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Permalink Reply by Russ Burt on July 10, 2009 at 5:55pm

Ok thanks mate I appreciate that. But from what I can tell, my problem doesn't seem to be connected to not having a humidifier, unless I'm missing something?

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Permalink Reply by Jim Nadolny, BS, CRT on July 10, 2009 at 9:38pm

Russ, Sorry about that, I just wanted to have the whole picture, sometimes the mask comfort is directly related to the Machine or humidifier. As an example, if your machine has EPR (expiratory pressure release) then it does two things. First it lets you exhail against a lower pressure depending on the EPR setting 1,2,3 . Second that will change the flow wave, meaning that it is a more smooth transition to exhailation. All this effects the comfort level of the mask because the pressures have changed a bit, while your peak pressure stays the same. HOWEVER! The root of your problem is most likely caused by overtightening the mask. http://www.sleepguide.com/forum/topics/how-to-properly-fit-a-mask is the link to Rock Hinkle's discussion on how to fit a mask. Follow those instructions!!! If at the conclusion you have the wrong mask, then talk to the people that gave you the mask. Get a new one! there are several types of Full Face masks to choose from. I review Cpap masks for my website, so I have a new mask to get used to every two weeks or so. Most of the time it is a matter of getting the correct size, but no ONE mask works for everyone. Please follow Rock's instructions! Then let us know what happened.
Russ Burt said:

Ok thanks mate I appreciate that. But from what I can tell, my problem doesn't seem to be connected to not having a humidifier, unless I'm missing something?

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Permalink Reply by Judy on July 10, 2009 at 9:59pm

Oh yeah, a humidifier can make wearing your mask and acclimating to CPAP a LOT easier for many! Since you have a full face mask you probably showed a tendency to try to mouth breathe whilst sleeping and mouth breathing can dry your mouth real fast and the air pressure dry your nasal passages as well. The humidifier helps reduce or eliminate the drying out.

I'm curious how you ended up w/a humidifier water tank and no humidifier - or if you have on integrated humidifier on your CPAP and don't realize it. That's why I suggested pictures of the two. Or maybe the person at the NHS didn't give you the humidifier and didn't realize it he/she hadn't given it to you.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on July 11, 2009 at 1:42am

The root of his problem is that he did not have a proper titration and machine education. The humidifier would be the thing attached to the front of your machine. It will have a clear lid on it covering a clear removable reservoir.

I am still waiting on the listings of employment opportunity for sleep techs Russ.

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Permalink Reply by Russ Burt on July 11, 2009 at 4:49am

OK there isn't a humidifier with my machine, definitely not. I don't breathe through my mouth, I know this to be true because on the few times that I do (without the mask) I always wake up with a dry mouth and this problem would be make worse if I did it with the mask, so it's nose only for me. Initially the mask was too tight but I relaxed it after a few days and it hasn't made that mush of a difference really.

I have a follow-up appointment at the hospital about it on July 23rd so I think I'll make a note of all your comments and present them to the staff.

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