Marshastin

The ResMed P10 nasal pillow. This also happens when i use the DreamWear under the nose mask with the gel pillows. i cannot use the full mask and might be able to tolerate the cradle cushion that fits into the DreamWear mask in place of the gel pillows - i have tried all of these but am also trying to focus on which give me the best AHI. i cannot tell because the AHI has been so unpredictable...from 3 to 15. Meanwhile, i'm trying to be proactive, hoping i can do something about the soreness before it turns into a sore. (I know another option is the nasal prong but am hoping i don't have to resort to that) Thanks for any help you can give!

I started with a Pulmonologist that does sleep studies and treats sleep apnea, 3 years ago. Gave up on that and tried that clinic again, end of last year; more problems, diagnosed me wrong (i do not have asthma). So went to a sleep medicine clinic with a Dr. that has dealt wtih all sleep problems over 30 years. that clinic has done a great job for me, but now i have problem wtih (same as before) Durable Medical Equipment Clinic (the only one on my insurance) giving me correct info and helping me learn about the cpap. after 90 days of trying to get successful therapy i am ready to give up as i am not getting the help i need. Everyone is afraid to confront the med tech that apparently doesn't know his job. So the DME is important, too. i may have to go to different one 100 miles away, if there is one there. Good luck to you!

I have been using different masks and started cpap for the first time 90 days ago. the pillow type masks, which i think i am going to use continually are causing spots that feel sore where the pillows touch my skin just below my nostrils. i touch them carefully with wet tissue when i get up and they seem ok by the evening, but i am concerned these will turn into actual sores, eventually. i hope there is something i can use to avoid sores developing. (i'm pretty sure anything oil based or slippery will cause a new problem) Thanks for any help you can give!

if you would like to compare with a person that has experienced these symptoms...i just used the cpap therapy for the first time - for six weeks of the past 2 months. i experienced fatigue for a year before i started it and developed insomnia so that really skewed the results of the sleep tests. So i started a diary for that and was surprised at my whole sleep pattern - was not good. After seeing the Dr @ the sleep center, i took a daily nap but needed to try to limit that actual sleep to about a half an hour, no longer; i could rest for a while during the time i laid down, too, but have to limit the sleep time. Then i tried to go to sleep approx. same time every nite, etc - all the advice in dealing with insomnia and my sleep pattern has gotten better with minimal problems. I am dealing with a different problem right now in a different topic here (i see you have replied to it). i was kind of surprised the sleep center didn't have much advise to give me, but i think they are waiting to see if i resolve the insomnia problem and giving me more time to get used to the whole therapy, too. i was told the therapy takes 90 days for us to adjust to, so i think you and i are both fairly new to this whole thing! (i can't take any meds for insomnia anyway and i only use 5 mg melatonin every night now). Good luck and/or good therapy, whichever works for you!

I think i must have the sleep apnea symptoms that show on the tests every night without the CPAP, but just a few months ago i had fatigue for a year that i am not experiencing now...like i've been rebooted! i just don't know what to think. As i said,though, i'm sure it will be back. I would much rather hear people's experience when stopping for a period of time than just read about it somewhere, so hopefully there will be more replies here. Thanks!

I am surprised that i am still feeling pretty good, since stopping cpap therapy a week ago. i am waiting for supplies i need and didn't see any reason to continue until i get what i need so therapy will really work. i'm sure i will have to start again, eventually...no doubt that i have moderate sleep apnea. But i am wondering how long some people can go without it. Do some of you take breaks from it? (I'm sure i will have to occasionally) How long are you able to stop before needing to start up again? I appreciate all comments on this, as i don't have anyone else to ask these questions to. Thanks :~}

I hope someone can tell me, or give me the link to what the Mask Type settings are so i can ensure i am using the correct one, I have used 3 types in 2 months and can't keep bothering the DME with every little question...the manual, for this Respironics Philips DreamStation does not give this info but i am able to change this setting myself. This may be the only problem i am having so am anxious to make sure this setting is correct. Thanks!!

thanks for your reply...i feel encouraged to try again on the mask fit...the following is my reply to wiredgeorge on this site... the DME (which i don't have a lot of confidence in) told me to put this new mask on Mask Type on 1...i am using the under the nose gel pillow mask & the CPAP ramp is set on 4 to 12 automatic. (i do not know what setting the mask type was on when they had me on the full mask which was horrible for me). So far, in less than 2 months, i have spent $175 and my income is low and i can't keep putting money into this stuff when my ins. is supposed to be covering 100% of these expenses. i think i am close to everything fitting well, but i didn't even use the cpap last nite due to frustration. Thanks for your help, i will try to keep trying!

the DME (which i don't have a lot of confidence in) told me to put this new mask on Mask Type on 1...i am using the under the nose gel pillow mask & the CPAP ramp is set on 4 to 12 automatic. (i do not know what setting the mask type was on when they had me on the full mask which was horrible for me). So far, in less than 2 months, i have spent $175 and my income is low and i can't keep putting money into this stuff when my ins. is supposed to be covering 100% of these expenses. i think i am close to everything fitting well, but i didn't even use the cpap last nite due to frustration. Thanks for your help, i will try to keep trying!

I am trying to learn about AHI. i know the lower the better. I have tried one mask that has, usually, much lower (below 5 avg) AHI and a second one AHI is twice as high (up to 12 one nite). i prefer the one with higher AHI but am assuming the one with lower AHI would be much better for me. Is the AHI created only by me or can it be affected by the mask fit? (the CPAP machine i have does not have mask fit option so i can't check it) Thanks for any help you can give me!