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Masks and air leaks.
I hate the mask I have, it's leaky (air), uncomfortable and the only way I can get it to stop leaking is to wedge it further down my face and end up with a sore bridge of my nose. In short I hate it and I am wondering if there are any better masks available on the NHS.
Going to ring the sleep clinic back but am so frustrated. Definitely feel so great with a night's sleep using the machine but all the hassles with the mask mean that many nights I end up either not bothering or pulling the mask off in frustration after two hours or less of sleep.
Just needing to vent really.
Going to ring the sleep clinic back but am so frustrated. Definitely feel so great with a night's sleep using the machine but all the hassles with the mask mean that many nights I end up either not bothering or pulling the mask off in frustration after two hours or less of sleep.
Just needing to vent really.
Views: 1075
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on
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Sorry to hear you're struggling. Try making a mask liner out of an old t-shirt (needs to be a stretchy material so it has some 'give' in it). Ensure it's about 1/2 inch overlapping on each side of the seal.
I would definitely ring your clinic as they should have a selection of masks for you to try. Check out the blog I wrote on Choosing A Mask so you know what's available and what might work for you. Good luck...... (the mask is the most important part of the treatment, but can be so hard getting the 'right' one for you).
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Permalink Reply by Amanda Farley on
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Thank you for that excellent bit of advice Kath, have made one out of an old T shirt and a, just testing it out. much more comfy....will let you know in the morning how the night goes lol
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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on
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Amanda, I was going to suggest the same as Kath but make my own liners, can give you the details if you want. Also do you have the hose coming from above your head either from a bedhead or hose lift. It does take so much time to get it right but remember the benefits you are getting than before you were diagnosed, I'm sure you want to live a long, healthy like with your child in your picture so you just have to keep working on it. You may need a change of mask, I changed mine 5 times and still have some issues but my days feels so much better than before.
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Thanks Kath and Terry, last night was much better and I feel refreshed this morning. I didn't get all night but had the mask on for a good 4+ hours which is a record for recent weeks. Going to play around with the covers a bit to get them right but definitely a massive improvement.
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Permalink Reply by David on
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HI Amanda, Just to put my pennysworth in after thegreat advice above, I take it you are degreasing your mask daily after using it plus your face before going to bed. I know that makes a great deal of differance to amount of leaks you get from experience. Also you can have the mask too tight on your face.
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Good to hear Amanda and both Terry and David give other positive suggestions.... make sure your mask is free from all facial oils, and elevating the hose will also make a big difference. Lots of us use the Hose Lift http://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/products/9 which lessens the pull of your mask from your face (another cause of mask leaks) and it has a swivel so it turns with you as you move in your sleep.
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Just had a full night with the mask and my mask cover....first night in a long long long time I have done. Thank you all for such brilliant advice.
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Amanda, depending on which one you get, you can re use them, I turn mine over after the first use and then wash them and use them again, so get at least 4 nights out of them. The only problem is if the get blown our of shape.
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Wow....you mean you can BUY them? That's fantastic....
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Amanda, yu can but I make my own, it is much cheaper, here are the instructions:
You can get the mask liners on the net or Kath maybe able to point you in the right direction over there.
I bought some mask liners a 6 pack and although they say to only use them once you can wash them and get about 5-6 uses. I then made a template of what I needed from their liners and went to a fabric shop and got 3 ft of 50% cotton/ 50 % poly fabric and cut out my own and they also last 5-6 uses, the next time I bought 3 ft of 50% cotton/ 50
% lycra fabric. That last me about 3 months and costs about ten dollars. No need to do any sewing.
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That's great to hear Amanda and such a cheap easy fix :) Unlike the disposable ones we used to sell which were costing people £20 per month. I got a lovely leopard print fabric from The Range which cost me £3.50 per metre, but because mine's washable (unlike the expensive ones) I've still got years left in the fabric! Mind you, I don't need the liner with the FitLife - this was from when I used a mask like yours, but I still use it when I switch masks.
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