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Nasal mask prohibits breathing through the nose

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buckvegas +0 points · about 5 years ago Original Poster

I just got my new Cpap from the VA yesterday and was looking forward to finally getting a good nights sleep, but when I put my nasal mask on it made it where I couldn’t breathe through my nose. Is this normal? Seems counterproductive to have to breathe through my mouth which in my opinion is part of the bigger issue. Thanks in advance for your insight!

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Sierra +0 points · about 5 years ago Sleep Patron

What is the brand and model of your mask? Did they do any kind of fit test with you? A nasal mask where you can't breath through your nose is a no-go. If the mask insert size does not fit your nose, or the mask straps are too tight the nasal pillow part can collapse and not let you breathe.

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Biguglygremlin +0 points · about 5 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

Hi buckvegas.

What type of mask is it? Is it a nose mask or nasal pillows? What brand is it? If it is a nasal pillows mask did it come with different sized pillows? Have you tried using the larger sizes? Were you given a chinstrap? Do you have congestion or allergies? Sometimes I use nasal sprays or antihistamines before I go to bed.

Sorry Sierra I didn't realise you were responding. :)

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buckvegas +0 points · about 5 years ago Original Poster

It is a Resmed nasal mask. As soon as the mask hits my face I lose all ability to breathe through my nose. Pull it off and I can breathe again

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Sierra +0 points · about 5 years ago Sleep Patron

Is it a nasal mask, or a nasal pillow mask? The difference is that a nasal mask fits over your whole nose and seals against your face. The nasal pillow mask fits up against your nostrils and seals right at the nostrils. If it is the nasal pillow type try lift it away from your face to see if that helps. If it does then the straps may be too tight. The other possibility is that it is too small and is going too far into your nostrils.

If it is a nasal mask that goes over your whole nose then I am at a loss to explain how you could not breathe. You should be able to breathe whether the machine is on or off.

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buckvegas +0 points · about 5 years ago Original Poster

Also I do have a chin strap but afraid to use it if I can’t breathe through my nose. This was the first night with the system and the VA did a thorough class but nothing like this was mentioned

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Biguglygremlin +0 points · about 5 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

Where are you up to in your day? How far are you from the people who sent you home with this gear? I doubt that tweaking a few settings is going to get you to where you need to be.

If you do return to the specialists I would suggest you take some control of the process and have a fair idea of what you want them to do for you.

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Biguglygremlin +0 points · about 5 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

The above statement may not be entirely correct. Have you tried turning the ramp off altogether?

For me the effect you describe is how it feels when the ramp is on. Different machine and different gear and presumably different settings but still might be worth a try for diagnostic purposes.

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buckvegas +0 points · about 5 years ago Original Poster

Believe it was preset to automatically adjust while you sleep. I put it on again this morning for a few minutes and I was laboring to inhale with it on

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Sierra +0 points · about 5 years ago Sleep Patron

If it is a nasal pillow type, gently pull the mask away from your nose a bit, with the pressure on. If that improves things, then the mask straps may be too tight.

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carroll +0 points · about 5 years ago

It totally relies upon your machine and your cover you are using.

When I initially begun it, I despised it. I had this Fisher and Paykel straight cpap machine, and I was given a poo fisher and paykel nasal veil.

I battled my rear end off with the cover. I wound up getting bruises all over from the damn cover while attempting to get a decent seal.

In the wake of doing some examination and perusing gatherings, I purchased a Respironics REMStar Auto M Series with humidifer machine, and I purchased a Respironics Comfortgel cover - all straightforwardly from SSEM.

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