FP Aclaim 2 Nasal Mask Review Compared to Swift

[grayson]

In my recent post, My Experience with FP HC405 Nasal Mask Compared to Swift, I mentioned that I had also purchased an FP Aclaim 2 mask along with the FP HC405. I tested the Aclaim 2 last night and had one of the bests rests I've ever had with CPAP.

The primary difference between the Aclaim 2 and the FP HC405 is the routing of the hose. The HC405 routes the hose downward from the mask and the Aclaim 2 routes it over your head. The actual mask or nose piece is precisely the same on both masks.

I believe side sleepers will find the Aclaim has an advantage. When you place the side of your head on the pillow a hose that routes downward like the HC405 can contact the pillow or bed giving the mask some leverage to move. I felt no hose leverage with the Aclaim routing backwards over my head.

Both the FP Aclaim 2 and HC405 are virtually silent. I can't believe I was foolish enough to endure the exhaust of the Swift for so long without at least asking my RT if there were an alternative. I'm indebted to the many members of this forum for the education I received on masks and CPAP by reading these pages.

I have had no issue whatsoever with these nasal masks. The Swift is a minimal mask and that's an advantage for many. Nasal masks have more bulk to them but I've had no adverse reaction to that whatsoever. Both these FP masks have great headgear and were very comfortable to sleep in.

I also discovered that having a mask you have confidence in greatly reduces the anxiety you feel when you first get in bed and wonder if you are going to be fighting and repositioning your mask all night. This reduction of anxiety was an added benefit that I didn't forsee.

I have two more nasal masks on order, the Ultra Mirage 2 and a Somnoplus. They should arrive next week. After a thorough study of this forum I singled out the masks that were the quietest and decided to simply invest in them up front so that I could finally have a mask I could actually sleep with all night. I'm truly glad I did.

Many thanks again to all of your for the education you've provided. I'll review the other two masks when they come and share that experience with you as well. I hope this information helps some of you as much as you've helped me.

Grayson

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): mirage, hose, swift, CPAP

[DreamStalker]

Seems like a possible candidate for me to try out for my first nasal mask .. due to overhead routing of hose.

Wonder why this interface is not listed on the F&P web site ... is it no longer in production?

Thanks for the review.

- r

[DreamStalker]

I tried it and it was very quiet and fairly comfortable (once I got the headgear straps adjusted right). I guess I'm just not a nasal cushion mask kind'a guy however. I would wake up after an hour or two with an uncomfortable stuffy feeling and not seeming to get enough air. I think I may have just got used to the nasal pillow type interface which does provide lots of air IMO.

I did like the design of the lower strap with the "glider" feature which helps to keep the mask in place even when you toss about in bed and also the over-the-head hose routing. I think most if not all masks should have those two features.

Anyway, I just sold it ... hopefully the new owner will find it suitable for their needs. As is often said around here ... when it comes to PAP interfaces, your milage will definitely vary!

- r

One more note -- I also liked that very little tension was needed on the straps in order to maintain a good seal (unlike my experience so far with the Hybrid). It came with a small and large silicone seal although both seemd to work for me.

Just wish it provided more air and less stuffy feeling dang it!

[grayson]

Dreamstalker,

I'm sorry to hear that the Aclaim didn't work out for you although you liked a number of its features as did I.

I now have a good sized mask collection with every representative type nasal pillows, nasal masks, and full face. Not only do they differ in construction but I've also had a similar experience to yours in the perceived amount of air each of them delivers as well.

Subjectively they each feel somewhat different just as your experience of the air flow of the Aclaim differed from your previous mask. However, we both know that, no matter what mask we use, they are all still connected to the same old CPAP machine we've used night after night!

So I'm wondering if the volume of air delivered isn't nearly precisely the same regardless of our mask choice. Perhaps the difference is nothing more than the subjective experience of the air flow in or around our nose. Certainly to me the Swift felt like having a mini jet engine blowing up my nostrils! I much preferred the nasal masks. They each had a far more subtle air flow and in my experience were infinitely quieter.

My machine is set to deliver a steady pressure of 10. I'm betting that regardless of mask style I always get the full 10 although my subjective experience of it differs in as many ways as the number of my masks.

I discussed this once with my RT. He told me that as far as he was concerned the bottom line is how you feel. If you get a decent number of hours sleep and wake up feeling good then your setup is delivering the right kind of therapy for you. If you wake up feeling nearly as bad as you did before CPAP then no matter how much you've spent on mask or machine something is definitely wrong!

I'm glad to hear you were able to sell the Aclaim 2. I agree its a fine mask with many nice features. However, as always our mileage varies all over the place!

Best to you.

Grayson