How to choose a mask for beginner

[sleepwaker]

After years of struggling with both apnea and insomnia I finally got my CPAP machine. But I haven't fallen asleep wearing the mask so far (about a week).

I think I need a different mask, because the company only sent me their default mask, Philips Dreamwear Full-Face Mask. They sell 25 others that I could try.

I read the Mask Primer page which said to try Nasal Pillows type first, which is fine (I don't think I open my mouth while sleeping) but I don't know how I would narrow it down beyond that.

If you were in this situation, how would you pick which mask to try first? Thanks!

[Tanker7]

Do you fall asleep when not using the mask?

It will work with full face or nasal. Its a matter of preference. If you are a mouth breather and you use nasal the machine will detect a leak and ramp up to its maximum and you will wake up because the air will be going in your nose and out your mouth.

Both types take some getting used to if you have never used a CPAP machine.

In the first week or so I found 

- I would be sitting there with the mask on but not ready to go to sleep.
- I found breathing against the flow an effort. It wasn't uncomfortable but required effort.
- I had disrupted sleep due to leaks and the machine ramping up to an uncomfortable level.

But hang in there.

I stopped breathing 60 to 80 times an hour. I would say I'd been like that for at least a couple years and in a really poor sleep cycle where I would be up all night and then crash asleep.

So you are probably both getting used to the CPAP and learning to get back to a normal sleep pattern because you might currently be sleep deprived.

Stay off the coffee and put you phone out off sight. Don't put the gear on until you feel like you are ready to sleep. IE you can feel yourself wanting to going to sleep.

Its a bit like exercise the more you do it the easier it gets and once you start getting some decent sleep you will feel completely different.

Masks come in different sizes and shapes. If it isn't sealing it the wrong size.

I use a Resmed F30i. I like the hose at the top of my head so it doesn't get in the way but everyone has their own opinion.

[JCinPA]

Oooof. Tough question. Everyone's face topography and sleep habits are so different, you'll find this is extremely personal. I use a ResMed F40 and love it, and it does not leak at all for me. Others hate it and it leaks a lot. Pretty much all mask options are that way.

1. Try Tanker 7's suggestions with your current mask. You don't know you don't like it yet, you just said it's what they sent you home with.

2. ResMed's F30i is a popular choice but the full face is very similar to your current mask. I would not try that if you end up not liking your DreamWear. There is also a ResMed Airfit P30i nasal pillow mask and you might like that one.

3. If you don't breath through your mouth and want to try a nasal pillow mask, both the ResMed AirFitP10 and the Fisher & Paykel Nova Micro seem to be popular. I used a ResMed P10 for 7 years, and was very happy with it. Having tried both, I'd start with the F&P Nova Micro, though, better headgear, IMO.

But again, I loved the P10, it's pretty popular, but be prepared for it to not work for you. It's they way this goes, unfortunately.

[SarcasticDave94]

Typical progression from least invasive to most is possibly a good choice.

This would be nasal pillows first. They have the least amount of contact and seal. Next is nasal and nasal cradle. Finally would be full face, they're hardest to seal due to the higher amount of contact. Hybrid full, nasal cradle exist too.