Toss and turners

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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LDuyer
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Toss and turners

Post by LDuyer » Sun Apr 03, 2005 7:43 pm

I've asked this before, but was hoping for more suggestions.

What's the best mask for someone who tosses and turns in their sleep?
Nose mask, preferably.
Is is the same suggestion for the non-toss-and-turners?

My brother stopped using his cpap because he says he tosses and turns in the night and was frustrated with the resulting leaky mask. No mouth breathing problems. Mikesus suggests the Aura for this situation. Any agreement? I want to help my brother.

Linda

-SWS
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Post by -SWS » Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:09 pm

Hopefully others can answer the mask part of your question. However, regardless of mask type, there's a nifty trick for tossing and turning that might help your brother. Some people like to suspend their CPAP hose just above their heads. Some people place a hook and bungee cord on the headboard just above them, others mount a hook or arm bracket to the wall just above their head.

Seems it's much easier to toss and turn when the CPAP hose comes straight down from over your head compared to the CPAP hose coming from the side of the bed. It supposedly helps with mask leaks as well.

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LDuyer
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Post by LDuyer » Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:15 pm

Thanks SWS,

I will mention this to my brother.
He's got heart problems, and angioplasty (hopefully that's the right word) hasn't been very successful. Don't know if his returning to his cpap will help, but I feel it's well worth the trouble, considering heart problems are associated with sleep apnea. He tends not to listen to me much. So, whatever is suggested I intend to print out for him. (he's not much of an internet person either, even though I've mentioned this forum to him.)

Thanks.

Linda

Mikesus
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Post by Mikesus » Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:35 pm

The AURA!!! You can even sleep on your stomach.

And yes you will need to use the hook and hair scrunchy idea. It keeps the hose out of the way.

Definately go with the extra straps that RG came up with tho...

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wading thru the muck!
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Post by wading thru the muck! » Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:42 pm

Only add the RG straps if required to keep a good seal. These straps will limit the sleep poaition functionality of the aura. I smile everytime I wake-up on my side with my face sunken into the pillow and the aura nasal seal floating above the surface untouched and undisturbed. The side straps would take away from this. That being said, for those with seal troubles related to the "male" size of the interface, RGs solution is a winner.
Sincerely,
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!

Mikesus
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Post by Mikesus » Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:47 pm

Wader, the lower strap I would agree. The upper strap is no problem.

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LDuyer
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Post by LDuyer » Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:50 pm

Thanks Wader.
Great testimonial for the Aura.

Thanks too to Mikesus,
Thanks for showing me that thing at the lecture. I was skeptical, especially about the nose thing. But you showed me how it works. My brother went to a local DME, maybe they have the Aura there? I'll tell him. I'll print out the info for him. Thanks to you both.


Linda

Mikesus
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Post by Mikesus » Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:05 pm

Doubtful. His best bet is cpap.com or cpapsuperstore.

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wading thru the muck!
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Post by wading thru the muck! » Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:08 pm

His best bet is for Linda to buy him one and send it to him!
Sincerely,
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!

Sleeping With The Enemy
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Post by Sleeping With The Enemy » Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:13 pm

Where the heck was that post RG had about how to rig the Aura??

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rested gal
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Post by rested gal » Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:56 pm

Trust me, Wader, the added straps do not change the feel of the Aura at all. Neither the straps added at eyebrow level nor the additional "pantyhose leg" strap added down at the pillows themselves. That lower addition probably isn't needed unless pressure is very high. I sleep with both sets of additional straps even though I only need the eyebrow level straps. I don't even notice them after a minute. I toss/turn sleep on my side, as I normally do... and continue to experimentally sleep on tummy from time to time just to see how they do. Probably a person could use a soft stretchy headband or sweatband over the front where I'm using the "eyebrow level" straps.

The material for added straps would probably be a factor in how comfortable they are. What I'm using down at the pillows area (yeah, the cut off pantyhose leg!) is soft and stretchy enough to be very unobtrusive and comfortable.

Heidi, here ya go:

Added eyebrow level straps

Added pantyhose leg strap down at pillows

Step by step, winding pantyhose leg around pillows:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4