Sleep apnea and mask... Please help! - Sleep Disorders Message Board

Moldova · 07-02-2008, 03:45 PM

I am new to this board and would like to ask you a question on behave of my husband.

His sleep test revealed that he has severe sleep apnea and his DR suggested him using this machine: I don't know the name of it unfortunatelly, but it's like a mask with tubes. They offered him both: one of them covers the mouth and the other one just covers the nose area. They want him to try both of them and than choose which one works better.

The problem is that his nose don't breath without Afrin's help for years. They can't do surgery on him because his blood counts are very low and he bleeds very easy and hard to stop bleeding. So when he puts mask on - his nose is not breathing and he is chocking
Have anyone had same problems? And how do you deal with it?

Thank you in advance.
M.

bethsheba · 07-02-2008, 05:56 PM

Moldova,

I have always been a mouth breather because of nasal congestion (allergies??) so when I was prescribed a nasal mask, I had problems...I had to learn to breath through my nose. Often I would wake during the night to throw off my mask so I could breath. I found that the only way I would keep my mask on is if I could keep my nose clear. I have stopped taking a blood pressure med that would make me congested, and I irrigate my nasal passages when I'm having problems breathing. These things seem to help me.

I don't know what may help your husband with his congestion...but if you don't figure out a way to relieve his congestion, I would suggest using a full face mask. That way, he can breath through his mouth if he can't breath through his nose.

Please note that there are lots and lots and lots of different nasal masks, nasal pillows, and full face masks. Do not let your durable medical equipment supplier, your doctors, your therapists, or your insurance company dictate which one your husband will use....he should use the one that fits him, feels comfortable, and the one he can sleep with every night!!!

My first mask was horrendous and after several nights I felt like I had an arrow going right through the middle of my forehead. Two masks later, I found something quite comfortable and have been using the same style for over 3 years.

I'm sure your husband's doctor(s) have mentioned how very important it is to find a good cpap fit for your husband....given the severity of his apnea, he made need the machine to live.

Just for the record, my apnea is not severe, but I wouldn't think of sleeping without my little machine....life is so much better with it!

Bethsheba

KLPEACH · 07-02-2008, 07:57 PM

Hello,
My ex-husband is a mouth breather. He has the new mask call the hybrid, it has the small nasal tubes.

I know he has obstructed airways because he is a mouth breather. Since this mask goes into the nose, but also covers the mouth can he just breathe though his mouth and get the air that way, instead of just usuing the small tubes that go into his nose.

He only sleeps 5 to 6 hours per night. Any suggestions, Thanks......
Goodnight,
Kathy - Sacramento california

TexMom85 · 07-02-2008, 08:55 PM

I know that it seems quite overwhelming to consider sleeping with this contraption on your face, but as Bethsheba said, there are so many options available, I'm sure there's one that will work, even for mouth-breathers.

I notice that sometimes, even when I'm congested, the simple act of using my mask helps to clear it up in many instances. Obviously, if I'm severely congested due to illness, it probably isn't going to do the trick, but sometimes it helps to clear up the congestion I'm experiencing.

Like Bethsheba says, I am used to my machine now and wouldn't sleep without it!

Blessings,
TexMom

david1612 · 07-06-2008, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLPEACH

Hello,
My ex-husband is a mouth breather. He has the new mask call the hybrid, it has the small nasal tubes.

I know he has obstructed airways because he is a mouth breather. Since this mask goes into the nose, but also covers the mouth can he just breathe though his mouth and get the air that way, instead of just usuing the small tubes that go into his nose.

He only sleeps 5 to 6 hours per night. Any suggestions, Thanks......
Goodnight,
Kathy - Sacramento california

Hi Kathy, i too breathe through my mouth only, but i have a full face mask (takes a day or two to get used to) and also have a dehumiddifier fitted to my bpap machine and i seem to sleep quite well with it , so there may be options for fitting a dehumiddifier as this keeps my nose and throat passages quite moist and open during sleep..thnx david