One week in+ No joy

[Sleeprider]

I actually have very congested nasal breathing to the extent I breathe through my mouth during day time, especially with exercise or during allergy season. I started with the Resmed nasal masks and moved to nasal pillows, arriving at the Airfit P10 when it became available. In spite of deviated septum and allergies, even flu and bad colds, I have never needed a full face mask. The pressure as applied by nasal pillows clears congestion and pushes past swollen sinuses. I do periodically resort to flonase, but I have never used a full face mask, even during recovery from anesthesia in the hospital. Don't assume. Read the mask primer wiki in my signature links.

[SCgargoyle]

I tried a different nasal pillow on the AirFit F30i, and hit a new personal 'best'- 85% large leakage. Obviously the rest of the data is meaningless.

[SCgargoyle]

Well, I've reached the end of my options with the DME provider. I was going to just order different masks online, but they're all prescription-only. The pulmonologist won't give me a prescription to use until I have an appointment with her. I have an appointment in April, so I guess the machine will be parked until then. I have to find out how to not get billed for non-compliance- Maybe return everything and start over? I have figured out that the CPAP industry is somewhat of a scam and profit center. I really regret getting a sleep study; I was perfectly happy and well-rested until I started down this road. Of course, now that my wife knows I need a CPAP, there's no backing out. I have a choice- fight every night with a machine, or fight every night with my wife. Sorry for the rant, and I appreciate the advice I've gotten here, but CPAP has ruined my life. I'll be back in April if I have any luck.

[happydreams]

Please don't give up just yet.  Remember that any medical professional including a general practitioner, or nurse can write a prescription for you for masks.  It doesn't need to be your pulmonologist.  Actually, since you were issued a PAP machine, you already have an active prescription.  Get a copy of the prescription from your doctor, or current DME.  It is your prescription, so it is fully within your rights to ask for it.  With the prescription in hand you can get any machine or mask you want.

[Sleeprider]

You don't need a prescription for each mask. Your last prescription or the one for your CPAP machine will suffice for online sellers. You are entitled to copies of your records, so get your sleep studies and prescriptions and keep them in a file. I would not use a doctor that held prescriptions hostage for the next extortion, I mean visit. My primary doctor manages all of my prescription needs. I have not seen a sleep specialist since 2008.

[Big Guy]

Don't give up just yet! Give it some more time and power thru it. It'll be three years for me in early Sept. Truth-be-told, CPAP Therapy hasn't done much for me at all, and I do feel like you do. 

I sleep just as well w/o it, as I do with it. I'm not nearly as complaint as I used to be. I see my sleep doctor twice a year and he knows how I feel about it all. 

Maybe I'm just a very slow starter when it comes to feeling better using CPAP. I do know that I won't be doing this for the rest of my life. I'm committed to five years of use. I figure if I don't feel better by then, I'm done with it. 

I started therapy with an AirFit F20 FFM. Once the AirFit F30 hit the market, I bought one, and it's currently my go-to mask. My AHI's are low and have been since the 1st night of therapy. I can sleep the whole night thru, if I want. I usually shoot for 5-6 hrs. of use. 

For me, it's been easy and no issues or problems. Well........with the exception that I'm just not feeling any improvement. I'm retired, so I can take a cat nap if I feel like it, and I usually do in the late morning or early afternoon. 

Someone on here will be able to tell you how to obtain a different mask w/o having to see a doctor. Check your local Craig's List ads or EBAY. 

Anyways, stick with it and give it some more time. Chin up and tough it out. 

[SCgargoyle]

I got the prescription from the DME provider, so I can shop around, although I have no clue what to try next. I feel that this phase is going to get expensive! Last night, I worked with it a couple hours before giving up. Despite being wide awake, my AHI was 17, which is higher than it was during my sleep study. This leads me to believe that A.) The sleep study probably wasn't very accurate, and B.) The results being put out by the CPAP are likewise not very accurate.

The problem I have now is that I'm not going to be in compliance with the insurance company while I wait for masks to get here.

[SarcasticDave94]

On compliance, you have 90 days to get it. If due to some issue, document the reasoning and you may need to appeal to get another shot at compliance.

So this last was a ResMed hybrid mask? If you feel you need a full face, look up Fisher & Paykel. I have the Vitera and Simplus. The Simplus is the older style, but they're really good at sealing. F&P have nasal and pillows masks. Look them up. And it is best to look at pillows masks first, then nasal, then full face/hybrid masks.

[staceyburke]

The machine does not know if you are in bed or not. Many people will wear the mask and machine on while watching tv. It is not hard to get 4 hours a day.

[SCgargoyle]

94% Large Leaks last night. Somehow I doubt the therapy is doing much good. I slept a little better, though.