mask recommendations? and autopap help

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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rested gal
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Location: Tennessee

Post by rested gal » Sun Jul 10, 2005 2:56 pm

ROTFL!!!

gracie97
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Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:02 pm

Post by gracie97 » Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:18 pm

Puritan Bennett Breeze - nasal pillows mask - get larger nasal pillows than you, or the person fitting you, thinks you should have - they'll seal better and be more comfortable as you won't have to cram them up into the nostrils."

Would you also recommend getting larger than seems necessary pillows for the Aura?

Am currently using Breeze with pillows (probably too small). With various modifications (discarding the back of head piece, adding padding, etc.) finally got it comfortable/stable.

However not being able to read with Breeze is annoying, so seriously considering Aura.
Started CPAP on 7/1/2005
Mild apnea
Plus upper airway resistance syndrome with severe alpha intrusion

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rested gal
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Location: Tennessee

Post by rested gal » Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:40 pm

gracie, the Aura also has a piece that goes vertically up in front of your face. The Aura comes with two sizes of the nasal pillows - Medium and Large. They need to get "Extra Large" out there for some men, but at least the Medium and Large are there for us women.

I can wear glasses underneath the Breeze and on the outside of the Aura. But you still have the vertical piece you'd have to learn to ignore looking at.

The nasal pillows interface you might be thinking of which makes wearing glasses easy is the Swift. There's nothing in front of the eyes with the Swift. The Swift comes with all three pillows sizes.

gracie97
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Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:02 pm

Post by gracie97 » Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:49 pm

[quote="lindas88"]I agree that the Mirage Activa Nasal Mask is the best..no tightness and I have has great luck with it.


Can one read easily while wearing an Activa?

Is it comfortable and reasonable leakproof for side sleepers?
Started CPAP on 7/1/2005
Mild apnea
Plus upper airway resistance syndrome with severe alpha intrusion

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rested gal
Posts: 12883
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
Location: Tennessee

Post by rested gal » Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:57 pm

"Can one read easily while wearing an Activa?"

If you're talking about wearing glasses while wearing the Activa...no. The Activa is a regular "nasal mask" - covers the nose and has a vertical adjustment bar running up to a pad at the forehead.

"Is it comfortable and reasonable leakproof for side sleepers?"

Yes. Very. For me anyway. Everyone's face is different, of course. A mask that works great for me might be awful for someone else. The Activa gets a lot of rave reviews. It's a good one, imho.

Of all the masks you've mentioned, gracie, the Swift is the only one without something in front of the eyes, so it's the easiest to use eyeglasses with.

gracie97
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Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:02 pm

Post by gracie97 » Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:06 pm

can wear glasses underneath the Breeze and on the outside of the Aura. But you still have the vertical piece you'd have to learn to ignore looking at."

The vertical piece on the Aura looks like it would be easier to ignore. Do you think so?

And being able to wear glasses on the outside would be a big advantage for me. (Have been toying with the idea of hacksawing a pair of glasses in half at the bridge and then...)
Started CPAP on 7/1/2005
Mild apnea
Plus upper airway resistance syndrome with severe alpha intrusion

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rested gal
Posts: 12883
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
Location: Tennessee

Post by rested gal » Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:25 pm

(Have been toying with the idea of hacksawing a pair of glasses in half at the bridge and then...)
Lordy, Lordy, Miss Gracie!

You do something like THAT and you'll jump straight into the lab rat record books!

Putting glasses on and taking them off is not the problem with the Breeze and Aura. Just takes a minor bit of fiddling. The problem is ignoring that center thing.