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Just finished second sleep study, diagnosed with severe sleep apnea - they had to use oxygen and the mask that covers the mouth and nose both - I breathe through my mouth. I see there are so many different types of machines and masks. Wondering if anyone here has experience with different masks and the way they seal, fit, ease of use, etc... Also is one machine better than another? I don't mind noise since I sleep with a "white noise" machine on anyway.
I used a full face mask. (I don't use a CPAP anymore by the way.) I have a big head (physically and personally) and I had a medium sized mask. I thought I'd try a large but it was actually too big.
I didn't like the nasal pad like things. I preferred the full mask.
My insurance provided new equipment every three months or so, so, if you don't like one, try another then.
Ugh... CPAP's.... I too have severe apnea; first used the full-face models, but over the course of the night every now and then would get a little blow-by, waking me up. Most recent one I used was a Philips Respironics, sort of a pseudo-full-face (still covers both mouth and nose), but much more compact. Works better, but I still can't stand CPAP's.
To digress from the original question, there the is a mouthpiece that moves the lower jaw forward a little, that may work. I ultimately took the septoplasty/tonsillectomy/uvula shortening and removal of soft tissue from the back of my throat approach. Ultimately still didn't work, and the oral surgeon stated, right before the procedure "this next week will be the worst week in your life", and he wasn't kidding. Nothing like being whacked on roxicet for a week.
I bought the Aiomed Everest II b/c it has a built-in battery backup. If the power goes out, I don't even wake up. It seamlessly switches. I also use the Breath mask from Puritan Bennett but I am not a mouth breather.
Thanks for all this good information! I have an appointment Monday to get "fitted" for all of this, so I want to try to start off with the best one I can find.
Well, been several months.. I actually have a Bipap, not a CPAP. Apparently my breathing while sleeping was NOT TOO GOOD! LOL!
They tested my breathing and WITH the Bipap machine, my oxygen dropped to 55. WHAT?????? Yep.
(I have an oxygen machine now that has made a huge difference.)
I am now using a mask that only covers my nose. (Which is soooo strange because I have always been a major mouth breather.) But when I use it, I don't breathe through my mouth - it's like it creates a sort of suction type deal, so it makes it uncomfortable to breathe through my mouth, unless I am sick or something and my nose is stopped up.
I have been using the "nose only" mask for a few months. I am finding that I continually have to slide it up during the night. It feels like it is too big for my face (longwise). It feels as if the way it is made.....you "stick it on your face" when going to bed and it seems fine - no leaking air etc....,, but I wake up and it has "slid" up some. Feels like it is pressing against right under my nose. When I go to bed and put it on - it covers my nose and seems to press against my top front teeth. Later, during the night, it slides up. It feels like the inside of it (the soft rubbery part) impedes my breathing. I don't know if I am describing this like I want to. *sigh* You know when you first put the mask on your face? It kind of suctions around it? There is a thin "rim" of soft plastic that folds inside the squishy part of the mask. That is what I mean. When the mask slides up during sleep - that soft plastic rim almost totally covers my nostrils. I have to slide it down probably 4 or 5 times a night.
Well, been several months.. I actually have a Bipap, not a CPAP. Apparently my breathing while sleeping was NOT TOO GOOD! LOL!
They tested my breathing and WITH the Bipap machine, my oxygen dropped to 55. WHAT?????? Yep.
(I have an oxygen machine now that has made a huge difference.)
I am now using a mask that only covers my nose. (Which is soooo strange because I have always been a major mouth breather.) But when I use it, I don't breathe through my mouth - it's like it creates a sort of suction type deal, so it makes it uncomfortable to breathe through my mouth, unless I am sick or something and my nose is stopped up.
I have been using the "nose only" mask for a few months. I am finding that I continually have to slide it up during the night. It feels like it is too big for my face (longwise). It feels as if the way it is made.....you "stick it on your face" when going to bed and it seems fine - no leaking air etc....,, but I wake up and it has "slid" up some. Feels like it is pressing against right under my nose. When I go to bed and put it on - it covers my nose and seems to press against my top front teeth. Later, during the night, it slides up. It feels like the inside of it (the soft rubbery part) impedes my breathing. I don't know if I am describing this like I want to. *sigh* You know when you first put the mask on your face? It kind of suctions around it? There is a thin "rim" of soft plastic that folds inside the squishy part of the mask. That is what I mean. When the mask slides up during sleep - that soft plastic rim almost totally covers my nostrils. I have to slide it down probably 4 or 5 times a night.
Any suggestions?
(Thanks! )
Can you get a full mask with a BIPAP? The problem I had with the nasal mask was that my nose seems to stay stopped up all the time, so forcing air in and out of my nose took a lot of work, which kept me up at night.
I started with the full mask - tried two different ones. My Doctor suggested the "nose only" one so I tried it. I was really surprised that I started breathing through my nose. I was always a "mouth only" breather. I wonder if they make a smaller "nose" one.
I know what you mean about the stopped up nose thing! I find it almost impossible to use this when I have a slight allergy problem and/or a cold.
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