I am a first timer to this forum and have some issues I've been experiencing &  I know your all thinking, who doesn't?

*** big time snorer / stop breathing in sleep.... wife has taught me to sleep on my stomach like a dog... diagnosed with Sleep Apnea ****

  I have been using my CPAP for 5 1/2 months now and cannot make it through 2 hours with my mask on.  I was tested with the SWIFT mask and slept fine throughout the night.  I came to find out (which I should have know), that I am a mouth breather at night.  This has caused me to open my mouth ---- tried the chinstrap, doesn't work ----- and had made me try another mask.  I have used the Mirage but the nasal pillows slip from my nose causing repeatedly.  I have now been using the Quattro for about 2 months with no luck.  I rip the mask off unknowengly throughout the night.  I sometimes know that I am taking off the mask and just roll over to get a decent night's sleep.  I have no issues at all falling asleep with the mask on, but can't maintain it throughout the night.  I have switched pressures a number of times (7-8-9) from my doctor with no luck at all.  Is it the mask,pressure or just me being the un-lucky one that can't get used to it.  I have now learned how to adjust the pressure myself to see if I can come up with something as my doctor has not called me once to discuss what's going on.  I call and ask to switch my pressure, he calls in, they do and no questions asked.  Should I have another study done?????? HELPPPPPPPP,,,,,, anyone...... I just want my sleep back.

Thanks..

I can feel your frustration. I've been frustrated like that myself. I'll bet lots of people here have also. It can take a while to get all the kinks worked out of your CPAP therapy and even then you will have issues from time to time. I still had lots of issues at 5 1/2 months. Now, after more than 2 years, I feel 95% settled in, but I still have an occasional problem.

If the Swift worked for you, I would go back to it. People who mouth breathe often tape thier mouths shut. It seems like the most effective option. You can find discussion threads on it. I have never done it, because I don't have the problem, but there are a lot of people on this forum and others with experience on how to do it. I did try a full face mask (F&P 432) once, in my case to get around nasal congestion, but I could never get used to it. I really like the Swift.

As far as inadvertently removing the mask, your machine may have an alarm setting. If that function is activated, it goes off if it senses that you removed your mask. If your machine has that, use it. If not, get a machine that does. As far as intentionally removing your mask, you just have to stop that. If you can't sleep with it, I would just get out of bed and do something relaxing until you get tired enough to sleep with it. Eventually you will adapt. But if do go on the way you describe you are doing it now, you will not adapt.

If your doctor is not responsive, get one who is. Mine is a board-certified sleep doc and pulmonologist. Either he or his nurse practioner always return calls same day, listen to my problem and give me good advice. I only go see my doctor every 6 months, so I would rather drive an hour for a good sleep doc than have a bad one who is close.

I doubt you need another sleep study. It sounds like you and your doctor still haven't EFFECTIVELY followed up on the original sleep study.

a properly adjusted chinstrap will stop your mouth from opening wide, but it usually wont stop you breathing thru mouth, you may need a full face mask and a chinstrap, if you open wide with a full face mask, needless to say, this breaks the air seal

there is no need for you to sleep on your stomach

be patient and think positive


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resmed S6 lightweight, respironics comfort gell mask using CPAP since 1995, no humidifier
during my many years of severe fatigue, no doctor ever asked me if I snored

Once the correct pressure has been found for you, the doggone mask is THE KEY issue in adjusting to and doing well w/CPAP therapy. There are MANY of us who have been thru MANY mask before finding THE right one.

I used the Breeze during my first titration, didn't sleep long enough so had to return for a second titration.
Started the second titration w/the Breeze, it irritated the inside of one nostril so switched to the F&P HC 407 nasal cushion. That "might" have worked had I tried the same mask one size smaller, the HC 406.
I selected the original Swift when I got my equipment, but did NOT like the hose to one side or the other (the new Swift LT allows for either side or center hose position).
So I switched to the ComfortLite 2 and was quite happy w/that for quite awhile. The nice thing about the CL2 is that it is almost like getting two masks in one, it comes with 2 sizes of nasal pillows AND 2 sizes of simple nasal cushion OR 2 sizes of nasal pillows and 2 sizes nasal seals. And it has a lot of areas to adjust the fit. Eventually tho after several months the head "cap" was causing a tender scalp as it tended to move slightly during the night. I understand they have since redesigned the headgear of the CL2. It was w/the CL2 tho that I discovered that I wasn't all that wild about the so direct air pressure into the nostrils w/the nasal pillows style and that I much preferred the simple nasal cushion. I think the CL2 is a great starter mask!
I then tried several nasal cushions: I don't even remember them all, maybe 4-5 of them, then tried the old Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion and fell in love! I've used it ever since until just recently and it is STILL my FAVORITE mask.
I did try the Resmed Quattro full face mask for those nights when I was congested and really plugged up. But it just does NOT come small enough for me.
When I was switched from CPAP to a bi-level my sleep pulmo surprised me by also orders a Resmed Mirage Micro nasal cushion for me. I LIKE it very much. Not as much as my beloved Simplicity but almost. And whilst I use mostly the Simplicity I sometimes alternate w/the Micro instead.

Tackle the mask issue first and get it licked. Is your CPAP a fully data capable CPAP where you can view your nightly data via the LCD screen? What brand and model do you have? Access to that data can be a big help in determining whether it is the pressure once you fall asleep or mask or mouth leaks.

Have you checked the Sticky on Mask Fitting at the top of the forum? You really need to give serious thought to what the problem w/your mask might be.

The most likely cause IS pressure leaks, either due to mask fit, or due to attempts to mouth breathe which as you say USUALLY wakes you up, OR the most likely, due to air escaping gently thru your lips which almost never wakes you up. The leaks mean you get less pressure, you can't breathe well and pull your mask away to get comfortable breaths again.

Or it could be that the mask is just plain uncomfortable. Probably because you have it too tight. The cushions need to fill w/air in order to seal well. Generally, contrary to what you would think, you will get less air leaks around the eyes if the top straps are somewhat loose and the bottom straps more snug. Most of us tend to tighten our headgear too tight when we are first adjusting to CPAP therapy.

The Mask Off alarm is a good suggestion. If your device has that option turn it on.

You mention your wife has convinced you to sleep on your tummy. That is THE most difficult position to find a mask that is comfortable and accomodates tummy sleeping too. You might consider buying a "sleep pillow". PAPillow is one brand. There are others. Sometimes just a really soft, easily punched into shape down pillow will do the trick. What you need is a pillow that allows for you to either sleep w/your head comfortably on the edge of the pillow w/your face and mask off the edge, or a pillow so soft it can be "punched" away from your mask w/an indentation for the mask to fit in.

Just sit down and really analyze what the mask problem could be. If you think it thru thoroughly you will figure out what your needs and problems are.  Good luck!


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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 & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Quatty4, I am also a mouth breather.  Just got my machine 2  days ago, Resmed Elite II with humidifier and nasal pillows.  During my sleep study the full mask was put on me and I think I had an anxiety attack.  Tech then changed it to nose only mask at my request.  She said I did go back to sleep but I felt I did not sleep at all.  I chose the nasal pillows (friend recommended them).  I am happy with the machine. It is so quiet and I heard horror stories about how loud they were.  My problem is my mouth breathing.  Last night I was only able to keep the macine on for 3 hours.  I took it off so I could go to sleep.  I do not think I went to sleep at all while I had it on.  I also am getting a headache fromt he headgear.  I loosened the straps but if I loosen them anymore there will be a leak.  I also could not roll over and am not used to sleeping on my back.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  I am trying to be positive.

I'm using a ResMed Ultra Mirage full face mask, it is very compact, and I find it very comfortable.


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Remstar M series Plus with C-flex & heated humidfier
Ultra Mirage Full Face
Ultra Mirage 11 Nasal

TnGirl, what nasal pillows mask did you get? That might help us help you to get a better, more comfortable fit. You might also want to pick up some Ayr Saline Nasal Gel (or spray) as often newbies to a nasal pillows mask start getting a sore, dry nose from the newness of so much direct air pressure blowing into the nose w/the nasal pillows style mask after a few nights.


_________________
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 & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

CrohnieToo, thanks for your quick reply.  I have the Mirage Swift II nasal pillow.  So far my nose doesn't seem to bother me, it's my mouth breathing.  And I think I'm having anxiety attacks.  I'm going to try and leave it on longer tonight and will give it another week or so and ask to try a different mask.

Thank you all for the valuable information.  I will have to check what my machine is when I get home from work.  I know it has the digital display but will have to learn how to decipher it.

I use the Swift Naal Pillow with a Ruby chin strap. Before that i was taping my mouth shut. The Ruby has been great, just make sure you get the correct size.

On nights when my Quattro drives me nuts, I use the Hybrid.

Smaller coverage, more comfortable (for me), but still addresses mouth breathing.  Worth a try.