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Ah, gotcha, yeah, if you can't breathe well through your nose, you probably don't want to strap your mouth closed...that won't help you breathe and better at night, hahaha. Good luck with your appointment! 
on 3/25/15 1:26 am - Canada
My problem with the nasal mask is that I have a deviated septum and technically only breath through my right nostril. Add that to my dry mouth and it is almost impossible to get any sleep with the mask on. I will take your advice and make an appointment to see the respiratory therapist that helped me purchase my unit. It does have a chip in it so I will take it to my appointment and see what it reveals. LOL Still bought some duct tape just in case...Thanks for your help!
Did anyone suggest trying a nasal mask with a chin strap? My husband can't wear a full face mask because they all leak terribly on his face, but he's had great luck for years with a nasal mask and a chin strap to help hold his mouth closed. It's probably a bit more comfortable than duct tape, lol.
on 3/21/15 1:00 am - Canada
Thank you for your reply 4FurKids. I was removing it quite often even before my surgery. My machine has a little "Smiley face" icon on the front of it that is suppose to indicate that you have been wearing it an appropriate amount of time. Mine still shows that Smiley face so I was thinking that I was fine. I now do not believe the smiley face at all! lol. I have had to tighten my mask straps because I have lost weight from my face. (isn't that always the way?) and it helped a bit. I think I will contact the woman that sold me the unit and see what she has to say. I hope that it's something simple. I paid over $300 for the full mask that I have and I can't use one just on my nose because I sleep with my mouth open...I know...maybe I should just duct tape my mouth closed. Hahahaha! Thanks again. Chris
Hi Chris, another CPAP user here. Did this start happening after your surgery, or has it always been the case? I had to try a TON of masks before I finally found one I could tolerate, but when I found the right one, I don't even notice it anymore. Also, if your CPAP machine is on a set pressure, it might be too high for you now that you've lost weight. You might need another sleep study to get your pressure checked. If your machine is auto-adjusting though, that's probably not it unless it's set to start at a high pressure. I'd recommend giving your DME company a call...unintentionally de-masking yourself is a really common CPAP problem, and they can suggest a different mask for you or let you know if they think you need to see your sleep doctor again. Good luck!
on 3/17/15 7:07 am - Canada
I've been using a CPAP for about 8 months. I had RNY surgery on Feb 20/15. My problem is that I never wake up with the mask still on. At some point every night I remove it and turn the machine off. I don't remember doing this. LOL I have the humidity on my unit at it's max because I suffer from a very dry mouth and nose due to a medication I am on. I'm thinking that even with the humidity my mouth is drying out and maybe this is what is triggering me to take it off. I'm at a loss to know what to stop this. I can feel the difference in my energy level and know I need to figure this out. Any suggestions? Thanks Chris
It has been 9 months since my VSG, and I've lost 130 pounds pre- and post-op. I still need to lose 110 pounds. I don't want to do a sleep study until I've lost at least forty more pounds. I learned I had sleep apnea in 2011, and have been very good about using the CPAP until recently. Now, some nights I push the mask off about halfway through the night because it is really bothering me and making it difficult to sleep. I've been using the Misfit Shine, and the sleep tracker shows a similar amount of deep sleep with or without the machine.
Now, I know it is stupid to self-diagnose something this important, but I can't help thinking that the sleep tracker shouldn't show long periods of deep sleep if I'm waking up to breathe. Does anyone else have any experience with this?
5'6"
SW 359
i have sleep aptnia and had my toncils removed a few years ago. they used general anesthesia. and i had no complications. just be sure to inform them of your cpap settings and severity of aptnia. i woke up after surgery with a ventolator mask on me. and they said the procedure went very well no complications.
sleep apnia isn't just about your weight sometimes. in my case i will have to use my cpap machine even after weight loss.
due to the fact my doctor informed me my apnia is genetic related. i was informed the human tongue coinside to the size of ones upper jaw. where my lower jaw is so much smaller it means when my tongue retracts back when i sleep it covers my airway and will forever. the most i cna hope for is a reduction in the air pressure being pushed thru being reduced from its current state of 14 psi. as your weight comes down you should do several sleep studies to see if your pressure needs to be adjusted. before you opt out of using your machine.
Pinksultana · 1 replies · 1194 views
