sleepingbetterinFl - Therapy Thread

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I had this the first week or so i was on cpap really bad. Wondered if I was inhaling too much CO2. Turned off ramp, and increased pressure range and it went away.

[sleepingbetterinFl]

I have been using my current  mask for over 2 months and head  straps have not bothered me until now.  I am getting a chafing pain above ears where the strap is secured over head.  It is similar to pain suffered by those who wear eyeglasses ( you know the pain above ear from temples of eyeglasses, if you wear glasses !).  
I have tried adjusting the mask but if I make it too loose then I get leaks through the face .   Any suggestions on how I can cushion or help to prevent this pain I am experiencing?
I like the mask and headgear combo of my mask and I am not sure if switching masks would solve the problem.  So far I have endured the pain and have not removed mask to alleviate the pain; however it is bothersome and Hurts!

[Jay51]

Several types of material can be used as a barrier between the mask straps and the area above your ears.  Gauze pads (from local supermarket, dollar store, etc.) are thin and can be tried.  Then thicker materials like foam can be tried (foam comes in various thickness and can be cut to size).  Can get from Amazon, etc.  There are even some larger, thicker straps that go on the mask straps to prevent chaffing.  

On our supplier's list here at ApneaBoard,  #31.  www.padacheek.com (pads for mask straps) is one example of pre-made strap covers for comfort.  There are other suppliers who feature pre fabricated covers to protect skin from chaffing in specific pressure points.  

[Deborah K.]

Quite a few folks are excited about the new ResMed full-face mask, the F40.  Here's a link to the discussion:

https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...+face+mask

Maybe this would be more comfortable for you.  

[sleepingbetterinFl]

JAy51-


Thank you so much for the information and I will seek out these resources.   It is comforting to know others are going through the same thing.

[sleepingbetterinFl]

Does anyone use a wedge pillow for relief of nasal congestion and help with neck pain while sleeping?  Since starting CPAP therapy,  I sleep on back and rarely on my side and notice I have neck pain many times even using 2 pillows.  I tried a wedge pillow and I could not fall asleep with it due to angle.  I saw a video that claimed that I could use a pillow on top of the wedge pillow and it would still work.  Has anyone tried this with good results?

[G. Szabo]

Yes, it works. I can move the top part of my bedframe and set it in different inclination angles. Hence, the mattress over it behaves like a wedge pillow. I use a CPAP pillow over it. I sleep on my side, which helps to reduce obstruction and AHIs. 
But I gradually slide down on the wedge during the night, which is not pleasant but manageable. 
I just ordered a MedCline Shoulder Relief Wedge and Body Pillow System, and I hope it stops the sliding because your arm is locked in.

[Premier1991]

I used to have a lot of problems with aerophasia in the beginning of my cpap use. I've been using a wedge pillow with another pillow on top for several years now and find it really helps with reducing aerophasia. Because of this I've had to learn to sleep on my back as its difficult to lie on my side with it. (I also have problems with blocked nostrils due to a deviated septum so sleeping with my head higher helps this also). I've also found that I had to learn to relax my body and concentrate on long deep breathing rather than short more frequent breathing. I still get aerophasia occasionally but not nearly as much as before.

[sleepingbetterinFl]

Premier1991, Thanks so much. I think I am going to try the wedge pillow again and it should help.

[HalfAsleep]

I'm a back sleeper.

I just started using a wedge pillow regularly. I had a tall one (12") after a surgery, and found it was too tall for CPAP purposes, so I just got a lower one (7.5"). The brand is Kolbs. Love it. Shoulda done this a long time ago.

I found I need the flatness of the wedge on my upper back, as well as the tilt (to address a shoulder condition). I don't use a pillow at all, except in the small of my back when I get uncomfortable.

My entire bed is otherwise tipped for GERD reasons (though I don't have GERD, as it turns out). I set the head on a stack of 2x4 pieces.

I have less trouble with mouth opening while using the wedge pillow, but I've also started using a soft cervical collar: it keeps my neck at a good angle.

The unpredicted side effect of using the wedge is that there's little "pillow factor" in looking at Oscar charts: it's the same pillow shape every night.