Mask Fits Poorly????

[john6412]

After a couple of decades, I have finally been diagnosed with severe ostructive sleep apnea. I have a Resmed machine and used a full face mask for a short time and switched to a nasal mask which seemed to do better but it seems to "ball up" beneath my nose and I take the mask off during the night. I don't have a big honker but when it gathers beneath my nose it stiffles nasal breathing. What are my options? I've only had the machine for about a month and it was virtually tossed to me by the clinician at the VA and I have had to research usage on the internet. I know it often takes quite a while to acclimate to the CPAP machine and mask but I don't know whether a nasal pillow or chin strap to keep my jaw closed would be in order or not. Any suggestions or options I might explore? Thanks

[Tigers Fan]

The usual

Hi john6412

You've hit the standard problem with a less than informative sleep clinic!

Now you know a bit more about it, you could go back to the clinic and assert your wish to try other masks. Yeah! Right!

You'll get a better result from the nearest Respironics or Resmed Sleep Clinic to you. Used to be £25 a thirty minute session and they will try out every type of mask as well as show you how best to fit them.

TF

[ElleCee]

Hi John,
You don't say what mask you are using?
Personally I have a Mirage Quattro which is a full face one and I have another that is a Swift FX nasal pillow which was given to me when I developed pressure sores on the bridge of my nose.
They also gave me a chin strap at the same time but I ditched the chin strap after a couple of hours. Seems that when I use the nasal pillow I don't open my mouth when sleeping after all.
I prefer the full face one but can change as and when I need to now. My clinic are more than helpful with anything I ask for (Except an autopap!).

Regards
Lorraine

[davejwhite]

Hi John,

My mask is an Ultra Liberty, which has a mask cover for my mouth, plus the nasal pillows. You can get different size pillows - Small, Medium or Large, to fit. A lot of this seems to be trial and error - I found I had to use a Medium for my left nostril and a Large for my right. Still struggle with leaks, and I'm wondering whether I might just try to reduce rather than eliminate them.

Good luck!