Not Getting Easier

I have been on the ResMed Air Source for about three weeks using the P10 nasal pillows for her. I was so hopeful those first few nights - although I was not sleeping any longer, my incidences were low and I was comfortable with the mask. I have had one night where I had about six hours of sleep, waking only after it was light out. Don't think that has happened in ten years. But I am waking with a dull headache and my head feels like a balloon. Could the pressure be too high? I ramp from six to 15. And I can't seem to get comfortable with the pillows. The straps keep slipping up, loosening the pillows, and the skin under my nose is sore. Would a nose mask be better, do you think? I'm getting discouraged. I think I would have been better off not feeling so comfortable those first few nights. The one good thing, in addition to the knowledge that my incidences are low (about 1 per night), my appetite has indeed lessened considerably and I am getting control over my food cravings, even though my success with the CPAP has not happened and I don't feel more energetic.

Any advice or encouraging words?

I started 1/31/19 w/Resmed Aircurve 10S BiPAP and am now on my fourth mask, the Resmed F30, which has greatly diminished my leaks. My last 4 of 5 MyResmed sleep reports are 100! I'm feeling more energy and don't day nap any more. Keep trying PhyllisK, with that good ole "Show Me" state spirit, you'll get there.

I guess I just need to be patient. Last night I taped my mouth, slept six hours, with one incidence per hour, and still had a frowny face for mask leaks. I did read here that someone said if all else is good, don't be too concerned with the leaks. I don't like taping my mouth. Thanks for the help. I recently had hip replacement surgery and didn't think that would ever recover and suddenly I was walking pain free. I keep that memory in my head. But I think I do need to investigate a new mask.

Read this. A lot of info masks. [http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mask_Primer]

Thank you. Good information. I have other masks here and think I will do some experimenting. Do you know anything about the Ai Sleep pillow advertised in the above site?

After trying several masks, I finally went to a full face mask. I know lots of people on here prefer to use mouth tape but it just doesn't work for me. I am occasionally a mouth breather so going to a full mas worked although I had to try several before finding the one that works best. Hang in there!

Last night I tried a full nose mask. As much as I would like to use just the pillows, they just don't work for me. Good news - no leaks. Bad news - I only slept about three hours. I'm on the right track for masks and it was comfortable enough. Thanks for all your help.

The are a few tricks to getting used to and using the P10 mask. First, make sure you have the right size of insert. If you use an insert that is too small I think it goes too far into your nose and irritates the nose. I would suggest the largest insert that still seals is the best. I also find if you use a 1% hydrocortisone cream on your outside of your nose where the mask contacts it, it can help you get used to the mask. Put it on in the morning, but at night when you wear the mask. And, it is not for long term use. It should only be used for a week or so until you get used to the mask. The P10 should come with some clips that can be used to tighten the mask straps. That can help some in keeping it on your head.

The full mask takes a little while to get used to as it is bulky and sometimes hard to fit to your face. There are also "cushions" or felt bindings you can get (or make if you are handy like that) that fit over the cheek straps. These help a lot with strap marks on the face and comfort.

When I look at MyAir score in the morning (don't know how long I'll be addicted to wanting that information), I find that I am adjusting the mask a lot of times in the night without knowing it. Hopefully, that will correct itself.

Any knowledge of special sleep pillows for apnea sufferers or is that just a gimmick?

I do think that you have to find the right pillow that will accommodate how you sleep and your mask and hose. I found that the hose which comes out of the top of my headgear works much better for me than the one that comes out of the front of my mask. I encourage you to keep trying masks until you find something that works best for you. I am decades into this and still trying different masks. Hang in there. When you feel better, you will be glad that you kept on working with it. There is no one size fits all solution.

Thank you everyone