Newbie needing help with masks!

[icerink]

Hi!

Firstly i've gotta say it's soooo great that this site exists! I no longer feel like a freak!

I am struggling to try and find a mask that suits me. I've currently got the 'over the nose' only type of mask and I have to say i'm just not getting on with it. I sleep on my side and this mask is just uncomfortable for me.

I have tried another make of 'over the nose only' mask and this was even more uncomfortable and I have also tried a nasal pillow which was even worse and just makes me want to sneeze.

They tell me at the cpap clinic that there are no more masks left to try?!?

I have ended up persevering with my first mask as this is the least uncomfortable and I am now only waking up once a night instead of 3 or 4 times a night.

Any suggestions?

[ElleCee]

Hi,
I was given a Mirage Quattro when I first got my machine and I think it is fantastic. You can lay on your side or back and it doesn't appear to hinder the air supply at all. Only downside was that after about 4-5 months I started to get a pressure point on the bridge of my nose but a few days off and using a nasal pillow instead it soon cleared up and I am back to using it again. I do ocasionally get the odd leak but most of these are remedied by using RemZzz which are cotton liners from Intus which sit between your face and the mask and as well as stopping most leaks they make it really comfy too.
Good luck, any more questions just ask away
Regards
Lorraine

[jackyk]

i also use a mirage quatro , with great results. i tried a flexi-fit but was useless.
my nhs trust told me they have loads of different masks to choose from, so could it be the postcode lottery again

[corndolly]

Masks

[I][/I
I do feel for you. I have had a CPAP for about 8 years and am still trying out various masks. It seems to me if you can collect as many different types of mask as you can and then alternate them this is the best system.
As quickly as I find my skin has been affected I switch to another mask so that different parts of my face are in contact. My only consolation is that uncomfortable as the masks may be, my general health has improved and I am no longer a danger when driving. I wish you all the best.]

[pjgbear]

Hi!

Firstly i've gotta say it's soooo great that this site exists! I no longer feel like a freak!

I am struggling to try and find a mask that suits me. I've currently got the 'over the nose' only type of mask and I have to say i'm just not getting on with it. I sleep on my side and this mask is just uncomfortable for me.

I have tried another make of 'over the nose only' mask and this was even more uncomfortable and I have also tried a nasal pillow which was even worse and just makes me want to sneeze.

They tell me at the cpap clinic that there are no more masks left to try?!?

I have ended up persevering with my first mask as this is the least uncomfortable and I am now only waking up once a night instead of 3 or 4 times a night.

Any suggestions?

I also have a Mirage Quattro and after changing to a smaller size I'm getting on fine with it, the other thing I bought was an Ultra CPAP Memory pillow from EU-PAP, this means I can sleep on my side without dislodging my mask, so I get fewer leaks and less pressure on my nose, check your mask is correct size and perservere, it will be worth it.

[James @ Intus]

Pjgbear's suggestion came to mind as well. When you've tried a number of masks, perhaps the mask isn't the problem. All masks, when sleeping on your side, will at least touch, and the bulkier ones dig in to the pillow. The Ultra CPAP Pillow will go a long way to accomodate a mask to ensure it doesn't dislodge or put excess pressure on you.

Having said that, your clinic should have some "in/under the nose" type masks, or nasal pillow masks as they are commonly refered to as well. A few examples here. Rather than having material around the nose, there are simply two small cones shaped protrusions that slithly sit inside/against the nostrils. This type of mask tends ot have less material to the left and right of your nose, meaning less stuff to dig in the pillow and therefore an ideal CPAP mask for sidesleepers.