Hello, I'm new here, I'm from Toronto, Canada. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea shortly after my first failed pregnancy (a stillbirth), and a high amount of weight gain. Granted, I have always been tired most of my life, even before the weight gain (in my teen years, I've had circles under my eyes and suffered from eyelid twitches. Everyone I know say it's nerves.)
I have a CPAP  machine that works well, but the mask, a full face mask, is really awful. The nasal mask is too big for my nose, which is unusually small (according to Medigas) and I've had to use a full face mask. Recently, due to another weight gain from a second stillbirth, the mask keeps sliding off my face and the CPAP machine's alarm will go off as a seal is no longer maintained.
I've given up using the CPAP machine, but being apneaic is making my depression worse. I'm about to go back and get another mask, and I prefer a nasal mask with prongs, but what can I do?
It's like this is my fault for letting the mask get so uncomfortable, my fault that I gained weight after the second stillbirth (I was 24 weeks) and here I am, going apneic because it's hard to find a mask that will fit my small nose. :(

Hello Chiana and Welcome!

I have a very small nose, an Asian girl that was a sleep tech for my titration (with a TINY nose) actually told me my nose was smaller than hers.  I doubt that but I would agree they are probably equal   She also has OSA and we both had trouble finding nasal masks to fit well.

I am assuming you're not a mouth breather or don't suffer from frequent nasal congestion, which would render a nasal mask ineffective.  If a nasal mask is good choice, then you have several options.  I STRONGLY recommend you make the effort necessary to get a DME or other place where you can try the masks on, preferably lying down and with air at your CPAP pressure setting.  I know of many a mask that felt great just putting it on, but hoo boy what a nightmare once I reclined and the air was on.

Fisher & Paykel makes the Flexifit nasal cushion mask in size petite -- model 406.  Respironics makes the Simplicity nasal cushion in size small which is VERY small.  (It only comes in small and medium.)  Respironics also makes the ComfortLite 2 which comes with nasal cushion and nasal pillows or nasal direct seal (similar but doesn't quite fit your nose the same as pillows), the size small/medium is actually pretty small.  Respironics ComfortGel comes in size Petite, and their ProfileLite comes in Petite and Youth (even smaller than petite).

Google up some of the online CPAP mask suppliers and put 'petite' into their search box.  There are LOTS of masks.  Myself I am trying out a Hans Rudolph Full Face model 7600 in size Petite.  I haven't used it enough to recommend it, as I just got it, but so far I really like it.  It is very comfortable and very QUIET and I don't even feel that the air is on (my pressure is 14).

Oh that reminds me.  You didn't mention your CPAP pressure?  A lot of nasal masks are only rated to certain max pressures, frequently only to 14 some to 15 and 16.  If your pressure is higher than 12 be sure to check the rating on any nasal mask to be sure it won't leak and shift at your pressure.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

Chiana, I'm so sorry to hear about the babies.  I hope things will go better in the future.

It doesn't sound as if Medigas is very much help, which is scandalous because I'll bet you paid them a lot.  You can buy online from an American dealer quite successfully and maybe you could afford to try out a couple that way.

Chiana, go to directhome medical.com.  They have a very good listing of masks.  And have a look at the ComfortLite, especially at the simple cushion variation.  Crohnie was talking about this mask recently and how much she likes the simple cushion.  I'm sure I've seen illustrations of other tiny masks like this one.  Lean on Medigas; they have an obligation to help you get a properly fitting mask.

Sorry for not posting the pressure. My pressure is set at 7.
As it goes, unfortunately I do have nasal congestion, but I tend to clench and grind my teeth so mouth breathing is difficult. Bruxism runs in my family, so including having to wear a mouthguard, I'm thinking the nasal mask with prongs would be best. I've tried wearing the mouthguard and full face mask and I find it very difficult.
I'll check up what you all suggested, or push medigas a bit more. I'm of Armenian descent, it's weird that my nose is so small because in the rest of my family, the noses are big :)
The machine itself is fine, but the mask is driving me insane. :( The other issue that worries me is I have psoriasis, which is active right now.. something like an indent could cause a psoriatic flare up--last place I want it is on my face. To get the psoriasis in remission, I'm considering asking the dermatologist about amevive, a biologic.
We're using a surrogate, with my eggs and donor sperm, so that should avoid the cause of the first stillbirth (fatal bone deformities, rare disease that occurs in carriers, 1 in 4 chance.)
She's 12 wks pregnant right now :D

all masks come in several sizes and your face should be measured by an experienced fitter who tries several different brands of mask on you

relaxing the jaw in sleep can break the seal of a full face mask so you may need an elastic chinstrap
do make sure the full face mask isnt worn upside down

all new masks and headgear should be washed with mild detergent and warm water before use as they may have chemicals remaining from the making up process


a CPAP often reduces teeth grinding


_________________
respironics comfort gell mask,resmed S6 lightweight CPAP, pressure 10 no humidifier
NO DOCTOR EVER ASKED ME IF I SNORED

The mask is being worn right-side up, it just like sliding upwards. I've woken up to find the end of my mask in my mouth and the machine beeping at me. I've done all the cleaning, like with mild detergent and all.
I find the CPAP reduces the teeth grinding but I still have a tendency to clench my jaw during REM sleep.

Hi Chiana,

You might not want a "nasal prong" style mask as you've mentioned?  Some people do very well with nasal prongs.  But "nasal pillows" seem to be the more comfortable choice for a lot of people.  

Google up "Nasal Aire II" for an example of a "nasal prong" mask.  The "prongs" go well inside the nose and seal inside the nose.  

Google up "Swift II" for an example of a "nasal pillows" mask.  The "pillows" do not go up inside your nose, they must be wider than your nostrils, as the edges of your nostrils rest on top of the pillows, forming the seal.  Common beginner's mistake is to start out with pillows that are too small.

I just wanted to point out the difference between "prongs" and "pillows", they are two different types of interfaces.  There is also something called a "direct seal" nasal interface, very similar but not identical to pillows.

And please do ignore the above if you really did mean prongs!

Blessings,
--pseudonym

Hi pseudonym,
OK, just saw it :) The only concern I have with that one is the strap around the forehead, worried about it causing irritation and causing a psoriatic flare-up there. So far the lesions are starting to occur on my arms and legs, besides the normal elbows, scalp, and inverse (psoriasis on folds of skin.) Like any other autoimmune disease, it's a real pain.
I think i'm going to ask medigas about it :)

Thanks for mentioning it.

Chiana,

first, this isn't "your fault".  Please don't think that.  You just need to keep looking to find the right mask.

Now, have you looked at the CPAPpro?  I don't use it, but I thought about it because I also wear a mouthguard, and it has a piece you use like a bite guard, and then nasal prongs.  less headgear.  There are a few posts up about it.  (I wound up with a F&P Flexifit 431, a full face mask which I like fine.  I am a mouth breather)

I hope you find something that works for you.


_________________
Give peace a chance

Chiana, I've run through the posts and I don't think you've said what mask you are using.  From your description, I'm guessing a Comfortfull 2 and that's what my husband uses.  Aside from trying a different size, have you tried a different make of ff mask?  I think the others go down under your chin which might help the problem.

Also, have you looked at a Hybrid?  It covers the mouth but uses a nasal pillow for the nose.

If I were you, I'd be royally - um - irritated with Medigas.  Put on your warpaint and go make them earn their money.

Yeah, I have to find what mask I'm using, it's likely the one your husband mentioned. I haven't used the CPAP because of it. I'll check up the hybrid. It's just that it's difficult to go without the CPAP, which is what I've been doing. I'm also on seroquel which increases drowsiness, and apparently makes sleep apnea worse. It's a low dose of seroquel, 50mg, used for sleep aid and to control a mood disorder.