I have the Ultra Mirage II Nasal mask.   2out of the 7 days I can use it. I am taking Nasonex every night as well.

THe problem is allot of the times I feel like I am not getting enough air.   I take the mask off and I can breathe OK.  If I even lift the bottom of the mask to create a leak I can breathe OK, but one I seal the mask back to my face I feel like no air.  

Also, I have had better luck with lowering the humidifier instead of raieing it.  The warmer air makes me feel stuffed up as well.

Any ideas?

Hi MrRob!

I don't know what kind of nasal masks and pillows I use. I know that the headgear to one system is the Comfort Lite. Sometimes I use nasal masks and sometimes nasal pillows. Sometimes I can breathe just fine with them and other times it's such a struggle that I take them off, sleep for a bit, then try again when I wake during the night.

I tried a cold pass humidifier, kept heated by a heating pad underneath, but the warmer air made me feel like I was suffocating. I stopped heating it and still felt suffocated. Finally, I had to stop using it altogether and felt much better. (I never could tolerate the steam room or sauna at the gym either)

I may try disconnecting the Humidifier and try that.  If that doesn't work then I dont know what else to do.

MrRob,

Are you using a ramp?  If so, you might be able to increase the starting ramp pressure so that it's a bit more comfortable.  I can do it on my machine (Respironics Bi-PAP Pro 2).  Which machine do you have?  Check with your machine's manual.  If it's possible, you should be able to do it without having to take it back to the DME.  If you can't figure it out, I'd suggest taking it back to them and letting them do it.  PM me and keep me posted on if you've figured it out and how it's going.

Thanks,


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<>< Sleepy Scott <><
Job 7:13-15

I dont use the Ramp at all.  Lowering the humidifier helped a little.  I need to go to an ENT and have my nasal airways looked at..  Hopefully in the New Year I can get to one soon.

MrRob,

I don't have any other suggestions.  The only thing I can say is best of luck with getting in to the ENT.  Hopefully they will be able to do or suggest something to make it not feel like you're getting suffocated.  If turning the humidifier down helps, I would agree with your suggestion to try taking it totally out of the equation.  If nothing else, KEEP AT IT.  You will get used to it and after a while, you'll be saying that your life has been transformed.  In the short 2 1/2 weeks I've been on therapy, I'm already noticing I'm awake more and don't need the caffiene IV anymore.  I've taken myself TOTALLY off caffiene.  I have maybe 2-3 cups of regular coffee per week, just to splurge.  One thing to keep in mind is that not everybody is going to se the changes as quickly as I have.  As I said before, KEEP AT IT!  Your life and the quality of your life depends on it!

I'll get off my soapbox now.


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<>< Sleepy Scott <><
Job 7:13-15

MrRob
I use a Nasalaire mask. It is the less invasive mask of all and the very comfortable.
Ted  

Well,  I have the humidifier full but I dont turn on the heater for it and I can use the mask all night.  I tried the owest setting and that made me fell cloggeed up as well.  I have to call my DR this week and let him know this.  The Nasonex appears to be helping now as well.

You might want to check the menu on your machine, I use the a Resmed S8 ant it has a menu item to tell it what type of mask you use, and it seems to me that it puts out a greater volume of air when I set it to the full face mas that I use when my nose is stuffed than it dous when I use a nasal pillow.
Mike

OK, it's dark and I can't spell

There is no setting for that on my machine.  Just the Humidifier temp and the ramp.

Rob,

What pressure setting are you at?  Some folks have trouble below 6 or so(myself included).  I have noticed that I do much better with a nasal pillow style mask such as the Resmed Swift, than a regular nasal mask.  

--Mike

try this website and check out the nasal aire II. This is what I am going to opt for.

<< commercial link removed >>


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Plant your own garden & decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers!

I tried the Respironics Comfort Gel Mask but kept feeling suffocated.  I am now trying the Pillows but it keeps moving everytime I turn around.  I got a head cold and the first night using the pillows really reaked havoc with my nasal passages.  They have been feeling "raw" for almost two days.  I had the humidifier on 4 but I think the air pushing up my nose caused this pain.  Has anyone else experienced this?  I may have to go back to the mask.  Who makes the Nasalaire mask?


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Janice