sleep apnea

[smartestnumber5]

GF was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few months ago and is currently trying to find a comfortable mask to wear with her bipap machine. She's tried one which has the thingies which go in her two nostrils to blow the air but that was drying out her nose and seemed to move out of place when she turned in her sleep. She just got another one which covers her whole nose, but it was very uncomfortable and pushed on her face to the point of causing her pain. The mask seemed fine when she tried it in the office, but they hooked it up to a cpap machine for her (the air is always at one pressure); when she hooked it up to the bipap (there are two different pressures) the mask would move as the pressure changed which resulted in it pushing on her face.

Anyone who uses a cpap (but especially a bipap) machine--what were your experiences with masks? How long did it take to find one that worked for you? Did you eventually just learn to tolerate one which was pretty uncomfortable in the beginning?

 

[mrsstats]

Have her try looking at these websites http://www.apneasupport.org/ & http://www.cpaptalk.com/.

I am new to the sleep apnea thing to. I have tried 3 masks and am now waiting for approval to try a 4th. From what I see, it is a lot of trial and error. Good luck.

 

[megan4777]

My dh wouldn't use the CPAP for years b/c the only option was the big mask. His sleep apnea progressed to the point where he absolutely had to use the machine and he's using the nostril piece.
He actually just had surgery 7/31 and hasn't been using his cpap machine as much (although he should be).

He's a pain to please but he seems pretty ok with the piece he has now.

Good luck to your gf. I'm sure she'll find something that works for her.