I have been using this cpap thingie for almost 7 days now. I'm up and down with sleeping, but far better overall than pre-cpap and my mood, as i've shared here before, is 1000% better.

The mask has been a trial, though. It slips, it puffs air into the corner of my eye, out the bend by my nose. Little puffs of air that, as the ramp up progresses, turn into big puffs which keep me awake and require readjusting.

This seems like a no-brainer, but I have a medium comfort classic something, and i was talking to the crook of a DME person and said i thought it might be too big. Um . . . yeah. If it's above the bridge of my nose and it's mashing my lips into my teeth to the point that my lips go numb, it's too big.

I wouldn't have thought of this without hashing it over with the crook DME guy, because "it's the one you wore at the sleep study," and "okay, here's your mask, slip it on, yes it fits." Two separate folks affirmed that this was the right mask for me.

It's not. My nose (happily) requires a SMALL, not a medium. So I just thought I'd throw that out there for anyone else who might be struggling with this and the supposed correct size of mask.

Anyway, so now I know and the right size is on the way from the crooks. But last night it's suddenly burping and making rasping expulsions similar to what my dog does after licking out the chili pot. This is gross. I'm sorry. But the mask was making dreadful noises all night long.

Question: Do they loosen up over time? This is still the medium mask, so I know it's too big, but it fit way better than this six days ago . . . ?

Demand another mask. It's bad enough that we have to sleep with those things, at least, get the one that fits. I use a nasal pillow. It's a ResMed Swift nasal pillow. I think it is very comfortable and it easily adjusts and it also came with different size pillows that you put on at home. That way you get the right one for your nose.

Good luck.

aha! a good suggestion . . . but another quick question. when i get a cold, as i surely will, this winter, do i need to get a full face mask for that because i won't be able to breathe through my nose?

My doctor told me if that happens, just to use some stuff like Afrin or any other nasal decongestant. And wash my equipment every night. That way I don't keep reinfecting myself. I have sinus troubles any way, so this was a concern when I first got on my CPAP.

I also have the nasal swift and like it, not everyone does (it is the one with only 1 hose, not the one with a hose going up each side of the head.  

As for the cold....it seems funny but (to be gross like the dog sounds ) the presuure seems to clear the nose...just pushes those snots out of the way.  They run away like the mask is the boogie man!  There was a thread about 1 or 2 months ago that discussed this...happens to many....no different if you suffer allergies or sinus issues.

Yeh, every once in awhile you will read on the forum (dig down about 5 pages or more) the do's and don'ts of getting a mask.  One big thing is to make sure the DME allows a 30 day exchange.  Some will let you experiment with several masks during that time...not many do though.  Also preached is the don't fall in love with the first mask at the Titration...or shall I say, the one they try to push at you.

Maybe you should go in to the DME and try on several masks.  If you do not breath through your mouth, consider a nasal...if the DME does not have the one you want get them to special order it for you.  If you can afford it, you can always go on line and by a cheap FF for the colds.  But having a FF just for that IMHO is the same as having an expensive dining room to use maybe once a year when the Holiday is at your house....and the rest of the year you are still paying property taxes/ mortgage payment/ heating/cooling/cleaning of that unused room.


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I am A ZOMBIE! 20 years+ undx'd. BiPAP Auto M 14/9. Nasal Swift&F&P Flex Fit 431 Full Face. RLS/PLMD, Primary CNS Hypersomnia, Sleep Paralysis, Parasomnia, Degenerative Disc Disease, Clinical MS, Fibromyalgia, COPD plus other past dx's..what's next?

I seldom have nasal congestion, but a few weeks after I got my CPAP I got a pretty good head cold and nothing would let me breathe through my nose for a few days.  My doc OK'd a few days off the CPAP.  But I have ordered  a FF mask to use for the next time, just waiting for it to come in.  I think it is a good idea.  Plus sometimes it is just NICE to switch masks and have different places on face and head where the mask and headgear touch.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

If you are having a problem with the respiratory therapy/dme company then call your insurance company and ask if there are any other respiratory/dme companies that you can use.  If there is get the name of it and then call your doctor and let him know that you are having a problem with the dme and need your prescriptions moved to a different company.

As for the mask problem itself.  Make an appointment to see the sleep doctor to discuss what other masks might work better for you.  It may not just be a size issue, the mask may not work with your facial structure.  Also, it may be that the problem is with the pressure the doctor has selected for the machine.  I am on my 5th mask and may be close to finding the perfect mask for me.  My machine's pressure has been adjusted by the doctor once and will probably be adjusted a second time next week to get my AHI number down where the doctor desires it to be. Soon I will be starting month 3 with cpap.  I am just glad that I am finally sleeping all night most nights.

clk

Great advice clk finding the right mask can take some time  and it really helps if you have a good DME. especially if you can find one that has a wide selection of masks, and lets you try them for a few days or a week at a time. I have found that even if the mask fits fine at first, after you fall asleep  your facial  muscles can  relax  and what was a seemingly perfect fit, is no longer.  It  definitely takes patient,and perseverance but it is worth it in the end. White beard