Leah here. I have had my CPAP since February 14th. It has been a more pleasant experience since I washed the headgear and disinfected it. The headgear is now a little softer and more comfortable. I am able to get some sleep at night. Still, I wake up and adjust it thr...
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Don't despair
Jimmy Hawkins RCP
Sunday, March 02, 2008 at 03:14 PMre: Don't despair
Leah
Sunday, March 02, 2008 at 05:43 PMThanks, Jimmy, for your encouragement. I have been using the nasal pillow since Feb. 14th and it has given me some relief. However, I keep adjusting it during the night when I feel air is not getting through properly. I'm going to try a gel mask next to see if that is better. I have also ordered a heated humidifier which should help my dry mouth and sinuses. You are right about there being many different options available for masks or nasal pillows. There should be something for everyone! All that is needed is to find the right one--and patience. The time line you mention for giving the apparatus a try sounds reasonable. I, myself, am not giving up. I certainly couldn't continue not getting sleep as it was ruining my health and my life. I see this interum of getting used to the CPAP as the gateway to my new life to come--one full of rest and living!
Leah
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Nasal vs. Mask
Michael Kelley
Sunday, March 09, 2008 at 04:43 PMI've had my CPAP for just over 5 years now. When I first got it I didn't like the idea of the mask, so I tried nasal pillows, etc., thinking it was doing fine. However, when my equipment became too used to continue with, I tried a nose mask (not a full mask), and found out that the results were much, much better with a mask. From what I have been told after my own deduction, the nasal equipment doesn't quite deliver as much air due to leakage, etc., around the nose. The mask, however, doesn't allow the leakage (as long as it is adjusted properly), and the delivery of air is more substantial. I felt a WHOLE lot better once I started using the mask as compared to SOMEWHAT better with the nasal equipment. Of course, finding the right mask is important too. Since I was already a nose breather, the nose mask fit my style best. Mouth breathers would need to get a full mask to cover nose and mouth. I also found that a free moving delivery hose works best for me, instead of a fixed over the head 'mohawk' positioned hose. The two masks I like best are the ComfortGel and the FlexoFit.
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Mask
Leah
Sunday, March 09, 2008 at 06:30 PMHi, Michael. I have heard and seen the gel mask. I am thinking of buying it. I know what you are talking about when you referred to leakage by the nasal pillow. I have to adjust it throughout the night because it moves and I am not getting a good amount of air. Thanks for your comments.
Leah
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Nasal pillows
Mark
Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 04:50 PMLeah, I've been working in a sleep lab for nearly 20 years and have seen major improvements in CPAP masks, headgear and nasal pillows. To address your particular problem of unequal air into the nostrils using the pillows, there is a cushion made by Respironics called OptiLife which allows you to interchange sizes with the same assembly. Check it out...thanks, Mark
replyre: Nasal pillows
Leah
Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 05:10 PMThanks, Mark. I just so happen to HAVE that particular cushion. It has been extremely helpful to be able to exchange sizes until i got what felt best. The respiratory therapist had told me to use the PETITE size...I tried, then I went to SMALL...then to MEDIUM...(Of course, LARGE would fit King Kong! I didn't even go to that one!)...then back to SMALL, which seems to be working. I also found that the unit allows the nasal pillow to be adjusted by moving it up and down until you get the right alignment. I think the OptiLife by Respironics is the only one that comes with that many sizes included. Bravo to Respironics!!!!
I appreciate your response! Keep up the good work.
Leah
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