Top products from r/SleepApnea

Most likely this is a fit issue. This is going to sound pedantic, but try walking through the steps in the manual, paying close attention to each one. It's easy to miss something. For instance, when I put on the mask I like to let the nose part touch first. This ensures the seal doesn't roll over. Also, I like to use the quick disconnect: start with the hose disconnected, put the mask on, make any adjustments, then connect the hose.

It could also be that the mask just needs cleaning. For me, a clean mask is like clean sheets; they just feel better, so maybe I sleep a bit better.

Lastly, it's possible that this isn't the right mask for you. Finding a mask that fits comfortably is critical. Keep working at it.

>run the test mask function before I go to sleep to ensure there is a proper seal, but now once it tests pressure beyond maybe 10 it comes way loose.

The mask fit function only works at that moment. To see what happens overnight, use Sleepyhead (link in sidebar).

>I have been using the AirFit F10 full face mask.

I used to be on this mask but I much prefer the newer AirFit F20. It's a bit larger and the cushion has a lot more springiness, so it should fit a wider range of faces. If you can tolerate it, nasal pillows are even better. Maybe try them with a chinstrap? Getting a seal with nasal pillows is a lot easier because there's less surface area in contact with your face.

>I've seen some threads about pillows designed by use for people with apnea.

If you like to sleep on your side with a full face mask, having a pillow with a cutout will keep the mask from getting pushed around, potentially causing a leak. Here's the one I like:

https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-CPAP/dp/B01LYNBWXG/

This is one of the few CPAP pillows that has a custom fitted pillowcase available. Also, the pillow itself has multiple layers that you can add/remove to adjust thickness and it seems to sleep cooler than most pillows.

I am 3.5 weeks into cpap therapy, and it really got a LOT easier on me after a couple of weeks.

Sleep apnea is diagnosed with an untreated AHI of greater than 5.

What kind of treatment are you getting for your anxiety? Over the counter stuff like GABA or L-theanine? Pharmaceuticals? Therapy? Be sure you're exploring all your health options- I wish I had done so years earlier than I did, because it improved every aspect of my life. Interestingly, my hypochondria was significantly improved when I treated my anxiety.

You are clearly interested in investing in your health. I have been really happy with the logging oximeter I bought. Based on recommendations here and the cpap/apnea boards, I got one of these: www.amazon.com/Contec-Wrist-worn-Oximeter-Software-Download/dp/B00LN4LCMC, and it has been really interesting. My partner wore it for a night, and we learned that the occasional snoring was not indicative of a breathing problem- blood oxygen never went below 90%. Mine is a whole other story! My sibling used it a couple of times during a visit, and is now headed to a sleep doctor to get checked out. It can't give you anything like an AHI, but you could easily compare your blood oxygen levels with and without the cpap to see what it is doing for you.

Good luck to you! Work on that leak. Raise your pressures a little at a tiem if you feel like you're suffocating. I started at 5-10, and now I'm far more comfortable at 7-11.

I feel you friend. I also went camping but did take one of those car jump all in one batteries along with a 12 volt power adapter for my machine. it had worked the previous camping trip for about three to four days just fine. But this time, it died at 1 a.m. the first night and I was awake the rest of the night. I simply cannot sleep without my cpap at this point. The rest of the trip was a misery, next night slept in the passenger seat of my Prius with the CPAP plugged and car on (on but not running). trying to sleep in a seat sucks, but the car turned itself off every hour so it was hardly any better than that first night. I believe the next night I slept in the bed of a truck with a CPAP plugged in in the truck (again, on but not running) through the little back window and it worked much better. Until it rained.

So the NEXT camping trip I got my shit together.

Get a deep marine battery. These are designed to power small things on a boat and are used to the small dribble of electricity over a long period of time. Get a battery box to place it in for safety, and a battery tender to charge it before the trip. You'll want a ring terminal harness to attach to the battery posts, and a female 12 volt adapter to plug your machine into.

The box contains everything safely with just the plugs you want sticking out the slots in the lid, but if there's small children in the camp you may want to ratchet strap it closed to be on the safe side.

I got battery and box at my local walmart. The rest from Amazon.


Female cigarette adapter:
Battery Tender Black 081-0069-8 Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041CDPQO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_173UCbVCXJH0M

Ring terminal harness:

Battery Tender 081-0069-6 Ring Terminal Harness with Black Fused 2-Pin Quick Disconnect Plug https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NCOKZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7-3UCbPET1K8N

Battery tender to charge your battery:

Battery Tender 12 Volt Junior Automatic Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Ak4UCbQYJBZCA

And of course you'll need to get the 12 volt power adapter. Look up the model maker of your CPAP machine and Google away to see where you can find one. I looked for my manual and then I found the one that was recommended in the manual along with recommendations. Mine recommends I do not use the water chamber when using the 12 volt power adapter due to power consumption and no way am I risking the battery running out of power before the trip is over. I got the adapter from a generic CPAP supplies website.

Good luck! I'm going camping this summer I hope my setup still works!

I usually camp out of state with family and have a few nights in a house before heading home. I always bring a new face mask new filter and even a new hose if I have one as after camping the machine reeks of woodsmoke and it drives me absolutely batty.


Edited to fix oh so many typos.

PS: I will edit the links more pretty when I'm on a desktop sorry about the non pretty formatting

Just to add to the people making suggestions about masks, I thought I'd chime in too. When I first got my machine, I took to it without problems. For several months, I slept so well. Then, inexplicably, I started taking my mask off in my sleep. Could not for the life of me figure out what was up. It was still worth using as I could feel a difference between going to bed with it on and not, but it was super frustrating as I continued to get more and more tired as I was only on it for like 1.5-2 hours most nights. Tried changing my sleeping positions, changing humidifier levels, tried not using the humidifier, tried adjusting my mask, all sorts of stuff. Tried changing to Auto-PAP for a while, and that improved things but wasn't enough. Eventually changed masks and also turned up the pressure, and now I wake up most mornings still wearing my mask. The thing is, my previous mask (an over the nose type) was perfectly comfortable to me, and as I said I took to it immediately. Now I've got the Dreamwear "full face" (not quite the same as the full face my dad wears with his Bi-PAP which also covers his nose, but that's what they call it). At first I was still taking it off, but then we increased pressure and I had to cinch it down more firmly to minimize the leaks I was getting, and I wake up pretty much every morning with it still on.

Point is, even if you sleep easily with it and have no comfort issues, you might still need to change up your setup. And it might be a combination of things, not just one or the other.

Rainout occurs when warm humid air inside the tube makes contact with the cooler tube wall and forms condensation. As ambient conditions in your bedroom change, as a result of winter versus summer change, it can change when rainout occurs, so it is best to address physical aspects that cause rainout rather than humidity settings. Even if you manage to find a humidity setting that prevents rainout today, you might have to adjust it come fall when bedroom ambient temperatures start to drop.

Position both the cpap machine to be below the level of your bed, and the hose such that the majority of it is also below the level of your head. That way when rainout occurs, it simply runs downhill into the reservoir. A hose holder can be useful to make sure the majority of the hose runs downhill from your head.

You can help prevent rainout by increasing the inside surface temperature of the hose itself by using a heated tube, or increasing the ambient room temperature. Some people like me find that uncomfortable, I like it cold in my bedroom while I sleep and don't like the extra warm air a heated tube can use. Alternatively you can help normalize the temperature of the tube by insulating it with a hose snuggy, or covering it with a blanket.

Lastly different masks seem to be more susceptible to rainout than others. I found that the Dreamwear style masks worked better than others camping (where it tends to be really cold compared to my bedroom so rainout is more likely to occur) because the frame mounted against your head helps heat that portion of the tube.

To piggy back off others:

1. lose weight is option 1. You didn't mention if you're overweight or healthy so this generic statement is being mentioned. If you're overweight and losing weight can help and/or cure your apnea, well that's just about the biggest motivation in the world to start a weight loss journey.
   
   
2. I tried 5 masks before I found one I can sleep all night with. Yes, FIVE masks. I was fortunate that my insurance was covering all of this, but the fifth mask finally worked. Every other mask I would take off in the middle of the night. The Dreamwear mask is the one that worked the best. But I was still taking the mask off at first. I then switched to the medium nasal part instead of the small. I've been golden ever since.
   
   If you're skinny and have already tried a dozen different masks, then this advice will not help you in any way. From what I've researched, you need to explore the MMA surgury if you've truly tried a dozen masks and are skinny.
   
   Best of luck!

I’ve had Sleep apnea for 30 years and you most likely have sleep apnea. See below on how to tell if you have apnea. I have a solution that might work for you. Most cases of sleep apnea are from your tongue blocking your airway. See image See this image. https://ibb.co/KFZTynh

There is a new product that just came out recently that costs almost nothing. $1.50 shipped free from China or $8-10 in the USA. No joke. In most cases of Snoring and Sleep apnea (Central Apnea) your tongue seals off the back of your throat. The trick is get your tongue from collapsing your airway. There are numerous ways to correct this (CPAP or Bi-pap machines, reversing overbite with a mouthpiece, chin straps, surgery, head position etc,.. the list goes on.

There's a new device called a Tongue Tube, Tongue sleeve or Tongue Retainer. It's silicone and weights almost nothing. All it does is creates a suction so your tongue is pulled forward as you sleep. It's like $1.20 to $1.70 on Ebay and $10-$16 bucks on Amazon. Here is broad ebay search https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Tongue+apnea&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15&_fspt=1&LH_BIN=1&_stpos=92673&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=2

The problem with the China $1.50 ebay item is it take so month to arrive. You can sort US only on Ebay and it's about $4-5. Don't buy this one but read the 377 Amazon Reviews. https://www.amazon.com/Snoring-Tongue-Device-Transparent-Silicone/dp/B07MZ6TY9M

​

Here's basically the same thing for $8.99 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WK1ZJ12 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WK1ZJ12

​

Here is a broad Amazon Search https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Silicone+Tongue+Tube&i=hpc&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

​

One important thing that you should probably also have is a chin strap along with the tongue sleeve. The silicone pulls your tongue forward and the chin strap https://www.amazon.com/The-Aftermarket-Group-ResMed-Strap/dp/B00N44IL1O that closes your month so the silicone Tongue sleeve does not fall out and your jaw stays closed. This keeps you breathing via your nose, not your throat. I'm not saying it will work but it does for many people. You still need to monitor yourself to see if its working.

If don't have the money for a Sleep study to see if you have apnea I know a foolproof way. One is a free software called for iPhones and Android called Snorelab. This will record your snoring and sleep patterns and let you know if the Tongue sleeve works. The other is $100 and it's pretty much a must to know your apnea is corrected. It's a Contec MP50 Ambulatory oximeter & blood pressure monitor. It records your heart rate, Blood oxygen and even your blood pressure all night 48 hours max. It also allows you to do advanced graphs of your entire night sleep on your computer and software it comes with. It has alarms to wake you up if you stop breathing. It will show when you stop breathing and your SP02 crashes, your heart rate and blood pressure the entire night. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=contec+pm50&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=12

I know many people have SPO2 finger pulse-oximeter but getting one that records all night without the batteries dying, can upload to a PC and is rugged and under $100 is hard to find. I'm owned most of them. Finger oxymeters are great when your awake. Contec MP50 is used in Hospitals. Don't accidentally order the Contec APM50 that's only a Blood pressure recorder for the same price and is missing the oximeter that you need to see apnea events.

So this depends some on your machine:

Philips Respironics old machines (DS560, not Dreamstation) can be powered straight off a 12v deep cycle battery. For 1-2 nights I have a RavPower LiPo pack that outputs 12v but they seem to have discontinued that model and don't have a newer one with the 12v output.

Otherwise, as others have said get a good deep cycle 12v battery and a DC cable for your machine. Figure about 5-7AH a night without humidifier/heated tube.

Deep cycle batteries come in several chemistries that effect their weight:

• Lead/Acid wet batteries: Not suitable for this application.
  
• Standard SLA are boat anchors, and probably not worth buying. This is your standard "car battery" and are heavy as fuck.
  
• AGM or Gel are lighter with good capacity. This is what you'll likely find for Trolling motor batteries. Smaller ones are often used in Wheelchairs or electric scooters.
  
• LiFePO4: If weight is of prime concern, you can find LiFePO4 batteries that give you the best capacity to weight ratio, but they're pricy per AH. A 20AH one will run you ~$300 but it's only ~7lb (vs 10-15 for an AGM of similar capacity).
  
  Sometimes you can find a Lithium Ion battery packs like the one I linked above that are designed for phones but can output 12v as well. Those are good for a night or two (such as an international plane ride where they won't let you take a larger battery onboard) but not for long-term camping.

A Wisp nasal mask works great for a side sleeper.
Due to it's smaller size than a FFM, it shifts much less while turning side to side during the night. One feature of the Wisp that I love is the tether at the top to anchor the hose so when you move the hose just goes with you. Here is a photo of it https://7thstreettavern.com/wisp-mask/


If you are using a FFM, I suggest a CPAP pillow. I like this one the best when using a FFM https://www.amazon.com/CPAP-Pillow-Pressure-Supplies-Sleepers/dp/B01IJ87MZK

So that site says it's 5.2 amp hours in size. So 5200 mAh. I have one of these that I got on a lightning deal for $99.99 and an adapter for my cpap that allows me to go from DC to DC instead of DC to AC to DC again, making the battery last much much longer.

And it's only 3.3 pounds. Sure it's a little bigger and heavier, but might be great for saving money plus 7 to 8 times the juice. I know medical suppliers LOVE to jack up the price on everything.

This is the pillow I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IJ87MZK/

I love love LOVE it.

Thanks! Got the preliminary results of the sleep study, no AHI or anything on there. They did call and tell me that I'd get the final results this week or early next week once they finish scoring it. This would be ~3 weeks after the study, does it normally take that long? Anyhow, the preliminary report is short and sweet:

> Sleep: Adequate sleep was recorded. He slept in the supine and bilateral decubitus positions.

> Respiration: Some sustained flow limitation was observed, interrupted by occasional respiratory effort related events. Events were most notable during the combination of supine REM.

> Lowest O2 saturation: 81 %.

EDIT: As far as keeping the oximeter on, it just stays there??? I was a little surprised myself, but it hasn't come off in 3 nights of use for me. I must sleep in a common single position :)

Though I bought this without much research, but the CMS50F might be better for you - it looks similar to the oximeter they used in the sleep study, and what they had me do is tape down past the end of the part that goes on the finger - i.e. the small part where the cable comes out - with Coban (self-adhesive tape)

I have something called a CPAP Pillow from amazon (link below) and i use a resmed airfit f20 full face mask, i am 5 foot 11 215lbs and fairly broad shouldered (nothing crazy though) and i have to put a thin pillow below this to raise it a bit but i can comfortably sleep on my side this way with my mask resting on the corner indentation, happy to take pictures or assist further over PMs if you need it as i appreciate it is a far from cheap purchase! Without it i had terrible neck pain so its a must have for me personally.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CPAP-Pillow-Contour-Pressure-Sleepers/dp/B01IJ87MZK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=cpap+pillow&qid=1568895857&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyUkhWWUJMUFZBM1ZBJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjAxMzMzVkdKT1FORTJKSEZDJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4NjkzOTcxNkg0MzZGSUxWVENQJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I use a FFM mask. It's fine. I've tried the Resmed Airfit F20, and a Phillips Dreamwear, but wound up using the one my sleep study gave me because it seals around my nose better and stays on better. It's a Fisher and Paykel Simplus. The top nose piece is tad uncomfortable, but it's no big deal, I sleep better is all that matters with this mask over the other two I have.

Car camping - get a deep cycle AGM battery (available in many sizes, depending on how long you want to go without charging) and a DC adapter for your machine. More info

Backpacking - you're going to have to get creative. There are a lot of commercial lithium cpap batteries out there that are much lighter than lead acid per watt, but you'll only get a night or two from one of them, and they're very expensive. Your best bet is a general purpose Lithium battery with a 12V output combined with a 12V cpap (or 12v DC adapter if your machine is 24V). Here's an example.

I bought this one off amazon, and love it. I sleep on my side and use a full face mask, and those cutouts are perfect for my use. The one downside I have now though, is I can't sleep without this pillow. If I travel it comes with...

I love sleeping in a cold room, while breathing warm, humid air. I bought one of these and that solved the issue for me.

I have this one. .

It's not 100% my favorite but it's still better than any other pillow I've found so far. The cutouts help me sleep on my side with my mask. I wouldn't get it though unless you have a full face mask and are a side sleeper.

Like everyone else says, the mask is probably too tight.

You may also want to get the large size frame. The mask normally ships with the medium frame, and it seemed to fit me fine, but I had the same problem you did. In fact the first couple months after I bough the dreamwear I only used it two or three times because it irritated my nose so bad. I finally broke down and got the large frame, and immediately noticed a massive improvement. It wasn't dramatically more comfortable at night, but in the morning my nose felt much better.

Also /u/wrong_assumption recommends the version without the nasal pillows. I used that version up until about a month ago, and I always liked it and it is slightly more comfortable. That said, I switched to the pillow version and won't go back. I had way more problems with leaks without the pillows, and it was noisy enough to wake me up way too often. Since I switched to the pillows, my sleep has noticeably improved. You may not have the same problem, but I would recommend trying the large frame before trying the non-pillow version.

BTW, if you do want to try the version without the pillows, you don't need to replace the whole mask. Just get the non-pillow nosepiece.

I've got this and have been VERY happy with the way it works. It just goes between my mattress and box spring:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0034CHMRU/

It's a simple thing really, but it helps immensely for me.

Why not use a small battery back up ?

You’ll regret not bringing it.

Something like this is light weight.

Freedom CPAP Battery Standard Kit - Number 1 Most Advanced, Longest Lasting CPAP Battery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H637L82/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_E.9JBb9M89A2V

And if you plan to go backpacking a lot you could invest in the resmed mini.

https://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/products/devices/airmini.html

You want to use Sleepyhead for detailed analysis. You can put an SD card in the ResMed it will write detailed info to it, then put that SD card in your computer to get the data off and into Sleepyhead.

I use this sweet wireless SD card that just appears on my network now, so from my computer I can just connect to it and copy the files.

Was a little tricky to get working, but very nice once I did.

you can buy the cushion to interchange with the frame.

you’ll also need the full face adjustable straps to securely wear the full face cushion

only those two you’ll need! the rest is the same - whatever size your nasal cushion is now (probably small or medium) is the size full face you’ll buy. The sizing is only measuring how far your nose comes out under your nostrils length wise

I sleep sitting up. I could not handle sleeping on my side, and do not like the idea of the machine; so sleeping reclined it is. Not diagnosed because that costs monies, but I do snore very loud, and wake up tired. Lately I have been waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom which can be a sign as well. Sleeping reclined has helped quite a bit. I feel better during the day and do not feel like I am going to fall asleep at work or in traffic.

I will be picking up one of these to help eventually.

Update: this is a more recent unit that seems pretty decent, and is more amp hours than the one I bought about 18 months ago. Here is an even burlier one - one reviewer reports using a Z1 CPAP for 6 nights on one charge.

This panel puts out up to 20v DC, which is what my RavPower battery pack needs to charge, not sure about the other units I linked. If their charging adapters are 12v or 18v there are a lot of other panels out there as well that would work.

yep, i bought both pieces on amazon for about $40 total. nice to have the option if needed, and keep the hose connection at the top of my head

it helps with congestion, but i didn't get a good seal with it. perhaps because of my beard. after my congestion cleared up i switched back to the nasal mask

mask (med size, but get whatever equivalent is to your nasal)

headgear

I got this battery pack off Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M3S00H0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pretty small in size and works well for an overnight camping trip with no humidifier.

Check the top review of this product: https://www.amazon.com/Poweradd-Pilot-Pro-Smartphones-Chromebook/dp/B00DN0KBXU

I'm going to be getting one of these myself and trying it out on various settings to see what a full charge can handle. From what I've seen, if you don't use a heated hose or heated humidifier, then it should be good for multiple nights. And it's portable.

I just recently bought this one on Amazon, so if you end up wanting to trying, there's an easy to get it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G0NXCWS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use a wedge pillow (in the lower position), and find that I sleep so much better. The only hard part is that I find myself sliding down on occasion - but a quick re-position, and I'm back in-place.

I could tolerate my CPAP without it - but it is so much more comfortable with it. I just miss it when I'm at hotels...

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B009HHLBKK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I also have an AirSense 10 Autoset. The power "brick" provided with the unit is a conventional 120-240 VAC to DC converter. With the Ego Lawn Mower and Inverter you're converting electricity from DC to AC to DC. There will be substantial power-to-heat losses due to less-than-optimum efficiency of the power conversion.

Additionally, the AC output of the Ego Inverter (see manual, page 9) is limited to 150 Watts. At 120 Volts, this means that the current maximum it allows is 1.25 Amp. The maximum current demand that the AirSense 10 requires is 1.50 Amp. This is why the inverter's overheat is being triggered and it cuts power to your APAP; too much current is being demanded by the unit for the inverter's circuitry to handle.

I recommend following Resmed's Battery Guide using stand-alone, deep-cycle batteries.

I take my AirSense 10 camping and I recently purchased the following items, totaling to $205.56

1. $68.99 12V 35AH Group U1 Deep Cycle Scooter Battery
   
2. $11.36 Group U1 Snap-Top Battery Box
   
3. $45.03 Battery Tender Plus 1.25 Amp Battery Charger
   
4. $69.99 Rockpals DC Converter Compatible with S10 CPAP Series
   
5. $10.19 Battery Tender Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect
   
   12V 35AH batteries ship factory-charged. If used with tube heating and humidification switched off, and maximum IPAP pressure of 16 cm H2O then a single battery will last you for two 8-hour nights. See Page 7 of Resmed's Battery Guide for details of power consumption if using any of the heat settings.
   
   I hope this helps. Feel free to ask me questions.

Don't overlook something like the CMF 50F logging pulse oximeter CMS 50F. It will give you an idea of Saturated Oxygen levels overnight.

I haven't looked at those in a while, but check on the latest. It takes a while for FDA to approve those, so irony was latest version, when I last looked, was direct ship from China and not a USA retailer. It's been a few years, but for $90 it will help get data to show your doctor.

I trained myself to breath only thru my nose. Took a few months with a chinstrap, called Ruby Red, although I don’t have a beard. Like this one which fit if you tuck the beard back or if it a small/medium beard: CareFusion Ruby Stop Snoring Chin Strap Large - XL https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005HYTVEK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_HGU2DbVNJMH6T

edit: I don’t have a beard

I bought a hose holder for next to my bed. It’s a nice thing to have. $15.
North American Healthcare JB5651 Cpap Hose Holder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0034CHMRU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_i0vlDb767GZPX

I think it depends on the user, but I've tried two. This one worked ok, but was a hassle and left impressions on my cheeks when I woke up. The one I use now, is this one, which is much simpler and works great.

It doesn't take a lot of pressure to hold your chin up and keep your mouth sealed - much less than I was trying to achieve with that first strap. I'm bald, so I was worried about it slipping off without extra straps to hold it, but I have had no problem with it staying in place.

Thanks everyone! After talking with my ENT doctor this morning, I ended up buying this one:

Contour Products, CPAPMax 2.0 Pillow for Sleeping with CPAP Machine, works for side, back and stomach sleepers, alleviates leaking, reduces noise, no odors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYNBWXG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2bKJDb3RD0AQ

Also, my doctor reminded me about getting a night guard too.

If you’re paying cash get it on amazon. It will be far cheaper. Under 20 dollars. It includes the gasket.

https://www.amazon.com/ResMed-Standard-AirSense-AirCurve-Humidifier/dp/B00T57ANDS

I bought this one:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01M3S00H0/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_awdo_tBHnDbDWVQXEZ

It works when I need it to. I have only used it one night at a time, but it had the juice to power my CPAP with humidifier all night.

I toss and turn less but this pillow could help too. I miss being able to roll over on my stomach and think this would help because it's got cut outs for your mask.


https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-Sleeping-sleepers-alleviates/dp/B01LYNBWXG/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=contour+sleeping+pillow+cpap&qid=1550884594&s=gateway&sr=8-4

I wonder if insurance would cover a mini pap as the primary machine. Re battery use, doesn’t the z1 have a battery pack that fits around it as a shell? Also, check this out—lithium battery with inverter. You can take 12 volts off it which will power many cpaps without conversion. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M3S00H0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you're thinking of replacing it you can get one on Amazon for $18.

This is what I use... I don't like it that much, but it works, and it's still more comfy than a full face mask.

ResMed CPAP Chin Strap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N44IL1O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_52fjzbTG84VGX

Here is the cheaper one that I started with (and still occasionally use for travel). I went through a couple of them as they base isn't welded very well and it broke on me).

https://amazon.com/North-American-Healthcare-JB5651-Holder/dp/B0034CHMRU/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1540058654&sr=8-4&keywords=CPAP+Hose+HOlder

Once I decided that I liked it enough I bought a much more sturdy one. Seriously this thing is a beast and not terribly expensive at $50

https://amazon.com/Hose-Buddy-CPAP-Management-System/dp/B00866NTJY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1540058654&sr=8-5&keywords=CPAP+Hose+HOlder

You can get a home pulseox and wear it at night, and then upload your data into Sleepyhead. If you make sure the clock on the CPAP and the recording pulseox are in sync, then you can line the data up. This one is the one I got:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LN4LCMC

Get your T checked as sleep apnea can fuck up your hormones. Sometimes they recover with CPAP treatment and sometimes they don't and you need to start testosterone supplementation.

If your head is on the large side, you may want to try ordering the large headgear, which is sold separately.

The medium seemed to fit me fine, so I didn't think I needed it, but my initial experience with it was fairly similar to yours. Once I tried the larger frame, my opinion of the Dreamwear went way up.

Also, just try fiddling with the straps... It is hard to get them "just right." A tiny bit too loose, you get intermittent leaks. A tiny bit too tight, and your nose hurts. But just right, and that mask is (as far as I can tell) the most comfortable mask available.

I made the mistake of tightening mine a bit a couple nights ago, and I am going to be wearing my nasal mask tonight... But in a day or two I will be back to the (loosened) Dreamwear.

I tried all kinds of masks until I got the nasal mask. But I, too, have always had trouble breathing through my nose, go figure!

In terms of living with it, I've found that less is better. I use a hose buddy to keep my hose up above my head except for a foot or so.

Heated air is not for me. I lived with it for years, including the condensation, until it finally hit me that I'm just breathing the same room air with the CPAP that I do without it. I may put water in the chamber but I no longer heat the water (or the tube, or even have a hose-wrap around it). I don't always use the water either, if it's already humid in the room.

I lost weight (shout-out to r/keto) and to make it simple for myself, I eliminated all sugars and all grains from my diet. Inflammation in my bones disappeared, and the following year I realized that of all things, my seasonal allergies were gone and I no longer had the nasal issues I used to have (I'd spend 3-4 hours just clearing out my sinuses when I woke up).

Now I blow my nose once or twice and I'm done. I'm attributing that to eliminating grains, since they are grasses and I have a grass allergy.

And losing weight helped me really recover from the sleep apnea debilitating effects in a way I hadn't even while complying with the machine for 10 years.

The ramp is something I don't like; it always made me feel like I was suffocating. I bypass it (it can probably just be turned off) by turning on the machine, then getting settled in bed, and only put the mask on once it's up to full pressure. I breathe out gently while settling the nasal prongs and when I breathe in, it just feels normal even though there's the pressure.

The air pressure is something your physician has to set. Mine started me at 6, then quickly got me to 8, then just went right up to 12 where it's been ever since. I don't use the APAP; the fluctuating pressure is not right for everybody and whenever I ask my doctor he says, no, you need the CPAP.

I have severe apnea, and am uncomfortable lying flat without the machine; I can feel my windpipe closing down now. I make the dentist and hygienist bring me chair up to where I can breathe comfortably even if it's not quite as convenient for them.

Treat this as a health journey. Pay attention, make changes as you run into issues, and you'll figure things out before long.

Good luck to you!