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Thread: New CPAP user

  1. #1
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    Default New CPAP user

    Hi all,

    I've been recently diagnosed with sleep apnoea & at present have a hire machine but I have bought the mask & tube.
    The mask is a Resmed Quattro.

    I,m having a lot of hassles with the mask, as it's gets very uncomfortable after a while & I have to remove it so as to get to sleep.
    Having tried a number of different arrangements, I'm finding that the mask is causing an allergic reaction with my skin to the point of me having to remove the mask.

    With my job I had to do CPR training regularly, & when I used the supplied mask then, I always finished up with rashy red lips which persisted for a few days. They blamed it on the Latex mask.

    However I'm told that most of the medical equiptment these days uses silicon instead of Latex.

    I'm wondering if there are other users of CPAP masks having the same problem, & if there is a known solution to it. Not using a mask is not an option for me.

    Regards

    Alan

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  3. #2
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    Had no issues.

    Perhaps try some vaseline or similar to form a barrier. Otherwise use some cotton material around it so the silicon is not in contact with your skin.
    Neil
    ____________________________________________
    Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new

  4. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Little Boxes View Post
    Hi all,

    I've been recently diagnosed with sleep apnoea & at present have a hire machine but I have bought the mask & tube.
    The mask is a Resmed Quattro.

    I,m having a lot of hassles with the mask, as it's gets very uncomfortable after a while & I have to remove it so as to get to sleep.
    Having tried a number of different arrangements, I'm finding that the mask is causing an allergic reaction with my skin to the point of me having to remove the mask.

    With my job I had to do CPR training regularly, & when I used the supplied mask then, I always finished up with rashy red lips which persisted for a few days. They blamed it on the Latex mask.

    However I'm told that most of the medical equiptment these days uses silicon instead of Latex.

    I'm wondering if there are other users of CPAP masks having the same problem, & if there is a known solution to it. Not using a mask is not an option for me.

    Regards

    Alan
    Alan,

    I've been using CPAP since early 2004. I had huge problems for the first two years or so getting used to the bl#$%y masks. I started with various styles of nasal face masks and then they put me on a full face mask (similar to the Resmed Quattro that they've got you using) because they were having trouble getting the nasal face masks to seal adequately. To get a seal on the full face mask the straps on the mask needed to be uncomfortably tight which added to the difficulties. I couldn't get used to either the nasal face or full face style of CPAP mask. I had difficulty getting to sleep, and usually would be woken immediately the CPAP machine ramped up to full pressure after the initial 15 minute settling period. For the first two years I never managed to sleep all night using the mask. I found that I sweated a lot under the full face mask and got what looked like "nappy rash" where the mask touched my face, especially where it touched the whiskers. Shaving immediately before going to bed didn't help - nor did using various lotions on my face where the mask would touch.

    After about two years I had given up on using the CPAP machine. The Sleep Study place I initially went to seemed almost solely focused on selling equipment, and really had little willingness to provide advice or alternatives when it came to overcoming the difficulties I had using the CPAP machine. They advised that I should just keep trying, or put up with the Sleep Apnoea (a recommendation that horrified my GP !). I also found out some years later that the full face mask that I'd been sold by the initial Sleep Study place was a model that had been obsolete for a few years before they sold it to me. I suspect that they were pushing that style of mask on people to get the old stock off their shelves, as I had no medical reason for needing a full face or nasal covering mask.

    In 2006 my Doctor referred me to a different Sleep Study place for re-assessment. The new Sleep Study place seemed far better equipped and far more willing to work with me to overcome the problems. The new sleep study place immediately put me on a Nasal Pillow style CPAP Mask. This type of mask is very light and much smaller than the other types of mask. I'm on my third nasal cushion mask now, having worn out the previous ones over a peiod of eight years. I currently use a Resmed Airfit Mask http://1800cpap.com/resmed-airfit-p1...llow-mask.aspx.

    The Nasal cushion masks only contact the face via two small nozzles that fit into the nostrils. I've never had a rash problem with the nasal cushion masks. The straps on the nasal cushion masks only hold the mask in position - the straps (on the Resmed ones anyway) don't need to be pulled tight. To get a seal, the small nozzles on the mask that fit into each nostril are inflated gently by the CPAP air pressure, making a comfortable seal between the mask and the nostrils. The first night that I used a Nasal Cushion style mask was the first night (after two years of trying other masks) that I finally managed to sleep right through all night on the CPAP machine.

    There may be a medical reason for them recommending that you use a Full Face style mask, (e.g. You actually use BiPAP not CPAP, You have damaged nasal passages, You need very high CPAP pressures, etc) in which case your options may be limited. I'd suggest going back to them and asking whether a Nasal Pillow style mask (some brands call them "Nasal Cushion Masks") would be suitable for you. If they say that there's a medical reason, then get a second opinion. In any case, go back to them and tell them about the problems that you're having. The Sleep Study place should be prepared to work with you to help you overcome the problems. If not, then ask you GP to refer you to a different Sleep Study specialist/place.

    I hope that you get this sorted out, as if you are anything like me, you'll feel much better once you're using the CPAP machine successfully all night, and the various symption of uncontrolled sleep aponea start disappearing.

    Regards,

    Roy
    Manufacturer of the Finest Quality Off-Cuts.

  5. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Little Boxes View Post
    Hi all,

    I've been recently diagnosed with sleep apnoea & at present have a hire machine but I have bought the mask & tube.
    The mask is a Resmed Quattro.

    I,m having a lot of hassles with the mask, as it's gets very uncomfortable after a while & I have to remove it so as to get to sleep.
    Having tried a number of different arrangements, I'm finding that the mask is causing an allergic reaction with my skin to the point of me having to remove the mask.

    With my job I had to do CPR training regularly, & when I used the supplied mask then, I always finished up with rashy red lips which persisted for a few days. They blamed it on the Latex mask.

    However I'm told that most of the medical equiptment these days uses silicon instead of Latex.

    I'm wondering if there are other users of CPAP masks having the same problem, & if there is a known solution to it. Not using a mask is not an option for me.

    Regards

    Alan
    Whatever you do don't use any kind of steroid cream on the rashes you're getting from these materials. They'll set you up for long term problems.
    Innovations are those useful things that, by dint of chance, manage to survive the stupidity and destructive tendencies inherent in human nature.

  6. #5
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    I'm with Roy and had trouble with the first mask. Different to Roy being I slept for twelve hours for the first two nights. My mask ate a whole across the bridge of my nose. In the end moved onto a nasal pillow and haven't looked back. Am on my second machine and third pillow after some seven to eight years.

  7. #6
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    I have been using my Cpap machine for probably 15 years. Getting the right mask configuration was something that took a while. I ended up with a nasal mask the has the "feed pipe" coming down from my forehead. It was the most comfortable and didn't get tangled up when I turn over.
    Getting used to using the thing was frustrating. I initially felt I was being suffocated! I am on my second Fisher Paykel machine and I too was a subject of "use the the old stock on the shelf" deal. I used a Resmed machine for a week and it gave me a lot better sleep than the Fisher Paykel.
    I am at the point now that I can't sleep without the machine! If I do i wake up feel half dead.
    This summer has been unusually humid and hot at night and I have had maybe a heat rash that is mainly confined to just behind the ears. Itching and scaly and sometimes small pimpuls. I changed the brand of hair shampoo which has fixed the irritation for now at least.
    I asked the GP if I should do another study but he reckoned if everything was OK there was no need. So I still not sure if I should push the point or not. It would have to be 6 or 7 years since the last one.
    Yes they are a pin in the A*** to use and yes it not convenient, but I do sleep a full uninterrupted night's sleep.
    To some up with your set up Alan ...persevere. I didn't think I would ever get used to it, but I did
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  8. #7
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    It's bloody awful when you get a power outage. You tend to wake up really fast looking for air. I and everybody else in the house cannot sleep if the Resmed stops.

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by old1955 View Post
    It's bloody awful when you get a power outage. You tend to wake up really fast looking for air. I and everybody else in the house cannot sleep if the Resmed stops.
    The sudden wake-up when the power goes off was a real problem for me. When the power goes off, I wake up with such a fright that I don't get back to sleep for hours. I live on a rural block and power outages are frequent; almost every storm that comes through seems to kill the system, and at least once a week a possum or whatever will get on the lines somewhere and bang - there goes the power again - and there goes another possum. Most outages are only momentary or maybe 30 seconds whilst the electricity distribution system resets itself, but the problem with most CPAP machines is that they do not automatically restart when the power comes back on. So even if the power outage only lasts a few seconds, you're still going to be woken.

    I solved the problem about a year ago by buying a small 600 va Uninterrupted Power Supply designed for providing uninterrupted backup power to desktop computers. Cost me about $90, and it keeps my Respironics CPAP machine running for about 10 hours when the power goes off. Happy sleeps - no more waking up when another possum tops himself on the power lines. For anyone who doesn't know what the Uninterrupted Power Supplies are, the following is a link to the one that I bought (http://www.computeralliance.com.au/600va-cyberpower-value600ei-au-ups-save-$20) as an example.

    Regards,

    Roy
    Manufacturer of the Finest Quality Off-Cuts.

  10. #9
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    Hi Everyone,

    Many thanks for your replies & the valuable information you have shared. It's encouraging to note that other people have been through similar issues with face masks. The full face mask was the only type shown to me & as a result it seemed like a good choice at the time.

    The process of getting the equiptment, in my case, had to be done in a very short space of time, with limited knowledge on my behalf.
    I usually thoroughly research gear that I need, especially when it is unfamiliar to me, but in this case I didn't have the time to do so.

    However thanks to the information that you all have shared, I am going to look into your suggestions & intend to finish up with a positive outcome.

    The Nasal Pillow style mask certainly looks interesting.

    Regards,

    Alan

  11. #10
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    witch mask do you prefer?, i did my sleep apnea sleep in hospital last night with snore australia, and the guy doing I said it would have to be the worst case he has seen in his entire career,stopping for up to 2 1/2 mins and stopping/pausing every minute ,so when i wake up ,he said in theory i havent actually had any real sleep at all,no wonder i nodd off any time of day,looking forward to getting this sorted out ,have put up with it for maybe ten years,hope you get your mask allergie sorted.bob

  12. #11
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    just a comment.

    had the full overnight, wired up sleep study about 4 months ago.

    upshot of the study was:
    1. lose 10 kg of weight
    2. reduce the stress levels

    and I won't need a CPAP machine.
    working on #1 (first target is sub 95kg, then aiming to stabilise at sub-90kg), and have almost fully achieved #2.

    Now sleeping much better, and SWMBO says my snoring is starting to disappear


    just my experience
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  13. #12
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    Hi Robyn 2839,

    I'm using the ResMed Quattro Full face mask, ResMed AirSense 10 machine, ResMed Climate Line Air heated tubing. I need to use a full face mask because of the high pressures I require.
    The Ramp Time is set to Auto, with Pressure starting at 4 to a max of 20.
    AHI's are now usually anywhere between 2.5 - 7.5.

    When I did my first sleep test at home my AHI was 52.

    About 6 months after starting using the above equipment, I started to get more comfortable with it to the point where I'm not having the previous issues with the mask as much.
    As I suffer with chronic mouth ulcers, I don't use the mask when i have them as it's too uncomfortable to wear.
    However I can now use the mask almost all night, every night without hassles. Occasionally I remove it after a short period of time, but generally it's all good.

    I now consult with my local Sleep GP who is excellent & when I took my SD Card in a couple of months ago for her to download to check my results, she was amazed at how good the results were & that I'm certainly benefiting from using the CPAP machine.

    I still don't get the "WOW" feeling when I wake up, but I can certainly notice a positive difference from when I use the machine compared to when I don't use it.


    Regards

    Alan

  14. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Little Boxes View Post
    Hi Robyn 2839,

    I'm using the ResMed Quattro Full face mask, ResMed AirSense 10 machine, ResMed Climate Line Air heated tubing. I need to use a full face mask because of the high pressures I require.
    The Ramp Time is set to Auto, with Pressure starting at 4 to a max of 20.
    AHI's are now usually anywhere between 2.5 - 7.5.

    When I did my first sleep test at home my AHI was 52.

    About 6 months after starting using the above equipment, I started to get more comfortable with it to the point where I'm not having the previous issues with the mask as much.
    As I suffer with chronic mouth ulcers, I don't use the mask when i have them as it's too uncomfortable to wear.
    However I can now use the mask almost all night, every night without hassles. Occasionally I remove it after a short period of time, but generally it's all good.

    I now consult with my local Sleep GP who is excellent & when I took my SD Card in a couple of months ago for her to download to check my results, she was amazed at how good the results were & that I'm certainly benefiting from using the CPAP machine.

    I still don't get the "WOW" feeling when I wake up, but I can certainly notice a positive difference from when I use the machine compared to when I don't use it.


    Regards

    Alan
    ,my test results said my oxygen level was 60% and my pressure required was 19 so my unit (resmed) is set at 10 start then after ramp time its 20 which is rather high when not used to it ,i have a full face mask devillbiss or something like that ,i am quite used to it now but it took a while,spoke to snore australia about using a nasal pillow ,so last week i had to do the sleep study again to work out a pressure which is usually 8-10 lower than with a face mask (for me anyway) so the pressure i now have will be 9 as soon as my mask arrives,googled how to reset pressure on my machine so i will change it myself, back to the CPAP,i used to wake up in the morning ,awake for about 2 hours then nod off watching tv or whatever i was doing ,didnt matter where i was ,i could be sitting up at the table zzzzz, then in the afternoon zzzzzz for about three hours, have dinner some computer till midnight ,then zzzzzz till 8 next morning,i even fell asleep in the shower ,feet wedged one side of shower bum the other ,only woke up when the hot water ran out ,now after i started on CPAP i havent had one sleep during the day for about 5 weeks.......bob

    i have been using mine for 5 weeks now

  15. #14
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    Out of interest I came across this when I was researching 3D printing and wondered if it would be better than a mask, tubes etc or if it is only a questionable answer to sleep apnoea....

    Treatment for snoring and sleep-disordered breathing |Oventus Clearway Device
    CHRIS

  16. #15
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    Alan,
    I was diagnosed with sleep apnoea in 2005 and used two Resmed CPAP machines - the smaller machines as we do a reasonable amount of travel. After a couple of years and a couple of soft pillow and 'half face' masks I enquired of my dentist the feasibility of having a splint fitted. This is simply a mouth guard in two pieces, top and bottom, connected by a hook on the top guard slotted into a slot on the bottom one. It can be adjusted by means of a screw that moves the hook backward or forward. The idea is that the splint holds the jaws in such a position that airflow is not restricted at least not totally so. The cost was around $800 in 2009 and it was worth the money. It may not be as effective as a properly adjusted CPAP machine but it is at least 85% effective and I am not trussed up by tubes and harnesses etc. As for our travels, I do not have to find a power point to plug in the machine nor do I have to squeeze it into my luggage and taking up some of our precious weight limit.

    However, these devices do not work for everyone so it is a bit of a gamble and in my case it worked. Also, although these can be bought online through the internet I believe the best option is to have it made and fitted by dental professionals.

    Worth considering especially if using masks causes skin irritations.

    Cheers

    KenM

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