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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on March 10, 2012 at 1:54am

Casey, it comes down to your preference, you will probably be on CPAP for life so get a mask or pillow that suits you. Your lucky you were diagnosed so early and it will improve your quality of life for a long time. Full Face Masks aren't too bad when you get used to them like a nasal or pillows. I still use a chin strap with my FFM as in deep sleep my jaw still drops and my mouth opens. If you can cope with a nasal mask or pillow and a chin strap it could be better. The most important thing is a positive attitude towards CPAP and if you have that and are prepared to try things out and stay with it, it will eventually become second nature. Good luck and ask any questions as they come up.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on March 10, 2012 at 8:42am

Casey, my second study went the same as yours and I was breathing through my mouth so they came and put a chin strap on me (I never woke up I was so exhausted).  When I started therapy I chose to go with a FFM (full face mask) as sometimes I have nasal congestion at night and cannot always breathe through my nose.  Many people have taught themselves to only breathe through their nose, however.

You are lucky to be diagnosed early.  Remember you have just found out you have a chronic illness that requires treatment and you need to cycle through the stages of grief as you come to acceptance of your sleep apnea. Don't get overwhelmed.

I would have a sit down with the doc to find out where to go from here.  Depending on your second sleep study he will prescribe a CPAP pressure for you and a DME will get you set up (DME= Durable Medical Equipment).

One feature you want in a machine is for it to be data capable meaning you can check your "numbers"- if your having leaks, how long you used the machine, how many apneas and hypopneas you had during the night.

 

Would you mind telling us more about what led you to having a sleep study in the first place?

 

And remember, sleep apnea is treatable and really very simple.  Don't get overwhelmed- one day at a time.  Good luck.  Keep us posted.  Keeping us up to date on your progress will be paying it forward for the next new person.

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Permalink Reply by Casey Moffitt on March 12, 2012 at 7:22pm

Mary

Thanks. I just talked with my doc and he said I do need a CPAP. He put in the prescription for it and said someone will be contacting me soon about it. I originally went to him to have a tonsillectomy and when he was asking about my quality of sleep he said I might have OSA and the tonsillectomy might help it. After a few months I never noticed a difference so he had me do the sleep study.  

Mary Z said:

Casey, my second study went the same as yours and I was breathing through my mouth so they came and put a chin strap on me (I never woke up I was so exhausted).  When I started therapy I chose to go with a FFM (full face mask) as sometimes I have nasal congestion at night and cannot always breathe through my nose.  Many people have taught themselves to only breathe through their nose, however.

You are lucky to be diagnosed early.  Remember you have just found out you have a chronic illness that requires treatment and you need to cycle through the stages of grief as you come to acceptance of your sleep apnea. Don't get overwhelmed.

I would have a sit down with the doc to find out where to go from here.  Depending on your second sleep study he will prescribe a CPAP pressure for you and a DME will get you set up (DME= Durable Medical Equipment).

One feature you want in a machine is for it to be data capable meaning you can check your "numbers"- if your having leaks, how long you used the machine, how many apneas and hypopneas you had during the night.

 

Would you mind telling us more about what led you to having a sleep study in the first place?

 

And remember, sleep apnea is treatable and really very simple.  Don't get overwhelmed- one day at a time.  Good luck.  Keep us posted.  Keeping us up to date on your progress will be paying it forward for the next new person.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on March 12, 2012 at 8:19pm

Casey, Let us know when you get the machine and what type it is and the mask. Have a look around this website for some tips before you get it. It is always good to know what the figures are from your Sleep Study i.e. AHI and get a machine that displays it on the led.
With the machine, make sure you get one that suits you i.e. you may not want one that is too noisy or too many lights. The machine is not as important as the mask, most machine pretty much do the same thing, it is getting the right mask that is important.

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Permalink Reply by Casey Moffitt on March 12, 2012 at 9:15pm

Thanks a lot Terry. I will let y'all know when I get the machine all of the specs. I'm sure y'all will be able to help me out a lot 

Terry Vella said:

Casey, Let us know when you get the machine and what type it is and the mask. Have a look around this website for some tips before you get it. It is always good to know what the figures are from your Sleep Study i.e. AHI and get a machine that displays it on the led. With the machine, make sure you get one that suits you i.e. you may not want one that is too noisy or too many lights. The machine is not as important as the mask, most machine pretty much do the same thing, it is getting the right mask that is important.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on March 13, 2012 at 8:17am

Ok,  Casey, thanks for the update.  Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Ellen on June 12, 2012 at 10:34pm

I spent months trying to stop leaks and discomfort from a variety of full face masks. Now I am using a ResMed Mirage FX nasal mask with a lightweight ResMed chinstrap and have had no trouble for about a month. This combination is so comfortable that I get 5 to 7 hrs sleep with no problems. As I am a mouth breather with pretty high script settings doctor and sleep tech kept me trying various FFMs to no avail. Also using the ResMed S9 Auto with humidifier and heated hose or plain hose depending upon season.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on June 14, 2012 at 1:52pm

I had always mouth breathed so assumed and started with a full face mask.  Used that for several months (F & P 431). 

I have since taught myself to breathe through my nose (actually had to concentrate on it first during the day come to think of it).  I switched to a nasal pillow mask and love it - so much more comfortable.  So it is possible to make a switch.

 

Make sure you get a data capable machine -- one that records AHI, snores, leaks, etc.  DME's will often tell you ALL machines are data capable but the lower end ones only record compliance -- in other words how much you use them so they can get paid.    Since you are only 19 I would try for an APAP -- a machine that can be set for a range of pressures. 

 

Good luck and keep coming back.

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Permalink Reply by Chris H on June 14, 2012 at 4:51pm

Hi Casey, I had symptomes for years before I was diagnosed . How are you sleeping now that it has been a few months? Good Slep,Chris

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