I was diagnosed with OSA several years ago and was provided a CPAP (I envy of all of you who can quote models and features) that seems to have very few if any of the features discussed by many of you.  Because I am a huge mouth breather, I was given the full face mask.  I tried for several weeks and everything appeared to be half way decent until my allergies flared up and I started having drainage.  The air flow of the full face mask when I tried to swallow to clear that feeling in the back of your throat or when I inadverntently opened my mouth while sleeping was just unbearable.  The feeling can only be described as the total opposite of being suffocated... instead of being deprived of air, I was drowning in air.  I tried it several times again after regularly feeling these type of feelings and I finally said to heck with it.

Now, years later, my quality of life is suffering even more and I realize I HAVE to make this work.  Have any of you mouth breathers been moved from a full face mask to just a nasal device combined with a chin strap?  I have a friend who is a sleep therapist who has suggested that may be an option.  Any suggestions from any of you who have successfully adjusted?  I have an appointment scheduled with American Home Patient, the provider on my current insurance policy to discuss my issues, to test my machine and to try to refit me with something I can live with.  Any words of wisdom or advice from any who may have experienced th same "feelings" before I go in to that appt would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks!

I was a total mouth breather before I started using CPAP; I kind of laughed inside when the RT decided to give me a nasal mask or nasal pillows (thinking, "this will never work").  BUT, I managed to adjust to breathing through my nose -- the heated humidifier on my CPAP machine seems to be key in helping me breathe through my nose.  So I'd say it's worth a try; you may find that it works better than you thought it would.  I haven't had to use a chin strap or anything, but I know that some people here have used that or even taped their mouths shut with success.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

As I mentioned, my CPAP is pretty feature-free.  No humidifier either.  Thanks for the repsonse!

big4d wrote:

I was diagnosed with OSA several years ago and was provided a CPAP (I envy of all of you who can quote models and features) that seems to have very few if any of the features discussed by many of you.  Because I am a huge mouth breather, I was given the full face mask.  I tried for several weeks and everything appeared to be half way decent until my allergies flared up and I started having drainage.  The air flow of the full face mask when I tried to swallow to clear that feeling in the back of your throat or when I inadverntently opened my mouth while sleeping was just unbearable.  The feeling can only be described as the total opposite of being suffocated... instead of being deprived of air, I was drowning in air.  I tried it several times again after regularly feeling these type of feelings and I finally said to heck with it.

Now, years later, my quality of life is suffering even more and I realize I HAVE to make this work.  Have any of you mouth breathers been moved from a full face mask to just a nasal device combined with a chin strap?  I have a friend who is a sleep therapist who has suggested that may be an option.  Any suggestions from any of you who have successfully adjusted?  I have an appointment scheduled with American Home Patient, the provider on my current insurance policy to discuss my issues, to test my machine and to try to refit me with something I can live with.  Any words of wisdom or advice from any who may have experienced th same "feelings" before I go in to that appt would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi,

Welcome back to the hosehead club..........nice to see that you have renewed your membership  

As you are a mouth breather it would be worth checking the newer full face masks, before looking at nasal masks. A 'true' mouth breather will usually have problems with the nasal masks. When the DME calls make sure that you try out a large range of masks/interfaces rather than let them flog you a new machine. The mask must be right for you. Try them on, lie down in your normal sleeping position, move around etc. They should be able to show you at least 12/15 mask types.

What pressure was your machine set at originally ? Has anyone mentioned titrating you again ? If so your DME might leave or rent you an auto adjusting machine for a week or two which would give a fairly good indication of what pressure you now require. Some of the full face masks are not great under a high pressure.

It's worthwhile looking at humidification. A stand alone humidifier can be connected to your existing machine. Make sure its a heated one.

If you post back with some more info, you should get more replies.

Your statement 'I have to make it work' is a great first step and will help you through the difficult times.

Kind regards,

Daniel


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Big4d,

I'm probably not experienced enough to provide too much help as I have been CPAP therapy for about a month but maybe you can relate to my experience.  During my 2nd sleep study to determine the right pressure I started out with a nasal mask then had to switch to a full-face mask because I would open my mouth as I fell asleep as my mouth would relax.  So when I got my machine I asked for a full-face mask.  The Resmed Ultra Mirage was the one they gave me.  My pressure for a BiPAP was 12/16.  For two weeks I struggled with the mask leaking so I went back to my DME and asked to try out a nasal mask (Activa) and I also asked my Physicial to reduce the pressures to 8/12 (I figured a 75% solution was better than not using the machine at all).  

To make a long story short, I surprised myself and the nasal mask worked much better than the full-face mask - that could be because of the pressure reduction - I didn't really know if I could keep my mouth closed at night and I found it was easier when sleeping on my side.  Now, I prefer the nasal mask to the full-face mask.  Once in a while my mouth does open and I have tape all ready to use but I never used it... not yet at least.  So going to the nasal mask works for me eventhough I have been a mouth breather for many years.  Daniel also had a good point that some FF masks do not work well at higher pressures.

Regardless of what mask I use, I have found that a heated humidifier is also a must for me.

Good luck and wish you well,

George