Hi,

I'm new here and was wondering if anyone has a child/young adult with Down Syndrome who has Sleep Apnea? My DD is 21 and had a stroke in Jan. 2009, and while she was in the Neurological ICU, the doctors noticed that she had apnea. We had testing done at a sleep lab after she came home from the hospital. We've tried two different styles of CPAP masks---a FF and a nasal pillow. While wearing the FF mask, she's had three eye infections that required antibiotic drops to clear up. I assume it's from leakage or the fact that she does not have much of a bridge on her nose due to the Down Syndrome or both. The edge of the mask may be too close to her eyes. Her face mask is a size small. A child's size was too small. She turns her head to the R. side, and stays on her back while sleeping. The nasal pillow style makes her cough and choke horribly. It is clearly not working for her.

She is not very verbal (she was that way pre-stroke) and can't communicate to us any type of discomfort she is experiencing. I have to go by physical signs. I'm very frustrated. I haven't put the mask on her for fear of more eye infections or choking with the other nasal style.  I'm wondering if a CPAP pillow might be the answer, paired with her FF mask. She seems to be comfortable with the FF mask. I just need to solve the problem of her eyes getting all red. I called her CPAP provider (Apria) today for the umpteenth time and they said they will talk to the technician who's come to our house twice and see if he has any suggestions. I've been searching the web for CPAP pillows but I don't know which would be best. My DD has a smaller head, face, and narrower nasal passages than a full grown adult. I don't know which style would be a good fit for her, and again, she can't tell me what would be comfortable.

I welcome any input anyone might have. I'm at a loss.

Thanks,
Peg

Our respiratory therapist likes the Flexi Fit masks for kids. They are adult sized, but are easily sized for the individual. My son is 3 years old and sleeps with a FlexiFit 406, which is just a nose mask, but they make full face ones, too. The Flexi Fit 431 and 432 are both full face masks...

Hope that helps..

Tiffany

Thank you Tiffany! My daughter has an appointment tomorrow with the sleep clinic and I'll mention the Flexi Fit. I ordered a Contour cpap pillow also. I hope something works.

Peg