One of the best products I found to aid mask comfort is REMzzz mask liners. They figure out to $1.00 ea. You just lay it on the mask and it will insulate your face from the Silicone Cushion.
They suggest one use per liner - But that is total BS. Wash it with my mask each morning and reuse. I use nylon mesh bags for the Liners and Strap during weekly washing machine cleaning.

REMzzz used to offer 6 for a Free Trial but I don't see that offered anymore.

Look into Mask Liners and you may be very tempted to give them a try.

I will get some liners. I tried to clean mine today . Does the silicon cusion actually come off the large part of plastic face mask? My seller said to wash that daily but I don’t see that it comes off. Also, do you guys wash your mask etc daily ?

The silicone and mask come apart into about 3 pieces. I usually clean mine once they start getting oily and gross. They say to clean daily but my wife and i go a month or so before a thorough cleaning. Its pretty easy, just pop out the silicone and retainer and hand wash with some soapy water. They should have some directions on how to take apart, there so many variations it would be impossible to give you any here.

I had my second night in the Resmed air curve 10 BiPap. It was a little easier than the first. All the input here has really helped. I have one more question for users of similar machines. When the air flows in for inhale, does the mask, especially the silicone seal, normally pulse out and in as the pressure increases and decreases?
Thank you again for the help. This is a huge life-change for me to be leashed to an air pump . The alternative is a possible shortened life-span and have little sleep. Last night I only had to get up twice for the bathroom. I’m guessing my urologist was correct that my heart was working harder due to dropped oxygen levels causing my kidneys to filter more blood causing more output. ( not to mention my BPH.)

I use a nasal pillow and don't notice the silicone seal pulse, but I've been using it for over 18 years so probably wouldn't notice anymore.

The newer machines like yours do a great job of getting in synch with your inhale and exhale cycle.

As far as getting up to pee, I'll share from one of my sleep doctors (I move every few years so I've had a few) that is different than what your urologist said. He told me that I'd see a large decrease or complete elimination of getting up to pee in the middle of the night. He said the reason was the apnea was what was actually waking me up and my foggy brain was coming to the incorrect conclusion that it was my bladder. He was right and I went from getting up several times a night to only a couple times a year. I've been drinking a gallon a water a day for over 20 years so my kidneys are processing the same amount of water and the difference is that my apnea is under control so I don't need to pee until I get up for the day.

Like Tatortodd I use the nasal pillows so I don't have the pulse seal issue of a full face mask, if it's an issue ask your doc to send over a nasal pillow style to try.

With those you can get a slight leak if you shift it out of position, but over time you deal with it, the response to correct is automatic

And yes no more 3am pee runs...

I have a resmed cpap and use the full face cushion as I think I tend to be more of a mouth breather. When I was getting fitted I tried the nasal cushion and could not stand when I opened my mouth and had a change of pressure.

When adjusting the straps they should be just tight enough to keep the mask in place when sitting upright. If you notice they tighten when you lay you head back.

Greetings,
This week marks my 4 year anniversary with my ResMed AirCurve 10 Bi-Pap.
I'm quite confident the main reason I'm alive to type this is because of this machine and my Pulmonary Doctor's support. I have used this machine for 4 straight years NOT missing one night. Not one. I have never been on it less than six hours each night, even with mini power outages.
My AHI was at 71.0 events per hour when I had my sleep study. My sleep patterns were a wreck, and it greatly disrupted my wife's sleep too. Even had a tendency to fall asleep driving. I feared I would eventually have a car accident, or worse, injure or kill someone else. My blood dissolved O2 was getting as low as 68%. I would many times wake up gasping for air literally feeling like I was suffocating. Falling asleep in a chair when having a conversation with someone. Embarrasing.

My initial machine settings were 23/19 cm H2O. Yes, at the upper end of the machine capability. Two years ago, after losing about 50 pounds (308 to 258), my Doctor lowered my settings to 20/16. I just looked at my annual report; I review my 30 day, 90 day, and annual report daily, and my leakage is 3.2 liters per minute, my AHI is 0.32, and my average sleep time is 7 hours and 50 minutes, for the last 364 days. My BP has dropped, along with improved diet, from about 160 over 95 or so to now about 120 over 75. I use the full 40 minutes ramp time, set my temperature at 78 Degrees and have the humidity at 8. I have maintained these settings for 4 straight years. I use a full reservoir of water each night with these settings, but too sometimes wake up with dry mouth and/or burping or 'gassy'. Minimal side-effects and simple sacrifice to enjoy such awesome sleep and better health each night.
Again, I'm thankful to be alive with this machine, and with other behavioral and diet changes, I want as many years as the LORD will give me to hold my grandbabies and my Patient and Precious wife of 39 years.

One regret . . . I wish I had done the sleep studies and gone on this machine many decades ago.

I wish good fortune to my fellow Bi-Pap and C-Pap users here at Sigforum!

I really appreciate the background of your dealing with apnea. The one standout of folks on this forum who use Cpap or BiPap machines is the level of empathy expressed in the posts. It’s an incredible experience for me. These posts offer me encouragement and hope. I read that to a man, everyone here who uses a machine says it has been a life-changing experience.
I only had 8.6 events an hour but I also have developed an enlarged heart and murmur. I know the apnea was shortening my life. Last night my machine says I had fewer than two per hour.
I’m not really enjoying wearing the mask but I will adjust. I’m aware of the alternative. The posters on this thread have taught me a lot through pointers and personal stories . I’m in it for the long hall.

quote:

I’m not really enjoying wearing the mask but I will adjust. I’m aware of the alternative.

Stick with it, the time will come you'll forget all about having the mask on, and you won't be able to sleep well without it...

Well, it seems nothing goes smoothly . I got the BiPap, followed the suggestions given here, slept better , got up fewer times, etc. after three nights my teeth wouldn’t even touch in order to eat breakfast. My left jaw hurt bad. I have had TMJ all of my life . I got an appliance several years ago and my TMJ had practically vanished. Still had some clicking but I rarely noticed it for the past year . The Resmed face mask,f20, has resurrected my TMJ with a vengeance. I have ordered the Air Touch memory foam model hoping it would not have to be fitted as tightly . I have contacted my dentist and my sleep doctor and am waiting in calls from them .
Meanwhile , I want to stop using the BiPap for o cilia reason. I can’t chew well, have jaw pain, and even have a little lisp now. I have to use this machine for 30 consecutive nights within a 90 day period or medicAre stops paying and I have to start the sleep study process all over again .
I need sound advice soon. Thank you .

Inspire. https://www.inspiresleep.com/e...d7BNTkcaAvu3EALw_wcB
MEDICARE WILL COVER SINCE YOU FAILED CPAP

quote:

Originally posted by Bentonville:
Well, it seems nothing goes smoothly . I got the BiPap, followed the suggestions given here, slept better , got up fewer times, etc. after three nights my teeth wouldn’t even touch in order to eat breakfast. My left jaw hurt bad. I have had TMJ all of my life . I got an appliance several years ago and my TMJ had practically vanished. Still had some clicking but I rarely noticed it for the past year . The Resmed face mask,f20, has resurrected my TMJ with a vengeance. I have ordered the Air Touch memory foam model hoping it would not have to be fitted as tightly . I have contacted my dentist and my sleep doctor and am waiting in calls from them .
Meanwhile , I want to stop using the BiPap for o cilia reason. I can’t chew well, have jaw pain, and even have a little lisp now. I have to use this machine for 30 consecutive nights within a 90 day period or medicAre stops paying and I have to start the sleep study process all over again .
I need sound advice soon. Thank you .

That sounds rough.

I don't have TMJ, but did Google that mask. It looks horrible for somebody with TMJ.

Are you wearing your TMJ appliance with your mask?

Myself and others in this thread are nasal pillow users. If you can keep your mouth sealed, it'd definitely wouldn't aggravate your TMJ as nothing touches any part of your jaw. My setpoints are higher than yours and my AHI is less than 1 using a nasal pillow. I'm probably on my 6th or 7th model of nasal pillow as manufacturers change models and DME providers piss me off. Currently I have a ResMed AirFit P10 and am happy with it.

Do you have a copy of your durable medical equipment (e.g. CPAP accessories)? If not, call your doc and ask for it. The reason I say that is twofold:

{Now} My local CVS has CPAP equipment on-site and with my DME prescription I could have a whole new headgear and mask set-up on the spot. Might have to fight with insurance later, but if I was misearable I'd buy it today and fight insurance later.

{Future} If you ever travel, and lose or forget part of your equipment you're screwed. I now carry mine with me when I travel as I detailed here.

---

Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

I'll again repeat what I posted earlier. Looks like you started less than 30 days ago. As such most all DME providers will issue you a new different mask FREE if the first one out of the gate sucks (which is your case) within 30 days. ASK!

get a different mask, the ResMed AirFit that was mentioned or something similar ie Pillows, and you may find you jaw issue goes away.

Here is a link where you can see different styles, I've been using the Opus 360 for 15 plus years, I sleep on my side, and turn a few times, so this model puts the hose over the top of my head not across my chest. Tucking the hose behind a pillow I can flip flop sides and not have the tube under an arm or side.

If you are a back sleep person and don't toss much than any of the pillow devices should work well.

Link

I hope to see the respiratory therapist this week. I’ll ask about getting the 360. I have 30 days to change as far as out-of-pocket expense. Thank you for the suggestions .

It took me 4 masks until I found the one that worked best for me.