by Carrissa Hankins, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Hello Sleep Health & The Sleep NP LLC
Maybe this one sounds familiar.
You started CPAP therapy with a full-face mask because you were told that, as a mouth breather, this is your only option.
After trying multiple masks, the leaks, noise, and sleep disruption aren't getting any better.
When I teach healthcare providers what to do in a situation like this, I usually pose it as a case study with a multiple choice answer. For this scenario, the answer options look like this (see below). Choose all that apply.
✅ If you breathe through your nose during the day, you might be able to get away with a nose-only mask.
✅ If you suffer from nasal obstruction, a nasal mask may not work well for you.
✅ If your healthcare team can lower your prescription for therapy (aka how hard the air is set to blow), your mask may leak less and seal better.
✅ If you have dentures and typically sleep without them, you might get a better seal with your teeth in.
Would you be surprised to know that all of the following statements about mask fit are true?
CPAP therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Understanding individual factors—from breathing habits to dentures—makes all the difference in finding a comfortable mask fit and optimizing therapy.
Why this topic?
Healthcare providers (ya know, the ones who aren't full blown sleep doctors) don't get very much education on how to help their sleep apnea patients succeed with CPAP.
It often gets pushed off the the DME vendor or the Sleep Lab to deal with the details.
Maybe the people in those places get it and are willing (and able) to help. Far too often, that's not the case.
If you're dealing with a mask that isn't working out as advertised, you have options!
✅ Find your voice. No matter what the problem is with your mask, talking about it is better than suffering in silence & giving up out of frustration.
✅ Find a resource who takes your concerns seriously. I wish I could tell you that your problem won't fall on deaf ears. But just in case it does, I want you to know that it's 100% OK to get another opinion, especially when the math isn't math-ing or you've been told the problem is all your fault.
✅ Grab a free copy of my CPAP Mask Tip Sheets (see below). These sheets are full of common sense wisdom you can use right away, rather than having to figure it out on your own.
✅ Sign up for CPAP & Sleep Health coaching services with Hello Sleep Health. We love boosting our clients' confidence.
The bottom line is you are not alone.
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