Face pain

[Pkmaceri]

Hi.

I have been using an APAP for almost two years. The longest I have been able to keep it on in a single night is 4.5 hours, my typical time is 1 hour or less. After trying multiple pressure and humidity settings, using non-heated and heated tubes, I believe it is due to pain that I experience from the mask. I have tried the entire line of the Phillips dreamwear, as well as several Resmed masks both nasal and full face but I can’t get the pain to stop. I have also been through several types of memory foam and picked foam pillows. At this point I’m not sure what to try. Any advice?

I’m using a Phillips Dreamstation.

Thanks!

[Pugsy]

Where on your face is the pain you are experiencing?

[Pkmaceri]

Full face aggravates my TMJ. Nasal is typically at the base of the nose, upper gum line, and between my eyes.

[LG34]

I have TMJ and some issues that may be attributed to sleep apnea not diagnosed early enough. I use nasal pillows. I've only tried a full face mask once and it hurt the bridge of my nose. The nasal pillows help me sleep with my mouth closed. I have a night guard/splint TMJ. Hope this helps.

[Julie]

If you are wearing masks too tight (not a good thing for therapy anyway) you may well feel pain... have you tried wearing them looser? If you have leaks as a result, there are ways to deal with them besides overtightening.

[Pkmaceri]

Definitely a good idea! I have tried leaving the headgear looser and i can’t seem to find a loose setting that doesn’t leak air and wake me up. To remedy that, I have tried both Vaseline and lanolin which doesn’t seem to help all that much.

Definitely accepting any and all suggestions!

[Julie]

I'd start by looking at Padacheek.com liners - they deal with small leaks and soften the frame so you don't end up with marks all over.

And if you do have time, look at a million masks - a good dealer will have some on hand and e.g. Cpap.com (forum hosts) will give 'return' insce on tryouts (see site for details). Just remember to try on full face ones lying down because your face changes a lot then.

[Jack Burton]

I believe it is due to pain that I experience from the mask.

It sounds like you are not certain.

[Pkmaceri]

Thanks Julie! I’ll give those a try.

[chunkyfrog]

Have you tried the cloth masks by Sleepweaver? I suggest Elan and Advance.
They are very light, and very soft on the face, though a bit tricky to learn to use.
A bit of work, but well worth the effort.

[Pkmaceri]

Have you tried the cloth masks by Sleepweaver? I suggest Elan and Advance.
They are very light, and very soft on the face, though a bit tricky to learn to use.
A bit of work, but well worth the effort.

They look fantastic! I’ll add it to my list of things to try. Thanks!

[Pkmaceri]

I believe it is due to pain that I experience from the mask.

It sounds like you are not certain.

I’m not certain at all, but to me it is the most obvious side effect of treatment. I imagine if the mask issue gets settled something else like pressure is bound to come up. This is just my current step in a long line of steps.

[Jas_williams]

I believe it is due to pain that I experience from the mask.

It sounds like you are not certain.

I’m not certain at all, but to me it is the most obvious side effect of treatment. I imagine if the mask issue gets settled something else like pressure is bound to come up. This is just my current step in a long line of steps.

CPAP is a journey you keep knocking things down and do the best you can, one day you realise you’ve been doing this for a number of years and you try and sleep without the devices etc.. and wake up feeling awful only then do you realise how far you have come