A total of 17 reviews of this product on Reddit.
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This one works pretty well for me
It’s a bit smaller and firmer then I was used to when I started using it but it’s working well for me. It’s been going strong for 7 months now.
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>I wake up a lot during my last 2-3 hours of sleep, finding the mask bothersome and getting knocked into a position that causes it to leak.
I had the exact same problem with that mask. I could get it fitting just right and then the slightest movement would screw it up.
Try using a nasal pillows mask if you can. Use a chinstrap if needed. The pillows masks are a lot easier to fit and don’t get knocked loose as easily. I like the Philips Dreamwear pillows. Because the hose connection is at the top of the head, it’s doesn’t pull the mask when you turn over. They are also interchangeable with the nasal and hybrid/full face version.
Try using a CPAP pillow. The cutout makes it less likely for the mask to get knocked loose. I like the CPAPMax:
https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-CPAP/dp/B01LYNBWXG
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Try keeping the top straps (the ones near your temples) more loose and tighten the bottom straps (near your chin). It could also be that you’re moving your chin around – either by acting out your dreams or just rolling onto the pillow. A pillow designed for CPAP might help. Here’s the one I like:
https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-CPAP/dp/B01LYNBWXG/
Also, if you’re able to breathe through your nose, consider a nasal mask with a chinstrap. These are a lot easier to fit.
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I had trouble with the mask moving around too. For me, the solution was a pillow made for CPAP. This is 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.
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For side sleeping, this pillow works great:
https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-CPAP/dp/B01LYNBWXG/
The cutout keeps the mask from getting moved around. Also, this is one of the few CPAP pillows that has a custom fitted pillowcase available. The pillow itself has multiple layers that you can add/remove to adjust thickness and it seems to sleep cooler than most pillows.
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>I’m a side sleeper and I do find if I sleep on my back the mask presses on my mouth and my teeth are REALLY sore in the morning.
I have fewer apnea events when on my side and I’ve become accustomed to sleeping on my side by using a CPAP pillow. Here’s the one I like:
https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-2-0/dp/B01LYNBWXG
>I get REALLY bad dry mouth after a night of sleep.
Most likely this is due to leaks. Your machine will give you some info about leaks, but far more info is available by using Sleepyhead (link in sidebar).
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| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contour Products, CPAPMax 2.0 Pillow for Sleeping… | $59.99 | $59.99 | 4.0/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
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Contour Products, CPAPMax 2.0 Pillow for Sleeping with CPAP Machine, W… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYNBWXG/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_GSZ7N1TPAAZRCPEEBKBJ
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I’m mostly a side sleeper and it helps to use a CPAP pillow. The cutout makes the mask less likely to get pushed off my face. Here’s the one I like:
https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-CPAP/dp/B01LYNBWXG/
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Congrats on the weight loss. It’s possible that your pressure requirements have changed as a result of the weight loss. My sleep doc recommends getting retested every 5 years or with a 10% change in body weight.
>I’m getting bloated every single night I use the machine now. Is there anyway to turn down the air flow?
This bloating is called “aerophagia” (literally “air eating”) and I had it too. It can be that the pressure is set too high or too low, but before making pressure changes, maybe try:
For me, forcing myself to stay on my side helped. Some people sew a tennis ball into the lower back of a T-shirt. I use a CPAP pillow with a cutout that makes this easier. Here’s the one I like: https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-CPAP/dp/B01LYNBWXG/
Consider trying a foam cervical collar. This can help to keep your head up. Here’s the one I’ve used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXT9PIH/
Use a chinstrap, even if you don’t need it for “mouth breathing”. Sometimes we gulp air and the chinstrap might prevent this. Here’s the one I like: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006O8LVX2/
Turn on/up the EPR. Most machines have some sort of “expiratory pressure relief” that will lower the pressure when you exhale. This setting is less invasive than changing the overall pressure. On Philips machines it’s called C-Flex. It’s usually in the hidden “clinician’s menu”: http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pressure/change-cpap-pressure-settings-adjusting-your-machine-with-a-clinician-setup-manual
Change the pressure. (Maybe talk with your doc first.) If pressure is too high, then air is forced into stomach. If pressure is too low, then you might be gulping air to compensate.
Switch to a BiPAP machine. This is like EPR on steroids.
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This is called “aerophagia” (literally “air eating”) and I had it too. It can be that the pressure is set too high or too low, but before making pressure changes, maybe try:
For me, forcing myself to stay on my side helped. I use a CPAP pillow with a cutout that makes this easier.
Some people sew a tennis ball into the lower back of a T-shirt.Use a chinstrap, even with a full face mask. This might help with gulping air.
Turn on/up the EPR. Most machines have some sort of “expiratory pressure relief” that will lower the pressure when you exhale. This setting is less invasive than changing the overall pressure. On Philips machines it’s called C-Flex. It’s usually in the hidden “clinician’s menu”:
Change the pressure. (Maybe talk with your doc first.) If pressure is too high, then air is forced into stomach. If pressure is too low, then you might be gulping air to compensate.
Switch to a BiPAP machine. This is like EPR on steroids.
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This is called “aerophagia” (literally “air eating”) and I had it too. It can be that the pressure is set too high or too low, but before making pressure changes, maybe try:
For me, forcing myself to stay on my side helped. I use a CPAP pillow with a cutout that makes this easier.
Some people sew a tennis ball into the lower back of a T-shirt.Use a chinstrap, even with a full face mask. This might help with gulping air.
Turn on/up the EPR. Most machines have some sort of “expiratory pressure relief” that will lower the pressure when you exhale. This setting is less invasive than changing the overall pressure. It’s usually in the hidden “clinician’s menu”:
Change the pressure. (Maybe talk with your doc first.) If pressure is too high, then air is forced into stomach. If pressure is too low, then you might be gulping air to compensate.
Switch to a BiPAP machine. This is like EPR on steroids.
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I found that a CPAP pillow works great. Here’s the one I like:
https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-CPAP/dp/B01LYNBWXG?th=1
Also, this is one of the few CPAP pillows that has fitted pillowcases.
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> I was never actually fit for the mask. The tech just gave me a large.
This sucks and it happens far too often. Mask fit is critical but these DMEs just toss you whatever they happen to stock and expect it to be perfect. Ideally, the tech would have let you try on a bunch of different masks to see which one actually fits your face. Most likely, you can still contact the DME and have them do an actual fitting.
>the bridge of my nose hurts
This could be the wrong mask for you or possibly over tightening the straps. It seems illogical, but most masks fit better with looser straps. All of us overtighten the straps when first starting out on CPAP.
>Everything seems to be ok when I go to sleep but during the night it seems like the mask fit changes.
Rolling over could cause this and a CPAP pillow might help. With a normal pillow, when we roll over, the mask hits the pillow and can be jarred loose. A CPAP pillow has a cutout to prevent this. Here’s the one I like:
https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-CPAP/dp/B01LYNBWXG
Also, some machines have a leak alarm (usually in the hidden "clinician’s menu").
>I get leaks, mask ‘farts’
Getting the mask to fit better should be the first priority, but there’s also a way to make the mask more sticky and help prevent leaks. Just a tiny dab of this will do, not even a pea size.
It’s found with diapers or:
>Is it just a matter of getting used to the mask?
This is part of it, but if the mask isn’t comfortable enough, then you’re not going to stick with it for the long haul.
>I have a lot of congestion and I am afraid that won’t work.
Yeah, this probably means that a full face mask is going to be more useful. The one I like is the ResMed AirFit F20. It fits a wide range of faces because it’s a lot more springy and flexible. Also, most masks also have a “sizing guide” available online that you can print out to get a better idea.
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Good for back sleepers and excellent for side sleepers:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYNBWXG/
- 3 separate layers of foam, so you can select the thickness and heat retention
- Custom fitted pillowcases are available for $15
- Reversible
- Holds up well (1st one lasted almost 2 years before losing a bit of springiness, on my 2nd one now)
Also available from Bed Bath and Beyond to use their 20%+ off coupons:
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For me a CPAP pillow helps. These have a little cutout for the mask. This is the one I like (and it has custom pillowcases too):
https://www.amazon.com/Contour-Products-CPAPMax-Pillow-2-0/dp/B01LYNBWXG
Try a different headgear: I’m on the ResMed F10 or F20 and I hate the headgear on both of them. Luckily, the F10 has many alternative heagears. Some are “universal”.
A chin strap can help hold things in place or be repurposed as a headband. This is the one I like (because it’s wide and soft, but it happens to be cheap too):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006O8LVX2/
If you’re serious about staying on your side, try sewing a tennis ball to a T-shirt (in the small of your back). Supposedly, the ball will keep you from rolling over without waking you.
