Do You Alternate Between Masks?

[Sheepish]

How many folks here alternate between two (or more) masks as part of your regular routine? If so, why and with what frequency?

I'm currently alternating between the mask I originally got, which is in my signature, and the Respironics Nuance Pro Gel Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask. Although they're rather different one from the other, I like them both, each in its own way. The main reason I got the second mask was in the hope that its differently designed headgear wouldn't leave ever-worsening creasing on my cheeks like my Pico headgear was doing. Unfortunately, that didn't work; it only left creasing in different areas. I think I've worked out a solution to that initial problem (more on that another time), but I still like the idea of switching back and forth every three or four days. Both seem to perform equally well and give me the same results in terms of low AHI and mask fit with no leaks.

So do you use more than one mask as part of your therapy routine? What's your experience if you do?

[Pugsy]

No, I don't alternate masks routinely. Now I might try a newly released mask and give it a try but I won't rotate or do a planned rotation. Just not something I ever got into doing but I know of people who do. Nothing wrong with it. Just recently switched back to the P10 after giving the Respironics DreamWear Gel nasal pillows mask a 3 to 4 month trial.

If you like the nasal pillow type of masks and want to try something that won't live any marks at all from the headgear...try the Tap Pap nasal pillow mask. It can be worn with or without the headgear. It uses a mouth guard to hold the pillows in place. I used it for about a year I guess it was until the P10 was released.
The P10 has smaller straps...you might also look at it because the headgear straps are tiny.
Link in my equipment profile to the P10.

Here's a link to the Tap Pap. When I used it I never took the headgear out of the package. Never needed or wanted the headgear straps. Now the headgear is an add on purchase...most people did like me and never used the headgear and the cost was more for that packaging. Much better to have a reduced cost without headgear for those that don't need the headgear.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/tap-pa ... roved.html

[SewTired]

I regularly alternate between Dreamwear and Swift FX. I was getting pressure sores using the same mask night after night. So, I use Dreamwear for 4-5 nights and then Swift FX for 4-5 nights. I don't get the pressure sores any longer. It is not because my mask is too tight - just sensitive skin, I think, caused from diabetes issues.

[Sheepish]

I'm about this close to pulling the trigger on a Dreamwear Nasal Mask. I'm just waiting for a confirmation from a vendor whether it comes with soft fleece cheek wraps included or if I have to get my own from you know where. I've heard good things about it and I'd like to put it into my rotation.

By the way, it would be nice if the perhaps soon to be updated forum software let us enter more than one mask in our equipment signatures.

[LSAT]

I'm about this close to pulling the trigger on a Dreamwear Nasal Mask. I'm just waiting for a confirmation from a vendor whether it comes with soft fleece cheek wraps included or if I have to get my own from you know where. I've heard good things about it and I'd like to put it into my rotation.

By the way, it would be nice if the perhaps soon to be updated forum software let us enter more than one mask in our equipment signatures.

You can list as many as you want in the signature area. Control Panel, Profile, Signature.

[Pugsy]

I'm about this close to pulling the trigger on a Dreamwear Nasal Mask. I'm just waiting for a confirmation from a vendor whether it comes with soft fleece cheek wraps included or if I have to get my own from you know where. I've heard good things about it and I'd like to put it into my rotation.

It should come with the fleece wraps included...and they are decent enough fleece wraps.
If the package doesn't come with the wraps...somebody opened the package and removed them.

[phuqueutoo]

I'm about this close to pulling the trigger on a Dreamwear Nasal Mask. I'm just waiting for a confirmation from a vendor whether it comes with soft fleece cheek wraps included or if I have to get my own fromyou know where. I've heard good things about it and I'd like to put it into my rotation.

By the way, it would be nice if the perhaps soon to be updated forum software let us enter more than one mask in our equipment signatures.

It does come with the cloth covers for the sides.

I alternate Nuance Pro and Dreamware.

[Sheepish]

You can list as many as you want in the signature area. Control Panel, Profile, Signature.

Thanks for the tip. It adds it in a separate area, though, from the equipment profile, as witnessed below. Not a big deal, but if they upgrade the forum software, it's just a little suggestion to make the equipment profile accommodate more than one mask.

Most places that sell the Respironics Dreamwear Nasal mask indicate pads are included, but the place I'm thinking of getting it from in Canada doesn't mention them: https://www.cpapmachines.ca/products/dr ... 5688888070. I wrote to them to ask just to be sure, but since it's Labor Day weekend, I haven't heard back yet. By the way, if it isn't permitted to link to vendors that aren't the forum sponsor, please let me know and I'll remove the link.

[Sheepish]

Oh wait, although the product description on the vendor's site makes no mention of them, I just noticed that one of their photos shows the fleece cheek pads.




As Emily Litella used to say, "Never mind." I think I've got my answer, along with all the kind confirmations above. I've gone ahead and ordered it.

[Pugsy]

Thanks for the tip. It adds it in a separate area, though, from the equipment profile, as witnessed below. Not a big deal, but if they upgrade the forum software, it's just a little suggestion to make the equipment profile accommodate more than one mask.

You don't have to put it in the signature area...there is a comments section in the equipment profile section...so the comments will go directly below the other choices.
See my comments below.

[Sheepish]

Thanks for the tip. It adds it in a separate area, though, from the equipment profile, as witnessed below. Not a big deal, but if they upgrade the forum software, it's just a little suggestion to make the equipment profile accommodate more than one mask.

You don't have to put it in the signature area...there is a comments section in the equipment profile section...so the comments will go directly below the other choices.
See my comments below.

Thanks, done!

[Sheepish]

Actually, if you click on Additional Info, it says, "Soft, flexible silicone frame and fabric wraps provide a soft touch on the patient's cheek," and if you click on Features And Video, it says, "This mask is made with silicone frames and fabric wraps."

Eesh, I need to read more attentively.

[chunkyfrog]

Continued, EFFECTIVE therapy may result in better reading comprehension . . .

[Sheepish]

Continued, EFFECTIVE therapy may result in better reading comprehension . . .

The therapy seems to be effective -- AHI is now usually 2 or less -- and while it's true reading comprehension skills can always benefit from being improved , the snafu this time was that it took me a double-take and a mouse hover to see that those same-color gray headers were in fact clickable links, unlike in this forum where they're a distinct blue.

[Sheepish]

So I tried the Dreamwear. My experience with it begins here: viewtopic.php?p=1193427#p1193427

In a nutshell, pros are:

• - minimal contact and equipment on face
  - very comfortable nosepiece just below nose, not nasal pillows up against your nostrils
  - hose management -- one of the best features is the hose is on top of your head, not in your face
  - fleece wraps are included

Cons are:

• - venting is not just at the elbow on top of your head but also from the front of nosepieice
  - venting from nosepiece can be strong and noisy, especially if it hits pillow or bedsheets
  - can take a bit of tweaking to get the fit just right -- not too tight, but not too loose to reduce tendancy to leak (loudly)
  - still had some cheek marks despite the fleece wraps

It's a good mask, though, and for now will be part of my rotation, with some more tweaking.



Last night I alternated to the Resmed Airfit P10, which I just got.

First impressions:

• - very minimal, light, comfortable
  - good seal, no leaking
  - after being spoiled by the Dreamwear's headtop hose, it's kind of a bummer to have the hose in my face again
  - as with the Nuance Pro, I get the feeling, maybe unfounded, that nasal pillows will enlarge my nostrils over time
  - will definitely need some cheek pads because of crease marks