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[jdmessner]

But—I don't snore when I sleep on my side so that's what I do and I don't feel at risk.

If you want to make sure that you are sleeping on your side, you can try the tennis ball trick. Just put a couple of tennis balls in a sock and safty pin it to the middle ot the back side of a t-shirt you cn sleep in. It should keep you from rolling on your back.

My wife took a sleep test at home that was much less invasive than getting wired up for a sleep study. It turned out she didn't have sleep apnea, as it turns out she just snores. If the results had gone the other way, then she would have gone in and had the regular sleep test.

[Chris__M]

I have used nasal pillows for a long time and have always liked them. However, I am starting to experience the same problems you describe. Last time I went in for new supplies I was all set to get the mask you pictured. The only thing was, the med supply people sid it might not seal as well as the pillow mask. Have you had any problems with the sealing? I'm thinking it may be time to make the switch.

I was also slightly concerned, but I have had absolutely no problems. Not only am I not aware of leakage problems, but when I recently checked my AutoPAP's logs, it showed really good performance with regard to leakage. Very occasionally, I have woken to find that the headstrap has worked up the back of my head (because it has caught on the pillow), making the mask a little loose. But even then, it is the easiest adjustment to make, just pulling the strap back down automatically moves the mask snugly to where it should be.

Note that the following info is based on the UK market, I don't know if the same issues exist in the States: What I found was that some companies were selling this cheaper than others. It took me a bit of sniffing around to find that my preferred supplier (who was more expensive) was selling the complete kit as intended by the manufacturers. This contains the main headgear, the elastic strap, and *4* under-nose pieces in small, medium, medium wide and large. At least one of the other companies was only selling the headgear with a medium mask.

Of course, having the 4 options lets you experiment. By my experience with nasal masks, I would have assumed I needed a medium wide, but it turned out that the medium was the best fit. So my advice would be to check you are getting a full starter kit.

The individual bits can be purchased as spares, naturally, and things do wear out eventually.

As I say, I first tried the medium wide nose-piece, and that fitted pretty well. But when I tried the medium, it fitted perfectly. So I am using the medium, and keeping the medium wide as an emergency spare, as I can make it work. As I know I will never use the small or large nose-pieces, I'm considering putting them on eBay - someone may have a use for them!

I actually find this mask the easiest to put on, and the least annoying/distracting during the night of any mask I have had - and I consider myself to get on with CPAP masks quite well.

[riverrat49]

Can't do the mask, reminds me to much of having to wear the gas mask in the desert and for me that ain't a good combo, I was happy when they switched me to the nose pillow, don't use cpap at Comps since I usually just nap.

[urnmor]

I have been using a CPAP now for about five years.  I started using one when my wife complained to my doctor about my snoring (now honestly I never heard me snore  ) but I took the test at home and my results were off the charts.  In fact my doctor said I was the worse case he had ever seen.  I got the machine with the nose mask and the pillow they recommended.  I soon got rid of the pillow but not the mask and I will admit I am sleeping much, much better. 
I am looking for suggestions as I am now looking to replace the machine with a newer one that I can use both at home, traveling and  camping.   

[Chris__M]

This is my CPAP/AutoPAP. I originally bought the standard SleepCube CPAP, but later bought the AutoPAP version. This means I can keep my original SleepCube in the car, in case of unexpected sleepovers.

DeVilbiss SleepCube Auto Plus

The SleepCube has a couple of optional extras:

• Heated Humidification System - I've never needed a humidifier, but I know it makes some people more comfortable. In this case it just sits under the SleepCube, and looks quite neat.
• SmartLink Module - this is a module that clips to the back. Data can be saved by inserting an SD card, which can then be used in your computer to provide performance information. I think this is actually intended for clinical use only, but my supplier had no problem selling me one, and I find it useful to do periodic checks regarding sleep hours, leakage etc.

[jdmessner]

I am looking for suggestions as I am now looking to replace the machine with a newer one that I can use both at home, traveling and  camping.   

ResMed has some very small portable machines that are battery powered and are able to provide humidity without a water chamber. They look great and would be good for camping and travel. They are however fairly expensive. From the suppliers I've talked with they have told me they are not covered by insurance. Apprently they don't keep track of data as well as the regular machines.

In general, probably the best new feature I've seen is the heated coils in the hose. If you are using a humidifier the heated hose eliminates water build up. I don't normally use the humidifier, but if I do, it is nice to have.

[zephyr]

I put a piece of surgical paper tape over my mouth, in the up and down position so I don't blow my brains out if I sneeze and I sleep on my side.  ............................  ZEP

[Trooper]

I put a piece of surgical paper tape over my mouth, in the up and down position so I don't blow my brains out if I sneeze and I sleep on my side.  ............................  ZEP

That’s my Zep. Always trying to modify things!!!

[Bar-B-Lew]

I am looking for suggestions as I am now looking to replace the machine with a newer one that I can use both at home, traveling and  camping.   

ResMed has some very small portable machines that are battery powered and are able to provide humidity without a water chamber. They look great and would be good for camping and travel. They are however fairly expensive. From the suppliers I've talked with they have told me they are not covered by insurance. Apprently they don't keep track of data as well as the regular machines.

In general, probably the best new feature I've seen is the heated coils in the hose. If you are using a humidifier the heated hose eliminates water build up. I don't normally use the humidifier, but if I do, it is nice to have.

I have the Philips Restronics that has the heated coil.  I like it, but I don't like traveling with it.  I have traveled about 90 days this year and it is a pain to lug around.  I looked into one of those small travel ones with the humidity without water technology.  I am not ready to spend $1000 for it yet.  If I have to travel that much next year, I will be buying one.

[cookingjnj]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea earlier this year.  I am sorry I did not listen to my wife years ago to get tested sooner.  I am a mouth breather so right now wearing the full nose/mouth mask.  Took a few days to get use to wearing while sleeping, but now second nature.  Sleep much better at night, although my current mask distributes the exhaust up into my eyes.  Might need to look into a new type of mask.  I travel three or four days a week, so will also be looking for a travel cpap.  Currently using a Restronics which does not travel well.
Long of the short, if someone you are close to has let you know you are snoring at night, get tested.  Will be great for them, and just as important great for you as well.
Have not tried putting liquid smoke in the cpap reservoir yet, but not out of the question......just kidding....hmmmm. 

[Bar-B-Lew]

Restronics makes a travel machine but does not do the humidity without a water reservoir like the Resmed AirMini does, but it is about half the price of the AirMini.   www.cpap.com has a lot of the devices.

[Bentley]

I had and was supposed to be on one in the early 90's, tried and tried...but I just could not take it!

[Bar-B-Lew]

I had and was supposed to be on one in the early 90's, tried and tried...but I just could not take it!

I suspect the technology is much improved since then.  The biggest difference in me is that I do not feel sleepy after every meal that I eat. I used to feel like I needed a nap every time I ate.  I always felt like I had a good night's sleep before I had a machine too.  Glad I use it now.

[Chris__M]

I had and was supposed to be on one in the early 90's, tried and tried...but I just could not take it!

I took to it immediately, but know some people who found it claustrophobic. One of the reasons I like my current mask is that it doesn't cover my face.

Also, the newer AutoPAP machines are easier to get on with. You can set them to start with quite a low pressure, and only ramp up to the required pressure if it detects an apneoa event. Once breathing evens out again, it ramps down to low pressure again. This makes it a lot easier to get to sleep with the mask on.

[LowSlowJoe]

Everyone who gets one should at least get AutoPAP,  so much more comfortable that straight CPAP.  The newest nasal pillows are 10 times more comfortable than the best from 10 years ago.

I felt worse for about 5 weeks,  REM rebound,  like OD on RÈM sleep... stuck it out and really couldn't sleep without it now. I find mine relaxing now.