HELP! [mask issues]

[erikashaffer25]

I have had sleep apnea for about 5 years now and have only used my machine maybe 5 times. it is so uncomfortable and feels like i am suffocating. i have tried all different kinds of masks. i have the resmed with the humidifier. A few of the problems are the pressure it puts on the bridge of my nose and my bottom teeth under my lowet lip. Please help!

[DeepBreathing]

Hi Erika, welcome to Apnea Board.

You haven't given us a lot to go on, so maybe you could post again and give us some more details about your machines, the pressure settings, make and model of mask, and what exact problems you're experiencing. There are a lot of very good people here to help you, but they do need a fair bit of information to work out what's going wrong and to suggest improvements.

Could I ask also if you have a sleep doctor or other professional to help you with CPAP, or are you doing it on your own - that obviously makes a big difference.

From what you've written I'm guessing you use a full-face mask like a Resmed F20 or F&P Simplus. These are great, but some people can't use them and prefer a nasal mask or nasal pillows. I see you've tried various different types of mask, but it's probably still worthwhile to have a look at an excellent guide to all things to do with masks in our mask primer, here: http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ask_Primer

Once you get the mask under control, the rest will follow. Five years is too long to suffer, and we will do our very best to get your apnea under control, with comfortable and restful sleep.

[gwc2795]

I have had sleep apnea for about 5 years now and have only used my machine maybe 5 times. it is so uncomfortable and feels like i am suffocating. i have tried all different kinds of masks. i have the resmed with the humidifier. A few of the problems are the pressure it puts on the bridge of my nose and my bottom teeth under my lowet lip. Please help!

erica
I wear dentures and the mask really bothered my lower gums. I was using a F-20 Medium mask. I switched to the F-20 large size and can place the bottom of it on my chin, that has solved my problem. Maybe go up on size????

Good luck

[mesenteria]

Erika, you have had a terribly unfortunate initiation to this lifesaving treatment.  You mention that you were uncomfortable.  Were you able to try other masks?  Some people use a foam liner over the mask ridge that is meant to make contact with the face.  As just suggested by gwc, even a different size of a given type of mask can make a huge difference.

We'll work with you if you stick with us for a bit and give a serious try at some of our suggestions.  At some point, we'll need you to use your device for several days while we tweak its settings.  We'll need you to download a freeware called SleepyHead and use it to report what the machine senses about your apnea, but only if your machine has that capability.  Does your machine have a slot on the side for an SD card?

[silentsnore]

You may try to loosen up the headgear straps. It sounds like your mask is too tight.

Read Mask Primer article: http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ask_Primer