you are in the UK?

Here is a link to a picture of the humidifier that can be integrated w/the Resmed S8 Escape.

http://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed-heated-humidifier-humidaire-..." target="_blank">

And here is a picture of the Resmed S8 Escape w/o the integrated humidifier.

http://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/resmed-s8-escape-small-travel-cpap..." target="_blank">

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Permalink Reply by Russ Burt on July 10, 2009 at 2:40pm

Yeah, of course I'm in the UK. Remember not every English speaking person on the internet is American ;)

Can you post those links again by any chance? They're not clickable for some reason :-s

Actually would the presence of a humidifier make any difference to whether I'm able to sleep with the mask on?

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Permalink Reply by Jim Nadolny, BS, CRT on July 10, 2009 at 2:51pm

The link you need is http://www.resmed.com/us/ it will bring you to Resmed. There you can download manuals, pictures, information about your machine. You need to have a humidifier. If you do not have one, get one. Also, the mashine your using may have EPR, which is a comfort measure and will help dramatically if it is set properly. As for your mask, everybody is different when it comes to masks. Look up the recent post by Rock H. on mask fitting. Go to my Blog, http://cpapcritic.com to see some mask options. You need to listen to some of the people in this group like Judy who love to help people get started. Learn from them and you will be fine. Your here, that is the first step.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Nadolny, BS, CRT on July 10, 2009 at 2:52pm

Great minds think alike.

Judy said:

Okay. So you are in the UK?

Here is a link to a picture of the humidifier that can be integrated w/the Resmed S8 Escape.

http://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed-heated-humidifier-humidaire-..." target="_blank">

And here is a picture of the Resmed S8 Escape w/o the integrated humidifier.

http://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/resmed-s8-escape-small-travel-cpap..." target="_blank">

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