Ultra Mirage Mask ResMed S8 Escape-First Night

[Marian]

Hello,

Recently diagnosed with Sleep Apnoea and this is the first time I've used a CPAP machine, supplied by NHS. The mask (a nose mask) seems to leak profusely around the elbow and blew air across my face all night. I've read other threads on this, but do all these masks leak or has anyone used this mask with no leaks? Also, the nurse said I had to pull the straps very tight to the face, but it kept waking me up as one side if the mask (always the same side) was cutting into my face. Am I doing something wrong or have others found this discomfort a problem? I'm just hoping that it will get better and would welcome any advice on how to use the mask properly. Many thanks.

Marian

[gvader]

Hi Marian and welcome to the world of CPAP.

I've got a whole month of experience with my S8 Escape now and while I haven't got exactly the same mask as yourself (had an Ultra Mirage Full Face and now swapped to a Quatro full face) I would recommend that you make sure that the adjustment straps are the same length on each side of the harness as that could get rid of the digging in to the face problem.

It took me 3 or 4 days of adjusting the mask until I got a fit that was good so keep trying until you are happy.

How did you feel when you woke up after the first night, any more refreshed than before?

Regards,

GV

[chelseauk]

Hi,

And welcome to the hose head club !

Firstly is it a leak or is it the exhaust port (Where the excess air comes out from so you don't blow up like a ballon).

If it is a leak then it's going to be a case of adjust the straps and head gear until it's right.

Also Degrease (wash) the area on your face where the seal goes - you want something that will remove skin oils and not mosturise (I use simple wipes) i'm sure soap would be just as good !

http://www.sainsburys.com/groceries/shopping/details/product_detail.jsp?bmUID=1202637883194&NEW_NAVIGATOR%3C%3Elevel_0_id=0&NEW_NAVIGATOR%3C%3Elevel_1_id=1&NEW_NAVIGATOR%3C%3Elevel_2_id=2534374310898621&NEW_NAVIGATOR%3C%3Elevel_3_id=2534374310906703&NEW_NAVIGATOR%3C%3Elevel_4_id=2534374320017780&NEW_NAVIGATOR%3C%3Elevel_5_id=1689949372285085

Also I'd suggest you work through the resmed fitting guide (Link below) - and no don't tighten it so much that it hurts (As per step 2 - DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN STRAPS) !

http://www.resmed.com/en-us/products/masks/the_ultra_mirage_ii_nasal_mask/documents/ultra-mirage-nm-fitting-usa.pdf

Finally if your a side sleeper then it might be your pillow pushing the mask to one side. Try either a Memory foam one (I find the shaped ones work well)

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1270578/Trail/searchtext%3EMEMORY+PILLOW.htm

Or theres always the special CPAP ones now available in the uk.

http://www.eu-pap.co.uk/bedding-c-10.html

Hope some of that helps.

[Marian]

Thanks

Hello,

Thanks for both replying and for all the information you've supplied and your warm welcome!

I am not sure whether I feel as refreshed as I should do as the mask woke me about four times, but I think I feel better. I'm sure it will take a while to adjust to it. I am a side sleeper and did wonder during the night about a memory pillow, so shall certainly look into that. To be honest I am not sure if the leak is normal excess air or from the rotating part of the joint and will have to see if I can pin the exact spot down, but the nurse did say some air would be escaping to ensure I do not blow up like a balloon, it just seemed to be a lot. I will also have a closer look at the straps and I do think they were much too tight. The nurse pulled them very tight but did say the nose mask should float like an hovercraft due to the 'skirt' arrangement, but it certainly didn't do that. In fact I have a bruise where it pressed into my face next to the nose. Anyway, I shall adjust all the straps tonight and see whether I can improve things.

Thanks again.

Marian.

[chelseauk]

Three thoughts.

1. Oh yes the exhaust port is like having your very own little Jet Engine.

2. A another Resmed mask that may leak arround the elbow - seems to be a reoccuring issue here see http://forums.cpap.co.uk/showthread.php?t=325
Me thinks maybe resmed have an issue.

3. My Respironics Comfortlite 2 doesn't leak (apart from the occassional raspberry when the seal against the face moves).


Oh - my 100th post !... happy 100th post to me. happy 100th post to me,happy 100th, happy 100th, happy 100th post to me.

(That's to happy birthday - so all sing up now)

[bigdave69]

memory pillow

New to the "hose Head" society

I started using CPAP last Wednesday night which is 4 nights and before being diagnosed, nearly lost my job, bought a new £2000 bed, memory pillows the lot. personally I find sleeping on my side with the mask using the memory pillows very good. bought them on price drop off the TV. one of the best things I did.

after the first night, did wake up twice due to the mask comfort, but was bouncing around like Tigger, my spouse called me a pest ! never felt so good in the morning for a long time.

Bigdave

[SteveP]

The nurse (...) did say the nose mask should float like an hovercraft due to the 'skirt' arrangement

I had a very similar problem when I started with a nasal mask. To understand what the correct position and tighteness of the mask was, I used a trick that may work for you too:

Work in front of a mirror, take the straps off and put on the mask with your hand only. Start the machine and try to find the minimum amount of pressure that is needed from your hand to make a good seal, but you feel uncomfortable. Then lie on the bed and see if the feeling can be the same. Now put the straps back on and try to recreate the same feeling. One thing to watch is how the hose is positioned. It can pull the mask one side and cause a bit of discomfort. Play with the hose position as well to find which way is best.

Good luck!

SteveP

[Joe McManus]

If they mentioned the hovercraft principle then you shouldn't have recommended to tighten the straps a lot. You actually need to keep it as loose as possible to let that 'skirt' do its job.

I've written a blog post about masks for side sleepers before, also updated it with new links:

http://blog.cpap.co.uk/2007/09/cpap-mask-for-side-sleepers

[Marian]

Memory Pillow

Hello,

It is good to hear the memory pillow works OK for you, I shall definitely look at getting one. If I can now just make sure I get the strap adjustments correct for the mask, I'm sure that will make a big difference to my sleep! All the info I've received has been tremendous and I only signed on this morning! So thanks to everyone.

Marian.

[Marian]

Hello SteveP,

Thanks for the tip on getting the mask set up, I shall try it later. I notice at the bottom of your reply that it shows a Respironics Comfort Lite 2 mask, I assume the items are all used by you? (I'm new to this forum I'm afraid!). I had been looking at that mask as I thought it may be easier than the full nose one, did you change to it and if so do you find it much easier?

Marian.

[acebass]

Work in front of a mirror, take the straps off and put on the mask with your hand only. Start the machine and try to find the minimum amount of pressure that is needed from your hand to make a good seal, but you feel uncomfortable. Then lie on the bed and see if the feeling can be the same. Now put the straps back on and try to recreate the same feeling. One thing to watch is how the hose is positioned. It can pull the mask one side and cause a bit of discomfort. Play with the hose position as well to find which way is best.

This is an excellent tip!! worth asking Joe to put this in a sticky....

[SteveP]

Hi Marian,

yes, I have copied Puffin's type of signature to show what I currently use. I am now using a ConfortLite2 which is absolutely great for me. I'm a nose breather so the nasal mask I started with was great: Respironics ComfortGel mask which is similar to what you have at the moment I believe. I am still happy with it but developed a problem with a sore on the bridge of the nose. So I went back to the Clinic and tried a few more masks.

If you are a "pure" nose breather, a nose pillow or cushion is possibly better than a full nasal mask. You just need to get used to have your nose blown up! Seriously, the air pressure with a pillow or cushion gives the impression the nose is being blown like a balloon. It it not painful, just weird. But you get used to it very rapidly.

I prefer the ComfortLite2 over the ComfortGel for 5 raisons:
1. much smaller chance for leaks
2. the contact with the face/nose is very small (less skin in contact with the mask)
3. much friendlier for side sleeping - no adjustment to make when going from one side to the other or to back sleeping.
4. the head gear is very stable
5. smaller point - easier to clean!
What I don't like as much:
- the head gear messes up my hair badly on the top/front of the head. I will need to think of a new hair style

With the ComfortLite2 you have a choice of 3 interfaces: mini-mask, cushion and pillow. The mini mask irritates my skin a little, the pillow and the cushion are less invasive and I love them!

Let me know if you want to know more.

SteveP

[retsyo]

Hi Marian

I also found wearing the nasal mask extremely uncomfortable - huge red marks on the bridge of my nose which almost festered after only a couple of days. I now use Resmed Mirage Swift II nasal pillows. They took a few days to get used to and initially I found they leaked badly but that was because I did not read the instruction fully so had not got the whole assembly correctly put together. I find them great - they do expel cool air but they are extremely comfy and leakages are at a minimum. Initially I was experiencing high leakage figures daily but that has been cured with a chin strap.

Over the past month since diagnosis I have tried 5 different masks but keep going back to the Resmed nasal pillows. Did try the Fisher and Pykel ones but they were not as comfy - not quite right for my nose.

If you go the the web site www.cpap.com you can find a host of masks and a menu where you can put your facial measurements in to find what mask best suits your features. It certainly recommended the Swift II nasal pillows for me.

Good luck.

[Marian]

Hello SteveP and retsyo,

Thanks very much for all this information, it is really useful to have all this feedback. I have to say I tried SteveP suggestion on how to locate the mask easier and it certainly fitted better last night without digging in and hardly any mark. I do however feel I would prefer the pillow type of mask as I am a nose breather and they look as though they would be much more comfortable. Also, I was worried all night about the hose falling out of the bed and dragging the mask around, as it did the first night, so spent the night clutching it! The hose is extremely long but I assume you can get different lengths of hose. I'm a little disappointed as many people say they felt great after their first night and I've had two nights with it now and cannot say there is a vast improvement. I suppose once I get the mask and settings right I shall feel a lot better.

Thanks again though everyone for your help.

Marian.

[Joe McManus]

Depending on your bed's setup, you could thread the tube through the head board or even suspend it from the ceiling with a little wire. It often takes a few nights to get things working comfortably for your unique situation.

For every one who has an amazing first night there's also one for whom the magic happened only after a few nights so don't feel disheartened. Remember that OSA had been bugging you probably for years. It's worth finding your feet for a few weeks even.

Also, if you bug your clinic they may just give you one of those direct nasal pillow type masks to try or you could consider getting your own. It's always nice having an extra option lying around, even if it's just for a change of scenery every now and then.