My Experience with the Hybrid so far,,,,,

[snoozie_suzy]

I plan on posting my numbers after a full two weeks but wanted to post my experience so far. I have only used it 5 nights. I did glance at my smart card data the first two nights also, but plan on plotting an average after 10 more days.

Since many others have posted about the carrying case, and all the differenet choices of mouth cushions, etc, I will skip that part.

I totally agree with Oldgearhead on a post he made to Roztom a few weeks ago, when he stated that some people had problems not so much with finding the right nasal pillows (because the pillows came in three sizes and could be raised or lowered) but instead had problems with the cheek to cheek curve. I can see now what he means by that. I however, have not had this be the issue, but I can see if people had high cheek bones or a longer thinner type face that this could be an issue.

It does seem like a lot of women have been having problems (coincidence?) Minerva had posted she thought it would be interesting if people posted profile shots because it seemed like alot of women were having difficulty with the mask. I have a pretty small nose, and not a large bridge at all, I also have a tiny/recessed chin (which might be what contributes to my OSA in the first place as its definately not weight, i'm not overweight) But I do have a fleshy face, very round and not high cheekbones. I can see where if a person has a longer face, or a longer nose, how the nasal pillows would try to pop out if you didnt' tighten the straps enough. And then its which battle do you want to fight? pillows popping out, or permanent strap marks digging into your face?

The two nights I did check the data were awesome. Almost a perfect set of zero's! My AHI was the lowest its been at .5. Before with the comfort classic it was averaging around 2.2. which is still very good. As others have reported the leak rate is higher with this mask. The acceptable rate for 10 cm on the Hybrid I believe is 43 or 44 L/m and mine for both nights was around 50. Although I felt no leaks and pillows didn't pop out or air escape from sides of cheeks. My snores went up somewhat but not huge. Maskjunkie had reported his patients felt refreshed due to better CO2 washout. And I agree. I feel like its so much easier to breathe on this. The Swift mask was hard for me last winter, because even after several weeks it felt like the air was blasting up my nose and now because its distributed to my mouth and thru the pillows its not bad at all. I usually use passover humidifier, but today after day 5 I found my throat was dry when I woke up so I might try it on 1 or 2. Although I think it was Oldgearhead who said he found if moisture was too high the mask started to slide, so I will try to find the balance.

Will report my numbers in 10 more days, I want to see if they stay consistant. This mask is a keeper for me. I know a lot of people have had problems, and I think its definatley not a "one size fits all" mask. Although what mask is? I also decided to try Mike Moran's tip about bringing a small portion of the tubing that connects to the mask up by my shoulder, leaving the elbow port pointing down, and using velcro (from my Swift mask) to keep the tubing attached to the top part of my headgear, and its worked like a charm. No tangling up in the hose.

Thumbs up so far for this mask. It has been a HUGE help reading everyone's previous postings on this mask, so that I could tweak it a little. Oh yes, also, I have not needed to remove the chin flap from the mask. I know ALOT of people have had to perform 'surgery' on the Hybrid, but it coudl be because I hardly have a chin that it doesn't cause any problems. Although I like the UMFF mask headgear better with the clips that unsnap, I am not bothered by the headgear. I have ordered Padacheeks to help pad them but not bothered by the clip posts at all. Now that I'm used to them I can undo the bottom one clip and take on and off without turning on lights

Suzy

[Guest]

Can you sleep on your side OK with this mask?

[Snoozin' Bluezzz]

Can you sleep on your side OK with this mask?

I'm not Snoozie_Suzy but I am a Hybrid user and I have no troubles sleeping on my side with it. I toss and turn quite a bit and it stays in place.

David

[snoozie_suzy]

I only sleep on my side now, and not a budge from the nasal pillows or mouthpiece. But I'm guessing that if you don't get quite the right fit, (if you have nostrils that don't accomodate the pillows or if the cheek to cheek surface area of the mouthpiece allows leaks, then side sleeping might make it worse.)

For ME , side sleeping has been easy.

Suzy

[inacpapfog]

Just wanted to add that side sleeping for me with the Hybrid is fine !. I'm about a 50/50 side/ back sleeper and I find both positions work well with this mask!

[tooly125]

suzy,
I have been using the Padacheeks for 4 nights now and they make the mask even more comfortable.
I agree with your comments about the headgear clips they did worry me at first but now that i am used to them I can put the mask on in the dark.
Side sleeping is not a problem unless the exaust ports hit the pillow case then it can get noisy but I just sleep at the end of the pillow.

[snoozie_suzy]

Tooly~

Had it not been for your prior post about ordering the cotton Padacheeks vs. the fleece ones I wouldn't have known that Karen made cooler cotton ones. during the summer I think fleece would have been too hot for me. thank you for posting a few weeks ago that she made cotton ones.

Suzy