Any "Oracle" users?

[davidwil]

Was just wondering if anyone uses the Oracle mask by Fisher & Paykel? If so, are you happy with it? What is the biggest problem you have? What pressure do you use it with?

I'm finishing my first week on cpap using a ff mask and the bridge of my nose is really having a hard time adjusting. I use a setting of 16, and if I move the mask higher or lower, it leaks terribly. I'm a mouth breather most all of the time and I'm thinking the Oracle mask might work well for me.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts about the mask.

Thanks,
David

[fidelfs]

I had used for a few nights. I heard people call it the "drooling machine". That is not a problem for me, because I am use to that, I wear a mouth guard every night and it makes you drool.

I am having serious sinus problems and when I use the "things" in your nose to stop loosing pressure from the nose, my sinus problem become worse. There was another posting about the columella effect, in this case those "things" in my nose made my sinus to make a enormous amount of mucus. I woke up and I had to blew my nose, it was horrible.

Another problem I faced is the dry mouth, your tongue is like sand paper.

My pressure is 15.

I have a Ultra Mirage FF mask, that I cannot use because with the high pressure the Ultra Mirage has so many leaks. I am using a nasal mask and taping my mouth. My sinus is getting under control and I think I will go back to my Opus 360 and tapping my mouth. I have ordered the Papcap to see if this help me closing my mouth.

[dsm]

Tried the Oracle & variants (mods I tried) of one.

Gotta say that when I hear anyone claiming they love it, I figure they are aliens from another planet

DSM

[fadedgirl]

You calling me an alien?

I've only had my Oracle for a few days, but I do love it. I'm not sure if it'll end up being my primary mask, because I'm currently testing as many masks as possible, but I can wear the Oracle without the head strap and that in and of itself is terrific. And to not having something digging into the bridge of my nose is just wonderful. But it can give one a very dry mouth. Sometimes I get this, sometimes I don't. Haven't figured that out yet. I also really like not having the typical mask seal on my face!

That being said, the part that goes between the teeth is way too thick & could have easily been halved. I don't care for having my mouth propped open this much all night. And I'm not a fan of the plastic they used on it, F&P should have used higher quality materials. Also, it is a different feeling having the air blowing directly into your mouth versus the full face masks where its much more indirect. I can see where some may not care for this, and I'm not in love with it myself, but I don't dislike it enough to not use the mask.

But other than that (I'm hoping I'll get used to the mouth piece height) I think its great. I can sleep freely on my regular pillow and it doesn't leak, unseal or fall out. I don't ever have to re-adjust it. I can lean my face (and therefore this mask) into the pillow and it doesn't hurt or torque my teeth. And I don't wake up with indentations or bruises. Its a great invention imo and I hope F&P and other makers improve on it.

[SleepingUgly]

I tried it, but couldn't fall asleep with it because I kept experiencing a puff of air into my cheeks that would rouse me when I started to doze. At first I thought it was the mask, but now I wonder if it's my System One Auto sending out a puff of air to detect clear vs. obstructed airway. I'm not sure. Also the nose plugs leaked or wouldn't stay in.

I know studies show it works, but some think nasal breathing is superior for sleep, so it makes me wonder about the veracity of that. You'd think that if breathing through your mouth was inferior and caused more collapsing of the airway, a higher pressure would be required with the oracle than a nasal mask.

[fadedgirl]

some think nasal breathing is superior for sleep

I never even considered that here would be a difference in mouth versus nasal breathing for sleep. I'm going to look into this, thanks!!

[SleepingUgly]

some think nasal breathing is superior for sleep

I never even considered that here would be a difference in mouth versus nasal breathing for sleep. I'm going to look into this, thanks!!

Perhaps Dr. Park can comment on this. He writes/talks about how nasal breathing is superior to mouth breathing in sleep, so I wonder what he has to say about the Oracle.

[rested gal]

I tried the original Oracle and the "improved" one that Fisher and Paykel put out...but both of those were years ago.

Cheeks puffing, air leaks through the nose (nose plugs were uncomfortable) and extremely dry mouth even with humidifier heat turned up as high as it would go -- those were a few of the problems that made me toss it aside. Oh, and the annoying squeak noises whenever the mouth cushion lost its seal.

[SleepingUgly]

Rested Gal, was the "cheeks puffing" an intermittent sensation of a puff of air? Still not sure if it's due to the mask or my machine trying to detect clear/obstructed airway.

Cheeks puffing, air leaks through the nose (nose plugs were uncomfortable)

BTW, I just saw the download from when I tried to sleep with the Oracle and there are just TONS of obstructive apneas (some centrals). This was while I was awake or at best starting to doze only to be roused by a puff of air sensation. I don't know what to make of this. I wouldn't base too much on my information, though. Studies show the Oracle works, so if it interests you, it's worth exploring.

[dsm]

You calling me an alien?

<snip>

If not an Alien, then very clever

I tried all sorts of modifications to one oracle but just could never get it to feel comfortable in my mouth.
I still have a new (revised one) sitting in my bedside drawer along with the original highly modified one.

Come to think of it, there is a Dr Sue mouthpiece sitting in there with all the other failed devices too
http://www.nosebreathe.com/

I'd be interested to hear of anyone who has used the NoseBreathe device for longer that 1 year.

Good luck with that Oracle

DSM