Cpap and getting better sleep: What's your experience?

I started using a Cpap machine two weeks ago but I have not have too much success. I am using a nasal pillows mask and have not been able to fall asleep with it on. I have allergies which makes it difficult to breath without the mask on and I have an appointment with my provider to try other masks however I have no ideas which type of mask to try and my provider is no help. Any suggestions would be great.

Hi @alanbruce, I moved your post to this existing discussion so that you can connect with others who are using a cpap machine and and so that you can look back and see how others have approached issues they’d been having.

It must be frustrating having so much trouble with the cpap machine. @thankful, @berneese, @johnhans and @johnbishop all have experience with cpap machines and have had to figure out what mask works best for them.

To help everyone understand your current cpap situation, what type of cpap machine are you using?

Thanks for the reply. I have a ResMed Air Sense 10 with humidifier. My mask is a DreamWEar Gel pillows mask by Philips. I had my sleep test at Mayo Rochester in August.

Hi @alanbruce, Does your CPAP machine have a ramp feature where you start out at a lower pressure than the prescribed setting for 15 minutes or so? That helped me fall asleep because I wasn't as focused on trying to fall asleep. I had a Dreamware full face mask and really liked it at first but I started having claustrophobia issues with it. If you breath through your nose and also your mouth it may be a good mask to try. I'm now using a ResMed AirTouch F20 full face mask which has a memory foam edge instead of the normal silicone and it's easier on the face and nose.

Who is your local provider? Maybe you could try another one? I've really had good luck with my local medical store in Rochester. They have worked with me a lot to help me get what works for me.

John

Alan @alanbruce, I forgot to mention that if you've had your CPAP machine less than 30 days and you are on Medicare you can get another mask.

@alanbruce- Alan, greetings to you and glad to hear you are looking into in my opinion the most important aspect of using a C-pap system. The mask is everything because in most if not all cases when people chose to ignore their C-pap its because of the mask.
Whether it is a nasal mask such as I use or the full face mask and everything in between, unless your mask is comfortable you will discontinue using it and there goes the incredible benefits to gain back from REM sleep, not to mention a happy partner once again due to the lack of snoring! For me the 1st year seemed to be an experiment in masks and pressure. I am a mouth breather and because of that I started trying to use a full face mask. I must have tried over a dozen, but I simpley either felt claustrophobic using it or the tech told me that I had a"tweener" face meaning in-between shaped face which casusd leaking. I starting using the Fisher Paykel Zest nasal mask along with a chin strap and have found the right one for me. I went through several chin straps as well before I found one that essentially looks more like an Ace bandage with velcro and a small strap that wraps arounf the back of ny head and connects to the main strap with velcro as well. I have used a C-pap for over 18 years and I average 7+ hrs. of sleep per night and generally wake up refreshed and with 2 green happy faces. That makes me happy as well! Happy Zzzz's to you and all my C-pap friends. PS. My grand kids sure got a scare when they decided to wake up grandpa many years back. I felt like Frankenstein! Lol! Jim @thankful

A number of you have talked about challenges with using a CPAP. I wanted to check in and see how it's going. I think your responses will be beneficial to everyone here who is seeking to optimize their use of the machine.

@alanbruce - How is it going with the new(ish) CPAP? Did you find another mask that might work for you?

@bernese53 - are you still getting the markings from the mask that make it look like you've fallen across a storm drain?

@ecook - did you end up finding a nostril mask?

I have an Amara view full-face mask. I have discovered that the headgear straps tend to lose their grip after a month or so. This results in my tightening the straps and then getting marks on my face. Changing the headgear every month or so makes a big difference! No more marks!

I did get a new mask which tends to stay on all night. Only used it now for two weeks so I will see how it goes. Dreamwear Full face mask.I have a Resmed which gives me a score on line for each night and my scores have been really pretty good.

I need to correct that setting on my CPAP machine to 10 to 20 not 15 to 20. Also my events per hour were between 78-79, not the 82 I said before. John Bishop, my lung doctor says events per hour should below 4.