Mask Experiences?

[brownerd]

hard shell or soft?

Here is my limited experience...
I started with the Quatro about a year ago. I didn't know any difference since I am a rookie at BiPAP.
Likes:
->It is very light weight
->It is very quiet
Don't Like:
->Hard shell - I found that through the night I would get an itch on my nose or lip and would have to un-hook the mask, itch, then hook it back.

I switched to the Hans Rudolph 7600 V2.
Likes:
->I love the fact that it has a soft shell so I can mash it in to itch.
->it doesn't have a forehead support
->it is WAY easy to clean
Don't Like:
-> it is a little noisy
Warning:
->They run BIG - be sure to get the sizing gauge.

If I could figure out a way to get the elbo from the Quatro to work on the Hans Rudolph, I would have the perfect mask for me.

I tried the Respironics Full Life:
Like:
->It is light
->It is soft
->You can change sizes by replacing the seal - same frame
Don't Like:
->It is way too soft - the air blows out the side no matter how tight I fit it (I am at 14 cm)

[sleepynik]

Is this still available? And where from?

Does anyone know if these mask fitting sessions are still available and where from? ie telephone number address etc.
Thanks.

Hi Aracas

If you can make a choice between Resmed and Respironics, you can then but a mask fitting session for £25. During the session, you can try all their various masks.

TF

[ElleCee]

Anyone have any idea why when I use my mask when I go to bed at about 9pm and I wake up every 90 mins'ish to go for a wee and then after about 6am I take the mask off and go back to sleep and then don't wake for another 5 hours?
I have only noticed this because at the moment I am off sick and don;t need to get up at any particular time.

I forgot to mention that if I go to sleep without the apap I still wake every 90 mins for a wee and then have 5 hours from 6am without waking.

Lorraine ~~~ constantly sleepy since my op.

[Tigers Fan]

Too many hours in bed! Sleep 5 hours after 6am = 11am get up. Go to bed at 9pm, ten hours later. I wonder that you fall asleep at all, let alone wake every 90 mins.

Sounds like a sleep regime would do you good - if you stick to it! Getting up much earlier in the morning will help you be tired at bedtime. Once you have established a 'normal' sleep pattern, we can see any abnormalities.

Is this about not being able to move much? bored? lonely? depressed? Strong drink is the answer! or Dr TF's Cure-All Elixir, which is much the same thing but more expensive and has a laxative added.

Get well soon, sweetheart!

[ElleCee]

Did I also mention that I go back to bed at about 2pm until 5?

I just cant get the tiredness out of my system.
I never used to sleep this much, I presumed it was the anaesthetic in my system or the strong painkillers. 2 x ******** and 2 x co-codomal every 6 hours. For some reason it is coming up with astericks rather than the name of the drug I typed in ?

I will give it till Friday and then start getting back into a routine as I have to go back to work on the 19th

I might just take up your idea, sounds like a winner to me and it will take only a little drop to work. do I have to take it neat or should I add a little water?

Thanks xx

[Barely Awake]

When my wife started having sleep (or I should say staying awake) problems with post-viral exhaustion, we picked up on several ideas from the web that really helped her in a two year battle. 'Sleep Hygiene' and routine was the answer, and it was also helpful to me with OSA.
It took 3 weeks tough application but she cracked it.
You can look up the tips for 'Sleep Hygiene' online.

[lindaferrier]

leaking masks

Is it just me........i was given my cpap machine 5 weeks ago, and i'm on my 4th mask, and they all keep me up most of the night with leaks. i have the mirage quattro, quattro fx, another cant remember name of,(but has 3 different sizes of masks with it) and new one with bits for the nostrils. never felt so miserable, my nose being sore and bruised i find the masks very uncomfortable. i manage to drop off, but when pressure goes up, the leaks start and its a battle with them for the rest of the night. I'm not sure of the settings, i think it starts at 4, but when it goes above 16 i wake with the noise from leaks. i have a resmed 9 escape with humidifier

[Fredxx]

Assuming you are on CPAP not APAP...

When you are fitting your mask and adjusting the straps, do it with the pressure on full, not at the start of the ramp, and do it laying down.

As for sore noses from the masks, unfortunately this is something a lot of people suffer from at first, along with a tight chest from breathing against the machine. a little micropore tape on the tender bits helps. It does get better, and switching so fast between masks won't be helping.

If you are on APAP, not CPAP, it could be that you are fighting with a machine ramping because of the leaks, not the sleep apnoea. This often is a problem when an APAP machine is set to the wide open settings of 4-20.

[lindaferrier]

sorry im not of much help, not sure if its cpap or not. the machine starts at #4 and wakes me usually when it goes up between 11 & 19. taken onboard your comments about changing masks, and am going to concentrate on getting used to the mirage quattro fx. i have now got liners for mask, and hoselift, so hoping this all helps me.

thanks again for your input

[Fredxx]

Another thing to remember with the masks and straps - tighter is NOT better. You want the straps as loose as possible whilst still getting a seal.

It is also worth doing a search in Youtube for help; there are quite a lot ov videos for a range of masks which help you find out how to set up yhe mask properly.