Last Friday I got the : GoodKnight 425 BiPAP with humidifier and I just don't seem to be getting used to it.  My mask hurts my cheebones when I wear it.  Last night I lasted 1 hour and gave up.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

chrabs wrote:

Last Friday I got the : GoodKnight 425 BiPAP with humidifier and I just don't seem to be getting used to it.  My mask hurts my cheebones when I wear it.  Last night I lasted 1 hour and gave up.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hi,

If the mask is hurting your cheeckbones I think you may have the straps too tight. You didn't mention what type of mask you are using........please post back the details. Someone here should be able to help you.

Daniel.


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

(Anon)

I am using : HC431 Full Face CPAP Mask.    

I thought that if might be that my mask is too tight but when I loosed it in the slighest air leaks out !

chrabs wrote:

I am using : HC431 Full Face CPAP Mask.    

I thought that if might be that my mask is too tight but when I loosed it in the slighest air leaks out !

Not familiar with that particular mask, but if its similar to the others (double silicone skin) then you should allow the air pressure to inflate the 'bubble' which in turn creates the seal. If you force the sides of the silicone with tight strapping you break the seal............its then a case of brute force which will cause problems.

There are a few others here using the full face mask and will probably advise you better.

Kind regards,

Daniel.


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

(Anon)

I've been using the Goodknight 425 for about a month and I've been using the Flexifit 431 since last Friday.  The mask didn't leak the first few nights, but I woke up with red marks on my forehead & nose, with deep gashes in the shape of the mask on one side of my face.  I fiddled with it and made it a lot looser last night.  I could get it to stop leaking as long as I stayed in one position, but when I tryed to turn over it started popping leaks all over.  I didn't get the red marks, but I also didn't get much sleep because of the leaks.  The small seal is way too small for me and the medium seems a little too large, so it seems that it has to be tight to work.  This is my third mask and I'm frustrated as can be, just yearning for consistent nights of sleep.

Hey there.  The problems you speak of are related to the mask, not the Goodnight 425.  Thats a BIPAP machine right?? Oh yeah, I see that you already said that.  Would any of you mind telling me what yours is set at?  The mask my son uses, and has NO red or anything, except an occasional air leak is the Dream Fit.  Thanks

15/10 for me

Thanks Linnea.  I think (know) my son's settings will be changing.  When ever the Dr. decides to read the results from the sleep study done on 11/12.  All the tech at the study would tell me is that they were significantly higher.  I went home and changed his settings a little but I know they will have to be uped big time.  I swear it seems like he just keeps getting used to the settings!!!! And then the apnea reappears after a night, maybe two.  I feel so bad for him and Im soooo sleep derived (hubby too).  Hate Dr. Shes so lazy.  We want  a second opinion but don't know where to go for Peds.  Sorry for venting.  

Linnea,

I am also fairly new at using a BiPap machine.  My initial pressures were set at 16/12 and I found the pressure to be too high to tolerate especially with the Ultra Mirage FF mask.  At that pressure the mask leaked no matter how lose or how tight I made it.  So, I asked my provider to reduce the pressure to 12/8 (a 75% solution for me is better than not using the machine at all).  I also asked my DME if I could borrow a nasal mask (Resmed Activia).  Wow, those changes seemed to have resolve most of the irritating problems so far.  I find the nasal mask difficult to make leak even when tossing and turning and the straps are fairly loose.  The mask feels a little heavy but I may get use to that.  If I ever get the opportunity I would like to try the DreamFit nasal mask next.

I was a little hesitant at first going from a FF mask to a nasal mask because I'm usually a mouth breather but I had to try something or CPAP therapy would be a bust for me.  I even bought tape to tape my mouth shut if necessary but so far I did not have to use it.  Fortunately, I am adapting to the nasal mask much better than the full face mask.

Although I'm still trying to get use to the contraption, and average about 6 hours a night with it, I have found some benefits already.  So I'm going to keep at it.  I also found that using a heated humidifier was a must but during the colder nights rainout can be another pest to contend with.  I've ordered the heated hose and hopefully that wil solve the water in the mask problem.

Best of luck and let us know how you are coping.

George

Jestor,
I understand your anguish.  I've had 2 machines, 4 settings and 4 masks in 6 weeks.  My sleep doc doesn't seem that interested either and today I'm going to try to negotiate a second opinion through the maze of insurance co., pcp and beyond.  Good luck to you.  At least when I can't sleep, it only effects me.

When researching face masks I ran into one that the therapy was administered through the mouth rather than nose.  I wouldn't want to try it as I am not a mouth breather, but wonder whether any of the mouth breathers have tried it instead of the full face mask.  It was a lot smaller and looked to be comfortable. (Of course looks can be deceiving, can't judge a book by its cover, etc. etc.)

Judy