Mask Decisions

[Kiralynx]

Well, I'm coming up on my six month mask replacement....

Except...

My original CL2 is still in good shape. And I have a brand new back-up CL2 that I found on CPAPAuction.com.

My original Headrest is still in good shape, and I got a back-up for IT shortly after I decided I liked it, as I stumbled across a really good sale on them.

Both of these masks work really well for me, and I'm not really in Quest of a Perfect Mask because these two ARE my perfect masks.

I do not use a full-face mask except when I have a respiratory infection. For that, I have the ProBasic Zzz-mask, which, when lab-ratted with a CL2 strap, works as well as any full-face is likely to for me.

I also have an Oracle which I tried on, and concluded wouldn't work for me since it dried my mouth severely, but the DME refused to take it back.

So, honestly, I don't NEED another mask at this juncture. I really don't like arbitarily spending money that doesn't need to be spent. My Scots ancestors mutter, "Arrr, but think of the oatmeal y'cuid be buying!" We'll just leave out the fact that I don't do oatmeal anyway.

Still, if I pass up Mask Day, they'll give me all sorts of grief if, in two months, I do need something. My problem is, I'm not sure what I might be likely to need....

Any thoughts?

[SaltLakeJan]

Hi Kira:
Your situation is what an old English novel would refer to as a "Delightful Dilemma. Having 2 masks that fit, plus extras. You must live right.

I haven't used any of the masks you have, so I don't know if the mask I like would be appropiate for you . . it is the F & P Zest nasal mask. . It is light weight, and sturdy. I have three other masks, but I have primarily used it for 6 months, and the mask & headgear are still doing well.

Jan

[KatieW]

Kiralynx, I'm wondering, don't the nasal pillows wear out? Or the elastic parts get stretched out? Do you take extra good care of yours, or is this normal? I was under the impression that frequent replacements are necessary....oh, yeah it was the DME person who told me that.

Jan, I saw the Zest Mask today, and was thinking it looked kinda flimsy. Glad to hear that's not the case.

[bdp522]

Not sure if your insurance is the same, but mine allows me to get a new mask or cushion every 6 months. If I choose to NOT get a mask or cushion at 6 months, I CAN get one at any point after the 6 months. I just have to have at least 6 months since the last replacement.

Brenda

[Kiralynx]

Your situation is what an old English novel would refer to as a "Delightful Dilemma. Having 2 masks that fit, plus extras. You must live right.

Actually, it's paranoia from working with home computers for 27 years. I can't stand not to have a back-up. But it is a "delightful dilemma" not to HAVE to select something.

I got the original CL2 by pure luck -- I asked the mask specialist at the sleep center to help me find one that would work because of my claustrophobia. He was very helpful, and the CL2 (though I didn't know its name) was what I used for my titration.

I had mental visions of the dachshunds deciding to chew on it or whatever, and haunted CPAPAuction after I'd used the CL2 for a couple of weeks and knew it worked. (With some lab ratting.) Got lucky and got a backup for a really good price.

Given how much Rested Gal and a number of other people whose opinions I respect like the Aeiomed Aura / Twilight / Headrest, I decided to try it, and when I figured out how to lab rat it so it worked for me, I went hunting, and found a good back-up for it.

Total costs on my back-ups were less than one new mask --

I haven't used any of the masks you have, so I don't know if the mask I like would be appropiate for you . . it is the F & P Zest nasal mask. . It is light weight, and sturdy. I have three other masks, but I have primarily used it for 6 months, and the mask & headgear are still doing well.

It looks like a good mask, but I hate "things" across my face -- the claustrophobia kicks in. Still, I'm glad YOU have a mask which works for you. We're all different! (But the "things across my face" issue is why I haven't considered trying the highly popular Swift Lt.)

[Kiralynx]

Kiralynx, I'm wondering, don't the nasal pillows wear out? Or the elastic parts get stretched out? Do you take extra good care of yours, or is this normal? I was under the impression that frequent replacements are necessary....oh, yeah it was the DME person who told me that.

Well, I have a couple back-ups for the CL2, mainly because you can use it as a nasal mask, with regular pillows, or with the direct seal pillows. Sort-of three masks in one, which is why I like it so much.

You can get new pillows more frequently than you can a new mask.

I will own that after almost a year, the CL2 strap (which I moved to the Headrest when I started using it) is getting a bit stretched out, but it's still not unadjustable.

Can't say I take especially good care of it... I rinse the mask regularly, but rarely dismantle it completely. The straps get washed in gentle soap by hand, again not that often since I'm fortunate not to have oily hair.

And yes, the DME would want you to do frequent replacements... especially if you have good insurance.

[Kiralynx]

Not sure if your insurance is the same, but mine allows me to get a new mask or cushion every 6 months. If I choose to NOT get a mask or cushion at 6 months, I CAN get one at any point after the 6 months. I just have to have at least 6 months since the last replacement.

Brenda,

I'll have to check on that. My insurance says that I can have what the doctor prescribes. However, the DME has refused to honor two prescriptions, saying I didn't need "X" and that my insurance wouldn't pay for it. They wanted me to sign a form saying that if my insurance refused to pay, I would be responsible. Since they would charge me their "billed price" and not the insurance's adjusted price, there is no way in Hades I would sign a form like that, because they'd just keep coming back to me saying, "Your insurance wouldn't cover this...."

Thanks for the tip.

[headbored]

Why don't you try the nasal prong,it is like not even wearing a mask.I will admit it it hard on the nares for a couple of days but well worth it.

[Kiralynx]

Why don't you try the nasal prong,it is like not even wearing a mask.I will admit it it hard on the nares for a couple of days but well worth it.

Tried the Nasal Aire II on Babette's excellent mask trial, and it's not for me -- the prongs are too round for my nares. But thank you.

[TXLadybug]

Check out the Sleep Weaver Advance mask. I have only used it for 2 nights so far, but am very impressed. It's as light as a feather. No cushions. Wash out the whole thing in the sink in the morning and it's fresh as a daisy for that night. Material is like a very lightweight windbreaker, only softer. Everyone says this thing is unbelievable, but that's only because it's truly unbelievable. It is so worth a try