5 masks and still trying to go to sleep!

[Foreverdozy]

I have SOSA and have been trying to use Cpap for 2 years now. My problem is I cannot fall asleep wearing the mask. Generally it's the head straps being so tight I cannot relax and end up with severe headache or, in the case of the Comfort Gel full face, the adjuster on the bridge of my nose digs in so hard when the mask is properly sealed, it causes pain. I am currently using the ResMed Quattro FX full face but the straps have to be so very tight. I lay awake wearing the mask for 2, 3 or more hours before finally giving up and taking it off so I can get some kind of sleep. Does anyone have any advice? I've tried hypnotherapy and have been looking at Cpap pillows (althought not bought one yet). I'd be very grateful for any advice. Thank you.

ResMed Escape S8

[martin]

Masks is the dear bit of therapy, i have tried a few and the sleepweaver is my fav so far. In the past i was guilty of whacking the straps as tight as possible but somone here told me to tighten gradually until you get a floaty seal effect (not a good description but its the best i can do). It takes a couple of times to get it right and i didnt do it at bed time but about an hour before. and the cloth seal things Remzzzz meant that my skin was protected a bit.....hope that helps , (or at least doesnt hurt)

[Mentalfog]

The resmed mirage liberty looks a good mask, I managed to get one today from my local sleep clinic. Here's the details.

http://www.resmed.com/us/products/mirage_liberty/mirage-liberty.html?nc=patients

I tried the quattro and the quattro fx but I've had major problems with leaks.

[James @ Intus]

Are you coming to the SATAday by any chance? We'll demo the CPAP Pro mask there, which has no straps at all. Could be what you need to relieve that tension.

[martin]

waitaminute, firstly its sweeties and now its relieving tension!!!!! Now i really want to go....................sigh

[James @ Intus]

Martin, you can lobby ISAT for us to come over there. They weren't so keen on us last time (becaue we'd apparently 'upset' those CPAP suppliers who charge 200 Euro a month for the same equipment). But that's another story altogether...

[Foreverdozy]

Thank you

Masks is the dear bit of therapy, i have tried a few and the sleepweaver is my fav so far. In the past i was guilty of whacking the straps as tight as possible but somone here told me to tighten gradually until you get a floaty seal effect (not a good description but its the best i can do). It takes a couple of times to get it right and i didnt do it at bed time but about an hour before. and the cloth seal things Remzzzz meant that my skin was protected a bit.....hope that helps , (or at least doesnt hurt)

Thanks Martin. I've not tried the sleepweaver - is that just a nose mask? I need a full face as I get claustrophobic if I can't breathe through my mouth. I read in various handbooks about how the seal should 'float' on your face but I've yet to find the magic mm where that occurs! I spend ages slowly adjusting straps but always end up having them really tight to stop the leaks. I'll have a look at the Remzzz - not tried that yet.

[Foreverdozy]

Thank you

The resmed mirage liberty looks a good mask, I managed to get one today from my local sleep clinic. Here's the details.

http://www.resmed.com/us/products/mirage_liberty/mirage-liberty.html?nc=patients

I tried the quattro and the quattro fx but I've had major problems with leaks.

Thanks for replying. The Resmed Mirage Liberty is one of the masks I've tried but I had problems with leaks ariound the nose cusions - despite there being 3 different sizes! I appreciate your suggestion all the same.

[Foreverdozy]

Thank you

Are you coming to the SATAday by any chance? We'll demo the CPAP Pro mask there, which has no straps at all. Could be what you need to relieve that tension.

Thank you for your reply James. I had hoped to get to SATAday but, by the time I had managed to organise travel for me and someone to stay with my husband (I'm his full time carer) I discovered I had left it too late to book!

[martin]

I'm in the north bit of this wet portion of europe so not sure who i belong to organisational wise, but we def get overcharged in sterling.
Though i must defend the sleep unit, city hospital, belfast, who have been great throughout my hosehead experience.

[Waggy66]

I was really interested in your CPAP Pro mask - i have been using nasal pillows for nearly 4 years and they have been ok. Prior to being diagnosed with sleep apnea i had tried a few treatments that involved moulding mouth shields to fit teeth etc. - none of them worked and fell out during the night, how does this new mask prevent this. I think I sometimes breath through my mouth would this cause problems with the new mask, i do wear a chin strap if I think it is happening regulaly ?

[martin]

I'm in the north bit of this wet portion of europe so not sure who i belong to organisational wise, but we def get overcharged in sterling.
Though i must defend the sleep unit, city hospital, belfast, who have been great throughout my hosehead experience.

Sorry, meant praise not defend , as to the best of my knowledge there is not a rampaging horde besieging them.

[Patsyw]

I was interested to read about the CPAP Pro mask as I am still struggling with masks. I`ve had 4 different ones so far. I have tried loosening the straps but get woken up continually with leaks - I think this is because I`ve got very thin skin and the slightest movement of my head (even the minutest fraction) causes leaks - the mask may as well be placed over a piece of silk.

I cannot bear the mask sitting on the bridge of my nose as it stops me breathing through my nose, so I have to work out ways to clamp it to the bottom of my face. Consequently it has to be very tight and this is causing pain in the occipital region of my head, all round my neck and ears and has caused my parotid and other glands to swell up.

I have tried the sleep weaver and although it was more comfortable, the rubber is beginning to perish after only about 30/40 uses and I get a much higher API.

Can you get the CPAP Pro via the NHS?

Patsy

[Patsyw]

Is the CPAP Pro available on the NHS?

I posted this previously but it has never materialised.

Patsy

[James @ Intus]

As per the other thread, it's just been launched in the UK and new masks easily take 3 - 18 months to filter through into the NHS system, especially radical new approaches like this. So no clinic stock it yet but if you press them and let us know who you are dealing with, we can try and convince them from two angles!