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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on June 19, 2009 at 12:59pm

It could be an affect of the nasal mask. You might want to try a full face mask until your body is completely used to the therapy. I can't be sure of this as I do not know your complete medical history. if you have a history of sinusitis or allergies sometimes a nasal mask can be difficult to get used to. It is a good idea to have a full face mask around fro colds anyway. I would not suggest using one all of the time, but it might help you in the short term.

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on June 20, 2009 at 10:01am

Rock:

I do suffer from allergies--I am taking claritin but, I still sneeze alot during the summer months.....I was thinking about using a full face mask--but, I am somewhat claustophobic....I may have to work through this to get on my machine.....as the nose pillows are keeping me up right now......I was wondering why you don't recommend using the full face mask all the time???

Thanks for you help much appreciated :)

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on June 20, 2009 at 10:39pm

It is not that I don't recommend per say. For one it is a leak monster. TWo if it is not adjusted right, or you open your mouth while using it, it can cause more obstruction. A pt on a FFM will generally be titrated 2-4cmwp higher than a person with a nasal due to these reasons. Despite these facts every person on pap should have one. I would suggest that you get either a regular nasal mask or a FFM for starters. I also thin a prescription allergy med might help.

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on June 22, 2009 at 10:01am

I do appreciate your help with my problems..... is there a nasal mask that is better than the others???? Is it normal for cpap patients to have all these problems......some times I wonder if I will get on my machine to feel human again.....

Thanks again for you help Rock :)

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Permalink Reply by Judy on June 22, 2009 at 10:39am

Unfortunately, there is/are no one or two masks that will comfortably fit the majority of CPAP users. The mask that works tremendously for me could well be an absolute disaster for you. Faces are just too individual.

I happen to really like the Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion. It is small, very lightweight, flexible at the angle between forehead and bridge of nose, fits just below the bridge of the nose and I can read a book or watch TV, wear my glasses w/this mask on. But I had to make a "fix" to the headgear. And eventually I had to add a chin strap.

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on June 22, 2009 at 2:31pm

Thank you Judy....I will be going back to my supplier on Thursday....the more feedback on nasal masks before then--the better.....Did you have trouble finding the right mask.....I guess I need to be more patient lol

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Permalink Reply by Judy on June 23, 2009 at 8:46am

Oh yeah! Let's see: Breeze, HC 407 FlexFit, original Swift, ComfortLite 2 (nasal pillows AND simple nasal cushion), Aclaim2, ComfortGel Small, ComfortGel Petite, several I put on and took off as not interested due to not good enough fit, Simplicity Medium and FINALLY the Simplicity Small. Ahhhhhh. I have since tried the Swift LT for Her (GREAT improvement over the original Swift) and the OptiLife w/the nasal cradle cushion (haven't used the nasal pillows yet). These last two I THINK I could like - IF - I wasn't so happy w/my Simplicity.

And I like the Respironics basic white chin strap PN 302175. It is lightweight, the chin "saddle" is soft, smooth and comfortable. The small velcro squares allow for easy adjustment so that you aren't pulling your lower jaw back and it helps to stabilize the mask headgear.

I didn't find nasal pillows particularly comfortable until AFTER I'd been using a nasal cushion style mask for a while and was used to the air pressure. Starting off w/the nasal pillows dried my nostrils out too much even w/the humidifier. THANK GOODNESS for Ayr Saline Nasal Gel for healing and soothing the nostrils!!!!

The "fix" for the Simplicity for me involved the head gear. The center strap was too long. Even after the allowed adjustment for length between mask and top straps. It was a simple matter to take up the extra length w/a fold or pleat in that center strap at the top of my head, holding the pleat in place w/a strip of velcro until I got it "just right". Then cutting the pleat out and putting the cut ends back together w/the velcro strip. Also, for whatever reason, Respironics didn't see fit to taper the velcro ends on the headgear straps and if not placed "just right" the velcro could scratch your neck raw. So I just used my trusty scissors to taper the velcro ends myself.

And, by the way, the Resmed, Respironics and Fisher & Paykel Reps were at our apena support group meeting last night. And the F&P Rep was right up front, that they and Resmed and Respironics all replaced FREE to the local DME suppliers most any of their masks that patients had tried and were unsuccessful w/IF the supplier filled out a form and returned the mask and form W/IN 30 DAYS. So there really is no excuse for these local DME suppliers to drag their feet helping you to find THE right mask for YOU. I had already been told that by a local DME supplier's RT and read it in the various apena support forums but it was good to hear it volunteered direct "from the horse's mouth" so to speak w/o having to ask.

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on June 23, 2009 at 10:06am

Judy: Thank you so much for your support on this--I think the sooner I try out different masks the sooner I will find the right mask for me.....it is too bad because I really liked the nasal pillows LT for her, except for the crackling noise.....I amhoping that doesn't happen with any other nasal mask I try in the future....I have a good list here....thanks again.....I currently have the resperonics premium chin strap....

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Permalink Reply by Judy on June 23, 2009 at 10:28am

Crackling?? That's the first I've seen you mention this. I've experienced a crackling noise once in a while from that small hose length that goes between the Swift AND the Simplicity masks and the hose from the humidifier. The OptiLife has that smaller hose length too. BUT ONLY on occasion. I suspect it is the hose getting old. As you check out the masks at your DME suppliers flex that small length of hose to see how crackly it is.

By the way, the HC 406 FlexFit "might" have worked for me had I known that is was the same mask as the HC 407 in a smaller size. Had I known that I might well have done okay w/the 406. I'm glad I didn't tho as I rather like NOT having that forehead piece. And frankly, even my glasses, tend to "milk" my sinuses and set them to dripping a bit if they sit right at the bridge of my nose. Another reason why I like the Simplicity since it sits slightly down from the bridge of the nose.

If you haven't tried the ComfortLite 2 it might be worth a try for you as it comes w/TWO sizes of nasal pillows AND 2 sizes of simple nasal cushion. It was the CL2's simple nasal cushion that put me on to trying the Simplicity. And there are quite a few areas for adjustment w/the CL2. I think it is a pretty good first mask to try.

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on June 23, 2009 at 1:21pm

Judy/jnk: I am so appreciative of all this advice....I know that my supplier will not be pleased with me but, oh!!! well....when we are our own advacotes I find they have less patience with us as clients....lol. So this is what I will be requesting when I see my supplier. A new hose from the humidifier to the small hose, new small hose connecting the mask and new nose pillows, and a couple of new nasal masks like the comfortlite 2, and others you mentioned earlier Judy.....sorry I didn't mention the crackling noise before Judy....I get forgetful when I don't use my machine another reason this needs to be sorted out asap.....

I can honestly say I don't know what I would do without this site.....my supplier keeps me in the dark--this site has helped me get educated about SA --not my doc, not my supplier, not the sleep lab but, this wonderful site and the informative caring people here.....I feel blessed to have found this site.....

Again thanks:)

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Permalink Reply by Rock Conner RRT on June 23, 2009 at 2:59pm

Hi Belinda:

I'm new to this discussion, so I might have missed a thing or two. You've already gotten some insightful input. This is not a sure fix, but perhaps to address the noise before sleep you might break down & reassemble your Swift LT, checking each connection along the tubing, at the mask, at the machine, etc. And try a different size or two on the Swift LT before replacing with another device. Cheapest, easiest first!

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on June 26, 2009 at 8:50am

Hello Cindy: I am back on auto-set as per instruction from the doctor.....I must admit that back and forth between auto-set and straight cpap really got my body confused to say the least--the pressure for the cpap was given by my sleep doc, I was assuming he got that from the sleep lab as his office is right there where the lab is....so I'm not sure if the lab was consulted or not....

Unfortunately I have not solved my problems...I tried a nasal mask last night and sure enough I kept hearing this squeeking noise--pretty sure it was coming from the hose......then that crackling noise started up again--well suffice to say it kept me up so after an hour I just took off my mask.....this is really frustrating because I want to get on my machine--it would be different if I was just non-compliant....but, I need to get on my machine so I can get back to work--should I contact my sleep doc for another sleep study....the last one I had I slept only 2hrs to me that wasn't enough time to get a good reading...

Again thanks for your help with this everyone!!! :)

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