[CPAP] New to Cpap need advice

[zimlich]

The Escape is a good machine. It will not give you data from your therapy, but that may not bother you.
The climate line is a good investment- it may help your dry mouth. There is also a line of dental products for dry mouth- Biotene.
One remedy for leaks is the old tried and true use of silicone ear plugs (usually macks, store band is fine)- soften them in your hands (start with three), roll into a string the diameter of a pillow and place around perimeter of mask where it contacts the face.
Good luck, thanks for posting, keep us informed on how you're doing please.
Mary

[lilfarm]

With the Quattro FX it's really important to make sure the mask cushion is squeaky clean and free of oil. It also helps to wash your face right before bed (I also shave at night now). If your getting leaks at the nose keep this in mind: sometimes it helps to loosen the bottom end of the mask a little rather than tighten the top part.

A lot of people prefer the nasal pillows or a nasal mask and use a chinstrap. The chin strap should help, but might take a little time to adjust and get used to. 14cm shouldn't be too high a pressure, but you can check the mask specs on the manufacturer websites and posters here that use nasal pillows or nasal masks can give suggestions.

As for the ClimateLine, I would strongly recommend it. I use one with my humidity set at 6 and hose temp. at 86 deg. and have never had rainout.

I'm not sure about the CPAP pillow. I use one that I got from an online supplier for a penny when I bought other stuff. It's OK, but I wouldn't have paid $30 or $50 for it.

Thanks for advice. Washed my face well last 2 nights and it has been better. Not perfect but much better and my suppler has agreed to get me a Mirage Quattro to try, also have a friend that has a used nasal mask that I can try with a chin strap to see if that is a possibility. Definitely looking up. Thanks again.

[Sleepster]

Was told however that my pressure may be to high to use with a nasal pillow.

Health professionals make this claim but it contradicts the manufacturer's claims. Moreover, I've never seen anyone report that nasal pillows come popping out of their nose at high pressures.

At this point my insurance won't by more mask (was told they will by one every 3 months).

Your DME (equipment provider) probably has in place a policy that allows you to switch out masks more often than that during the first month.

As to your choice of machine, it's very unfortunate that DME's stick unsuspecting patients with these S9 Escape models that don't record any useful data. Better machines are now available for just a few dollars more.

You should call your DME and tell them you're returning the machine for a refund. If they won't give you at least the S9 Elite, or better yet the S9 Autoset, tell them you'll take your business elsewhere.

The S9 Escape is a brick. Very few people here will recommend that as a useful machine. The vast consensus is that you need a fully data-capable machine so that you can evaluate the effectiveness of your therapy.

[TheWerkz]

Moreover, I've never seen anyone report that nasal pillows come popping out of their nose at high pressures.

This gave me such a visual of pillows flying across the room from the nose that I may not be able to sleep if I can't stop thinking about it!

Thanks for that!

Ren

[Utsarah]

I did mean Bella LOOPS, sorry!

[vsheline]

For what it's worth....

I'm using the Resmed Mirage Quattro, I know alot of people really like that mask, but no matter how hard I try I can't seem to stop the leaks once the pressure hits around 15 or more.

The ResMed Gecko nasal pad will fix leaks around the nose and eyes, if that is where your leaks were.
I think most insurance will cover it.

Take care,
--- Vaughn