Aura???

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:38 am

I just wrote a post but it didn't make it to the board. Don't know why. But I'll rewrite it.

I wanted to try the Aura as Rested Gal always speaks so highly of it, and I think so much of her opinions regarding anything OSA-related. Went to the mask section on this site and used the fitting guide and it told me I wasn't best suited for this type of interface. However, it also said I was best suited for the Breeze, so there goes any credibility I may have had for the fitting guide .

In any event, could someone tell me what may be a reason(s) I would not do well with the Aura, from their personal experience, or why perhaps this guide is wrong? I was also told I could benefit from the Comfort Lite, but to me it looked almost like the Breeze and the headgear seems like the inner part of a bicycle helmet, without the covering. Didn't look comfortable, especially for a side sleeper like me. Also, have read some comments by Snork1 and others about it not being that great.

I would appreciate any feedback anyone could offer. Thank you.

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:01 am

Howdy,

Nasal pillow mask guide decisions are based on nare qualities. If you have slotted nares, all pillow systems are a bad idea (They may work with some "slotters", but have a much lower chance). Those are my slotted nares proudly displayed in that guide and pillow systems don't love me.

If you have non-similar sized/shaped nares, then the breeze is going to be better than other pillow systems because with the breeze you can use two different sized pillows, where as with the swift and aura, they come as MM or LL, etc so if you have two differently sized nares, one side may seal while the other will leak - not good.

Johnny

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:10 am

Johnny,

First let me say, lovely nares...thanks for sharing them with us .

Now, seriously, I have tried the Breeze and we didn't get along at all. I tried literally everything within human capabilities and even had a six-page thread going with everyone trying to help me to get it work. Even ended up with bleeding sores on my nares from it. Finally gave up.

I am on the Swift right now and I really do like it. It's just I'd like to take a break now and then and give another interface a shot. For some reason, the Swift and I are buddies and it works great for me. So maybe my "slotted" nares are still within the acceptable "slottedness," if that is possible.

I wish there was something else I could consider but I don't seem to have much luck with masks and am a side sleeper so clunky masks don't do well with me. I have the Activa and even that gives me some leaks at the bottom of the triangle sea, and most users swear it's leakless. I am not the perfect face, I guess, to wear these contraptions, if there is such a thing.

Thank you for your feedback. I may end up just sticking with the Swift for now.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:29 am

If it's the nares, what I'm writing is irellevant.

But, if it's other measurements:

I don't think the site is taking into account Rested Gal's deconstruction of the Aura.

If you read her carefully, you'll notice she frequently says she thinks the headgear is probably too large for many women.

By the way, a woman's head is shaped different from a man's.

This is a case where you have to follow hero all the way.

O.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:32 am

O,

I posted my reply to this post in the "wrong" place, where the originally post got placed by mistake. You left this comment there, too, and that's where I responded to it. viewtopic.php?t=4356

Thanks for the feedback, though.

sir_cumference · Post by **sir_cumference** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 8:28 am

Hi Lori

Just a quick note on the aura and breeze. The breeze is now my mask of choice, because I've found the aura to be hot on the head. I think it will be my mask for the winter months, but as it's quite hot now and there is quite a substantial headgear with the aura, I found I was overheating.

Secondly, I found that the aura was good to start with, but I often woke up in the middle of the night with both inserts out and the air blasting away! But, overall, I found the comfort very good and certianly nearer to the swift in terms of softness than the breeze. Oh, and I also found that I could lie with my nose into the pillow more with the arua and it actually helped the seal most of the time.

So, my aura is away until the weather cools down a little - but I still have high hopes for it!

sir_cumference

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:31 am

Thanks for the input, SC. I am so glad the Breeze went to someone who truly appreciates it. As for now, I think I'm just going to use my Swift until something else catches my eye or comes out. I had an AHI of 0.1 last night for eight hours of sleep, one apnea only, and nothing else, so I guess I'm doing very well with it. Why fix what's not broken? Just because my insurance will give me a new mask doesn't mean I need to get it now. It's almost like being a kid in a candy store with a dollar in your hand, in the old days, though, when a dollar to a kid was like a million bucks. There are so many things to try which might really be enjoyable, but you just don't know where to start.
Well, I have started (a few times) and I'm pretty happy with the strawberry Twizzlers I picked, so I won't bother buying the Good 'N' Plenty for now.
Thanks for your input. Hope you're still doing so well.

seamaiden · Post by **seamaiden** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:14 am

I've been a Swift fan, having used it for 8 months without any problems at all. I was also intrigued by the Aura and got it about a month ago. Love it! I did have to tighten all the straps up as far as they go, but no deconstruction required. I find the squishy pillows more comfortable then swift, and if feels lighter and generally more comfortable. I never lose the seal. I'm a side sleeper too.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 11:40 am

seamaiden,

Don't do this to me. Now you have me thinking about getting it again!

If you don't mind my asking, would you consider your nares slotted or round? I am just wondering if this would work for me the same way the Swift does. And the headgear, does it wobble at all when you turn on your side? That was one of the problems I had with the Breeze, being it was a heavy headgear.

Thanks for your input.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 1:59 pm

If you don't mind my asking, would you consider your nares slotted or round?

ROTFL!! Not laughing at you, Lori...it's just that you asked it in such a courteous way! Exactly the way a question that personal should be phrased. I about spewed my Pepsi! LOL!

I foresee this becoming the first question people will start asking in internet chat rooms:

a/s/l/n ??

LOL!!!

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:02 pm

RG,

The way you wrote that post, I literally have tears running down my cheeks from laughing so hard. I didn't realize how "tactful" I might have phrased that, but when you wrote about that will be the first question now in a chat room, a/s/l/n, I lost it.

Thank you for giving me one of those hysterical outbursts that make you feel so good. And I'm glad you got a laugh out of what I wrote, too.

seamaiden · Post by **seamaiden** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 4:55 pm

Sorry Lori to add to your mask angst. Guess I wanted to have my twizzlers AND goodnplenty too

I had never pondered the shape of my nares. But just examined the mirror and the sizing guide, lol, and I have round nares. Aura and Swift both seal well for me, but Aura's pillows are much softer and more comfortable.

The Aura is very stable on my head. I do have thick hair and perhaps that helps the top settle in some. I've not needed to add any stabilizing straps. I swap sides at night and never a problem with shifting. I didn't realize until I got the aura that I did wake during the night with swift...knocked into the nosepiece or needed to adjust the barrel etc. Didn't consider it a problem, but I realize now that I don't wake up at all with the aura.

This aura is so perfect for me (much better than the swift that I had long felt lucky to have), but I know it has been impossible for others.

Goodnplenty luck to you!

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:00 pm

Goodnplenty luck to you!

Thanks!

And, no, no angst, just confusion. I never used to be a confused type until I was diagnosed with OSA. Amazing what this condition can do to you physically AND mentally. Sounds like the Aura is a dream for you. And I know what works for one person may not work for another, so I take your words as your experience only. I wish I had round nares so I would have no problems with nasal pillows. I have had luck with the Swift, so maybe the Aura would work for me, too. The headgear is what really concerned me as far as stability goes.

Thanks for your input. And Good'N'Plenty luck to you, too.