Any CPAP users here? (1 Viewer)

staphory

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If so, what kind of mask do you use?
Any strange happenings with it?
I ask because my mask (full face) causes pain on my nose. One night, 2-3 weeks ago, I had a dream that I had a scarf around my neck. The scarf was kind of hot but I knew I couldn't take it off. I just didn't know why. I kept feeling too warm and was really getting annoyed at the scarf. After a while I felt a warm rain and woke up while holding the machine up in the air by the hose. The hose was wrapped around my neck and the water in the tank was leaking out on to my head! The hose has a heating element in it so I guess that's where the warmth in my dream was coming from.

Weird huh?
 
I have used one for three years now and I can tell the difference when not using it. My biggest problem with my mask is to keep a good seal and keeping the air from leaking out. When the air leaks out it makes that dang hissing noise and my better half will elbow me in the middle of the night to re-adjust the mask. Attached is a picture of the mask I use-
 

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I have used one for three years now and I can tell the difference when not using it. My biggest problem with my mask is to keep a good seal and keeping the air from leaking out. When the air leaks out it makes that dang hissing noise and my better half will elbow me in the middle of the night to re-adjust the mask. Attached is a picture of the mask I use-

I also use the gel mask and have few problems. The caveat is that you must get the proper size. I was using a smaller size, it had a good seal and it worked fine, but when I went to the next larger size, I would get leaks and irritations. I have been tempted to try the mask at www.nomask.com but have not done it yet.
 
I also use the gel mask and have few problems. The caveat is that you must get the proper size. I was using a smaller size, it had a good seal and it worked fine, but when I went to the next larger size, I would get leaks and irritations. I have been tempted to try the mask at www.nomask.com but have not done it yet.

I have considered that mask but don't like the part of it that goes in your mouth. I tried a nasal mask but hated the chin strap that I had to use. My current mask really tears up the skin on my nose. At least once a month I have to go 2-3 days without using it just to let the cut on my nose heal.
I'm just looking for input from other users.
 
I have used one for three years now and I can tell the difference when not using it. My biggest problem with my mask is to keep a good seal and keeping the air from leaking out. When the air leaks out it makes that dang hissing noise and my better half will elbow me in the middle of the night to re-adjust the mask. Attached is a picture of the mask I use-


not to be rude but how in the heck do you sleep with a mask on? my wife is positive I have a sleeping disorder. I wake my self up almost every night snoring and she says sometimes I even stop breathing but I don't know if its any more than my messed up nose. I don't think I could sleep with something on my face.
 
not to be rude but how in the heck do you sleep with a mask on? my wife is positive I have a sleeping disorder. I wake my self up almost every night snoring and she says sometimes I even stop breathing but I don't know if its any more than my messed up nose. I don't think I could sleep with something on my face.

What you just described is sleep apnea and is exactly the reason people wear the masks when they sleep. :dunno:
 
What you just described is sleep apnea and is exactly the reason people wear the masks when they sleep. :dunno:


well like I said, I don't know if I could sleep any better with something on my face. wouldn't you have to sleep on your back? thats very hard for me to do. I guess I should see a doctor.
 
If so, what kind of mask do you use?
Any strange happenings with it?
I ask because my mask (full face) causes pain on my nose. One night, 2-3 weeks ago, I had a dream that I had a scarf around my neck. The scarf was kind of hot but I knew I couldn't take it off. I just didn't know why. I kept feeling too warm and was really getting annoyed at the scarf. After a while I felt a warm rain and woke up while holding the machine up in the air by the hose. The hose was wrapped around my neck and the water in the tank was leaking out on to my head! The hose has a heating element in it so I guess that's where the warmth in my dream was coming from.

Weird huh?

Funky!

Make sure that machine is below your head level at night man, you could drown from the water in the tank. Yes, I know there is a valve to help prvent that, but I wouldn't rely on it.

I use a Fisher Pykel Flexifit 431 full face mask. Its a love hate thing with it. When I get to sleep, and it doesn't leak, I sleep damn good. but I hate the head harness and it makes my hair itch. I also cant stand things on my face when I sleep, but ive learned to adjust. I think I need to have my pressure turned up though, im still not sleeping as good as I could.

fisherpaykel-flexifit-hc432-med.jpg


Considering my Dad is Director of Respiratory Care at Touro I should have known that. :covri:

Dude, im so tellin yer dad. :hihi:

I have considered that mask but don't like the part of it that goes in your mouth. I tried a nasal mask but hated the chin strap that I had to use. My current mask really tears up the skin on my nose. At least once a month I have to go 2-3 days without using it just to let the cut on my nose heal.
I'm just looking for input from other users.

Sounds to me like either its too tight on your face or just wont work on it. I found that because mine leaks some, I started tightening it up. I then discoved that it was so tight it made the area where the mask rested on my cheek numb. So I loosened it up some and it actually performed better.

THe other thing I hate about my mask is that if you have an itch on your face, you have to unsnap the buckled and scratch it, which of course, wakes up the wifey.

I didnt like the nose dealie, and the chin strap, thats why I opted for the full face mask. It still sucks overall. Man, I gotta lose some weight. :hihi:

well like I said, I don't know if I could sleep any better with something on my face. wouldn't you have to sleep on your back? thats very hard for me to do. I guess I should see a doctor.

It takes some getting used to, but trust me when I say, once you get yout first full night of sleep without waking up so much, you'll feel like superman. Im no doc, but id be willing to bet you wake up mroe then you actually think you do. I had sleep studies done and showed I was waking up far more then once or twice a night.

You can sleep on both sides and your back. All types of masks have a swivel joint on the tube to allow you to move, and some masks have a clip at the top to keep the tube running up over your forehead and out of the way. Some machines have alarms that go off to wake you if the airflow(of the machine that is, not yours) gets blocked.

BTW, my wife also told me I was waking up all the time, not breathing, etc. I know we husbands often tune out the wives :hihi:, but this is something to pay attention to.
 
not to be rude but how in the heck do you sleep with a mask on? my wife is positive I have a sleeping disorder. I wake my self up almost every night snoring and she says sometimes I even stop breathing but I don't know if its any more than my messed up nose. I don't think I could sleep with something on my face.

It took some getting used to, but once I got the hang of it, it's not a problem.

What amazed me was when I did the sleep study the first night they attach all these monitors to you and the amount of times I stopped breathing (67 times) for more than 15 to 20 seconds was scary. The second night they put the mask on and tried the mask at different pressures to determine the right amount of pressure needed to help keep you in REM sleep. It was amazing how well I slept that first night, even with the testing being done.

It does sound like you have some form of sleep apnea. My insurance paid for the majority of the tests and pays for a new mask and hose every six months. The tests and equipment don't come cheap, so check with your insurance carrier to see what type of coverage they will provide for the testing and equipment, if it is needed. Good luck!!!!!
 
Funky!

Make sure that machine is below your head level at night man, you could drown from the water in the tank. Yes, I know there is a valve to help prvent that, but I wouldn't rely on it.

I use a Fisher Pykel Flexifit 431 full face mask. Its a love hate thing with it. When I get to sleep, and it doesn't leak, I sleep damn good. but I hate the head harness and it makes my hair itch. I also cant stand things on my face when I sleep, but ive learned to adjust. I think I need to have my pressure turned up though, im still not sleeping as good as I could.

fisherpaykel-flexifit-hc432-med.jpg




Dude, im so tellin yer dad. :hihi:



Sounds to me like either its too tight on your face or just wont work on it. I found that because mine leaks some, I started tightening it up. I then discoved that it was so tight it made the area where the mask rested on my cheek numb. So I loosened it up some and it actually performed better.

THe other thing I hate about my mask is that if you have an itch on your face, you have to unsnap the buckled and scratch it, which of course, wakes up the wifey.

I didnt like the nose dealie, and the chin strap, thats why I opted for the full face mask. It still sucks overall. Man, I gotta lose some weight. :hihi:



It takes some getting used to, but trust me when I say, once you get yout first full night of sleep without waking up so much, you'll feel like superman. Im no doc, but id be willing to bet you wake up mroe then you actually think you do. I had sleep studies done and showed I was waking up far more then once or twice a night.

You can sleep on both sides and your back. All types of masks have a swivel joint on the tube to allow you to move, and some masks have a clip at the top to keep the tube running up over your forehead and out of the way. Some machines have alarms that go off to wake you if the airflow(of the machine that is, not yours) gets blocked.

BTW, my wife also told me I was waking up all the time, not breathing, etc. I know we husbands often tune out the wives :hihi:, but this is something to pay attention to.
I have the exact same mask that you have. And the same love/hate relationship as well. :dunno:
Redlands Saints-You will be glad you called that Doc. There will probably be a short adjustment period if you need a CPAP machine but you will adjust to it. You will be much better off.
 
You have the same mask and its cutting the skin on your nose? what did you do? cinch the headgear up with a come-a-long? :hihi: kidding.

Seriously though, mentioned to my doc that I had to tighten it up, and she explained ot me the thing is to actually "float" on your face, and when you exhale its supposed to seal up using pressure from the air. I found that if yo have it too tight, not only does it irritate where it rests, but doesn't float like it should.

Oh, and I tell you what else I hate, running out of water in your humidfier tank in the middle of the night. talk about turning your tongue into deadwood! :hihi:
 

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