Here’s mine. It’s $299. I don’t have a humidifier, and filters run about $13. My insurance covers everything at no cost to me, however.
Is there anything you can do to get the insurance company to change their mind?
ETA: :smack: I should have finished the thread.
My mask (I just looked it up) is the ResMed Ultra Mirage. The only problem I’ve had with it is that I have a beard, so occasionally it is difficult to get a good seal. But that’s my fault, not the masks, and usually I don’t have problems with it. Also, my insurance pays for all my equipment, so I have no idea what the costs are.
The other problem I have sometimes is that our bedroom can get so cold (our thermostat is set at 63 during the night) that condensation forms inside my mask, and even puddles up in the mask. But I guess I’ve gotten used to it.
fuffle, my first night was horrible, trying to get used to everything, including the mask’s fit. Like others have said, it could take a few days to get it adjusted right. Or not, as I mentioned above. If he’s got a problem with leaks at the point at the top of the mask, try a cosmetic wedge up there. It’s worth a try. Skammer definitely gave a great suggestion. The company linked above has a 10 foot long hose if the current hose is too short to run over/attach to the headboard.
Does your boyfriend have a full face or nose-only mask? These are some different nose-only masks. They stick into your nostrils only and wrap the hose over your head to minimize the pulling. Keep plugging away at it until you find the right mask.
Now that he’s using the machine, if the doctor didn’t say this, your boyfriend may take a few months to feel the effects of the CPAP therapy. It apparently takes time for the human body to get used to actually getting productive sleep at night. I got my machine in mid-November but didn’t really feel much of a difference until early January. But, boy, when it kicked in, it was great!
A cosmetic wedge–now there’s a good idea! We were trying to think of some kind of small sponge or something and that’s just the ticket.
He has the nose and mouth mask because when he tried the nose-only mask, he felt the pressure out his mouth was too weird. He doesn’t want to use a chin strap because he’s concerned he’ll feel too constricted if he can’t ever open his mouth at night.
I have to admit that we were both secretly hoping for 100% recovery the first night, so we’re both pretty frustrated. But they did tell him it could take 1–2 weeks before he feels a difference, so he’s prepared for that. But he says he feels .14% better today. 
Good for him! You two have made it through the toughest part of the CPAP therapy. Please remind him that he’s not welded to that mask for the rest of his life. If that mask gets uncomfortable or can’t be adjusted properly, just get another one. It’s not worth the discomfort to be loyal to a mask. I wish I’d known that when I got my CPAP.
For those interested in an update, last night was mixed success. He cut down a cosmetic wedge to fit inside the mask over his nose without blocking the mask circulation. He also spent some time readjusting the straps. He says it feels tons better and the wedge is stuck nice and tight in there, so it doesn’t slip around. So much improved there!
Weirdly, though, he took off the mask in the middle of the night but doesn’t remember doing it. So now we just have to get his sleeping self to cooperate and we’ll be on our way.
Yeah, taking of the mask in the middle of the night is common. Hopefully he’ll outgrow it. If it keeps happening, uh, I don’t know. I did it a few times in the beginning. Make sure the hose has enough slack that it doesn’t tug on the mask when he’s asleep.
Good to know that’s common, I guess. But I find it kind of creepy that a person could remove the whole device and not even wake up. I’ll have him double-check the hose tonight; maybe we need to rearrange things a bit.
My first CPAP had an alarm that’d go off it was blowing with no resistance - like when you pull it off your face accidentally. It may be a feature you can enable. My new CPAP does not.
I’ve been using it for years and years now and I’m better off for it - I know that. Worst time, though, is when you get a cold in your nose - too stuffy and the mask doesn’t work. I’m a bit of a freak now in keeping my nose blown clear.
Thanks, Belrix, I didn’t know that was a feature. I’ll look at the manual tonight and see if his has that option.
Funny you mention the stuffiness–one of the reasons he didn’t want the nose-only mask was being grossed out by the idea of having a cold and being totally congested. I can see where using a CPAP would make having a clear nose a huge priority for a person.
Fuffle, I don’t know if it’s appropriate to mention now, but since we’re in cold and flu season, have your boyfriend ask his sleep doctor how to handle a stuffy nose. Prepare ahead of time so that when it happens he’ll have a good outcome. I prefer to do something to cause drainage (Mucinex). Sorta gross,* but I’d rather have that than be unable to get a good night’s sleep because of congestion.
Also, pat yourself on the back for being so supportive. It can be such a change in sleeping habits for everyone. I’ve read on other boards that occasionally, loved ones will just not like the CPAP for whatever reason and cause stress in the patient. Have you been able to get better sleep yourself now the freight train is silenced?
To keep the mask in place I wear a hat with a chin strap over the headgear. Looks stupid, works great!
As to fitting the mask, I’ve found that getting the right vertical placement on the face would eliminate the leak at the bridge of the nose.
Well, last night was a complete failure. He couldn’t get the mask to fit right and not hurt or leak no matter what and eventually gave up in total frustration. No sleep for either of us all night.
He’s going to call the supply place today and talk to them about the problem. Maybe it’s something as simple as he needs a large instead of a medium. Or maybe he just needs a different mask.
I really do sincerely appreciate all the help and advice everyone has given in this thread. But rather than continue to give daily updates here, I think I’ll head over to the forums mentioned above and hash things out there.
And Caractacus Pott, thank you for your kind words, but you’re giving me far more credit than I deserve. I just want the CPAP to work for my own selfish reasons. Chronic lack of sleep has changed him, and not for the better. I’m willing to do anything to get my old sweet baby back. 
fuffle, there must have been something in the air. I had problems with my mask fitting last night, too. But I know what my problem was–my nose decided to close up overnight. And keep being selfish; you’re probably inspiring (or pushing) him to get this apnea treated. I wish someone caring would have done that for me years ago. Being a typical male, I didn’t feel like seeing a doctor. I wonder how much more I could have done with my life had I not wasted it half-asleep.
Now you two can get down to business. Since he’s experienced a mask, he’ll have a better idea of what will be comfortable, and the importance of bringing the machine and pillow to the fitting. Have him take a little nap with each mask hooked up to CPAP machine. That’s the only way he’ll really find the mask for himself.
Prepare him for this being a frustrating, tiresome endeavor. There are lots of masks and lots of people selling them. Don’t let him “settle” for one; it has to be truly comfortable or else he’ll get discouraged again. Please make sure he tries the nasal pillows. It’s easier to make them fit comfortably: you only have to worry about sealing at the nostrils, not the entire face. From the other messages on this string, it appears a lot of us use them.
Keep being selfish, for both your and his sakes.
Thank you for the encouragement. I really need some right now. He’s going in for another fitting first thing Monday, and I’ll tell him what you said. He hasn’t been reading this thread, but I’ve been relaying everything here, and he listens to the SDMB.
I hope he can see from this and other message boards that many of us have had similar problems, have stuck with it, and are now enjoying the increased quality of life. He’s just going through a bump in the road. And now I must go use my CPAP machine…
Hope I’m not too late to this discussion.
I have found that my mask can sometimes wear and cause red marks on my face. Mostly it is just a matter of playing with it until it feels good, as everyone else has said.
One piece of advice which I was given which really helped me get used to it was to wear it for a few hours each night before going to bed. I would settle down in front of the tv with the mask on and let the CPAP ramp up to its correct setting. That got me used to wearing the mask and adjusting it so that it fit right and also got me used to feeling the pressure of the air.
I think it really helped when I finally came to try and sleep with the mask on.
Just in the mask or in the hose too?
CMC +fnord!