I’ve been using a CPAP for a couple months now, and no real problem getting used to sleeping with it, except that I’m having a hard time with my mask. The one that came with the machine was a Swift II, which works OK, except that I like to sleep with my face smushed into the pillow, so the mask gets pushed to the side and leaks. It is wasn’t for that, I’d really like this mask, the nasal pillows are soft and don’t irritate my nose, and I like that I can read while wearing it.
I called the supply place and asked for a Breeze mask, because that’s the kind my husband uses and he said his was very comfortable. Well, I’m having a really hard time getting the damn thing to fit without leaking, and the nasal pillows are of a harder silicone or something, because the inside of my nose HURTS (I’m using the medium pillows, and tried the small ones, but those leaked like crazy). I was also having major issues with the chin strap sliding off; the material of the Swift’s headgear helped keep it in place, but the Breeze just has that top-of-the-head dealie–I put the chin strap over the headgear last night and that worked pretty well, but again, the mask hurts my nose.
So, given all that, any thoughts for what mask I might want to try next? Or any modifications I could make to either of the ones I already have to solve the issues I’m having?
I use a full-face mask, so I can’t speak to nasal pillow masks, but I move from back to side to back through the night. I have learned to curl my arm under my head when I’m on the side, which gives my face enough elevation to keep the mask where it belongs. They do sell a CPAP pillow, with a curved cut-out where your face goes, but it takes some getting used to. You can try tightening the mask more, but you’ll end up with deep lines on your face in the morning.
I use the Comfortgel full face mask. I have had occasionl problems with it hurting the bridge of my nose, but it stays on well. My mother in law tried the ones that just go in the nose and had to go back to the full face style because of slippage.
Full-face mask users, do you have any problems with mouth dryness? Or does the mask keep your mouth closed?
That CPAP pillow looks intriguing. I wonder if I could rig up a cheaper version just to see if it would work for me before committing to the real thing.
I use the swift II and sleep on my side, it is adjustable as to which side it connects to. Or maybe I use a softer pillow and it allows the device to sink into it without coming loose. I tried the breeze but it never seems to stay on my face correctly and I woke up several times a night. The full face masks are just a pain and I never liked them.
I’m testing this one - the ResMed Activa - I toss and turn all night, sleep on either side (sometimes even on my front), and this hasn’t leaked much yet…
I’m a mouth-breather (which is why I’m more comfortable in a full-face mask to begin with) and I do get dry occasionally. I have the humidifier set pretty high, which usually works.
This probably won’t be real helpful, but I too was somone who liked to sleep with my face smooshed into a pillow – until I started on CPAP about a month ago.
I use a ComfortGel nasal mask, and I’ve found I really like it. The first week or so, it took some effort to not let my face slide into the pillow (which would push the mask aside and cause a leak). I’ve now found I can very comfortably sleep on my side with part of my face smooshed into the pillow, but with the mask “hanging off” of the end of the pillow. Works like a charm.
btw, the mask I use looks very similar to the Breeze that Geobabe posted.
Another mouth-breathing full-face mask user here. Sorry I’m at work and I don’t remember the model I have now, but I sleep in any position, even on my stomach, and don’t have a problem with leakage. When I sleep on my stomach I push the mask into the crook of my arm which tends to hold it in place.
I don’t use a humidifier and I don’t have much problem with dry mouth. I think my CPAP is set fairly low; since I lost weight my apnea isn’t as severe as it was.
Roddy
Little bit off topic, but while I have a bunch of CPAP users here. . .
Have any of you had issues with back/side pain from using the CPAP? My wife started on the CPAP and was having great results until about two weeks into it she started waking up with crippling pain on her side. Numerous visits to the chiropractor/massuse/doctor resulted in nothing except her having her gall bladder removed (probably unnecessary). All along, I had a suspicion that this pain was related to the CPAP, but noone else thought so.
At one point, she was demanding that we buy another mattress (a sore spot because we just bought this king size Tempurpedic (sp?) a few years ago and I like it). I finally told her that if she got off the CPAP for three nights, and still had the pain, that we would buy a new mattress. Well, lo and behold, she stopped using the CPAP and the pain disappeared. Needless to say, I still have my Tempurpedic, and the CPAP is in the closet (the snoring and sleep apnea that prompted the CPAP in the first place have pretty much abated, so she’s doing ok w/out it.)
My theory is that although she felt comfortable with the CPAP, subconsciously while she slept she was afraid of either getting wrapped in the hose, pulling the machine off the nightstand, dislodging the mask, etc., etc. I think that this was causing her to tense her core muscles, especially those along her sides and/or to not move around much during the night. It seems to me that all of this tension, coupled with sleeping in one position for most/all of the night was causing the problem.
Anyone else have a similar experience, or is my wife nuts?
Maybe she is just sleeping better and not tossing and turning as much? If I don’t move from side to side a few times, I get some horrible hip pain from being in the same position all night. I got used to the mask and hose pretty quickly.
When I first got my CPAP, I woke every morning with horrible stiffness and pain in my back. This prompted purchase of a new mattress (which we needed anyway, it’s a great mattress and we love it). The new mattress helped but didn’t completely alleviate the problem.
I figured out that I’ve been a very restless sleeper my whole life due to the apnea. I started sleeping on my back again when I got the CPAP (I’d had to stop doing that due to the apnea). With the CPAP, I don’t seem to move at all in my sleep. Just as I get stiff these days when I sit too long in one position, sleeping in the same position all night causes problems.
It goes away after a little bit, so I mostly just ignore it. I feel much more rested using the CPAP, so I’m not willing to do without. It’s a tradeoff, just like most everything.
I have tried nearly every mask there is, in the last 3 years. The nasal pillows did hurt my nose too. Mine was the Swift II as well. I used the small size, and didn’t have any leaks, but it was just too much air straight up the nose, and dryed me out. Using the humidifier never seemed to help, so I don’t use it anymore. It was a pain. I also had to sleep holding it in place. I never could get that headgear to stay on. I have long hair, and headgear slips and slides a lot.
One mask fit great and was working, but I was allergic to the blue gel they used in it. I had welts on my forehead and face most of the day. And sometimes they got so bad they scabbed over a bit. Not a pretty site.
Now I have a small nasal mask that works OK, but still hurts a bit. It is also the Mirage Activa™ Nasal Mask, that has been mentioned.
I do know that I have to sleep on my side(preferably) or back, in order not to smush it into my face.
I stopped wearing mine for a long time, because I was so frustrated with not being able to find a decent mask.
Keep trying…there should be one that works.
That Activa mask sounds like it would be worth a try for me. Now to talk with the supply house to see if insurance will pay for this one…so frustrating that so many people have mask issues.
I don’t use CPAP, but I can offer the thought that you may need to be patient - my mother went through at least half a dozen masks and nasal pillows before finding one that worked for her.
Mine is just an older version of this. I am also mouth breather but my throat automatically closes when wearing the mask. I get dry but my CPAP machine has the water tank so… I put in ice cubes and the cool air which makes going to sleep much easier for me. I find that people who’s doctors have them set too low, IMO, have more trouble. I have a full beard, am restless and since mine is set on 13, a little leaking does not bother me. I still have plenty of pressure.
You have the directions on form fitting the gel … correct?
Back problems are reduced greatly for me with a large pillow under my knees as I sleep on my back…
