hi i'm new to this fourum and have had sleep apena dignosed for little over a year.  i have been using a nasal mask up until recently. thr dr ask if i would try full face mask in place of the nasal mask. and everytime i have used it, i have freaky nightmares of being smothered. i wake up screaming and  pulling the mask off. has anybody else had this type of problem. by the way this is the 9th mask change in over a year. janey

Hi Janey,

Why did your doc. want you to use a FF mask?  If you are opening your mouth with a nasal mask you still have the option of trying a chin strap with it.

I use a FF mask.  When you wake up, don't rip the mask off, you are not suffocating.  Try to calm down and steady your breathing to a nice normal in and out.  You can even pull the mask away a bit to reassure yourself that the air is flowing adequately.

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

i do use a chin strap with my old mask. and have used it from the begining. i should have added that i'm also on ambien 10mg at bedtime. so i barely remember ripping the FF mask off. i'm just so frustrated with with the continuing mask changes. i have kept track of my sleeping ; #hours on the mask/machine, bedtime, whether or not i take the ambien or not, whether or not i feel rested or not. janey

Janey,

Why would your doctor change you to a full face mask?  Is the nasal mask with the chin strap not working?  What is the problem with the nasal mask?  Maybe if you post the types of masks you've used with your other information we may be able to give you suggestions on a new mask to try.

Melinda

MelindaR wrote:

Janey,

Why would your doctor change you to a full face mask?  Is the nasal mask with the chin strap not working?  What is the problem with the nasal mask?  Maybe if you post the types of masks you've used with your other information we may be able to give you suggestions on a new mask to try.

Melinda

i'm lucky if i'm getting 4 hours of sleep on any mask that i try. i have tried the nasal pillows, but something in my nose drove me crazy, then switch to comfort lt #4 small nasal mask but it was too big and made 'farting noises' all night every night, the mask i'm using now is a respioronics comfort gel petite, plus numerous trail ones that were short term test ones. the other thing is anything with quick clip on it i unclip in my sleep and fine it on the floor in the morning. i feel the best and well rested if i get at least 7 hours of sleep. on the machine but that is rare. janey

janey,
that must have cost you alot of $$.  are CPAC assessories expensive over at your region.  here, it's outrageous, the nasal mask with the hose costs usd 128 here.


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mild6

i'm on disability and you only one mask change every 6 months, that sucks and is a major pain in the budget. i'm to the point of taping my mouth closed with duct tape    i really don't think that this FFM fits right (too big) and i'm so frustrated. janey