Sleep Apnea and CPAP masks

Does anyone here have sleep apnea and wear a mask? If so, wha ype of mask and do you have any trouble?

I do not have sleep apnea (when you stop breathing in your sleep), but I was diagnosed with severe snoring (so ok, I snore like a freight train and wake myself up :o ) and had been getting on average 5 hours of sleep a night, despite laying down for 10 hours. Lets just say I was headachy, grumpy, and always tired. The diagnosis was in October.

We're now in January and I still can't get the mask right. I was crying in the doctor's office this morning from sheer frustration. The full face masks leak. No matter the size mask, no matter the brand, no matter how loose or tight I adjust them. Nasal masks are a smidgen better.

I've been using a nasal pillow for the past month and actually like it. But it aggravates scar tissue on the inside of my left nostil. Actually, it feels like someone is taking sandpaper inside my nose and scratching all night long.

I got mask number so-many-masks-tried-that-I've-lost-count this morning. Can you understandd my frustration? The newest mask is so new the doctor opened the shipping box in front of me and took ten minutes trying to figure out how to adjust it and had to read the informational booklet; then he asked me what the name and model number of it is. :rolleyes: :p

Oh, goodness, I have been told by reliable sources that I snore terribly, but I sleep right through it, and thankfully, Paul can, too. In fact I warned him before I married him that if he was a light sleeper, he might wanna call the whole thing off. Thankfully, he could sleep through a tornado, no problem!

You'll be in our prayers.

My son uses a CPAP, but doesn't use the full mask. I don't know what it's called, but it's made of silicone and fits into the entrance to each nostril, so it's not at all bulky or stiff or restrictive. He likes it much better than the mask. Don't know if you understand what I'm trying to get across, but I really don't have a name for it. :(

Catnapper,
My husband has a nose piece called Comfort Classic. It fits over his nose & he has a harness that fits over the back of his head. The harness is attached on his forehead to a sponge type of material that is very soft & holds the top of the nose piece in place. The bottom strap attaches to the nose piece & can be adjusted. The head piece has velcro to make adjustments on the forehead & on the nose piece there are places where the strap goes through so it can be tightened to fit properly on both sides. I hope this is maybe helpful.

Do you dream? We were told when you dream you are in the deepest part of your sleep & should wake up well rested.

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Originally Posted by Bonny

Do you dream? We were told when you dream you are in the deepest part of your sleep & should wake up well rested.

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I dream vivid dreams several times a night. Every night. I still wake up tired because my dreams are interrupted by snores :o


Pomtzu, it sounds as if your son uses a nasal pillow l ike me. I like it, I just wish it didn't irritate my sinuses. I keep squirting gel and such in my nose to help with the pain but its not enough. Sigh.

I know three people that were dx'd with SA and used the CPAP. All three of them struggled with the fit, the sleeping on the back, and had minimal relief from it. All three of them went on to lose significant amounts of weight (two of these three people were a couple, not everyone I know loses weight), and all three of them are sleeping fine, and feeling rested, without the CPAP. I don't know that any of them went back to the sleep doctor or not, so I don't know if the SA went 'away' or is dormant, or what.

My brother had severe sleep apnea, unfortunately he never splurged for the machine, he died at 51, I often wonder if the lack of oxygen at night led to his heart problems, he wasn't a smoker nor a drinker and he wasn't overweight at all.

I just got a new mask not long ago, gave up (reluctantly) one I really liked. This one is almost as good. I will check the brand. It has a little smaller gel pad that fits the bridge of my nose better than my old one, and it fits just about the same on the sides.

Kim, it took me almost a month to get used to the mask and how to tweak it, and all. Now it's like brushing my teeth. It does take some time, and I know how frustrating it is.

Are there other alternatives to the machine? Breathe-right strips? Sometimes a minor surgery that removes polyps or etc helps snoring as well. There are also dental devices that position the jaw differently to help intake of air.

Did the doctor say what is causing it?

I hope you get some answers soon.:love::love::love:

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Originally Posted by Catty1

Are there other alternatives to the machine? Breathe-right strips? Sometimes a minor surgery that removes polyps or etc helps snoring as well. There are also dental devices that position the jaw differently to help intake of air.

Did the doctor say what is causing it?

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My problem is my seriously screwed up sinuses. they're what cause a lot of my migraines. I had surgery 2 years ago that helped, but now have scar tissue to deal with and am NOT having repeat surgery due to fear of more/worse scar tissue. The surgery repaired a deviated septum and its just as bad now as before the first surgery.

The funny thing is, I gained a ton of weight because of the snoring. I was always so tired and resorted to lots of sugary and fattening foods for comfort and quick zips of pep. I stopped walking Callie 2-4 miles a day. I just slept (badly), worked, watched tv, and repeated the same day over and over again.

I already see my normal energy levels coming back (I honestly expected my energy to increase sooner) and I'm looking forward to losing the weight I gained from the lack of sleep.

I just can't wait to find the right mask. As it is, my insurance won't allow me to switch styles anymore. the doctor's office is working with me and letting me "borrow" masks until I find the right one, and then they'll let me borrow it permanently until insurance does cover the change.

Our son sleeps with some kind of sleep machine that the sleep center sent home with him after the testing. It helps some but not as much as he was hoping. Luckily he does fine on a couple hours sleep a night. He actually falls asleep on his feet during the day if he gets more than a couple hours of sleep, something the doctors are still trying to regulate. I just hate to see him behind the wheel of his car never knowing if he'll nod off. Lucky his job is very accomodating.
I don't know if this will be of any help to people with a snoring problem but we bought buckwheat pillows 2 yrs ago and both my husband and our son have stopped snoring completely since they've been using them.

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and the doctor suggested the mask but I said absolutely not until we've tried surgery. I was only 27 and I didn't think having an elephant nose on at night was in any way sexy. How would I ever find a husband with a contraption like that?? :p For me, the surgery option worked wonders and now I only snore mildly, and only if I'm congested or have been drinking. Not sure if this helps, but perhaps a mask isn't the only option.

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is to always be tired and never feeling any relief.

I use the nasal mask, and underneath it I wear a chin strap. This combo might work for you, Kim. The chin strap keeps the jaw from opening and causing an air pressure leak.

Hope you get a good fit soon!

Candace, I have absolutely no problem keeping my mouth closed (at least while sleeping - I have trouble keeping my mouth shut during the day ;))

My leaking problem stems from the silicone seal not setting properly on my skin. In order to have it seal right, I have to tighten the straps sooooo veerrrryyyy tight on the full face and nasal masks. that puts pressure on my sinuses that are along the cheek bones, and hurts. You should see me in the morning after tigtening -- bright red welts across my face that take at least 4 hours to go away. Loosen the straps so they don't hurt? I have leaks :(

Nasal pillows actually seal really well for me (YAY!), and the straps can be left a lot looser so they're comfy (YAY! YAY!). I am just having the hardest time finding ones that fit my nostril at the right angle so as to not hit my scar tissue. The new one I tried last night sealed pretty well, was comfortable in my nose, fell at a food angle, but left nice big welts on my cheeks from the straps, which is unusual for a nasal pillow *Sigh*

I swore this was going to be easy. Hubby got his mask, put it, on went to sleep, and life was good. The doctor said 90% of people have no trouble and keep the first mask. The other 10% are like me -- lots of trial and error. and if not for the scar tissue, I'd have found the right mask a onth ago

Just back from the doctor with yet another new mask HELP!

My husband has severe sleep apena, he wears the mask & all. Two things that might help you that we had to learn on our own: prop up the head of your bed by at least 5 - 8", that will help with the snoring; and try sealing your mask with a touch of petrolum jelly along the outter ridge, that should not make the mask move without strapping it on so tight.

Both my FIL & BIL stopped wearing the mask because they thought it was uncomfortable, please do NOT stop wearing it without your doctors knowledge, it is very dangerous, it is like stopping your high blood pressure pills because you feel good.....not good!!

Good luck finding a mask. Tim was very fortunate that it fit him and he is please with it. Oh, and I am pleased too....now i can sleep with out being woken up!!

I was also going to suggest petroleum jelly to help seal the mask to your skin, too. It certainly would hurt less than synching it so tightly! Even putting something else in there, between your skin and the mask, a cut piece or fleece or felt, depending how big the gap is, might make a more comfortable fit.

They told me to never use petroleum jelly because it makes the mask slip more, and therefore break the seal easier.

I honestly think the mask I got tonight will work == lets cross our fingers.

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Originally Posted by catnapper

They told me to never use petroleum jelly because it makes the mask slip more, and therefore break the seal easier.

I honestly think the mask I got tonight will work == lets cross our fingers.

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Hmm, silly putty instead? Spackle? Hopefully the new mask will just plain work!

My husband wears a CPAP and it has saved his life. Before I would listen when he stopped breathing and count how long before his next breath. It was horrible and so frightening. He reached the point where he could fall asleep while we were talking (or maybe I was that boring??)

He has tried many different styles - he was working for a company that distributes CPAP - among other things. He prefers the nose pillows and he uses Vicks - in addition to soothing his nostril the menthol makes the air less drying. He also sleeps with a special pillow that holds his neck straight.

Does yours have a water tank? Do you use distilled water?

Hmmm... silly putty just might work. :p


Sara, I use the humidifyer and the distilled water. I use a #1 on the humidity dial because the higher humitidty dries me out too fast. I put a special gel in my nose a couple times a day to keep my sinuses hydrated. Oh, and hubby has sleep apnea like your husband. I never understood how he could fall asleep mid sentence :rolleyes:.

I had such confidence I'd have no problem with the CPAP because of how easily hubby acclimated. The doctor said she has more problems with women than men, but the men are bigger babies when it doesn't work. She also said the ones who struggle in the beginning are the best users in the long run. Yeah, well, I was in the office yesterday and today crying. I'd like to see a big burly man crying in the doctor's office! :D She said that, yes, she has seen big burly men crying AND they try to make her call their wives and swear they don't need the machine. :rolleyes:

On top of this mask debacle, I happen to have yet another sinus infection. Round one of the Z pack didn't knock it out, and now the infection is dancing the tango on my teeth. Ice, Anbesol, and prescription Motrin isn't numbing the pain.

I'm beginning to see why my coworkers joke about how I'm always sick. But in my defense, my sickness is 99% sinus related. Sinus infection. Sinus headache. Sinus pain in my teeth. It just keeps rolling and rolling. One sinus headache after another until they gang up on me in the form of a migraine. A sinus infection follows EVERY single little cold. I have a 5 year old in the house.... do you kow how many colds he "shares" with us????

Mine is a Respironics Comfort Gel nasal mask, size small.

I finally found the right mask! I am sooo overjoyed. I am still getting used to it, but its as close to perfect as I could hope to get. :)

YAAAY!!! Sweet dreams! ;):D