New update. Still not great. :( Added OSCAR

[Trainer4346]

Apr 24: Got a new mask. I went from cradle to pillow type to help side sleeping. It really seemed to be fitting well. Instead I have about the same events as dx. 21. (Dx 28). My husband said I was snoring. I did wake up twice but not sure if that was CPAP or just insomnia type wakeup. Mouth tape my next try?

Prior UPDATE HERE: I admit this is mostly a rant but ranting is more therapeutic for me than CPAP at the moment ..
So here I am 1 week in. But note: I've been on vacation. I am trying to be committed but this is really hard and making me sad. I started last week and maybe I should've just waited but I really wanted to be all in. So I packed the effing thing and took it on the plane and did all the things. Until last night. I didn't use it. I can't say I feel any better or worse for it but I woke up stuffy today. Idk what that means.

My newest struggle that finally sent the thing flying ( as in ripping it off my face and throwing it on the floor) was the cold exhaust stream up toward my eyes. I don't have a satin sleep mask so I tried covering my eyes with a shirt to no avail.

I have dx 28.3 ahi so I'm not mild. I need to keep going. The other current bother is the air feels cold going in even though I have the heat pretty high. The mask leaks if I try to side sleep which is one ( of many) of my preferred positions I will typically cycle through. So I guess if anyone can talk me off the ledge a bit...

[ChicagoGranny]

You might already know that getting the right mask and getting it to work properly is most often the hardest part. Watch some youtube videos on fitting, adjusting and using your mask model. Some of the videos are very good.

stream up toward my eyes

Was this air coming from the vents? Or was it coming from leaks?

BTW, it's best to use one thread during the "break-in" period. It allows members to easily see your history including what has and hasn't been tried.

[Trainer4346]

Thanks for responding @chicagogranny! The eye issue is the vent. I'm going to have to add a satin eye mask to the web of straps I've already got around my head.

The leak while on my side usually occurs on the top. As in, to the side of ceiling side nostril. Then it really blows onto my eye!. But sometimes the seal seems ok. I tuck my chin sometimes so I could get a collar but I didn't think that was an issue with nasal only full face. I think mouth breathing is minimal but I have not yet taken a dive into Oscar. So I may be doing less well than the device's minimal data suggests.

As for the single thread, I originally tried that but didn't see any responses so that's when I thought I'd better do a new one to get on the top.

Anywho...someone tell me this will work out because I was so hopeful! Even if my device and MyAir app say I'm doing "great!" I know I'm waking up all the time to adjust and definitely not feeling the fabled ultimate rest I keep hoping for!

[ChicagoGranny]

Did you study some youtube videos? https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... +cpap+mask

[booksfan]

Anywho...someone tell me this will work out because I was so hopeful! Even if my device and MyAir app say I'm doing "great!" I know I'm waking up all the time to adjust and definitely not feeling the fabled ultimate rest I keep hoping for!

Yes, it will work! As CG said, finding the right mask can be difficult. It could be that the mask you are using is not fitted properly, perhaps try watching fit videos as suggested. Always a good idea when starting with a new mask. Or it could be that it is not the right mask for you. You may need to try other masks. Would your DME help you explore other options?

It took me 14 months and I tried about 18-20 masks. I was extremely fortunate to have a good DME, a rarity. They allowed me to try about a dozen masks the first month, and I finally settled for the least objectionable. After that, I would purchase about a mask per month (on my own dime), trying to find something better. I am a restless stomach/side sleeper. The air blowing into my eyes from the exhaust and/or mask leaks was so bad that I eventually had to see a dry eye specialist. It had gotten to the point I was unable to drive, could barely read, knit, watch TV, etc. Once the Bleep finally came out (I was practically stalking them, trying to get an early version! ), it solved all the problems I was having and I've not looked back. I am now using the updated Eclipse version, and am fortunate enough (fingers crossed it continues!) NOT to have had any problems with Halos coming off the adhesive during the night. You WILL find the right mask for you, and once you do, I honestly think you will find things so much better! Good luck on your search!

[Miss Emerita]

Just a thought, but you might do better with a nasal pillow mask. The pillows kind of anchor the interface in place. Maybe a ResMed P10? Or if you want more structure, maybe an Aloha? And booksfan has mentioned the Bleep. Take a look at it on line to see whether you think it might work for you. I don't get along so well with the new Halo Bleeps, but I'm absolutely wedded to the original Bleep.

[Trainer4346]

Thanks all for the support. I'll keep you posted!

[Trainer4346]

Since there are soooo many mask choices, any that seem to do better for side sleepers? My current one shifts and leaks.

[robysue1]

Since there are soooo many mask choices, any that seem to do better for side sleepers? My current one shifts and leaks.

I sleep on my side most of the time, and I go back and forth between the Resmed Swift FX nasal pillow mask and the Resmed P10 nasal pillow mask.

With both masks I find that I get a better mask seal when I use an asymmetric strap tightening. In other words, I find that I typically need the strap on one side of my head fastened loser than the other side. And I also find that I do need to keep both masks adjusted pretty loosely.

[RogerSC]

Since there are soooo many mask choices, any that seem to do better for side sleepers? My current one shifts and leaks.

I'm also a side sleeper, and find it difficult to find masks that don't leak too much with that sideways pressure from a pillow. I've been having good success lately with the AirFit N30, another nasal cradle mask like your Dreamwear. It's much lighter and quieter than the Dreamwear and it also doesn't shoot that strong stream of air out the nasal cushion due to having a vent air diffuser arrangement. It's taken me some time to get the leaks from this one in hand. Somewhere around 5 to 12 liters/minute leak at this point, good enough. And really like that it isn't bulky, so much easier to travel with. Pretty comfortable for me.

One to try anyways. But masks are so personal, you pretty much just need to try a mask to see if it works for you. A mask that works for me may not work for you, so other's recommendations are just a starting point. I did fine with the Dreamwear for a couple of years, but finally got tired of the bulk and the vent air stream. I find that I have to have the nasal cradle masks a little tighter than most due to the side sleeping, but they're comfortable enough that it isn't a problem for me. And now that my nasal openings aren't symmetrical anymore, about the only choice that works for me.

[Trainer4346]

Apr 24: Got a new mask. I went from cradle to pillow type to help side sleeping. It really seemed to be fitting well. Instead I have about the same events as dx. 21. (Dx 28). My husband said I was snoring. I did wake up twice but not sure if that was CPAP or just insomnia type wakeup. Mouth tape my next try?

Apr 28. Tried the tape. I woke up at about 1:30 as usual. The bottom of my nose felt irritated so I took off the tape and applied lanolin and went back to bed without CPAP. I'm not sure if it was the bottom of pillow mask or top edge of tape. (It's the CVS sensitive skin blueish tape). Tonight I will try an X application with the tape instead of the super sealed 'hostage' style. I really want to finally sleep through the night. That's my goal but it feels so unreachable. Fwiw when I shut off the device at 1:30 it said 4.x events not 21 like the night before so there's that. Open to any words of advice or encouragement.

[ChicagoGranny]

Did you ever watch some youtube videos on fitting and adjusting your mask?

[Trainer4346]

Yep! I watched a lot from lankylefty.

[ChicagoGranny]

Yep! I watched a lot from lankylefty.

He gets sucked into nonsense at times.

[Miss Emerita]

No specific advice, but you're doing a great job of experimentation and problem-solving. That kind of attitude, plus a little patience, will get you where you want to be.