Hi @brandysparks, Thank you for the private message. I thought I would answer you here in this discussion where others with sleep apnea have shared what has helped them.

-- Cpap and getting better sleep: What's your experience?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cpap-and-sleep/

Your question about which CPAP mask I started with is a good one but it's a mixed bag for myself and I'm sure a lot of others when they started their CPAP treatment journey. I'm a mouth breather so I need a full face mask of some sort, or I need a nasal mask and something to keep my mouth closed (head strap, mouth tape - yuck for the stuck lips when I tried it!). I started out with a Fisher-Paykel Simplus but just couldn't get it to work for me. Over the first three months I tried multiple different masks and for awhile settled with the Dreamware full face mask (https://www.usa.philips.com/c-e/hs/sleep-apnea-therapy/dare-to-dream/full-masks.html). Then after a couple of weeks of struggling I got a ResMed AirFit F20 (https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/cpap-parts-support/sleep-apnea-full-products-list/cpap-masks/airfit-f20/).

I'm still using the ResMed AirFit F20 but have tried others off and on for the past 3 years but always end up going back because I get the best AHI numbers with it. Unfortunately I also get the proverbial CPAP nose which can be irritating. So, what I've learned is try and find one that feels comfortable and you can tolerate. I also use cloth comfort covers on the mask which helps with the "comfort" - https://cpapcomfortcover.com/.

Good luck on your journey and feel free to ask any questions you might have. I may not have the answers but there are many of us here on Connect with different experiences that might be just what you need!

Jump to this post