Mask help for a new side sleeping mouth breathing CPAP user

Great web site and forums! I did a forum search, but of course couldn't find the dead-on perfect topic that deals with my myriad of challenges. I've been on CPAP for a week, and have had mixed results ranging from a night that went pretty well to a night when the wifey got up and headed for the couch at 4AM because I was opening my mouth and making all sorts of funky noises. The tech that came to my house, who was already over a half-hour late, didn't seem to have much interest in having me try multiple types of masks, instead focusing on a nasal pillow style after learning I am a mouth-breathing side sleeper and commenting on my nose size being a challenge. I've used the nasal pillow with and without the separate chin closing strap thing, but it doesn't seem to be as effective as the simple nasal mask that was used for my sleep study, and which I was allowed to take home. That has worked better, and I seem to open my mouth less with it, but I can't help thinking that a full-face mask, possibly with one of those special CPAP pillows, might not be my best bet.

So, here are my "challenges"-- I'm a side sleeper that moves from side to side every 1-2 hours, predominantly a mouth breather, fairly regular stuffy nose (and slightly deviated septum), goatee but no moustache - perhaps offset by a weak chin, and fairly large/long but not wide schnoz.

From what I've found in the forums so far it sounds like the Zzz-mask and Mirage Quattro might be good options to try since I am apparently within a 30-day return period for my current nasal pillow. Some forums have stated that these masks have sealed well for guys with beards, and it sounds like the CPAP pillows might make a good combination with such masks so as to avoid the mask getting knocked out of position or being uncomfortable when sleeping on the side.

Any advice or insights anyone can offer would be much appreciated!

Except for the Goatee, your situation sounds like mine.

So far, the best solution that I have is the Quattro FFM with a PapCap. I just got an Anti-Leak strap from PadaCheek and it looks promising (I hope that it may be cooler in the summer than the PapCap).

I am also playing around with a F&P HC431 but so far haven't found the "sweet setup".

Lurk around here and I'm sure that others will share their "secrets"

It's a super source of info for us "newbs" (I haven't been here or on CPAP for long either ).

Welcome to the "club".

Cheers,

Dave

I found the Hybrid worked best. It is more flexible for face shape. My quatro used to move over and leak if I didn't arrange the pillow just right.

I am 100% a side sleeper and have to keep turning over regularly during the night. I am also a serious mouth breather -- my kids make fun of me when I fall asleep in my chair because my mouth drops open!!

The ONLY mask that I have had success with is the F&P 431. It took me forever to get it "just right" but now that I have, I do fairly well with it. I tried a cpap pillow, but hated it. I just couldn't get comfortable with it.

I prefer Breeze nasal pillows mask for side sleeping. There is nothing on the side of the face. Best to get it from a DME that does a fitting. There also is a nasal mask attachment (Dreamseal).

Breeze products on Cpap.com:
https://www.cpap.com/productSearch.php? ... perpage=20

I used to be a mouth breather pre-CPAP but the pressure through the nasal pillows mask keeps my mouth shut.

I have a goatee and mustache, don't shave every day, so, have stubble most of the time. I use the Mirage Quattro full face mask and am a side sleeper. I have a small, flat pillow that I use on top of my regular pillow(s). I can bunch up the small pillow just right to fit with my mask and am able to toss and turn to my satisfaction without leaks.

If your mouth falls open during sleep, I can't imagine you would want anything other than a full face mask.

Thanks for the responses, everybody! The more days go by, the more clear it is becoming that a full face mask is probably best for me. I just have too much of a tendency to open the mouth, even with the chin strap on, and the funky noises that result definately bother the wifey! Slibhart, it sounds like we have similar issues, though I'm goatee-only, but do the every other day shave most of the time. I just think I'd be a whole lot more comfortable being able to mouth breathe, and that it will hopefully be better for the wifey as well. I'd also like to be covered and able to use the mask even when I have a stuffy or clogged up nose!

Pat

Pat...consider a humidifier for your cpap machine as well. The humidity helped clear up my congestion and I definitely sleep better with it. Another thing with the full face mask. I can get away with not shaving for a few days and have found that it will seal better on those days if I disconnect and wash the mask every other day or so.

Pat,
I, too, have been a mouth breather for most of my life, until XPAP, of course.
Had that stuffy nose thing and am most definitely a side sleeper.

My solutions after 2 1/2 years of trial & error has been to use a sinus rinse (only used it for about 3 months and haven't needed it since I started drinking LOTS of water to keep sinuses from swelling at night.) My 4i humidifier stays at 2 all year round.
I have found my 'sweet' mask; the Swift FX. I tape my mouth shut every night w/2" gentle paper tape, folded on one end to give me a removal handle and use the Respironics Chin Strap #302175 that is more of a cup than a strap. I use it inside out so the seams don't make nasty grooves on my face.

I had a VERY hard time getting used to all the stuff on my face at night. Lately, all I do is put some Vaseline on my lips, put on the tape then the chincup then the mask (very loosely) and turn out the light for 7 hours. I used to toss & turn.

It's been worth the persistence.

Don't give up!
All the best,
LKTNKY

one morning you will wake up and be on same side all night long...

Thanks for the encouragement, all! Waiting for a call back from Doc's office regarding switching to a full face style mask. Tried the nasal pillows (Swift LT) and chin strap again last night but felt like I was suffocating and couldn't fall asleep, so I switched back to the over-the nose model from the sleep study and used the chin strap (by the way, my CPAP unit is REMstar Pro C-Flex+ and does have the accompanying System One Heated Humidifier that I have set at 2 or 3). Did much better with that once again, but I can't help but think that being able to breathe more naturally (for me, at least!) with both mouth and nose would be better for me. Another clarification-- I don't THINK my tossing and turning is sleep or breathing related, but rather that after a while my hips get a little sore when sleeping on one side too long, plus I have a history of back problems including a surgery on a "very large herniated disc" about a year and a half ago. Keeping fingers crossed!

Pat

I would like to say the Hybrid by Innomed is a great solution. Someone said it, but I'll second it.

Well, just got the Mirage Quattro in the mail yesterday and used it overnight. Feels pretty darned comfortable, and so far so good! Only issues were with the air vent blowing directly on my wife when I sleep on my left side (gonna have to put up a strategic pillow/block), some slobber-related stuff, and a little bit of lost sealing when moving around... still less than with the nasal mask, though. I'll do some forum searches for advice on the slobber and vent air annoyance issues! Have the CPAP pillow on order, and looking forward to see how effective a combo that is with the mask. In any case, I found it a WHOLE LOT more comfortable given my set of circumstances/issues!