tdamess,
I tried the oral mask, and could not get past the dry mouth issues with it. I have a heated humidifier, and kept it set to the maximum. I tried (I think) as hard as it is possible, to adjust to it and the dry mouth. The other problem is that I'm not a mouth breather. It was hard to have my mouth open, and the first few nights my jaw during the day was painful because of it. I really liked how quiet it was, and no blowing air to blow on someone else while sleeping.
I really wanted it to work, because, if for vanity reasons alone, it really does not have a big impact on how a person looks, as just the mouth is covered, and there is only the single strap (which the manufacturer says is optional) so the headgear part is pretty much invisible. But, I have enough soft palate weakness to where I could not train myself to sleep without the nasal plugs, if I did not wear them, air leaked out of my nose., and, as I stated, I could not overcome the mouth dryness.
I then went back to my nasal mask. The problems I've had with it from the start does not have to do with fit, but because my nose will start to itch really intensely after wearing it for a while. Then, of course, I can't reach it to scratch it, because its covered, and by time I lift up the edge to rub my nose, I'm either awake (a bad thing) or it wakes Don, from the roar of rushing air.
Then, I tried just raising up the head of my bed and sleeping without the bi-pap when I first got the puppy, because I was up and down so many times in the night with him anyway, but, it caused such horrible headaches.... I went back to the nasal mask at night, and during the day when I'm really feeling wrung out, and need a "hit" of good breathing, I wear the oral mask, because it does not interfere with reading, etc.
After talking about this at my last clinic visit, they want me to meet with another RT and try another nasal mask, but I've not followed through yet. Frankly I'm not wanting to look like Miss Piggy in the bedroom at night (nasal pillow effect) if I can find a way to move past the itching when wearing the nasal mask
I hope this topic continues to be discussed. The things I know for certain is that having a mask that fits correctly is really important, and using the bipap if you need it, is one of the best things a person can do to help themselves.
(does anyone else have problems with the nose itch?)