"Deconstructed" AEIOMED Headrest Mask

[JoyD.]

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After many masks, I've discovered the beauty (not literally ) of Rested Gal's "deconstructed" AEIOMED Headrest mask.

I have a question for all you "deconstructed" Headrest lovers: What are you using as a "forehead pad" to get the right angle on the pillows? I have been using a rolled up sock pushed high on the forehead. I'd like to know if any of you have found anything better?

Thanks

JoyD.

[ozij]

Rolled up sock here too. Cotton. Prefer it to makeup pads.
O.

[Catnapper]

Hi

Big fan of that mask here. Instead of putting a pad between the mask and my forehead, I make a strap with a Velcro loop on it. The frame and hose go in the loop, and the strap goes against my forehead. No pad needed, and the loop holds the mask in place. I add a second strap across the nasal pillow area to hold it against my nose.

I used to use a pad under it but it made a dent in my forehead. This works better.

By the way, Pad-a-cheek makes a terrific cover for the hose and the nasal pillows piece. She is so clever. I am not sure they are on her website, but send her a PM and she will tell you about them. I recommend them highly. They are designed to fit that mask. The hose cover will work even if the mask is not deconstructed.

Hope that makes sense.

Catnapper - Joanie

[JoyD.]

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Joanie,

What kind of "strap" are you using? By "frame" do you mean you are using the large plastic piece that sat on the original rubber headpiece? (I've removed that, and all that is left on mine is the hose with pillow attached, which I tie on with the leg from a pair of tights.) I'm trying to visualize your setup . . . can you post a photo?

Thanks for responding gals!

Joy

PS - I don't need to cover the pillow anymore to prevent rainout because I bought a heated hose : )

[GumbyCT]

By "frame" do you mean you are using the large plastic piece that sat on the original rubber headpiece? (I've removed that, and all that is left on mine is the hose with pillow attached, which I tie on with the leg from a pair of tights.)

I wear mine with one knee-high (fitted to my head) and secured under were the nasal seal connects to the hose.

This keeps it in place and now my head can breath too

[Catnapper]

Here are some pictures from an earlier thread:
viewtopic/t51354/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32 ... st#p276455

I don't use that one now, but it may give you the idea.

Catnapper - Joanie

[JoyD.]

Catnapper wrote:

Here are some pictures from an earlier thread:
viewtopic/t51354/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32435&p=276455&hilit=homemade+headgear+headrest#p276455

I don't use that one now, but it may give you the idea.

That's very interesting because in the summer the tights tie can get hot. (I usually use only one tights tie around the tube above the pillow.) It looks like you are using the fishnet around the pillow to hold the pillow in the nares, whereas I angle the hose with a sock at the upper forehead to hold the pillow tightly against the nose.

I'm wondering where you got the stretchy "fishnet". Did you zig-zag stitch the edges so it wouldn't unravel (it looks like you did)? Didn't the stitching along the edges prevent it from being very stretchy?

Are you also using a type of fishnet now, or have you found something better? If so, what is it and where did you buy it?

Thanks so much, Joanie, for the link : )

Joy

[JoyD.]

Gumby wrote:

I wear mine with one knee-high (fitted to my head) and secured under were the nasal seal connects to the hose.
This keeps it in place and now my head can breath too.

Gumby, is your Headrest "deconstructed"? If so, I take it that you are using a knee-high as others use a tights tie to hold the hose/pillow on. Do you use any type of pad on the forehead to angle the hose so the pillow stays tightly in the nares?

Joy

[Catnapper]

Hi Joy

My current favorite is made of swimsuit fabric, purchased at a regular fabric store. So was the fishnet stuff. I did zigzag the fishnet and although it stretched, it irritated me a bit. The swimsuit fabrics are pretty colors, too, and very soft against the skin. I used a ballpoint needle to sew the fabric.

At the back of the strap, I make them adjustable by using a swimsuit bra hook on one side and sew a number of small vertical columns on the other side. I hardly ever need to adjust them, though.

All of the headgear goes straight to the washing machine, so it is easy to clean. My design changes a bit each time as I come up with a new idea.

Catnapper - Joanie

[Linda3032]

I've still been using the makeup pads between my forehead and the "hard upper portion" of the de-cap-itated mask. I actually tape the makeup pads to the upper hose of the mask to keep them in place and I reuse them for a week or two.

I don't use the makeup pads to "angle" the device at all -- just as cushion comfort on my forehead.

But I'm intrigued with Catnapper's upper strap. Very simple, very easy. But I'm concerned that my forehead wouldn't be cushioned at all. Even though my upper strap is very loose, I'm still concerned about "dents".

Catnapper, don't you feel the need to cushion that hard plastic?

[Linda3032]

Also, I still use and love my lower strap -- the one over my nasal pillows. I still use a 1-2" stretchy ribbon which has rubberlike silicone on the under side. The same stuff on babies headbands and on the thigh-high nylons. The silicone really keeps the ribbon on the pillow, and also holds the ribbon on my cheeks and hair. I buy it by the yard on ebay.

[Catnapper]

Linda! Where have you been? Missed you! Glad to see you, and hope you have been well and sassy.

Actually, the forehead pad I had used previously still made a dent in my skin with the hard plastic part. (I used the makeup pads enclosed in a section of leg from tights.) The current style works without any lumps and the plastic hose never touches me while staying very stable. All that touches the skin is the strap. I do make a center section of 2 layers of cotton knit fabric and I sew the loop to the front of that. The cotton fabric is comfortable and soft against my skin. The plastic part is held away from me. I sleep on my stomach and can put my face into the pillow just fine. The exhaust at the top works fine and I don't suffocate!

Catnapper - Joanie

[JoyD.]

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Catnapper, Any chance you could send a photo of you "modeling" your current deconstructed Headrest. Oh, I know . . . we look like something the cat dragged in But the thong-looking photos of the net "headgear" you posted still requires imagination.

Okay, I'll take a photo wearing my set-up too I know that Linda's photo is soooo helpful . . . especially to those who have not tried the deconstructed Headrest. (It helped me a lot when I cut up my Headrest and was trying to figure out how to get stability tying it on). Showing the forum several options would probably be very useful to them.

Joy

[Babette]

You know, about once a year I consider trying the Headrest again. Any pix of headrest headgear configurations are greatly appreciated. If you can't post, just send us the URL and we'll go there and look.

I don't know why I do this. I'm doing FINE with the NAII. It's just ingrained in me. This consumer culture of always wanting to "upgrade".

Thanks much!
Barbara

[Linda3032]

Catnapper --- you are brilliant. I redid my setup on my headrest, using your idea of the loop to hold the upper part of the mask away from my forehead. It works great...

I used some "sticky velcro" that I had on hand. I formed the loop (and the hose sticks to the inside of the loop). Then I tacked the velcro to my lacey stretch headband.

I actually used too much velcro -- initially I had it about 2 inches from my forehead and I didn't need that much. Now I have the loop and hose about 3/4 to 1 inch from my forehead. It's perfect.

Thanks Catnapper. Here are pictures of my current setup. Love it. Hope the pictures aren't too big.







PS: I did sew a little bit of cushiony sock to the underside of my headband. But it's not needed. Boy it's nice getting away from those foam makeup pads.

PSS: Another variation I use (or don't use). I remove those gray thingys altogether. I never needed them to secure anything once I revised my setup over the years.