2Sleepy

Hi Diz1944, happy to hear you have adjusted and are willing to contribute. I am now adjusted, but it seemed like I had new problems daily when I was starting with CPAP. It really helped me to get tips from experienced people.

Thanks for posting. Interesting.

The research at this time has to do with children with face and head abnormailities who are hard to fit with a commercial mask.

If these custom made masks can be made for this specialized group, the idea is that the same technology could be used for other people who have difficulty getting a good fit with a mask.

Sounds promising to me. I was able to get a good fit with the 2nd mask that I tried, but it seems like some people have had problems despite many and varied attempts. If custom made masks were available for hard to fit people, it seems like that would be helpful to the person, and also help improve compliance rates of CPAP users as a group.

Hi mrueschman,

Thanks for asking for feedback. I have just returned from vacation and I am getting caught up.

I think the survey asks some valuable questions and gives a good range of responses.

I can think of a couple of additional questions that might provide helpful information.

1. How long has the person been using CPAP? Reason for question....I suspect that the highest drop out rate happens in the first 3 months. If that where the dropout occurs, then strategies can be tailored towards new users.

2. If you have stopped using CPAP, what is the major reason?

   • could not find a comfortable fit
   • could not afford to purchase alternative masks / supplies, if initial did not work
   • did not know how to resolve problems, eg pressure sores, skin irritation, swallowing air, mask leaking air, sore nose, dry mouth, etc.
   • did not seem worth the hassle
   • did not feel any better when using CPAP,etc. I think it would be worthwhile to know what led to abandoning CPAP

Just my thoughts. I don't think paying someone to be compliant will be enough of a motivator. However, I think the gift card giveaway on this site is a nice incentive to participate, since it allows a person to purchase supplies and accessories that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

Thanks for asking

PhilosphicalPinkQuelea3435,

I am also a dinosaur.

DME stands for "durable medical equipment." The company that provides your CPAP equipment and supplies might be able to help you with alternatives.

The company that provides mine has a customer support line that connects me to a clinical person for suggestions and help. I had to be persistent to get through to them, but the person I spoke with did give me some tips that helped (different issue for me, not the chin issue)

Success: I just returned from my first out-of-state trip since starting CPAP. I brought my CPAP with me and everything went very smoothly. I boarded both flights, carrying the CPAP as a "medical device." I slept very well with my CPAP during my 10 day on vacation. I will bring it with me wherever I go.

PS There is a thread about traveling with CPAP which I found helpful when getting ready for my trip. I appreciate all the tips that were provided by others who have been there / done that.

PhilosophicalPinkQuelea3435,

You have a good sense of humor.

I think the down side of having your mouth open while using CPAP is that the air is escaping out of your mouth instead of being gently directed to your lungs. So it is interfering with the effectiveness of the CPAP treatment. It can be a hassle getting CPAP to work effectively, but I think it is worth going the extra mile to try to work out a solution.

Remember that you are hearing this from someone who has only been using CPAP for 3 months. You might get other suggestions here and/or the DME or sleep specilaist might have further suggestions.

Hi all,

I have posted many times on difficulties and obstacles encountered. I think it might be a good idea to also have a topic for Successes, Big and Small. It is one way we can encourage one another, and put in words what does work.

I will offer to get this going by creating a post of my recent success.

Hi PhilosophicalPinkQuelea3435,

I also have a problem with my chin dropping when I sleep. I was told by the tech at the sleep lab that it happened at the end of the night (not all night long), so I think my issue is mild.

The first chin strap and nasal air pillow interface that I tried did not work for assorted reasons. After 30 days of experimenting with that combination, I ordered a different interface, that has a built in chin strap. That worked for me, but I think what I need was a "gentle reminder" vs. firm support.

If your DME provides customer support, I would start by contacting them, for advice.

I have been told that sometimes people can learn to keep their mouth shut while sleeping.

Good luck. I hope you get other responses and that you find this site helpful. I have only been using CPAP for 3 months and I found this site a helpful resource as I adjusted to using CPAP.

Hi PhilosohicalPinkQuelea3435, Welcome. I can see your 2 posts above, so I think that means you are "in" the forum. If you are not able to post where you want to, make sure you are logged into your account. Sometimes I think I can just post...then realize I am not yet signed into the site.

On this site, responses come at the convenience of those participating, so it could be a few hours or a day before you get a response.

I will respond to your chin question separately.

@Joseph,

Yeah for you. That Countour CPAP pillow did it for me, too. Like you, I am a sidesleeper and this pillow has made all the difference.

I just returned from a 10 day trip to MA. Brought my CPAP and my pillow with me and slept great. It was my first trip with CPAP and it went smoothly.

Before my trip, I ordered and tried a travel CPAP pillow by a different company. I just wanted to avoid bringing that large pillow in my luggage. That experiment did not work, and I am out $20., but at least I knew before the trip that I needed the countour CPAP pillow.

Onward...