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[Treatment] Any Advice
#1
Any Advice
I am a 42 year old male with severe sleep apnea (82 episodes an hour), and I have been on a BiPaP machine for a year now. I am only able to wear the mask for about an hour or so a night, I wish it could be longer but I can't seem to do it. There are a number of issues that are affecting my usage of the mask.
First issue, I am a mouth breather and don't use my nose at all, my wife says it's a decoration. So I am forced to use a full face mask...which leads to my second issue, I am chlosterphobic and I find myself ripping off my mask in the night. I don't know that I am doing this as I am also a sleepwalker and sleeptalker. We have even gone to duct tapping the mask to my face so that I wake myself up when I rip it off. I wake up in the morning with the mask off and a ball of tape beside it.
The sleep doctor I see is at a lose as to what to do, I am scheduled for another sleep test but in the meantime it's a circus when I sleep.
Just curious if their is anyone out there that has heard of of done anything like this and could offer some suggestions.

Thank you in advance.[/font]
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#2
RE: Any Advice
You say you've been on BIPAP for a year, and having all these issues with your mask???
Why not try a different mask? If you are only using your machine for an hour each night, then it can't possibly be doing you much good.

Time to get serious.
Try a nasal pillow mask. You can learn to breath through your nose., unless there is a medical reason that prevents that. You could try a chin strap to help hold your mouth shut.

OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

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#3
RE: Any Advice
Hi Jaylea,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
There are many masks out there, so don't be shy about asking to try different ones. Sometimes, it takes quite a few of them 'till you find what works for you.
Hang in there for more answers to your questions and much success to you as you continue your CPAP therapy and good luck finding a mask that is just right for you.
trish6hundred
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#4
RE: Any Advice
You have a complex set of issues to address and you say you have been working this for a year and your sleep doctor has no solutions. I would consider a different doctor. Why are you scheduled for another sleep test? You haven't mentioned any confusion about your original report. All the problems you mentioned are compliance related. You need a doctor or support team who will help you work through the adjustment. Do whatever it takes to overcome the claustrophobia so you can begin to use the information and adjustments your BiPAP machine provides. An effective XPAP is a beautiful thing!
if you can't decide then you don't have enough data.
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#5
RE: Any Advice
I use the Mirage Liberty and love it. Covers just your mouth (I'm a mouth breather too) and then little nose pillows that shoot up your nostrils. Think it might work for you too. I'm new to all of this so I'm no expert, but This was the only one that worked. Took me 3 nights until I could sleep straight through. Check it out

(06-30-2015, 07:00 PM)Jaylea Wrote: I am a 42 year old male with severe sleep apnea (82 episodes an hour), and I have been on a BiPaP machine for a year now. I am only able to wear the mask for about an hour or so a night, I wish it could be longer but I can't seem to do it. There are a number of issues that are affecting my usage of the mask.
First issue, I am a mouth breather and don't use my nose at all, my wife says it's a decoration. So I am forced to use a full face mask...which leads to my second issue, I am chlosterphobic and I find myself ripping off my mask in the night. I don't know that I am doing this as I am also a sleepwalker and sleeptalker. We have even gone to duct tapping the mask to my face so that I wake myself up when I rip it off. I wake up in the morning with the mask off and a ball of tape beside it.
The sleep doctor I see is at a lose as to what to do, I am scheduled for another sleep test but in the meantime it's a circus when I sleep.
Just curious if their is anyone out there that has heard of of done anything like this and could offer some suggestions.

Thank you in advance.[/font]

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#6
RE: Any Advice
(06-30-2015, 07:16 PM)OpalRose Wrote: You say you've been on BIPAP for a year, and having all these issues with your mask???
Why not try a different mask? If you are only using your machine for an hour each night, then it can't possibly be doing you much good.

Time to get serious.
Try a nasal pillow mask. You can learn to breath through your nose., unless there is a medical reason that prevents that. You could try a chin strap to help hold your mouth shut.

I have tried a number of masks, the ones that you use strictly in your nose make me feel as if I am suffocating. I have been on a wait list for an Ear Nose and Throat specialist for a number of months now, I have finally got an appointment at the end of September. Hopefully that will shed some light on not being able to use my nose (which I never had a problem with until using the machine).
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#7
RE: Any Advice
(06-30-2015, 08:01 PM)MobileBasset Wrote: You have a complex set of issues to address and you say you have been working this for a year and your sleep doctor has no solutions. I would consider a different doctor. Why are you scheduled for another sleep test? You haven't mentioned any confusion about your original report. All the problems you mentioned are compliance related. You need a doctor or support team who will help you work through the adjustment. Do whatever it takes to overcome the claustrophobia so you can begin to use the information and adjustments your BiPAP machine provides. An effective XPAP is a beautiful thing!

Thank you for the advise. I am working with a different supplier/ support team that deals with strange cases such as mine, they have told me that they have never had anyone with as many issues as I have while using the machine. The doctor wants to do another sleep test in the hopes that I will do what I describe while at home, it seems every time I do the sleep test though I sleep and wear the mask as I should. Looking forward to using the machine the way that it should be used.
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#8
RE: Any Advice
If you are taping that full face mask on, be certain to not tape over the vent holes or over the vent port for the anti-asphyxia valve.
Really, the tape is not a a good idea.
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#9
RE: Any Advice
you mean I am not supposed to tape over all those little vent holes in the front surface of my mask? That's where all the air is leaking out of.

jk, guys. I know not to do that.

QAL
Dedicated to QALity sleep.
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#10
RE: Any Advice
(07-02-2015, 11:17 AM)justMongo Wrote: If you are taping that full face mask on, be certain to not tape over the vent holes or over the vent port for the anti-asphyxia valve.
Really, the tape is not a a good idea.

Sorry, I should have clarified better, I am using tape from ear to ear under my chin. Thinking that I should feel it as I rip it off, I don't.
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