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[Equipment] FFM turning the corner for me!
#11
RE: FFM turning the corner for me!
Hi Paula,
WHOHOO,! that's great news, you have been struggling for a long time and it is sure paying off for you.
As much as I like my P10, I'm starting down the FFM route because my therapy needs are changing. So I join you all at the church of the full-face mask, (Ha-Ha-Ha.)
Good job on your FFM success, keep up the good work.
trish6hundred
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#12
RE: FFM turning the corner for me!
Same situation for me, nasal pillows but developed bad sores in my nostrils, switched to nasal mask with better results, but too many mouth leaks. Then switched to FFM and everything was better, but not perfect in terms of leaks and bridge of nose pain. I went on a FFM search and probably tried seven or eight different FFMs.......finally settled on the Simplus and added a pad a cheek liner and Bingo! Best sleep, least amount of leaks, best comfort, and best average AHI results. All of this over a period of about five years........I am convinced that the secret to CPAP acceptance and compliance for new users is finding the right mask for each individual, and sometimes it's a long road of trial and error.......my advice is to pay the small price for return insurance offered by some of the online suppliers and start experimenting on your own, don't rely on a brick and mortar DME supplier, they just tend to steer you down the wrong road. My first large company DME did more to mess me up than help me, it wasn't until I took the Bull by the Horns and struck out on my own that I was able to find the right mask for me, they didn't even use the sizing templates supplied by the manufacturers, they had me on the wrong mask and the wrong size to boot!

It takes perseverance, experimentation, a little luck, and be sure to try a good brand of mask liner too, makes a huge difference!

Glad you found the right solution for yourself, here's hoping the good results continue ;+)
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#13
RE: FFM turning the corner for me!
Most of my leaks with any nasal or FFM happen at the top of the nose. It is why I had to go with the nasal pillows in the beginning. We just could not find one that didn't leak. When I started with the Simplus, I considered trying the Gecko pads or the pad-a-cheek but my skin is so sensitive to adhesives. I'm liking the Remzz liners for now. I tried making my own but, again, my sensitive skin didn't like any of the cloth I had to work with. The price isn't too bad. I use them about 3 nights each, toss them into a pile, then every once in a while, pull one out and use it a night or two more. I can stretch a box of 30 into just over 3 months that way. Not that I am that much a tightwad, I just think it is such a waste to toss them after just one use!

And yeah, just 'cause the Simplus works for me and some others doesn't mean it will work for everyone.
PaulaO

Take a deep breath and count to zen.




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#14
RE: FFM turning the corner for me!
(07-23-2015, 02:58 PM)PaulaO2 Wrote: I had resigned myself to always having a higher AHI because I have to use a FFM now. I miss using nasal pillows so very very much. But I just could not figure out why I started with the cheek puffing and the lip leaking. I tried chin straps, the PAPcap, all sorts of stuff (I refuse to even discuss lip taping). And while the PAPcap worked (when it was in place) and to some degree the chin strap did too (my skin could not tolerate the material), it just was not working out. I had a line marked in the Sandman's Sand and they crossed it.

I tried several FFMs and settled on the Simplus. Then I tried the Remzzz liners and that fixed the biggest problem (slight leaking into my eyes). But then I went down in size on the mask and continued using the larger size liners. Had lots of leaks. Got the right size liner and boom, gone. The leaks are minimal. I still get sudden spikes 'cause the hose pops off. And I need to make the Woozle to stop some others, but wow. This is amazing.

Then something happened. I dunno what changed. But the AHI dropped. As in dropped from the 3-5 range to the .8-2 range. And I get more .something than ever.

I am sleeping better. I had several nights where I had weird dreams, probably because I was sleeping deeper, getting better REM. I also slept longer than usual but am now back to my usual 8-9hrs.

[Image: SH-results01_zpspdtmg4yr.jpg]
I feel your pain. I to love the pillows but lately I am having trouble with them bothering me so much that I rip the mask off at night and don't remember doing it. I know that it is hurting me because I wake up not really knowing where I am and who I am. It is so scary. I may need to find a new type of mask that I can tolerate. Great job for persistence. Endeavor to persevere
(07-23-2015, 02:58 PM)PaulaO2 Wrote: I had resigned myself to always having a higher AHI because I have to use a FFM now. I miss using nasal pillows so very very much. But I just could not figure out why I started with the cheek puffing and the lip leaking. I tried chin straps, the PAPcap, all sorts of stuff (I refuse to even discuss lip taping). And while the PAPcap worked (when it was in place) and to some degree the chin strap did too (my skin could not tolerate the material), it just was not working out. I had a line marked in the Sandman's Sand and they crossed it.

I tried several FFMs and settled on the Simplus. Then I tried the Remzzz liners and that fixed the biggest problem (slight leaking into my eyes). But then I went down in size on the mask and continued using the larger size liners. Had lots of leaks. Got the right size liner and boom, gone. The leaks are minimal. I still get sudden spikes 'cause the hose pops off. And I need to make the Woozle to stop some others, but wow. This is amazing.

Then something happened. I dunno what changed. But the AHI dropped. As in dropped from the 3-5 range to the .8-2 range. And I get more .something than ever.

I am sleeping better. I had several nights where I had weird dreams, probably because I was sleeping deeper, getting better REM. I also slept longer than usual but am now back to my usual 8-9hrs.

[Image: SH-results01_zpspdtmg4yr.jpg]
I feel your pain. I to love the pillows but lately I am having trouble with them bothering me so much that I rip the mask off at night and don't remember doing it. I know that it is hurting me because I wake up not really knowing where I am and who I am. It is so scary. I may need to find a new type of mask that I can tolerate. Great job for persistence. Endeavor to persevere
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