Anyone tried that No-Mask CPAP, that uses a "boil 'n' bite" mouthpiece instead of headgear or straps? You can check it out at nomask.com. Looking for feedback.
No-Mask
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neversleeps
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:06 pm
- Location: Minnesota
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neversleeps
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:06 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Sorry. I should have been more clear. Don't go to their website. Don't use your computer browser. Use the Search function here at cpaptalk (top of this page) and for keyword enter CPAPPRO and it will bring you to 39 posts where the people from here at cpaptalk describe their experience with it. I would bet you'll find the answer in one of those posts.
I have it. Some folks absolutely hate it. For me, it was a godsend. It got me out of the bulky headgear my DME had sent me home with and the awful, cheap mask that hurt. I had given up on CPAP before finding the cpappro interface. I'm now using a Swift and I like the Swift about 100 times more than the cpappro HOWEVER as much as some people will malign the cpappro, it got me back to actually using my cpap so... I'm not going to bash it.
You really shouldn't have anything like a bridge, caps, and certainly not dentures, if you want to try this device. That boil and bite mouthpiece really snaps on to your upper teeth and does NOT fall out on its own. To that I can attest. I have a bridge and I was really concerned that at some point it was going to be inside the mouthpiece when I removed it.
It requires more attention than probably any other interface. I used to brush my mouthpiece every morning when I was brushing my teeth, and of course you also have to clean the nasal pillows. Once adjusted, it was pretty good actually. However this is not a "pretty" interface and that's where a lot of derogotory comments seem to come from. I personally didn't care that it wasn't pretty. I got me out of headgear and that's what I needed. It also got me away from a mask with a hose running up between my eyes which I just can't stand.
So... while it may be considered an Ugly Duckling, it had its place in MY life. It is now retired. When I saw the minimal headgear setup on the Swift, and the no-hose-between-my-eyes ... I knew it was made for me.
I ran the cpappro on a straight CPAP machine at 8cm and it was LOUD. My Swift at the same pressure is nearly silent. I didn't know any better. The cpappro was kinda pricey, but again... it was what I needed at the time because I didn't know any better. I can't imagine it being an effective interface at higher pressures.
All that being said, I find the Swift VERY easy to put on and take off. Almost like donning a baseball cap. No bulky headgear and what's there is absolutely comfortable and for me, not even detectable. I sleep mostly on my left side, but also on my back, almost on my face at times, and occasionally on my right side. The Swift lets me do all of those easily and without leaks.
So there ya have it. Anyone with questions about the cpappro, please ask me. Don't bother with reviews from people who never tried it and are basing their judgements on how it looks to them. I HAVE one. I'll probably never use it again, but for SOMEONE out there, it may be their salvation. This whole thing about "which mask is right for me?" is so darned subjective. One person's nighmare is another's dream. I really think this is the hardest part of CPAP. Getting the right equipment for YOU.
ok that's my 2 cents. Now... anybody spare a dime?
You really shouldn't have anything like a bridge, caps, and certainly not dentures, if you want to try this device. That boil and bite mouthpiece really snaps on to your upper teeth and does NOT fall out on its own. To that I can attest. I have a bridge and I was really concerned that at some point it was going to be inside the mouthpiece when I removed it.
It requires more attention than probably any other interface. I used to brush my mouthpiece every morning when I was brushing my teeth, and of course you also have to clean the nasal pillows. Once adjusted, it was pretty good actually. However this is not a "pretty" interface and that's where a lot of derogotory comments seem to come from. I personally didn't care that it wasn't pretty. I got me out of headgear and that's what I needed. It also got me away from a mask with a hose running up between my eyes which I just can't stand.
So... while it may be considered an Ugly Duckling, it had its place in MY life. It is now retired. When I saw the minimal headgear setup on the Swift, and the no-hose-between-my-eyes ... I knew it was made for me.
I ran the cpappro on a straight CPAP machine at 8cm and it was LOUD. My Swift at the same pressure is nearly silent. I didn't know any better. The cpappro was kinda pricey, but again... it was what I needed at the time because I didn't know any better. I can't imagine it being an effective interface at higher pressures.
All that being said, I find the Swift VERY easy to put on and take off. Almost like donning a baseball cap. No bulky headgear and what's there is absolutely comfortable and for me, not even detectable. I sleep mostly on my left side, but also on my back, almost on my face at times, and occasionally on my right side. The Swift lets me do all of those easily and without leaks.
So there ya have it. Anyone with questions about the cpappro, please ask me. Don't bother with reviews from people who never tried it and are basing their judgements on how it looks to them. I HAVE one. I'll probably never use it again, but for SOMEONE out there, it may be their salvation. This whole thing about "which mask is right for me?" is so darned subjective. One person's nighmare is another's dream. I really think this is the hardest part of CPAP. Getting the right equipment for YOU.
ok that's my 2 cents. Now... anybody spare a dime?
_________________
| Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
| Additional Comments: original pressure 8cm - auto 8-12 |
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Masked Ranger
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2005 5:34 pm
- Location: Connecticut
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
How masks work for different people definitely varies.
In a topic at http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?p=8397
EFJKnight posted this about his experience with the cpappro mask:
I purchased this product, and regretted it.
The first issue I had with it was with the fitting process. I followed the instructions exactly--you have to boil the mouthpiece, let it partially cool and then bite down on it to form it to your teeth and gums. I ended up with alot of pain in my front teeth that lingered for several days, and the heat/cold sensitivity lasted nearly a month.
Even after this difficulty, I found that the mouthpiece still did not "click into" and stay in place. The customer service rep. that I talked to offered to and did send me a "kit" to have a mouthpiece made--it turned out to be a plastic tab to be attached to the nasal interface and some material that was to be taken to a dentist, along with some extremely general instructions for the dentist. I was expected to arrange to have a dentist create the new mouthpiece at my own additional expense (I didn't bother looking into that--I am sure it would have cost at least $100., and probably more based upon how labor intensive the instructions indicated that this process would be). I was able to make the mouthpiece stay in place by using denture adhesive--a new experience to me--which makes me appreciate how unpleasant dentures must be.
I did not give up on this mask easily. After the frustrations of dealing with the tooth pain and having to solve the issue of a poorly fitting mouthpiece, I was determined to make the mask work for me.
I do have to say that I was surprised that the nasal pillows do create a comfortable and well sealing fit to the nose, and that since there is no headgear, I was able to comfortably sleep in my favorite position--on my side.
The story doesn't end there though. I never was able to sleep an entire night with this mask, and there are several reasons. My biggest problems were that the mouthpiece caused my mouth to generate excess amounts of saliva (creating unavoidable drool), and also the bite-wing of the mouthpiece held my teeth apart so that my jaw was not in a natural position while wearing the device. Believe me, I tried very hard to overcome these two issues by trying to acclimate to the device but I was never successful.
I don't mean to "pile it on" but in addition to the difficulties that I have just described, I also feel that some of the parts (especially the tubing) are simply too fragile for continuous use. The original product came with 1 set of replacement tubing. When I initially put my unit together, one of the tubes got streached and I had to use the extra set imediately. When I discussed this with the customer service rep., I was told that the replacements are $35. per pair. I complained that I had not even been able to use the first set due to the assembly problem and was put on hold. I was told that a supervisor had approved 1 free replacement, but it never arrived.
Sadly, my experience with this product and the company amounted to a waste of time, effort, money. The product comes sealed in a clear plastic pouch, upon which is printed a warning that once the pouch is opened, that there will be no refunds allowed. I seriously contemplated returning the product at that point, and opened the pouch only after revisiting the company website and seeing nothing but positive testimonials (I couldn't find any other customer feedback on this product despite searching on the internet).
In a topic at http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?p=8397
EFJKnight posted this about his experience with the cpappro mask:
I purchased this product, and regretted it.
The first issue I had with it was with the fitting process. I followed the instructions exactly--you have to boil the mouthpiece, let it partially cool and then bite down on it to form it to your teeth and gums. I ended up with alot of pain in my front teeth that lingered for several days, and the heat/cold sensitivity lasted nearly a month.
Even after this difficulty, I found that the mouthpiece still did not "click into" and stay in place. The customer service rep. that I talked to offered to and did send me a "kit" to have a mouthpiece made--it turned out to be a plastic tab to be attached to the nasal interface and some material that was to be taken to a dentist, along with some extremely general instructions for the dentist. I was expected to arrange to have a dentist create the new mouthpiece at my own additional expense (I didn't bother looking into that--I am sure it would have cost at least $100., and probably more based upon how labor intensive the instructions indicated that this process would be). I was able to make the mouthpiece stay in place by using denture adhesive--a new experience to me--which makes me appreciate how unpleasant dentures must be.
I did not give up on this mask easily. After the frustrations of dealing with the tooth pain and having to solve the issue of a poorly fitting mouthpiece, I was determined to make the mask work for me.
I do have to say that I was surprised that the nasal pillows do create a comfortable and well sealing fit to the nose, and that since there is no headgear, I was able to comfortably sleep in my favorite position--on my side.
The story doesn't end there though. I never was able to sleep an entire night with this mask, and there are several reasons. My biggest problems were that the mouthpiece caused my mouth to generate excess amounts of saliva (creating unavoidable drool), and also the bite-wing of the mouthpiece held my teeth apart so that my jaw was not in a natural position while wearing the device. Believe me, I tried very hard to overcome these two issues by trying to acclimate to the device but I was never successful.
I don't mean to "pile it on" but in addition to the difficulties that I have just described, I also feel that some of the parts (especially the tubing) are simply too fragile for continuous use. The original product came with 1 set of replacement tubing. When I initially put my unit together, one of the tubes got streached and I had to use the extra set imediately. When I discussed this with the customer service rep., I was told that the replacements are $35. per pair. I complained that I had not even been able to use the first set due to the assembly problem and was put on hold. I was told that a supervisor had approved 1 free replacement, but it never arrived.
Sadly, my experience with this product and the company amounted to a waste of time, effort, money. The product comes sealed in a clear plastic pouch, upon which is printed a warning that once the pouch is opened, that there will be no refunds allowed. I seriously contemplated returning the product at that point, and opened the pouch only after revisiting the company website and seeing nothing but positive testimonials (I couldn't find any other customer feedback on this product despite searching on the internet).
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