That mask comes in 8 frame+mask size combinations. Both frame sizes come with a small wide nasal cushion choice.
Well, it took 5 months from when I first started this thread but I got my new gear today.
The CPAP is a Luna G3 and the mask is a Respironics DreamWear silicon nasal pillows rig.
The machine is much cooler than my 12-year-old model, but it’s the nasal pillows that have me all giddy. Upon trying them on I exclaimed “oh my god” and gave the tech a start; she thought I was hating it.
I cannot believe how comfortable this get-up is, at least during the try-on at the medical supply office. I hope I’m not setting myself up for disappointment, but I’m so excited I cannot wait to go to bed tonight.
I shall report back in the morn.
mmm
How did the new system work out @Mean_Mr.Mustard?
I would like to join the eminent ranks of CPAP-wearing Dopers. I received my system on Friday (also took about 5 months end-to-end). My mask is also the nasal pillows which I wanted to try, but was concerned being a mouth breather. The first two nights have gone smoothly. It obviously has not been long enough to notice any results, but I am optimistic. Presumably after a few months I will have lost 30 pounds, regrown my hair, and begun speaking fluent Dutch.
It definitely helped to ‘practice’ – wearing the mask while I read before bed. I found the mask to be very disconcerting at first, but quickly forgot about it once I started reading.
Sorry, forgot to report back.
I’ve worn it all night, every night (12 nights and counting). I would still rather sleep with nothing on my face, but I really can’t complain. My 12-night average AHI is 1.6. The amount of leakage - which I feared was excessive - is in the acceptable range per my tech.
Air leakage is my only complaint. When I turn on my side, which is my preferred position, I have to find the exact mask position in order for it to not leak. I’m wondering if I should just learn to sleep on my back.
Anyway, I was wink-wink advised by my sleep doctor to call after a week to request a different mask, as virtually unlimited “tries” are covered by insurance within the first 30 days. As happy as I am with this mask, I did call and ask for a different one, just because. It is being shipped.
I did have one night of excess moisture in the tubing which ended up on my face. Not a pleasant way to wake up in the middle of the night. I fiddled with the humidifier settings and have not had that problem since. I also requested a heated tubing - also covered by Medicare - which will arrive with my next shipment of supplies.
I was pleasantly surprised that I will receive new supplies - new mask, tubing, head gear, filters - every 3 months.
Here is the downside. I know this is good for me, and I have no intention of stopping using the CPAP, but I do not necessarily feel much better during the day. The feeling of being less sleepy is very subtle and a bit of a disappointment.
mmm
I would say the same for me.
You may need to adjust the The straps that run around the back of your head. Just a little bit more tension might stop the leakage when you roll over on your side. Too much tension can leave you with sore skin on your upper lip and nose in the morning, so you may want to just make small adjustments until the leakage stops.
Yes, thank you. I have been adjusting the straps, but it’s happening in the dead of night when I’m not exactly fully awake and aware. I should pay closer attention to snugification level at the beginning.
I have not experienced discomfort or redness from too-tight straps.
mmm
I have a mask that covers my nose and I’ve learned that it seals best if the hose comes down over my forehead. It puts just the right of tension on the mask. I move around allot so it’s automatic to adjust the hose as I move.
I have an arm that attaches to the headboard that holds the hose out above me and I have found that make the middle of the night twisting and turning much easier to manage. It’s not a great piece of decor, but I also don’t care.
That actually looks like a good idea.
Over the last several months I have found it impossible to use. Not because of the machine but because of my work schedule. Flipping back and forth between sleeping during the day and sleeping at night made it impossible to fall asleep with something on my face. I will start again this week.
With the difficulties I am having I was looking into Inspire. I’ve been reading posts on the Facebook group. Too many stories from people who have to have the voltage over acceptable limits for it to work, I’m definitely afraid of having an invasive and permanent procedure that might not work.
Using the CPAP machine makes me feel like I am a balloon being inflated. I’ve given up on it. As I write this I am sitting in reception at a clinic about to discuss surgical options.
It should be possible to reduce your machine’s maximum pressure setting, though you’ll likely need to access its “clinical settings” menu to do it. This is usually hidden from end users, but if you search YouTube, you’ll probably find what you need. Just be sure to take a screenshot of all of the existing settings before you make any changes so that you can get it back to the way you found it if you really screw up the settings.
I bought a Resmed Air Mini last year via the internet, and I think maybe they didn’t set it up according to prescription I provided: when I started using it, I found I couldn’t sleep on my side because I had to exhale with some deliberate force, which kept me from falling asleep. After reducing the max pressure, it’s now dreamy: just enough pressure to hold my airway open, and no more.
This. My original CPAP machine was connected to the internet and the doctor changed the setting remotely soon after I started using it. It was an uncomfortable amount of pressure so I got online and set it back to where it was comfortable.
It would be nice if the machines came with a “stuffy nose” setting where you could up the pressure 1 notch with a single button.
Agreed. I’ve had a couple of head colds that stuffed up my nose so badly that I couldn’t use my CPAP.
I use a nose mask for comfort. I’m wondering if I should buy a mask that fits over my mouth too as a backup.
From what I have read it’s useless to try to use the CPAP when your nose is stuffed. That has been my experience. I wouldn’t even try if I have a cold.
Adding on to this, my CPAP’s clinical settings menu includes several other parameters that can be tweaked. One of these is called “expiratory pressure relief”: when turned on, the machine learns your breathing rhythm over the course of several breaths and lowers the pressure right at the moment it predicts you are going to stop inhaling. This makes it easier to exhale, helping to avoid the “I feel like an inflated balloon” sensation. When it predicts you are about to begin inhaling again, it brings the pressure back up. The degree of relief is adjustable, all the way from almost undetectable up to so jarring that you can’t really sleep; this means there’s an ideal level for anyone somewhere in that range.
Your machine may be different, but you’ll definitely want to try all the possibilities before you resort to a surgical solution.
This would be a good time to mention addictions to nose spray. If I stop breathing my dreams become claustrophobic and continue to get worse until I wake up.
I use a Neti Pot every night without fail. I think it does a good job of keeping my sinuses open. Occasionally I do have to shoot a dose of medicated nasal spray. I try to just do one nostril (my left, where I have a deviated septum) so as not to get both nostrils addicted. Fingers crossed, I haven’t had to use the nasal spray much and when I do it’s for 3 days or less.
For anyone with chronic nasal inflammation you might want to look in to a daily saline rinse.