So I have my machine, and I am really having trouble sleeping on my back with a Darth Vader mask on. (It's not my sexxxiest look, but wth) I am trying to stick with the commitment. It is hard. It has been about a week or so. Sometimes, I wake up at 4 am and pull it off. It doesn't hurt, it just feels confining. Will I get over it? Any suggestions? Also, I feel I don't get enough air.
I tried the less cumbersome one that goes directly in my nostrils, but that pinched, thus the Vader mask. Suggestions welcome.
I use nose pillows, and they are quite comfortable. They dont invade your nostrils like the soft plugs do, and they arent a cumbersome face mask that is prone to leaks. (I personally think that the full face masks are the absolute worst. It's really difficult to maintain positive pressure.)
Resmed just released their new mask, the swift FX
http://shop.talkaboutsleep.com/cpap-nas ... -cpap-maskI use the LT, but Imma gonna be calling my DME now that I see this one. Im overdue for a new mask anyway. You're supposed to order a new one every three months, but Im terrible about that.
Another option is an oral mask.
http://shop.talkaboutsleep.com/oral-cpa ... -cpap-maskIve never used one, so I cant vouch for it. It would be nice if it does work, cause my mouth tends to drop open if I sleep on my back, and chinstraps dont help. Fortunately, with the resmed swift line, I can sleep on my side, which is what I prefer.
Resmed on the whole is a pretty awesome company. My apap is that brand, too.
The swift mask comes with pillows in three sizes, too.
Also, most DMEs are pretty flexible about swapping out masks if one doesnt work.
As for taking the mask off in your sleep, I tend to do that too. There are devices that will sound an alarm if the mask is taken off, but that doesnt prevent someone from sleepily leaning over and turning off the alarm without putting their mask back on, so I personally think it's a waste of money.
Try sleeping with socks on your hands. It doesnt always work for me, but sometimes it does. Just experiment with different kinds of socks.
Just out of curiosity, did you find out what your RDI is? I think mine was like, 47 per hour at 20 seconds, which is obscene. (15 minutes of not breathing per hour.) Although Ive lost weight since then, so it's not as bad anymore. Sometimes I dont even use the machine.
Here's to better sleep.