DanM

Thanks for the tip, @wiredgeorge! Most manufacturers recommend mild soap and warm water. Antibacterial soaps and bleach tend cause mask seals to deteriorate over time.

Hi @CourteousPlumGiraffe9796 and @UnassumingOrangeRedCormorant9252. Changing masks may have an impact on AHI, especially if there is more mask leak with a full face mask than with nasal masks. For some patients, even a slight increase in AHI can make a huge difference in levels of sleepiness and/or fatigue. Some machines have a feature that allows the type of mask to be set, and the machines can compensate for increased leak up to a point. After a mask change, a review of data from the CPAP machine can be helpful in determining whether pressure changes are needed. Best of luck, and please keep us posted!

Hi Alicia (@QueenIdella). I hope your first night on CPAP went well! For many patients, adjusting to treatment takes time. Please keep us posted on how things are going, and definitely feel free to ask questions. We have a great member community here at MyApnea.Org! Best wishes- Dan

Hello @ConscientiousRedSalamander4496. Have you tried wearing your treatment while you are out of bed and awake while reading, watching TV, or doing some other activity you enjoy? Many patients report that this helps them adjust to the feeling of the mask and air pressure, so it is eventually easier to fall asleep with the mask on. As for sleeping on your back, it sounds like you may need a mask with a better seal/fit. Many patients, including me, wear masks and are able to sleep in other positions. I encourage you to contact your home care equipment provider and request they check your mask fit. A proper mask fitting would include you being able to lay in whatever position is comfortable for you during the fitting so the representative could check for leaks in that positions (an others). Regarding the warm air, I am unsure of what you can do aside from turning off the humidifier, filling the chamber with cold water, and/or cooling the room. Sometimes it does take time to adjust to the feeling of the air temperature and pressure. Hope this helps, and please keep us posted!

HI @CharmingTanSparrow4349. Have you had your machine checked to verify it is functioning properly? Also, do you have heated tubing? Many of the newer machines monitor both room temperature and humidity and adjust accordingly. Some machines allow adjustment of the tube temperature to help dry condensation. You might also consider a tube wrap. You can Google "CPAP tube wrap" and see some of the options. Many patients report some level of success with the tube wraps, as they provide a bit of insulation and help prevent some of the condensation you are experiencing. For the dry eye issue, it is important that your mask is not blowing air into your eyes. Does your mask fit properly, or is it time for a new mask seal? The seals can usually be replaced through your home care provider. Best wishes, and please keep us posted on your progress!

Hi @ImpartialVioletRhinoceros2234. While some patients have an excellent response to treatment, there are those with experiences similar to yours. Continued fatigue and/or sleepiness may be caused by other things--health conditions, medications, diet, etc. Even though you did not feel that "wow factor" with CPAP, I am very happy to hear that you are still seeking treatment options. The first step would be to speak to your sleep physician about a referral to a dentist who specializes in oral devices. Best wishes in your search, and I hope some of our members will share their experiences. Please keep us posted!

Hi @papawmedjic. Many new patients experience difficulty and increased effort when trying to exhale while using CPAP. I experienced it myself as a new patient. This is usually muscle soreness because of the increased effort to breath out against the incoming pressure. As you continue to use your treatment and your body adjusts, this usually goes away. You might try wearing your CPAP machine while awake and either reading or watching television before you go to bed for a few nights. This may help build your tolerance and help you adjust. Additionally, many newer machines have features that help relieve some of the pressure as you exhale. If your machine has this feature, your equipment provider should be able to adjust it or tell you how to make the adjustment. As a more experienced user, I am no longer even aware of the effort related to breathing out against the pressure. Hopefully, you will adjust quickly! Best wishes, and please keep us posted.

Hi @MartyB. I am sometimes unable to wear my treatment when I have a bad cold or congestion. This is definitely not optimal, so I try to manage the symptoms with saline rinse and/or nasal spray to help keep my sinuses as clear as possible. My ENT recommended saline rinses, and I do them several times a day if I'm experiencing congestion. It may be good to speak with your physician, as some patients require sprays such as Flonase to help manage the symptoms.

Hi @MartyB. I think @barbz is doing what I have heard a lot of patients do--trim the liners. Some patients actually make their own liners using a soft material like moleskin for a more custom fit.

Hi @wiredgeorge. The myAir tool calculates the score by reading the amount of mask leak in your breathing circuit (machine, tube, mask). The machines have sensors that know how much air should be in the circuit based on the machine settings. The score number is different based on type of mask (full face, nasal/pillow). You can find the description of the scores and some general info by logging into your myAir account, clicking on "Tour your dashboard" and then clicking on "Learn more about your myAir score" near the bottom of the dashboard summary page. From the myAir score support page, you can scroll down and read about mask seal and view the details for the values for different types of masks. Regardless of mask type, 17 is not a bad score as it indicates minimal leak. Moderate leak scores range from 10 to 15 points. Slight mouth breathing or a small leak around the seal can cause the number of points to drop. From reading their support page, it seems 15 points or lower would be of more concern because the leak is moderate. I hope this helps!