I hope this is the first time that I can offer help to someone else on this forum.  All the rest of you, whether you've replied to my posts or not have helped me tremendously.  The words "thank you" seem so insignificant.  

I have the Respironics Comfort FFM connected to the Respironics Bi-PAP Pro 2 which is set on Bi-Flex for 20/17.  Yes, that pressure does feel like Hurricane Katrina.  Anyhow, I noticed after the first night that the mask was digging into the bridge of my nose.  I have a job interview Monday and don't want to go in there with the mark across my nose, so I put a band-aid across the bridge of my nose where the mask sits.  The mask still seals, even at the high pressure.  It felt a lot better.  I don't know how this will work with other masks.  If any of you have tried this with other masks, please reply and let the rest of us know.  I really hope this helps somebody.

On a side note, last night was my second night on the machine.  I initially thought when the sleep lab put the machine on me when I was awake and cranked the pressure up to 20, I thought the pressure was going to turn me inside-out.  I'm not having that much trouble, because when I went in to the DME to get fitted for my mask, they set my ramp to 45 minutes with a starting pressure of 6.  Most of the time I can get to sleep before the ramp completes.  I'm still struggling with it, but it's not as bad as I initially thought.  I just have to keep reminding myself that the machine and mask are my 2 best friends and they are increasing my life... both in quantity and quality.

Also, the day I finished my sleep study, I cut myself totally off caffiene.  I still get a bit tired from that, but it's nothing like the untreated apnea.  It blows my mind that I've probably had this at least the last 5 years... and most likely since my childhooe (I'm 33 years old), and I never knew I had it.  Anyway.  that's all I have to say about my personal story.  Like I said, I hope this advice helps someone... and if it does, please reply back or PM me and tell me.

Still Slightly Sleepy Scott  

Sleepy Scott,

Your post helped me a lot. I was beginning to think I was the only one around here with high bipap settings. My recommended settings were 19/15 on the last two sleep studies with a note that it might need to be increased. So far, the doctor hasn't actually had my machine set that high but has kept it at 17/12 instead. Even at that lowered pressure, unless I'm very sleepy or already asleep when it hits that level, it feels like my body fights it and I can't get to sleep.

My machine is the Bipap Pro with Bi-Flex. I don't have any idea what this headgear is. It was recommended that I use the Comfort Gel mask. It worked well during the studies but I haven't gotten around to purchasing one yet. At the higher pressure, the one I'm currently using blows up and away from my face unless I tighten the straps to the point where the mask leaves a mark on my face. If anyone at work has noticed, they haven't mentioned it to me, and I'm so sleepy in the morning I haven't given it any thought.  A band-aid wouldn't work for me because I'm allergic to the adhesive, but for those who can't tolerate band-aids, there is a paper tape that usually works.

Any idea what the difference is between the Bi-Pap Pro 2 and the one I have?

Thanks for your post!

SnoozeHunter

snoozehunter,
  If you haven't yet purchased the comfort gel mask, save your money.  Based on both personal experience, and years spent on the net in chat rooms and message boards, I would say that the comfort gel does not seal well at pressures above 10.  If you are wearing a nasal only mask (not one that covers the mouth in addition to the nose referred to as full face) then you would be much much happier with the ACTIVA mask.  The activa has a very deep bellows that inflates with cpap air pressure, and the higher your pressure - the better the inflation/seal.  The straps are worn so loosely, that before turning on the machine, it feels it may fall off the face, but hit the air, and it inflates like a balloon, conforming to your face.  My father, 75, had a lot of trouble with standard masks damaging the skin on his nose bridge until I got him an Activa---can you say favorite daughter, LOL.  He absolutely loves it!!  The ACTIVA is also great for any sleeping position, and those that move around a lot during their sleep.  If you haven't seen it, a wonderful video of the activa is at the ResMed website.  
  Also, while I currently sleep at 14, I started therapy at 18. My favorite interface is the Breeze with nasal pillows.  It does not touch the face with any straps, etc. just resting against the underside of the nostrils. Great for side sleeping, and no morning mask marks or  headgear hair!!  Some DME's tell people nasal pillows don't work with higher pressures, but I can attest this is absolutely wrong....all of my relatives that sleep at pressures above 14 absolutely prefer nasal pillows over nose masks, for greater comfort and less leakage!!

SnoozeHunter,

I'm really new to knowledge of apnea, even though I've probably suffered from it since childhood, so I'm not entirely sure what the difference between the Bi-PAP Pro and the Bi-PAP Pro 2.  It might be the bi-flex technology.  I have been specifically prescribed bi-flex.  I ended up getting my machine from the sleep clinic because they have a contract with my DME.  They said it was the only machine they had that had bi-flex.  I don't know if they had the Bi-Pap Pro in their collection.  Because everybody says that the mask is the critical point of compliance or non-compliance, I just took the machine they gave me without asking a lot of questions.

Okie,

The only thing I'll say here is something that has been preached many times on this forum.  The choice of a mask is a very individual thing because of a difference in face structure.  I'm a key example of this.  I use a mask that I've only seen getting slammed here, the Respironics ComfortFull Full-Face Mask.  I use a large.  It was the only mask that I could get a seal with my pressure that I didn't have fully collapsed against my face.  I guess what I'm trying to caution everybody on with mask advice from others is: what works for me might not work for you and vice-versa.  I'm glad to hear that your family members have their issues straightened out.

Peace,
Sleepy Scott

Okie,

Thanks for the word on the Activa mask. I looked at the site and it sounds like a good choice. I've been holding off getting a new mask while we figure out what's really going on with my apnea. If I'm still using the machine and a standard mask after my next appt with the sleep doc, I'll keep the Activa in mind.

Sleepy Scott,

Do you have obstructive apnea, central, or both? I'm just wondering because most of the people who post have obstructive sleep apnea and are at much lower pressures. I seem to have both, predominantly central, and wondered if that has anything to do with why we're at higher pressures.

SnoozeHunter

SnoozeHunter,

I am mixed, which fits with my personality, which goes all over the spectrum... but I won't elaborate on that.      Anyhow, I haven't been back to see the sleep doc for the follow-up yet, but I did get a copy of what they faxed to the DME, which was a very extensive look at the first night with the recommendation for the machine.  Let me qualify what I'm saying for the rest of this:  What I'm saying comes from just looking over the incomplete materials I have.  It may not be a full reflection of what is really going on.  I have almost all central events and very few obstructive events, so what I think you're trying to tie together might be together, then again I only have my personal experiences to draw on, so I may be totally kooky too (my wife will attest to that).  While I'm throwing that in, my favorite quote about sanity comes from the late, great Chico Marx (I can't remember which movie, I've seen most of them) "There's no uh such ah thing as a Sanity Clause".     Going to a more serious note, I would say talk to your sleep doc and see if he thinks there's a correlation.  I will do the same.  Let's both post back and compare notes.  Anyhow, until then, sleep well!

Thanks,
Sleepy Scott

   SO SLEEPY SCOTT-WE SPEAK AGAIN!!!!! I USE THE FLEXI-FIT 431 AND HAD TERRIBLE MARK ON BRIDGE OF MY NOSE-BANDAIDS ARE THE BEST-USE 1 EVERY NIGHT!SO SCOTT-ARE YOU LESS SLEEPY??????   


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BARBCCRN,

I always enjoy hearing from a fellow sufferer because it means to me that in my war, I'm not alone.  I am less sleepy, but still tired.  I cut myself off of caffiene except for 2 cups coffee per week.  It's one of those gotta have it sorts of things.  When the sleep lab told me my pressure, I had to do a triple take.  I don't know if you've ever been at this pressure, but 20/17 on bi-flex feels like Hurricane Katrina.  Thank God again and again for the ramp.  I have mine starting at 6 and taking 45 minutes to reach 20/17.

I never thought I'd get used to the CPAP because the first night of my sleep study they were going to do a split-night if it was conclusive.  I had an AHI of 88.  Conclusive enough for them and me too.  I chose the Flexifit 431 and wore it for 6 hours.  Every time I started to doze, they cranked the pressure and I woke up.  I had to take Ambien to get to sleep for the first part of the study, so at that point, I had to go back in the next night.  There they gave me Ambien and switched me to a ResMed Ultra Mirage.  That mask sealed, but it dug into me horribly on the bridge of the nose.  I took that one home with me, but went to the DME the next day and switched to the Respironics ComfortFull FFM.  The mask fitting person (for lack of a better term) was absolutely astounded that I fit this mask.  I have brought it home and would have a severe physical altercation with anybody that came within 20' of it with the intention of theft.  I've used it 3 nights and I love it.  Have I mentioned that I love it?

Anyhow...  Barb, how's things going with you down there in Sin City?  I think I remember seeing you saying you live there in one of your posts.  If I'm wrong, please correct me.  I'm in Toledo, Ohio.  It's very close to Lake Erie.  Let me know and take care.

Thanks again!
Not So Sleepy Scott