Kathie

Just an update on this journey with the CPAP. I saw the Doctor and he order a Comfort Gel Face Mask. Let me say - it was a terrible experience. My nose got so sore that I could not wear my glasses, I could not get the fit so the seal would not break. I was averaging 2-3 hours of sleep per night. So, I called my DME guy and he suggested a Amara View Full Face Mask. By far this is the best fit for me. I have had no skin break down around the mask, I can leave my glasses and read, and the seal is very easy to maintain. I am sleeping 6 -7 hours per night. Thank you for all of the suggestions, I am feeling so much better about this. But the best part is that I am no longer in the guest bedroom. The noise from the Amara doable for both of us. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Thanks for t he insight. No - My DME already had the small pillows hooked to the tubing when they called to go over the machine. I did not get the other two. I can't recall them even turning the machine on and they sure didn't check for mask fit or leaks. This is the DME that my insurance uses but I do know that I will insist on better information - they were going to MAIL me a full face mask this coming month but I called them today and told them not to do anything until after I see the Dr. Then I am going to go into their office and try on the mask - and lay down on the floor if necessary to make sure it is a fit. I am suppose to take my equipment with me when I see the Doctor so maybe he will fit something that works better.

I haven't made up my mind about my trip yet. Tomorrow is another day but I will need to make up my mind then.

Thank you so much for your help. I have gotten no help from the company that my insurance sent me to when I got the machine. Is that a DME They didn't even tell me that I was able to get a read sent to my computer. When I contacted ResMed they referred me back to the dispensing company. When I got the AirFit 10 I only received the small pillows so I have no way of knowing if they are the wrong size.
On a positive note: My Primary Doc has referred me to a sleep Doc and I have an appointment the 1st of June. I am so hopeful that he doesn't try to get me to go to the sleep lab again but I have a list of questions for him.

This has been a long two months. I am leaving for a two week trip later this week. I had planned to take the machine but now I am having second thoughts. After flying to Kansas, I will be a guest staying in a motor home. What will happen if I don't take it? Suggestions anyone?

By the way, I have done better with the headgear the I made for the AirFit. Two nights ago I didn't take it off at all and had no leaks -- then last night I used it less than 2 hours and showed a poor mask seal. I did the same thing both nights. I haven't used the Nuance for several weeks. I have been taking Benadryl at bedtime trying to keep my allergies under control. The sedation part doesn't hurt either, instead of being awake for an hour after going to bed, I am asleep in 15 min.

Thank for the reminder to use positive affirmations. So simple and yet something that I forget to use. On that same note, I attended a mindful based stress reduction course and it was very useful.

Great Warning Theresa. I was afraid of skin break down but I hadn't thought about the aspiration side of it.

I tried all three sizes that came with the Nuance nasal pillows. I found the small one worked best. I don't like the Nuance as much as it blows air everywhere. The Air Fit have a mesh over the exhale so the air doesn't blow everywhere.

I have solved some of my problems by making my own headgear for the AirFit. I made it with two bands and I also added a loop for the hose so that it goes up over my head. Without the downward drag on the hose, the AirFit stays on so much better. the AifFit only had the one pillow and it is a small. I did download a measure from the ResMed sight and according to that the small is the right size.

I will try the dental cream but I don't understand what kind. Is it the stuff that is the adhesive that keeps the denture in place?

The nasal pillows is what the RTherapy gave me to use. I will check with them about a mask on Monday. I think that if I didn't get so dry I would stop turning the machine off. What I need is an alarm that would sound when I turn it off.

I started with my CPAP 30 days ago. I am using a ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset for Her. My first nasal pillows was an AirFit P 10 for Her. After I developed sores in my nose, I was switched to a Phillips Nuance Gel System. The Nuance stopped the nose sores but it is so much louder and the air exhaust is very loud and wakes me up blowing air on the pillow, my arm etc. So I went back to the AirSense which the exhaust is silent and much easier to sleep with.. When I started with the CPAP, I was sleeping 6 to 7 hours with the machine. Now I am shutting the machine off in my sleep. I wake up in the morning with the mask around my neck and the chin strap somewhere in the bed. The Air report shows that I used the machine for 1.5 hours but I slept for 6 to 7 hours. I moved to the guest room and tried the Nuance again, but this time I woke up with the machine shut off and the mask still on my face, the Air Report showed I used the machine for 3 hours but I slept for 7 hours. Additional, my husband says I make loud "honking noises" when I open my mouth while sleeping.

With both machines, I wake up with my mouth so dry I am getting sores in my throat and roof of my mouth. I am using Biotene and have the humidity set at 5.

I am at a loss and am hopeful that someone will have solutions for me so I can return to my bed without causing my spouse sleepless nights because of the noise. I do not to give up but I am so disappointed that I seem to be doing worse every night.