07-18-2015, 05:26 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-18-2015, 06:30 PM by me50.)
RE: New member - hello
Welcome
Initially I didn't get any kind of fitting to speak of and no choice on what mask they gave me. I had trouble with the mask they gave me from the very beginning and all they did was keep changing the cushion size. Nobody ever told me about a chin strap. I got tired of them and fired them.
Then, I needed another sleep study because I was also having trouble adapting to my cpap auto. I decided to clean house and I went to have a sleep study at another hospital. The head tech met me at the hospital about 2 weeks before my sleep study and he brought a whole lot of masks with him still in the original package. It is fortunate for me that he understood SA as he has it too. I tried as many as I wanted to and since we met at the sleep center, he would hook them up to the machine and I would lay down to get a feel for them.
I chose the wisp nasal mask and he gave me a top of the line chin strap which I no longer need on a nightly basis. My sleep study was the best I ever had as far as sleep studies go. The only issue I had is that when the leads came off of my head at the end of the study, it made my head bleed.
Well, that and the family of dead roaches in the bathroom due to a recent extermination.
I have used the wisp nasal mask since and have not had any issues with it. I am not very good about washing my cushion each day and I still don't have trouble with it. YMMV.
RE: New member - hello
Dagmar,
Welcome to Apnea Board!
Had to chuckle at your statement about it being different on the other side of the mask! I always wished my Sleep Specialist actually had Sleep Apnea.
I know that sounds terrible, but there might be more understanding if he actually went to bed every night hooked up to a machine.
My DME put a full face mask, a nasal mask and a nasal pillow mask in front of me and asked me which one I wanted. I told them I'm claustrophobic, so she gave me the nasal pillow mask. That was my fitting!
I also feel lucky because I adapted to the mask right away and eight months later still using a nasal pillow mask.
Good luck and keep us posted.
RE: New member - hello
Hi David,
Some DMEs do a decent job of helping new patients with mask fit. Others not so much. And to be honest even with the most accommodating DMEs it's rather like buying a new pair of shoes -- might feel good in the store but later... you know how the rest of the story goes.
If the DME is set up for this you might try some of the masks with a machine set to your prescribed pressure, and if possible lying down. What fits well when you're awake and sitting in a chair may be a poor fit when you're asleep, lying down, and actually using the machine.
Most folks have to do some trial and error to find the mask that ultimately works best for them. Generally the DME will show/offer you a few masks but likely only a small sample of all the masks out there. If you end up having difficulty finding the right mask for you, you can check out the full array of models on a good internet DME website.
RE: New member - hello
I just got my trial machine and mask about 5 days ago. I never got to choose my mask, the Resp Tech just looked at me and grabbed a PR Wisp Nasal Mask and said this is the one for you. I was hoping to try the Nasal pillows as I am claustrophobic. But I really took well to Wisp Nasal mask. It fits perfect I have hardly any leaks, only when turning on the pillow. The head gear is nice and easy to use. Its quite comfortable.
I thought I was a mouth breather as my mouth was always dry when I woke up, so I was sure I would be breathing out of my mouth with the nasal mask. But I have been able to keep my mouth closed throughout the night with no chin strap. I was a bit surprised! (pleasantly)
I am going to ask for nasal pillows just to try and then see out of the two which I prefer. I will not be disappointed if I have to stay with the Nasal Mask.
Good luck in your tx!