A few teething troubles..

[suerichboxer]

Hi everyone, have put an intro to us in other forum but would like a little help please..
Rich my husband is a new cpap user and is having a few problems, he is trying so hard to get used to the therapy but having mask problems etc........first mask was a Comfort Gel full face...that was dreadful, and although Rich kept on with it he was getting so many leaks and not able to sleep at all...So bossy old me decided to ring hospital and support team at respronics have a chat with them.....they did say try a few different things...which we did...but they didn't work so I got on to consultants and asked for an urgent appointment ....and got one for later that day. I had spent a lot of time looking at this forum and others and had decided to insist on a different mask...they gave him a comfort gel Nasal mask which he started using last week......results so far are not much better....only able to keep on for around two-three hours before it wakes him up filled with water or leaking....also started have night terrors.....and is now so fed up he wants to throw machine out the window some days

To make matters worse he has had a dreadful head cold ..thanks for info on your forum re: Obas oil...it worked a treat ) (not sure if sneezing, runny nose etc could be new user side effects rather than a cold?)

I managed to sort out the water droplets in the hose..I made him a extra thick hose huggie from my best M&S toweling dressing gown.......(resproincs hose cover I asked for arrived but is a little on the thin side)

Rich is still having majors problems, only managing around two hours a night and completely at the end of his tether.

Yesterday the lady in charge at respronics rang and was concerned after seeing the results of Data card from the cpap machine that its not working for him...she is now sending another hose so that we can lower machine to floor level to help stop the mask filling with water over night. And also advises we see consultant again if it doesn't help

I will probably get him back to hospital next week and insist they try Nasal Pillows for him...as he is a side sleeper and wears glasses........so at least that way he can fall read or watch a little tele to help him get used to machine etc.

Another problem we have is Rich hates the smell of the mask...are there any suggestions please?

Also have been advised to place pipe over head...have had a look around and there are hose stands can anyone recommend these at all?

Any help or adice would be very much appreciated xx

Sorry for long rambling post..typical women once I start its hard to stop me talking hehehehe

Looking forward to joining in...thanks in advance Sue (wife and mum to our babes) Rich (new CPAP user), Alfie, Adrian and Pearl our Three white rescue Boxer babes XXXXX

[James @ Intus]

A solution exists for every little problem. I have first hand experience with most gadgets that are out there. A lot of them we import only after they have been 'approved' by forum members here.

So for your husband's situations, firstly, for the mask discomfort, check out the RemZzzs for the ComfortGel mask. These are shaped soft cotton mask liners that help prevent leaks and increase comfort by a mile. Don't just take my word for it, many here on the forums will agree.

For the nasal blockages, I have two suggestions. One power tool and one comfort accessories. Pur-Sleep, much like the Olbas oils, can help him drift off and somewhat improve nasal airflow. This will also take his mind off the smell of the mask. The real power house though, is the SinuPulse Elite nasal irrigation system. CPAP users love it, also see Amazon for another dozen or so 5 star reviews.

A heated humidifier can further help his nose stay open and comfortable.

The world's most popular hose management system is this handy and inexpensive Hose Lift.

A combination of these accessories can really help make a big difference for CPAP users. If you have any questions, please let me know.

[suerichboxer]

Thanks James

Hi James many thanks for your very helpful reply, off to order the hose lift from your web site now

Will also have a look at the other products you suggested......hopefully I think they will be changing his mask in the next week or so......Have spoken again to his sleep support team and they have just sent another smartcard so that we can check his results on the last week usage with the comfort gel nasal mask...I have asked about their Optilife Nasal pillow mask and they have suggested that it would be a good idea as he is a side sleep and wears glasses......he likes to read and do logic puzzles before sleep...so if he can wear his glasses and mask at same time I'm hoping that will really help to get used to the feel of it.

Anyone using one of these Respronics Opilife types of mask at present ?

All your help is much appreciated...and thanks so much for the warm welcome Sue and The Gang XX

[Alleycat]

A word of warning for you from the Optilife mask, if Rich faces you whilst wearing it be prepared for a blast of air straight at you! For some reason the Optilife have a few rather large holes for the expiration air, rather than lots of smaller ones like many other masks, which makes the air blast out quite strongly. It also is quite rigid in its positioning, so is quite easily knocked out. However, nasal pillows of any kind for some are better than standard masks, particularly for, like you say people who like to sleep on their side and wear glasses and want to read or watch TV with CPAP on.
I much prefer however, the Opus by Fisher and Paykel. It has smaller holes and where the tubing comes out at the front it is like a ball joint so you have flexibility with positioning and they are less easily knocked out the nose. IF your hospital only stocks Respironics this may not be an option on the NHS but they are actually much cheaper than Optilife so to buy for yourself its a bonus.

[OldCrow]

Mask leaks, an idea

I found the mask leaks driving me mad. Experimenting with all sorts and now I've hit on either a towelling strip about an inch wide, taped across my nose with elastoplast - or a copy of the mask liner made from towelling that seems to settle down better into the "minor imperfections" in my beautiful face and stops minor leaks. As for the "snake" I drop it behind the pillow and off to the machine placed on a table beside the bed.