Hi,
I'm new to this site. My doctor told me several months ago that I had sleep apnea and that was why I couldn't lose weight and had me do a home test. After that, put me on oxygen. I hated it!  I told her there had to be another way to cure it and she said I just needed to get over it and get used to the mask.  I have been a mouth breather my entire life. If someone covers my mouth I panic as I cannot breath at all.  Is there another option than the mask and what kind of doctor should I go to? Thank you for any help you can give me.  The problems I have read about in here are me to a Tee.

cfox wrote:

Hi,
I'm new to this site. My doctor told me several months ago that I had sleep apnea and that was why I couldn't lose weight and had me do a home test. After that, put me on oxygen. I hated it!  I told her there had to be another way to cure it and she said I just needed to get over it and get used to the mask.  I have been a mouth breather my entire life. If someone covers my mouth I panic as I cannot breath at all.  Is there another option than the mask and what kind of doctor should I go to? Thank you for any help you can give me.  The problems I have read about in here are me to a Tee.

Oxygen won't treat OSA. Are you referring to CPAP ?

If you are referring to CPAP, it just provides sufficient air pressure to splint open your airway........only in exceptional circumstances would you need additional oxygen.

Can you post some more detail.

Daniel.


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The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

I don't know if it was CSap but they DID bring oxygen.

If they provided an oxygen concentrator or ANY type of oxygen you don't need a mask, just a nasal cannula. You see them sometimes on TV in a hospital show like ER, etc. Just a narrow tube that run around your ears to help stabilize it and then under your nose w/two very small prongs that fit a very short distance into your nose.

I seriously doubt, since you say you were given a mask, that you were provided w/oxygen, but rather that they did provide a CPAP machine and mask.

You really do need to sit down and have one good long talk w/the people who provided the device and more importantly with the doctor who ordered the device!!!!! You have a LOT to learn and you aren't being provided w/the education, support and advice that you need and are ENTITLED to!!!


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

you are right Crohnie, this was a few months ago and they did have the nose dealie for the oxygen. I had forgotten. They said that I needed to go do the sleep study and that there they would fit me for a mask...I really DOn't want to be hooked up to anything at night.  What other options are out there?

SURGERY. The ONLY permanent CURE is a tracheotomy. Everything else is just a therapy - and in almost all cases still involve a CPAP and mask. Mouth pieces only work for a very small majority. Surgery on the septum almost always results in just a lower CPAP pressure, all the other surgeries IF one is even a candidate for them also at best just buy time and end up needing CPAP and mask, sometimes at even higher pressure than before the surgery, and sometimes even CPAP can't bring the OSA events down to a reasonable level after these surgeries.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

crohnie, you are making the mask sound better......I still think  I should see a specialist, would that be ears, nose, throat doctor?  And does the machine bother your spouse?

Sleep medicine is a sub-specialty. Pulmonologists, neurologists and ENTs commonly take up training in sleep medicine as a sub-specialty. Given your mouth breathing you might want to look for an ENT w/sleep as a sub-specialty.

Nope. Today's CPAP devices are super quiet. I don't don my mask until I'm ready to go to sleep. Hubby doesn't mind my CPAP at all.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

thanks for all your input crohnie

Hey, I just hope it helped. Personally, I'll take my good ole CPAP over any surgery any day!!! And I didn't have the easiest time acclimating to CPAP. Good luck to you whatever you decide!


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Thank you Crohnie for your input back in March. I went ahead and did the sleep study and it scared me a bit. I guess my episodes were 129 per hr.  I was put on Resmed Elite ll with a Mirage Quattro full face mask.  After acouple days I could tell I really needed it. I woke up fresh and mind clear....didn't realize til then that it wasn't normally.  Problems though, that not sure are ok or if its just me. Even with the nose out as far as possible, I woke up with a sore and swelled up nose. After a couple days had to not use for a day to let my nose heal. Put back on same problem. Called and went in and they put me in the next size up (medium). Felt better, but now after just a few hrs at night it starts to leak and I try adjusting , etc. but still get alot of air on sides.  I feel stupid calling them back and don't know if this is normal or if its just not right.  Have only been able to leave on a few hrs at night now. Also, when I went to the medium, I didn't feel the same energy in the morning that I had with the small one?!  Help please anyone. I know I need it and I want it to work and am very frustrated. I've been using for about 2 1/2 weeks now. Another question, I read that people having been using some sort of cushion on their nose....what are they and where can you get them, also read something about something you can use to help sides seal...any advise most gratefully requested.

cfox maybe you should try the Respironics Fit Life mask it goes from the forehead down below your lower lip and chin. Nothing pressing on your nose it is extremely comfortable and I get the best leak rate ( best seal and lowest leakage) of any mask I have ever used or tried and I have tried a bunch of them!  Anyway it is a full face mask and Personnally I think it is Great! Might be something you might want to check in to! good Luck to You....White Beard


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0, FitLife Mask

I had problems w/the Quattro too - and its nasal cushion "twin", the Micro. Frankly, that thin outer cushion cover was a problem w/slicing into the bridge of my nose. I think the V for the narrow bridge of the nose was just too deep for me. Frankly, I'm not particularly fond of any of the masks w/the thin outer cover over an inner cushion. I prefer a "simple" cushion.

My favorite is one of the old Respironics masks, the Simplicity simple nasal cushion. The headgear is way too big and takes some "lab ratting" for a good, stable fit.

I am currently trying the ProBasics Zzz-Mask. Its a full face mask, lightweight and I like it quite well but the headgear is chintzy, too stretchy, too large and also requires some "lab ratting" for a good, stable fit. Single sided velcro strips are the modern woman's duct tape!!! *wicked grin*

I absolutely DETESTED the original Swift nasal pillows and their asinine side hose attachment. BUT I really rather like the new Swift LT for Her nasal pillows and it has an easy swivel center hose attachment.

MacK's Silicone Ear Plugs work great for helping to seal a mask. Roll one or half a one in the palms of your hands to form a "rope" or "tape". Place that along the mask cushion where it meets your face. It helps to seal and stabilize your mask.

DO NOT feel stupid!!! I'll be I've tried and gone thru a dozen masks during my 3 years on xPAP. It is the local DME provider's RT's responsibility to help you find a mask that works for you. The mask is THE KEY to successful xPAP therapy once your need pressure has been ascertained. A week to 10 days is long enough to know if a mask is going to work for you or not. You do need to do some experimenting w/a mask during that time to try to make it work for you, but if it cuts into your face or causes sore spots or you can't get the leaks under control it just isn't THE mask for you. Keep trying until you find one that does work for you.

Dr Scholl's moleskin is often what many use to "pad" and protect the bridge of their nose from the mask. One of those black "sleep masks" used by night shift workers having to sleep during the day can shield the eyes from leaks as well as provide some protective padding for the bridge of the nose.

Ayr Saline Nasal Gel can help soothe sore dry chapped nostrils AND it tends to help the mask seal better to the area around the nose and upper lip.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

thank you both for the input.  Another question, how do you get to try the other masks? The company the doctor sent me to only has two face masks, so how or where do I go to find these other ones? And are they very expensive and will insurance pay for it?

Are you in the USA? IF your local DME provider TRULY has only TWO masks available they are TRULY incompetent and a disgrace to their profession!!! Yes, these masks are ridculously expensive. Most insurances have some replacement schedule policies.

HOWEVER, since THE MASK is THE KEY to successful CPAP therapy once your needed pressure has been determined MOST local DME providers have some type of mask exchange policy to find the mask that will allow the patient to be compliant w/their CPAP therapy. If you are NOT compliant they lose the sale, not only of the CPAP, but of all the future accessories they will need so it is extremely short-sighted of them to be hard-nosed about mask exchanges.

From the sound of things you NEED to call your insurance to ask what local DME CPAP providers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than this one. I would be quick to point out to your insurance that you have not been adequately informed about your equipment and therapy, that this current DME provider is telling you they have ONLY TWO masks for you to try.

If you have the option of more than just this one local DME provider it would behoove you to be aware that you have this first 30 DAYS to return this equipment and go elsewhere to one of your other local DME options. And you would do well to "shop" each one before committing yourself to one of the others.

You have a great CPAP w/that Elite II so I would ask the other suppliers if they are willing to provide the Elite II, plus I would ask about their mask exchange policy and how lenient it is.

Be aware that Resmed, Respironics and Fisher & Paykel ALL offer a free replacement to the local DME supplier most all of thier masks that their patients have tried and been unsuccessful with IF the DME provider will fill out a form and return form and mask to that manufacturer W/IN 30 DAYS. So there really is little reason for a local DME provider to only offer TWO different masks!!!!

You really do need to sit down and have one good long talk w/the people who provided the device and more importantly with the doctor who ordered the device!!!!! You have a LOT to learn and you aren't being provided w/the education, support and advice that you need and are ENTITLED to!!! Do NOT be bashful about making your sleep doctor, sleep lab and insurance aware of the SHODDY service you are receiving from your current local DME provider!!!! It sounds like the ONLY thing this DME provider has done right is to provide you w/the Resmed S8 Elite II w/EPR.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.