Dreamwear Mask and New Users

I am very glad that I found this forum...it has presented a wealth of information. After reading so many thoughtful threads, I felt compelled to share my own story.

I recently completed my sleep studies. During the second portion of the study, I was fitted with a mask and placed on the CPAP machine for the night. I think it may have been the first solid sleep that I had experienced in years. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea with only one-half of one-percent of all apnea patients suffering at a similar level.

During the study, I tried five different masks. I experienced either comfort issues or breathing issues with all of them except one. The mask that I chose that night was the Respironics Dreamwear Nasal Mask. I was told that it was a new mask and that I was the first one in their office to use it. I used it overnight and that is the mask that was subsequently ordered with my CPAP machine.

I realize that everyone is going to have their own individual experiences and preferences. I for instance am a side sleeper and am awoken very easily. Part of the reason that I chose the Dreamwear mask was the fact that it has a minimal construction; meaning that there is very little to this mask. It is light weight and extremely comfortable. There is nothing covering my nose or mouth and nothing poking my nostrils. The straps are minimal and very comfortable as well.

I have read some of the other reviews of this mask on this forum and I too experienced some of these same problems. However; I have been able to "cure" all of these issues. Let me detail my observations as they are concerned to the other reviews:

I noticed that some reviewers stated that they felt as though the mask was leaking and made certain sounds that they interpreted to be leaks even though they did not feel that the mask was actually leaking. I experienced the same issue. However; after viewing my reports (I use the Airsense 10 Auto) each morning, I have found that I have never experienced an air leak. I have also used the air leak detection on the machine and have always experienced a proper seal. Through trial an error, I have come to realize that the air that I am feeling is actually coming through the exhaust port in the front of the mask and rebounding off of my blankets etc... or from the top of the headband as there are two exhaust ports with this mask. The noise coming from the mask will change depending on your sleeping position, angle of your head, and the amount of pressure that is being exerted on the headband, which carries the air down to the pillow. So while one thinks they are hearing an air leak this is actually a normal response to the individuals positioning etc... as referenced earlier.

I also have found that one can over tighten this mask quite easily because of the perception that one is experiencing an air leak when one is actually not. This happened to me on the second night of use. I swore the mask was leaking and finally got so frustrated that I tightened the mask to the point where I woke up the next day with marks on my face and a sore nostril. But again, once I realized that I was not actually experiencing any air leaks, I have been able to adjust the straps to a point where there is absolutely no pressure being exerted on my nose, gums, or upper lips. And of course there are no strap marks either. It actually feels loose but in fact the mask is tightly sealed making it very comfortable.

Another issue that I experienced that was shared by others on this forum was the feeling of not getting enough air or not being able to exhale sufficiently while using this mask. Once again however; through trial and error, I was able to resolve these issues as well (and it was not actually the mask).

The Airsense 10 has a "ramp" feature that adjusts the air flow once therapy has begun. I had my device initially set to 5-minutes as recommended by my therapist. During the first minute or two, I would struggle somewhat to exhale. Once the machine reached my prescribed therapy level this feeling would dissipate. I was able to correct that issue by selecting the "automatic" setting on the "ramp" feature. I now can breathe easily and when the machine senses that I am sleeping it automatically increases the pressure to my prescribed level. So, in the automatic setting I am able to freely inhale and exhale with no difficulties.

Initially, I also experienced a feeling of my mouth wanting to "blow" open as a result of the pressure. Because this is an under nasal mask that would be an issue during sleep where I could not control the position or actions of my mouth. The Airsense 10 also has a feature that addresses this issue; the Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR™) setting can be adjusted by your physician to address this issue. My setting was changed (initially it was not on) and voila no more pressure issues.

In conclusion, if most sufferers are like me the initial mask is imperative. I can now see why so many people start therapy and then end in frustration. The mask is critical. For me personally, the less intrusive the mask the better. I am guessing that if many of the people that have stopped therapy had used this mask that they would now be enjoying a good nights sleep.

My number of events per night is now insignificant. It is absolutely amazing how much energy I now have throughout the day and how much better I already feel.

One last note; I don't know anything about the other CPAP machines but I would highly recommend the Airsense 10 as well. I really like the fact that I am emailed a report each morning, which gives me a full report on how I slept the night before.

Thanks for all of the information folks!

Congratulations and welcome to the forum. Sounds like you are well on your way to nice boring cpap therapy (which is a good thing).
Like you I think the hardest part of this therapy is finding the right mask. We can't fix any other issues if the mask won't work for us. Gotta get the mask thing figured out first.

Did you know that you can use software and see what your therapy is doing in even deeper detail?
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment
It may not be all that important to you but it's there if you ever want to try it or if you run into some sort of trouble.

Again, congratulations. You worked through your issues and are now reaping the rewards. Good job.

Again, thank you for the reply and the link to the Sleepyhead software. Do you know if the software is compatible with the Airsense 10 Autoset? The website mentions that it is compatible with the S9 but does not say anything about the 10.

Thanks again!

SleepyHead is indeed compatible with the ResMed AirSense machines.
It has a few little quirky things with the ResMed AirCurve machines but none that are deal breakers.
You can also use ResScan if you wish but SleepyHead is the easier of the 2 to manage.

Thank you!

Pugsy wrote:SleepyHead is indeed compatible with the ResMed AirSense machines.
It has a few little quirky things with the ResMed AirCurve machines but none that are deal breakers.
You can also use ResScan if you wish but SleepyHead is the easier of the 2 to manage.

I second what Pugsy has said about SleepyHead being the easier of the 2 to manage. I have the A10 Autoset and use SleepyHead. I also have ResScan and occasionally I will open it up and look at it and tinker around on it, but SleepyHead to me is a much quicker way to get to the information I want. It is great that you have found a mask for you so early in the game so to speak. I love hearing people's opinions on masks because everyone is so different it makes for an interesting read and can turn in to an interesting conversation as long as people stay civil. I congratulate you and hope you continue to do amazing.

Thank you!

I feel very fortunate after reading so many sad stories concerning so many people giving up on the therapy before it has had a chance to change their lives. I have to commend my sleep specialist and his lab as well though. They were very patient with me and had no problems changing my mask repeatedly during the study until I found the Dreamwear.

The therapist that walked me through the machine setup etc... was also a great help. Without her I would never have known about the EPR setting. She called my sleep doctor during setup and recommended a setting, which he agreed was best.

I am going to download and educate myself on the Sleepyhead software. It will be very interesting to monitor my progress.

n2it wrote:Thank you!

I feel very fortunate after reading so many sad stories concerning so many people giving up on the therapy before it has had a chance to change their lives. I have to commend my sleep specialist and his lab as well though. They were very patient with me and had no problems changing my mask repeatedly during the study until I found the Dreamwear.

The therapist that walked me through the machine setup etc... was also a great help. Without her I would never have known about the EPR setting. She called my sleep doctor during setup and recommended a setting, which he agreed was best.

I am going to download and educate myself on the Sleepyhead software. It will be very interesting to monitor my progress.

I am glad you had such a good experience. I wish that the technician would have went through different masks with me, but put the OptiLife nasal pillows on me and said that was the best nasal pillows they had. I have learned that is not a great mask for me at all. It was a very long night that night lol. Again I am very happy for you!

Pugsy wrote:Congratulations and welcome to the forum. Sounds like you are well on your way to nice boring cpap therapy (which is a good thing).
Like you I think the hardest part of this therapy is finding the right mask. We can't fix any other issues if the mask won't work for us. Gotta get the mask thing figured out first.

Did you know that you can use software and see what your therapy is doing in even deeper detail?
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment
It may not be all that important to you but it's there if you ever want to try it or if you run into some sort of trouble.

Again, congratulations. You worked through your issues and are now reaping the rewards. Good job.

This software is the cat's meow! Now I need to learn how to be proficient at using it. I was able to quickly pick up on many things but there are other areas where I am totally in over my head. I am just starting to read your guide.

Can you tell me if there is a quick guide to explain all of the baseline numbers? For example: what are the normal or accepted ranges for AHI and all if the other indexes?

Thanks for all of your assistance!

n2it wrote:Can you tell me if there is a quick guide to explain all of the baseline numbers? For example: what are the normal or accepted ranges for AHI and all if the other indexes?

In general we like to see the AHI below 5.0...that's sort of the cut off line for effective therapy per the numbers.

If you google the other indexes like respiration rate, tidal volume, minute volume, etc...you are going to see a wide range of "normal" so I didn't go into those indexes at all. Besides...what is "normal" for me a not quite 5 ft woman isn't going to be the same normal as for a 6 ft guy. Most people are going to see a wide range and that's normal. If something is out of the ordinary on a consisten basis then there's likely some sort of lung issue going on and the person probably already knows about it.

I have enough trouble getting AHI and event category explained well enough. I just didn't want to tackle the other indexes due to the wide range of what is considered normal. I feel it is way too confusing for most newbies and it's unlikely that those indexes are going to shed any new light on anything.

In all honesty, I never look at those things anyway. I look at AHI and the category of each type of event and I look at the leak graph. If leaks are within acceptable limits then I don't really do anything else.
I think I did cover what is considered acceptable leaks though...it depends on the machine used.

Okay, I totally understand that now with the indexes. I'll continue reading your material and start monitoring weekly. My numbers actually look pretty good. My AHI was off the charts during the sleep study but has fallen every night according to this software. Last night was my best night at 5.17. This is going to be great to be able to monitor the results. I can already detect a direct correlation to the day that I changed my ramp to automatic. That's good stuff...

Thanks again and I hope you don't mind future inquiries...

Don't mind future inquiries at all.
I try to cover the basics the best I can but what is clear in my mind doesn't always come out so clear in type written words.