Search results matching tag 'cpap'

camping with a CPAP

wood2quilt — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:39:16 GMT

I'm planning on going on a camping trip and use a RemStar Plus CPAP machine. Is it possible to run the machine off a portable generator (inverter)? In the instruction book of the generator it states: "Some precision equipment is voltage sensitive and may require a more uniform voltage supply than portable generators provide. Examples include some medical equipment, personal computers, and some inverters that sense peak and RMS voltage values"

Re: Need a new mask

remzzzs — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:53:30 GMT

Trekkie01, you might find that RemZzzs CPAP mask liners help to reduce the allergic reaction you are having to the compounds in your mask skirt. If you have already migrated to the Swift nasal pillow I hope that you have continued success as I hear that this is a good system. If you find that you need to switch back the the full face, or traditional nasal style mask due to a cold or other condition that prevents using the Swift, you might find that RemZzzs works well.

Hope that helps,

Nathan

Re: Allergy to full-face mask

remzzzs — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:48:35 GMT

Lyle, you might want to look into RemZzzs CPAP mask liners. We've had a very high success rate with patients who have issues with allergic reaction to the silicone (or the particular mixture of compounds). Most of the people who have used RemZzzs for issues related to skin erosion and breakdown have found almost complete relief. You can read about some of these folks on our site under the "Real Stories" section. Hope this helps.

Nathan

Re: allergy to silicone

remzzzs — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:41:33 GMT

You may want to give RemZzzs CPAP mask liners a try. We've had many, many people find relief from silicone allergies using RemZzzs. They act as a barrier between the mask and skin. Check out our "Real Stories" section to read just a sample of some users who have found relief from skin irritation and erosion from repeated contact with the mask skirt. We are being carried by a fast growing list of medical supply companies. You can also do a search for "allergy to cpap mask" on Bing.com to find another forum (Sleep Foundation) where users report very good results. I hope that you find an answer for your husband.

Blessings,

Nathan

High Pressure / Under-bite Masks

Anthonyjm — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:52:45 GMT

Do some masks stand up better to high pressure than others? Are some better for people with an under-bite?

I have been on CPAP for about 8 months and have gone through 4 different face masks. Very few masks fit my face well, and those that do only seem to work for a month or two, but then the leaks get so bad I can't sleep. I don’t know if the problem comes from my high pressure or my under-bite, or a combination. My CPAP was set to 20, but after my second mask, my doctor agreed to lower it to 16. I can get used to the pressure, but not the leaks. I also have an under-bite. I think that, combined with a high bridge on my nose, holds the masks away from my cheeks. Somehow I ended up coming home with a free nasal mask from one of my trips to my mask supplier. For a while it was the only mask that I didn’t need to tighten much to avoid leaks. At that pressure it requires an effort to keep air from shooting out my mouth, even with my jaw held closed, but it was still better than the leaks. Unfortunately after only a month and half, that mask is leaking as well. I tried a hybrid mask (mouth and nose plugs) but as soon as the air came on, sides of my nose bulged out and it was incredibly uncomfortable.

I don’t think its maintenance issue. I clean the mask as directed. The gasket around the masks just start feeling softer, overly flexible, stretched out.

When I can get through the night with a mask on, I do feel better the next day, I don’t want to give up on this. But my insurance won’t pay for masks that frequently and paying out of pocket will get expensive very quickly. So that brings us back to my original question. Do some masks stand up better to high pressure than others? Are some better for people with an under-bite? Any insights would be appreciated. Thank you.

Re: Informal Poll - Humidifier or No?

mikezot — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:49:46 GMT

[quote user="kperkins"]

Ok so who uses humidification with CPAP and who does not? If you use humidification, is it cool air or heated? If you do not use a CPAP humidifier, why not? Do you find yourself to be stuffier or more congested than usual?

[/quote]

Am a nose/mouth sleeper; wear full-face mask (Fisher-Paytel FlexFit 432) attached to CPAP (with locked-in pressure @ 10); have heated humidifier, set to max (5); still wake up with mouth so dry it takes a gallon of H2O to pry open my lips.

Not sure any of that helps with your research... but, good luck!

Full-face mask and beards

mikezot — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:23:24 GMT

If money were no object...

Is there a full-face mask out there anywhere that will perform better than the ResMed Quattro and Fisher-Paytel FlexFit 432 in providing a seal without sliding into one's mouth -- without 1) digging into the bridge of one's nose so deep that it almost cuts the skin, and 2) having to make straps so tight they leave indentations in the cheeks for half a day? Oh, and one that's quiet?

In the past year, I've been on 6 CPAP masks -- two nasal pillow types, three full-face types, and one hybrid (which went to the recycle bin after 3rd night) -- and not one has helped provide a decent night.

My CPAP's set at 10, it has a humidifier; I have a "Hozer" to reduce the constant uncoupling whenever I rolled over; I can provide a whole lot more about my (overnight in sleep lab) diagnosis if needed.

Help!

Re: HELP - Tried 3 masks so far -

mikezot — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:20:21 GMT

[quote user="Rick S"]

I am a fairly new CPAP user. I have tried 3 masks, one a Repironics Classic Comfort (would not stay on without being so tight it gave me a head ache), Puritan Bennett Breeze with both Nasal Pillow and Dream Seal (the Dream seal would not seal right and the nasal pillows are causing horrible pain in my front teeth).

It is very frustrating to use any of these. The nasal pillow are the most comforatble and I can actually sleep with them, but the tooth pain really worries me. I got a mouth guard from my dentist, but it still happens.

Was hoping to find some recommendations on another mask prior to purchase. I was looking at the Nasal Aire II or the Mirage Swift LT. But really dont want to spend any more money on something that is just going to end in frustration and aggravation.

Anyone have suggestions??????

[/quote] Welcome to Mask Hell. I'm on my sixth -- 2 nasal pillow types, three full-face masks, one "hybrid." The only one I've had a moderate degree of success is with the Fisher-Paytel FlexFit 432 full-face mask, though I need to keep it fairly tight to keep seal intact and prevent it from sliding up into my mouth (oh, how I love the taste of rubber in the morning). If speel apnea's as big a problem as experts lead us to believe, you'd think there'd be one profit-minded company that could corner the market by rolling out a real solution. I'll keep trying, and hope you will, too. "To sleep, perchance to..." SLEEP!

Is the Zzzz Traveller Cpap by Probasics up to standards?

lcowart — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:43:22 GMT

Good day,

I have been diagnoised with mild obstructive sleep apnea and my insurance is not paying for a Cpap. My prescription just has CPAP + 6. I'm recommended a full mask which I have an updated one. I am on disability and cannot afford much. Since I only have a mild case, do you think I really need one? And if so, is the travel one for $265 up to standards. I am having a big problem with fatique and forgetfulness. I've been diagnoised with fibromyalgia which causes the above mentioned symptoms. Do you have a small travel machine at a low price for me? I don't do much travelling, just need the low-cost one.

Thanks,

lcowart

My new CPAP

Gene — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:29:38 GMT

I'm new to CPAP, being diagnosed with severe sleep apnea last month after a sleep study and another CPAP sleep study. The specialist I saw prescribed a ResMed Elite II with a heated humidifier and a full face Mirage Quattro mask with tube. The ramping was set at 45 minutes and the pressure at 15. It felt like a wind tunnel blowing down my throat. After using it for 5 nights, I stopped using it because I barely got any sleep at all. It felt like I was breathing through a straw. The last night I used it I broke out in a cold sweat and felt my heart beating very fast. I told the doctor about my bad experience with CPAP and he prescribed changing from Elite II to AutoSet II, I used it last night for the first time and I was miserable. I realize that sometimes things take time to get used to, but I wonder how long does it take for most people to get adjusted to this new way of sleeping. I'm almost 80 years old and I wonder if CPAP for someone like me is really recommended?