annoying noise from CPap
Hello,
After 9 months of trying different masks, I am still struggling to find the best one for me. I am a mouth breather so have tried a few different full face masks. I have also used a nasal mask with a chin strap. My husband finds them to be very noisy (and I find them noisy as well). Is this because of leaks? What are some of the masks people like the best? I am getting discouraged and hope to find some inspiration from this group. Thanks Cheryl
I was inspired by this chat, and went to find my other mask, a ResMed Fit 30. I have it set up, and will give it a try tonight. I went to both websites based on suggestions given here, and got better instructions about setting up the mask, and not over tightening it. In the past I have been able to go between this and the Dreamwear Mask, though I usually end up with the Dreamwear since the hose connector is on the top of the head instead of the front of the mask. The hose drags down the mask, IMO. But we’ll see. If I’m not adjusting it all night for squealing, I’m happy. Thanks
and 
Let us know how you are liking the new mask. I am using the dream wear as well. Having the hose connector where it does makes things feel less claustrophobic for me. But I can not seem to keep it on. No idea why. But I always wake up and find it off. They increased my pressures thinking that might help, but so far nothing. But I am curious to see how you like the new one.
Amber (SleepApnea.sleep-disorders.net team moderator)the ResMed mask seems to be a better fit for right now, though this is what happened before. It would be good for awhile, then not, lol. So I’d end up going back to the Dreamwear. But I slept for 5 hours with not having to fight with the mask, which is unheard of! Though the machine give me an angry face.Most of the nights that I’m fighting the mask and constantly trying to get it to fit without leaking and making horror noises, it gives me a happy face. So I’ve learned to not to put much stake in that. As long as I can put in 4 plus hours, I’m good. Thanks for asking. 🥰
Thank you very much. These are good suggestions and the articles are very helpful. It's good to feel not so alone with this.
I’ve been using Cpap for over 15 years, and still have trouble with masks leaking. I’ll have good weeks/months, then I’ll have times like now. Just the other week when it was leaking pretty bad, I was trying to wake my husband up, and he wanted to know what the sirens were for! Lately I just give up when I can’t get the mask to fit without sounding like it’s going to take off. Even when it’s a ok night, I’m still awake and fooling with it, trying to get a fit that keeps the leaks away. Once I hit 4 hours the mask goes off. Sometimes I sleep a little longer, but for the most part my nights are spent fighting with the stupid mask. It’s been much worse lately.
When I did have a sleep specialist doctor, he did work with me about masks. He would try different ones. But he left to work with the VA, and the doctor I saw afterwards turned out to be out of network. It took while before I found that out, and by that time, Covid restrictions were in place.
The company that I get my supplies from is not helpful at all. I’ve had to go online and research face mask companies in order to force them to get one that would actually fit me. They claimed they couldn’t find the information.
Thank you for your reply. It is good to know that it's not just me, although 15 yrs is a long time to go without finding the right one.It hasn’t been all 15 years of mask problems. The first 12 years I didn’t have a sleep specialist, didn’t even see a respiratory therapist from the equipment company, so I was just using nasal pillows and was blissfully unaware that it wasn’t doing any good! Once I saw a sleep doctor, and had a new sleep study 10 years later, he said no more nasal pillows. 😢 I can’t wear a FFM, due to ptsd issues, and am a mouth breather. My mask covers my mouth and comes right up under my nostrils. It’s possible a chin strap may help. The only time it stops leaking and sounding like a fire alarm is when I let it puff out my cheeks. But that’s hard to keep up all night. Not that I’m getting a lot of sleep anyways, lol!
Hello
Finding the right mask for you is probably the single most important and yet frustrating part of being successful with CPAP. Mouth breathing is something that can be overcome. I can tell you that many people have the same issue finding a mask that works for them. I am going to share a link to a couple of articles you may find helpful. https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/what-matters-cpap-mask https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/mouth-breathers-cpap-mask-leak The noise from your mask was most likely from it not fitting properly. Poorly fitting mask can make a fair amount of noise. The most common cause for your mask not fitting properly are: they are too tight, the wrong size, and being the wrong mask for your face shape. If you haven't already reached out to your Equipment provider, you may want to in order to sit down one on one with them for a mask fitting (now that it is starting to get safe to do that). If your equipment provider has not been overly helpful you can do as listed in the first article and google your mask and put 'fitting guide' behind it to see a video from the manufactory on how to properly fit your mask. I always advise you fit the mask with you laying in bed in the position you sleep the most in if at all possible. I am sure many others will jump in here with their thoughts as well. Keep us informed on how it is going and do let us know which mask you had the best luck with (that can help everyone to help you narrow down to the mask that may work for you) Warmly, Lisa (SleepApnea.Sleep-Disorders.net Team Member and Advocate)
