New mask

[NOTSOBIGJOE]

Hello, This is Joe from Florida. I'm new to CPAP usage and have a couple of questions. I have a ResMed11.
I am at the one month mark and still not feeling the affects of a good nights sleep. I have a score on my ResMed phone link in the 70's to 90's so I think I'm doing everything correctly I'm just dead tired. I am a tossing and turning sleeper because of lower back Stenosis, so I'm never really comfortable. I measured for medium size cushion for the full face mask on my f20 mask unit. Some nights I pull it so tight I have to take it off half way through the night. I also use a chin strap and I wear plastic retainers as well so dry mouth is an issue. I'm a nose and mouth breather as well. I am constantly adjusting the mask so it doesn't blow are into my eyes. I do not have a beard. I am cleaning the unit and accessories every night as well.
My question is,
Should I get another mask like this one that states it's for people like me. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... k-headgear
Thank you so much in advance for any advice you all can give and please forgive my slow response as I work all day.
Joe

[Julie]

What are your settings?

[NOTSOBIGJOE]

Ramp time, Auto
Pressure relief, On
Humidity level, 5 I have tried all the way up and off.
Mask setting, Full face
Tube, standard
Smart start, on
Smart stop, on
Mask check at bedtime always says good

[ChicagoGranny]

Which mask are you using? The N20 is a nasal mask, not a full face mask.

[NOTSOBIGJOE]

F20, Sorry!

[chunkyfrog]

It took me around 3 months to find my groove.
This is not uncommon.
Hang in there!

[ChicagoGranny]

Some nights I pull it so tight I have to take it off half way through the night.

CPAP masks are not designed to be worn tightly. Watch some YouTube videos about the proper use of the F20.

I'm a nose and mouth breather as well.

It's a good idea to have an ENT evaluate your nasal airway.

[NOTSOBIGJOE]

Thank you all so much for your input. I didn't want to post this but here goes. I have been under the care of an ENT for 40 years with meniers disease, profound hearing loss and vertigo. That combined with my lower spinal Stenosis with the "Burning of the nerve" every six months as well as the clogged artery in the back of my neck is pretty much the reason for me being here. I've got some problems. I guess my long winded original question didn't ask what I wanted to ask, and that is, is there a quick fix for the new CPAP user. There isn't. I am getting used to it but I am extremely tired. My wife says I don't snore anymore but sleeping with Darth Vader has replaced the snoring. I love the forum and will participate. I'm going to get the better mask. Thank you all so very much, Joe

[yonchee1]

Hello Joe, I have used the Resmed F20 Airtouch for over two years, it worked for me until I switched
to the new F40 mask, this mask is super soft and pliable giving me a good seal. I have a well trimmed beard
and this mask fits my face great. I find my breathing to be more consistent using the F40. Checkout the reviews
on YouTube to see for yourself. Thanks for posting!!

[NOTSOBIGJOE]

Hello Joe, I have used the Resmed F20 Airtouch for over two years, it worked for me until I switched
to the new F40 mask, this mask is super soft and pliable giving me a good seal. I have a well trimmed beard
and this mask fits my face great. I find my breathing to be more consistent using the F40. Checkout the reviews
on YouTube to see for yourself. Thanks for posting!!

Thank you for the post. I received the Mirage quattro 4 days ago and have been wearing it for the last three nights with amazing success. I slept uninterrupted for 5 hours the first night, 6 hours the second and 6.5 last night. With the F20 I was getting about 5 hours a night but very sporadically. Never really getting sleep but just dozing. The mask itself is hard plastic and will not be a match for many users but for me it's a match. There is a vent at the top of the mask between the eyes that vents air constantly straight out to prevent blowing into my eyes. It works! There is an adjuster knob rite above that vent that can easily be adjusted when the air starts blowing into the eyes. It is connected to a piece of plastic that sticks to your forehead and is held in place by a strap around the top of my head and suction cups. The low side of the mask is the same and goes around my neck and attaches behind my head to each other. I can easily fit my chin strap under these straps and I use the soft cushion material that goes around the bottom straps that make my cheeks pretty happy. Although by far it is not as comfortable as the f20 it works very well for me and my tossing and turning. I also bought one of those CPAP pillows and although not very impressive it does serve a purpose as a read in bed type of thing because it's very firm and supports my head for reading and tv but as soon as I start snoozing I switch back.

This is what I needed to get started and I am pleased with all of it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4LJXQPB?ps ... ct_details
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/contou ... llow-cover
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/cpapol ... tector-mat
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pad-a- ... mask-cover
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/snuggl ... tube-cover

[MyIdaho]

Congratulations! Sounds like you found a great mask fit! My first mask was the Mirage Quattro and I still use it, great fit for me! Happy sleeping in your cpap journey!

[NOTSOBIGJOE]

I got a score of "87" last night on the MyAir app. Not as good as the night before with a score of "100". I loosened the straps last night for the first time and it didn't work out well with 5.1 events per hour but with 8 hours of actual sleep. The night before with my score of "100" I had 0.4 events an hour with 7.5 hours sleep. Finding my groove is going to take some time. On a good note my wife says that I am pleasant for the first time since I stated my diet some ten years ago. LOL