Horrible Experience

 So I had my first sleep study last week. I am trying to get my surgery in this summer and it was one of the last things on my checklist. I called to find out and it came back abnormal. I was able to get in for a second sleep study last night, this time to test the equipment. I was lucky to get back in so quickly. Or so I thought...

The first study was a breeze, I fell asleep and lasted the whole night until the tech woke me up. This second one with the machine on my head was a nightmare. I could not sleep. I woke up several times and the last time I stayed awake until they concluded the test at 5am. I had a backache from staying in the same position all night and a sinus headache from the pressure on my sinuses. The technician told me they had to have it tighter for that test so it would not be as bad at home, but now, I have a rash all over my face from the pressure points of the mask. Literaly, my cheeks, the bridge of my nose and my upper lip are all red, bubble blistered and gross, not to mention really rather painful. 

Before this second test I was confident I could handle this mask thing and I was even convinced by others who said how much better I would feel, but now I am just feeling like this may be a total nightmare. 

The other thing is I know all of the rest of my tests/studies/doctor's visits were submitted this week so I could get approval and hopefully a date for my surgery. But now I don't know when I will hear back from this sleep study to get this nightmare equipment.  And of course the doctor requires 30 days on the machine before surgery. (I don't know if there will be any flexibility in that).  I know that none of this road is supposed to be easy, but I was not expecting this part to be the stumbling block at this point. 

This just doesn't sound right. I've had 4 sleep studies done, pre and post weight loss and NEVER had blisters, etc. The mask just had to be far too tight unless you're allegric to the latex masks. I would complain to whoever sent you to the sleep center testing site.

I'm sorry you had a such a rough time of it. What a misnomer, sleep? what sleep; it's a torture test. The good news is after you have your own machine, as I've lost weight and had the pressure setting adjusted on the CPAP, you can request that you be allowed to borrow a machine from the medical provider and have the sleep study done at home with your own mask and bed. A BIG difference.

It does take a while to adjust to the CPAP, but it can be done. I was only on my CPAP for 3 days before I had my WLS.

Diana

 I am allergic to latex and I told them that and they said there was no latex in any of the equipment used. I wonder now if that was just not true? 

I have been looking around on this forum and found a link to this mask. http://www.sleepweaver.com/ So I am hoping this will be an option for me as I cannot imagine the torture of using a mask like the one at the sleep center again. 

http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-masks-bipap-masks/comfortlite2-part-numbers.pdf



Try the Comfortlite 2. It fits like a baseball cap--no straps across the face! I had a problem with pressure sores/rashes from the traditional masks until I found this one. I'll never go back to those other kind. Ever.

Edited to add that I use the SIMPLE CUSHIONS, not the nasal pillows. It is uncomfortable to me to have those shoved up my nose. The cushion is a little cup that goes just over the nose.

hey.. who can help me? My husband snored for to 2 years every night. I can't sleep. For 3 months we don't slept togheter anymore. Some friends recommended me to buy a CPAP machines. They give this link.. http://jawpainhelp.com/diagnosis-and-treatments/snoring.php 
but i'm afraid to buy this. I want to find out more about this machines. Who can help me.

A cpap machine is a piece of medical equipment that needs to be prescribed.  It requires a setting that is individual to the person needing the equipment.  You need to talk to your primary care physician.

Good luck.

Judy

Generally the masks and nasal pillows are made with silicon. I find that the mask clogs my pores too much. I doubt that there was latex in your sleep study mask, but the reaction seems very severe.

 I'll go to my primary physican very soon. I hope that will prescribe a treatment for my problem.  

I had my second study with the cpap on Friday. It came back that I have moderate sleep apnea. I couldn't sleep either with all the wires, the too tight strap across my chest (it kept digging into my left armpit) and the mask. I'd like to see the video of me tossing and turning for hours, getting irritated, attempting to scratch my the tip of my nose and around the mask that wouldn't stop itching and doing my best not to open my mouth whie I was awake. lol That feeling sucks... literally.

I think I slept maybe 4 hours. The tech said I slept long enough for the doctor to be able to tell it helped the apnea and snoring.

I also had the same problem with my mask causing boils, whiteheads, rashes and sores. So I rigged something up for myself. Now this may sound weird but I actually line my mask with a folded Kleenex or folded toilet paper and I stopped getting the sores completely. I have no problems with air leakage or anything like that. Maybe give that a shot? Just a suggestion. Good luck!