Recommended Mask...

I am so frustrated with my mask! I end up taking it off about 3-4 hours into my sleep because its makeing me crazy and I feel like I cant breath. Its either leaking into my eye or so tight its uncomfortable. SO my question is ... do you all have a mask you bought after the fact that works well for you? I an using a nasal mask right now and uh! making me nuts!!! SO nuts I didnt sleep with it on at all last night!

I HATE THE NASAL MASK!!!! The person doing my fitting for a new one recommended it since the old one was putting a scar across the top of my nose. It kept leaking in my eye and other places and would hurt if I tightened it. Now with the nasal one, I'm constantly wiggling it and trying to get it to point up my nose so I actually feel like I'm breathing or shall I say I feel like I can breath until I go to sleep. Sometimes I can't get the suction to act right when I do point it up my nose. I also have a humidifier and wake up to a gurgling type noise or water running in my nose. I HATE BOTH OF THEM!! If I don't use it I wake up really tired and with a really bad headache. So what else can I do?!

I have 2 different masks and they both go completely over my nose.  The first one I got uses the pressure from the mask to inflate a sort of air pillow and is the most comfortable one.  The problem is that it is too big and it sort of leaks, so to avoid leaks I tighten the straps which end up leaving red marks around my nose.  When I told my sleep clinic about it they gave me a free gel mask one that is smaller  and fits better but it absolutely smells from the gel and is not as comfortable. 

When I order my next one I am getting the smaller version of the air supported mask.  I know that the masks that cover your nose are less attractive but I think they work better. 

You should google sleep apnea message boards there are a couple sites out there and those people know about all the equipment and usually give great advice.


You also might need your pressure increased if you feel like you can't breathe. 

I always felt claustrophobic with over the nose masks so could not wear one. 

Using the Adams Circuit nasal pillow mask was always the best for me for 15 years, but leakage occured if I didn't change out the hoses or pillows or headgear often enough.  It's a personal preference thing that you'll have to work out.  I tried the breeze a couple of others over the years but they really did not work for me without leaking or poking or worse.

Unfortunately only you can really understand what you can tolerate.

Good Luck!

I was having some of the same troubles with mine, they let me borrow a petite size mask and it worked soooo much better. Doesn't leak, feels better and I was finally able to meet my compliance once I got a smaller mask. So maybe find out if you can try a different size mask?

only had mine a lil over a month and I am on my 3rd mask- this one the zest- small over the nose one seems best-
I sleep thru the nite most nites now- tossing and turning a lil,it leaves a red mark on the bridge of my nose but no leaks.  Only one small component to clean each morn 

But in answer to your question- make sure you continue to try masks til the right one is found.  I took an excedrin pm until I got more used to it as I started with nasal pillow first and once it ramped up it was like a blow dryer was turned on under my nose - and I woke up and tensed up all nite-I never wanted a mask over my nose-but it turns out that is the one I ended up liking best- who knew?? 

Hugs, Terry

I had the same problems with my first nose mask. You should try one of the nose pillow ones.  I started using one from fisher pakel called the opus and it seems to work good for me and it's small.

I ended up getting a full face style mask and it has made a world of difference for me.  Before my nose would stuff up, couldn't breathe and off it came.  Now this covers both nose and mouth and it works better and I keep it on better.  I had a consult with my pulmonary doctor to get this done prior to surgery.  However due to protocol for insurance it didn't actually happen until I was in the hospital after my surgery.  Figures!!