I just finished my fifth full night on the Hybrid and I very tentatively say that this looks like it may be the mask that finally restores my vigor. I am converting from Swift/mouth taping and from my experience I would start the conversion on a Friday night when there are no "must-do" events on Saturday/Sunday.
Here is what happened so far:
• Thursday, 8/10: Slept 3 hours and woke extremely hot and jaw very sore. Switched back to Swift for remainder of night.
• Friday, 8/11: Jaw still sore, used Swift.
• Saturday, 8/12: Readjusted Hybrid headgear, dropped humidifier from 3.0 to 1.0 setting. Results: Slightly sore jaw, underneath of chin inflamed from chin flap, nose very dry due to low humidity.
• Sunday 8/13: Readjusted straps, left humidifier setting at 1. Results: Slightly sore jaw, underneath of chin inflamed from chin flap, nose very dry due to low humidity.
• Monday 8/14: Reported problems to manufacturer who encouraged me to cut off the chin flap and turn the humidifier back up. I cut the flap off the medium mask (I had been using the large one and did not want to damage it) and turned the humidifier to 1.5. Results: No jaw soreness, inflamed chin beginning to heal (treated with otc cortisone), small sore at base of nose and nose somewhat dry.
• Tuesday 8/15: Readjusted headgear, changed from large to small nasal pillows and increased humidifier to 2.0. Results: Inflamed chin continues to heal, temperature comfortable, nose slightly dry.
• Wednesday 8/16: Felt headgear did not need readjusting. Increased humidifier to 2.5. Results: Inflamed chin nearly healed, sore at base of nose nearly healed, temperature comfortable, nose dryness acceptable.
• Overall results: When I started cpap on 12/27/2005, I was elated for a few days believing that my apnea problems were over. Undoubtedly this was just “cpaper’s high”. Nearly eight months later I still had hardly an hour of really feeling good and most of the time it was really feeling bad day and night. I am very hesitant to say the Hybrid is the solution for me due to fear of “Hybrider’s high” and later disappointment.
I am very encouraged, but I am tempering my high hopes and will give you an update after some more days.
9/10/2006
Just an update, I have used the Hybrid mask 29 nights now and it is great. I am having a lot of dreams for the first time in years.
The mask rarely leaks. I found a good fit (medium mask, chin flap cut off, medium pillows). I can understand if you don't find a good fit the mask may leak for you.
The only time I get leaks is when I have been pulling at the hose or mask. This rarely happens.
The nose pillows are softer than Swift pillows and I have had no irritation around the nose.
In the last two weeks I have adjusted the headgear only once. This is the original style headgear.
The mask is also easy to clean.
I am starting to feel better physically and mentally. Daytime sleepiness is decreasing.
I just hope this good fortune is not jinxed by writing this!
rooster
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, hose, swift, CPAP, Nasal Pillows, clean
Initial results with Hybrid mask
Initial results with Hybrid mask
Last edited by roster on Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:12 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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DreamStalker
- Posts: 7509
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:58 am
- Location: Nowhere & Everywhere At Once
Thanks for the update Rooster.
Last night was my first night with the Hybrid. Unfortunately, it was not dreams at first try for me either. Being new to the CPAP life, I did not realize that the reason my CPAP machine was making much more noise than usual was because it was compensating for the extreme leakage of the Hybrid.
When I first put the mask on before going to bed, I felt around the mask edge for leaks and only felt what I thought was light and acceptable leakage between the seal and my beard (did I mention I have a full beard?). About an hour after going to sleep I awoke with very dry throat and nose and realized something was not right. As I tightened up the straps to the Hybrid, I could hear the CPAP machine noise decrease. However, I had to tighten the straps to the point of being painful to get the machine to sound like when I used the Swift mask. So I groped around in the dark for my Swift mask and swapped it out -- went back to sleep and spent the rest of the night deeply involved in dreams. I woke up amazingly rested and refreshed … my best night of sleep yet.
I’m not giving up so easy on the Hybrid though … many adjustable options still left for me to try. I’m leaving the chin flap removal mod for last. I must say that if I can get it to seal correctly, this mask design may be as close to ideal for me.
If you don’t mind Rooster, I would like to update my initial results with the Hybrid on this thread also.
If I’m sleep’in, I’m dream’in … zzzzzz
- roberto
Last night was my first night with the Hybrid. Unfortunately, it was not dreams at first try for me either. Being new to the CPAP life, I did not realize that the reason my CPAP machine was making much more noise than usual was because it was compensating for the extreme leakage of the Hybrid.
When I first put the mask on before going to bed, I felt around the mask edge for leaks and only felt what I thought was light and acceptable leakage between the seal and my beard (did I mention I have a full beard?). About an hour after going to sleep I awoke with very dry throat and nose and realized something was not right. As I tightened up the straps to the Hybrid, I could hear the CPAP machine noise decrease. However, I had to tighten the straps to the point of being painful to get the machine to sound like when I used the Swift mask. So I groped around in the dark for my Swift mask and swapped it out -- went back to sleep and spent the rest of the night deeply involved in dreams. I woke up amazingly rested and refreshed … my best night of sleep yet.
I’m not giving up so easy on the Hybrid though … many adjustable options still left for me to try. I’m leaving the chin flap removal mod for last. I must say that if I can get it to seal correctly, this mask design may be as close to ideal for me.
If you don’t mind Rooster, I would like to update my initial results with the Hybrid on this thread also.
If I’m sleep’in, I’m dream’in … zzzzzz
- roberto
President-pretender, J. Biden, said "the DNC has built the largest voter fraud organization in US history". Too bad they didn’t build the smartest voter fraud organization and got caught.
Good to hear from you roberto,
I have not had any serious leaking problems with the Hybrid but then I don't have a beard at this time.
I started out with the mask very tight and gradually adjusted it to looser. My settings are still medium tight and I may loosen it up some more as I get more confidence with it.
I have remembered two vivid dreams with the Hybrid and this wasn't often the case with the Swift.
Let us know what you learn,
rooster
I have not had any serious leaking problems with the Hybrid but then I don't have a beard at this time.
I started out with the mask very tight and gradually adjusted it to looser. My settings are still medium tight and I may loosen it up some more as I get more confidence with it.
I have remembered two vivid dreams with the Hybrid and this wasn't often the case with the Swift.
Let us know what you learn,
rooster
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sidesleeper
I wore my Hybrid way too tight the first night and even had a red mark in the morning from the straps. I was afreid of leaks. I'm more confident now and don't even need my home made pad-a-cheeks because I can wear it like a normal mask without too many leaks.
I just love the deep sleep I'm getting. I feel so rested in the morning. Even my nightly trip to the potty is gone, not that I got up every hour, ever, but being a very heavy woman, you know how it is........
I have more energy. I even lost a pound between yesterday and saturday (hey, it's a start).
I just love the deep sleep I'm getting. I feel so rested in the morning. Even my nightly trip to the potty is gone, not that I got up every hour, ever, but being a very heavy woman, you know how it is........
I have more energy. I even lost a pound between yesterday and saturday (hey, it's a start).
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maskjkie
Dreamstalker,DreamStalker wrote:Thanks for the update Rooster.
Last night was my first night with the Hybrid. Unfortunately, it was not dreams at first try for me either. Being new to the CPAP life, I did not realize that the reason my CPAP machine was making much more noise than usual was because it was compensating for the extreme leakage of the Hybrid.
The Hybrid has a generous vent flow rate (to flush out CO2 and that is good in my opinion). Make sure you take that into consideration when you worry about leakage. The CPAP machine detects that as part of the leak but it is not a leak in the real sense.
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kidknits
just started with the hybrid, too
I've had 2 nights with the hybrid and have to say I have no complaints! No leaking, no marks on my face, straps are comfortable..... the first night my nose was a little bit sore, but not bad. I set my humidifier at "2" and have not had any dryness problems.
I'd been trying to use the Oracle without much success. Now, after 2 nights of sleep, I'm much more confident that I'll get used to cpap!
I'd been trying to use the Oracle without much success. Now, after 2 nights of sleep, I'm much more confident that I'll get used to cpap!
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Guest
Well I had my second night with the Hybrid and got about four and half hours of deep dream sleep before I woke up with a very dry mouth and throat.
I don’t think I spent enough time fitting the mask on the first night when I chose to use the medium mouth piece and medium pillows. I had to tighten up the headgear straps uncomfortably in order to stop leaks and then only to wake up an hour later with massive leaks having returned.
For the second night I chose the large mouth piece and large pillows and took about hour with trial and error adjustments of the mask and straps. I was able to keep it leak free with much less strap tension (only a little more than the tension used on my Swift mask) than on the first night and had no leaks what so ever. Even tossed and turned from side to back to side and seal maintained …very comfortable.
An interesting observation was that the mask design places a slight to moderate force on the chin towards the throat and causes my mouth to open just enough to break the seal on my lips … hence the mouth remains open and uncomfortably dries me out. Although I have not tried other full face masks, I suspect the same thing would happen to me using any of the other FF masks. I also noticed that I do not have to use Ayr’s gel with nasal pillows of this mask as I did with the Swift … nares have toughened up --- I don’t know.
Nevertheless, the reason I got the Hybrid was exactly to enable me to mouth breath on those nights when my nose breathing is hindered by allergies and/or other nasal respiratory problems. I'm fairly certain I will be able to find a nasal pillow system which I hope to use as my main CPAP interface (Swift works fine except for limitation of sleeping on back and one side instead of both sides … hope to try Aura and/or ComfortLite2). So the fact that this mask actually helps me to keep my mouth open for breathing is a good thing. I just need to work on the dry mouth and throat issue (maybe crank up the humidity knob?).
As a CPAP newbie, I am satisfied with the Hybrid and feel that I can deal with my new CPAP lifestyle … especially when considering the health benefits. I think I’ll try a few more tweaks with the Hybrid and then onto finding my perfect nasal pillow system.
For others beginning their trial into the Hybrid world:
1) Be patient as there are numerous different mask configurations you can try with the Hybrid (3 mouth pieces, 3 sets of nasal pillows, and 2 adjustable heights for each set of nasal pillows) not including the fact that the chin support can be cut/removed and the pillow sizes can be mixed for uneven sized nostrils. Add to that other modifications such as the use of custom made gaskets (moleskin/temper-pedic foam, etc.) and swapping out headgear and … well you get the picture.
2) Facial hair is not an obstacle as I have a full beard as do others that have had success with this mask.
3) For me and possibly for others, a larger mouth piece is better than the smaller one when your face is in need of a size in between.
4) I have read on this forum that some have had issues with the Velcro failing on the headgear straps and one should be prepared to deal with it … preferably preemptively (will post on different thread when and if I come up with a solution).
5) Do not despair and frequent this forum often as it is an absolutely great knowledge base as well as an awesome support group.
Masjkie – thanks for your observation … I changed the mask setting on my ResMed Elite from Swift to Full mask. Best of luck to everyone!
- roberto
I don’t think I spent enough time fitting the mask on the first night when I chose to use the medium mouth piece and medium pillows. I had to tighten up the headgear straps uncomfortably in order to stop leaks and then only to wake up an hour later with massive leaks having returned.
For the second night I chose the large mouth piece and large pillows and took about hour with trial and error adjustments of the mask and straps. I was able to keep it leak free with much less strap tension (only a little more than the tension used on my Swift mask) than on the first night and had no leaks what so ever. Even tossed and turned from side to back to side and seal maintained …very comfortable.
An interesting observation was that the mask design places a slight to moderate force on the chin towards the throat and causes my mouth to open just enough to break the seal on my lips … hence the mouth remains open and uncomfortably dries me out. Although I have not tried other full face masks, I suspect the same thing would happen to me using any of the other FF masks. I also noticed that I do not have to use Ayr’s gel with nasal pillows of this mask as I did with the Swift … nares have toughened up --- I don’t know.
Nevertheless, the reason I got the Hybrid was exactly to enable me to mouth breath on those nights when my nose breathing is hindered by allergies and/or other nasal respiratory problems. I'm fairly certain I will be able to find a nasal pillow system which I hope to use as my main CPAP interface (Swift works fine except for limitation of sleeping on back and one side instead of both sides … hope to try Aura and/or ComfortLite2). So the fact that this mask actually helps me to keep my mouth open for breathing is a good thing. I just need to work on the dry mouth and throat issue (maybe crank up the humidity knob?).
As a CPAP newbie, I am satisfied with the Hybrid and feel that I can deal with my new CPAP lifestyle … especially when considering the health benefits. I think I’ll try a few more tweaks with the Hybrid and then onto finding my perfect nasal pillow system.
For others beginning their trial into the Hybrid world:
1) Be patient as there are numerous different mask configurations you can try with the Hybrid (3 mouth pieces, 3 sets of nasal pillows, and 2 adjustable heights for each set of nasal pillows) not including the fact that the chin support can be cut/removed and the pillow sizes can be mixed for uneven sized nostrils. Add to that other modifications such as the use of custom made gaskets (moleskin/temper-pedic foam, etc.) and swapping out headgear and … well you get the picture.
2) Facial hair is not an obstacle as I have a full beard as do others that have had success with this mask.
3) For me and possibly for others, a larger mouth piece is better than the smaller one when your face is in need of a size in between.
4) I have read on this forum that some have had issues with the Velcro failing on the headgear straps and one should be prepared to deal with it … preferably preemptively (will post on different thread when and if I come up with a solution).
5) Do not despair and frequent this forum often as it is an absolutely great knowledge base as well as an awesome support group.
Masjkie – thanks for your observation … I changed the mask setting on my ResMed Elite from Swift to Full mask. Best of luck to everyone!
- roberto
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DreamStalker
- Posts: 7509
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:58 am
- Location: Nowhere & Everywhere At Once
Well, I had my first night yesterday with the REMstar Auto CPAP with C-Flex and the Hybrid. Until now, I was using a straight CPAP with C-Flex at 14 cm. I love the Hybrid mask and it continues to perform well. What is worth posting was that the Auto CPAP made it even more comfortable. I logged 8.5 hours of sleep last night and didn't even need a cup of coffee to get going! The range of pressure made it feel comfortable throughout the night.
I'm fully convinced that my investment in the Auto CPAP and Hybrid mask is completely worth every penny.
I'm fully convinced that my investment in the Auto CPAP and Hybrid mask is completely worth every penny.
Dreamstalker,Anonymous wrote: An interesting observation was that the mask design places a slight to moderate force on the chin towards the throat and causes my mouth to open just enough to break the seal on my lips … hence the mouth remains open and uncomfortably dries me out. Although I have not tried other full face masks, I suspect the same thing would happen to me using any of the other FF masks. I also noticed that I do not have to use Ayr’s gel with nasal pillows of this mask as I did with the Swift … nares have toughened up --- I don’t know.
Nevertheless, the reason I got the Hybrid was exactly to enable me to mouth breath on those nights when my nose breathing is hindered by allergies and/or other nasal respiratory problems.
What I find interesting after using the Hybrid is that my nasal congestion has completely gone away. I used to get badly congested quite often at night when using other masks (Ultra Mirage FF, HC431 FF, Acclaim etc) but haven't had one night of congestion with the Hybrid. I wonder if it is the large volume of air that goes into the nares.
I also feel that the soft pillows inflate when air passes and that probably helps the seal. You are dead right, the pillows feel very soft although I personally have not tried the Swift to compare.
Happy Hybriding!!
-Cheers
Paul
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Sidesleeper
I am a register user and it says my email is taken when I try to sign up again. I cannot remember my password. I think I remember it, but it won't work.
I want everyone to see I wear a Hybrid when I post. I really believe there is a major medical benefit to that chin flap. My event's are down to 0.0 and 0.1 and I feel wonderful. Cpap is finally working after all this time. When people said they were getting their energy back , this is what they meant.
I sleep so well that I feel like I can do anything and I want everyone to feel this way.
I might be a candidate for that surgery that brings the jaw forward. I think thats what is happening to me.
I want everyone to see I wear a Hybrid when I post. I really believe there is a major medical benefit to that chin flap. My event's are down to 0.0 and 0.1 and I feel wonderful. Cpap is finally working after all this time. When people said they were getting their energy back , this is what they meant.
I sleep so well that I feel like I can do anything and I want everyone to feel this way.
I might be a candidate for that surgery that brings the jaw forward. I think thats what is happening to me.
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DreamStalker
- Posts: 7509
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:58 am
- Location: Nowhere & Everywhere At Once
Mecocosm – you are probably right about the large amount of air keeping your congestion under control and I definitely agree about the nasal pillows inflating to help the seal. I notice that the silicone material on the Hybrid is thinner or more flexible than that of the Swift nasal pillow material … perhaps that is why they are softer and inflatable on the Hybrid? As for other FF masks, I have no urge or need to even try them out now. I hope I am not being too hasty with my initial experience regarding the FF masks and that tonight I will have a sleepless hell with the hybrid … nah! --- probably not
Very glad that you have finally found a CPAP interface that works for you Sidesleeper. I feel very fortunate to be up and running with my CPAP life so easily and so quickly. I suppose I owe a lot of that to the super nice folks here on this site. Also thanks to rooster for starting this thread for Hybrid beginners.
Happy dreams!!
- roberto
Very glad that you have finally found a CPAP interface that works for you Sidesleeper. I feel very fortunate to be up and running with my CPAP life so easily and so quickly. I suppose I owe a lot of that to the super nice folks here on this site. Also thanks to rooster for starting this thread for Hybrid beginners.
Happy dreams!!
- roberto
President-pretender, J. Biden, said "the DNC has built the largest voter fraud organization in US history". Too bad they didn’t build the smartest voter fraud organization and got caught.
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patbringer
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:03 am
Mecocosm, I couldn't agree more with you. I was dreading this CPAP therapy but the REMstar Auto CPAP + Hybrid combo has given me a comfortable 7-8 hours of sleep virtually every night (except the first couple of nights when I did only ~ 5 hours). Now I have gotten so used to wearing the Hybrid that I can do it in the dark. I can't imagine me living without CPAP now....mecocosm wrote:Well, I had my first night yesterday with the REMstar Auto CPAP with C-Flex and the Hybrid. Until now, I was using a straight CPAP with C-Flex at 14 cm. I love the Hybrid mask and it continues to perform well. What is worth posting was that the Auto CPAP made it even more comfortable. I logged 8.5 hours of sleep last night and didn't even need a cup of coffee to get going! The range of pressure made it feel comfortable throughout the night.
I'm fully convinced that my investment in the Auto CPAP and Hybrid mask is completely worth every penny.
Pat
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Guest
These could all be my posts. I've just been too embarrassed to rave about this technology because thats what it is, a breakthrough. The thing is that it's so different that people don't know what this mask is really about. It's about being patient because once you find your best size, your events go low to zero. Even with high pressures.
If the hybrid is not the number one selling mask this time next month, I;ll be surprised. It's addicting.
If the hybrid is not the number one selling mask this time next month, I;ll be surprised. It's addicting.
I don't know what happened ...I registered...
That is my post, above.
That is my post, above.
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