Respironics DreamWear Full Face Mask Review

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 11:06 am

recipefordisaster wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 10:44 am

I'm quite small myself. Amara View fit me in small, but I think the headgear was too large. If I remember right, XS cushion hurt my cheeks but otherwise fit better than S.

I don't have any of my old Dreamwear parts anymore. I don't think insurance will pay for a S frame after I've already gotten the fit pack with the M frame, at least not for 6 months. I guess I could try it on at the DME and hope they don't say there IS no S frame.

I never adjusted to that breathing sound... I tried and tried, and earplugs only made it worse for me with Dreamwear.

If you are as tiny as I am...even the small frame might be too big...It's too big for me and I still haven't figured out how to fix it and make it work.

Do what I did with my medium frame Dreamwear mask when I was using it. The medium frame is too large, the small frame is way too small for me: get a compression bandage like you'd use on a arm or leg sprain, and cut it out a bit in the middle side from one side, and then wrap it around both sides of the top of the frame straddling the hose connector. You probably only need a wrap or two to tighten up the frame. It'll be soft like a mask cozy, so won't hurt your head.

I'm also sensitive to the conducted noise since I switched from my old 20 year old cpap machine (which the blower produces enough white noise as a side effect that I'm used to), to the ULTRA quiet Airsense 10. I had to add a white noise machine, and use soft in-ear earphones to listen to that instead of my Darth Vader type breathing.

Mikebear wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 11:22 am

Do what I did with my medium frame Dreamwear mask when I was using it. The medium frame is too large, the small frame is way too small for me: get a compression bandage like you'd use on a arm or leg sprain, and cut it out a bit in the middle side from one side, and then wrap it around both sides of the top of the frame straddling the hose connector. You probably only need a wrap or two to tighten up the frame. It'll be soft, so won't hurt your head.

I already tried something like this with the small frame. I added thick fleece wrapped around the sides of the frame and up on top of the frame next to where the hose attaches.
I guess I could make it even thicker but then it's going to be really bulky and involves a trip to the fabric store to buy more/thicker fleece.
I might try it later. No time at the moment for a trip to WalMart since it involves going to a different town and their WalMart. My local WalMart doesn't have much fabric selection.

Yeah, I understood my noise to be conducted through my bones. Someone here told me that sleeping on one side and decompressing one side of the tubing made it worse. I use white noise anyway. I never could get used to that noise no matter what I did, but that's not the only reason I gave up on Dreamwear. I had really bad cheek inflation and blowout leaks despite the headband over my mouth and taping. So, having my mouth covered sounds good.

I tried with and without the cozies that came with Dreamwear. I have some stuff that is like fleece tubing and could try that to make a M frame fit better.

I've always wanted to have another mask I could switch to, since the only one I have been able to manage is Simplus. I like it a lot overall, but last night I smacked my nose into furniture... giving my nose bridge a break would be great right now. I don't have trouble with it in general but I have bruises from the furniture now. Also, I have these persistent annoying tickles that seem to be from airflow, at the outer corners of my nose. If I could have that area uncovered, as dreamwear would allow, that would be great. I wear a peel-off face mask every night on those spots, which helps, but is annoying to have to do.

recipefordisaster wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 11:46 am

Yeah, I understood my noise to be conducted through my bones. Someone here told me that sleeping on one side and decompressing one side of the tubing made it worse. I use white noise anyway. I never could get used to that noise no matter what I did, but that's not the only reason I gave up on Dreamwear. I had really bad cheek inflation and blowout leaks despite the headband over my mouth and taping. So, having my mouth covered sounds good.

I tried with and without the cozies that came with Dreamwear. I have some stuff that is like fleece tubing and could try that to make a M frame fit better.

Sounds like you want to at least try it and that's always a good enough reason in my book. It's why I try all the stuff I try. Just because I want to and sometimes I find out it's not probably the smartest idea I have tried but I always learn something.

I have an idea...will send you a PM in just a bit.

Yes'm, I love trying new stuff. You never know if that new development will give you The One. I had just about given up on any mask working when I tried simplus, thinking my nose couldn't handle it, but with pad a cheek I can handle it no problem.

I'd love to stop using this peel off stuff, though.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 9:56 am

I think that the normal person who doesn't have a frame...get the fit pack with the Medium frame and give it a try and then decide if they like it well enough to invest in either the small or large frame. Especially if insurance is paying.

Hmmm... I consider myself, "normal" (sometimes lol), but in the past have needed a small frame. Do you still suggest getting a Medium and going from there? I'm still trying to decide if I'm tempted enough to try this mask. I've tried so many FFM... there is something about a mask covering my mouth that I can't deal with. Wondering if maybe this one will be different. I remember trying the DreamWear FFM about a year ago... didn't like it but now can't remember why.

Lucyhere wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 12:27 pm

Hmmm... I consider myself, "normal" (sometimes lol), but in the past have needed a small frame. Do you still suggest getting a Medium and going from there? I'm still trying to decide if I'm tempted enough to try this mask. I've tried so many FFM... there is something about a mask covering my mouth that I can't deal with. Wondering if maybe this one will be different. I remember trying the DreamWear FFM about a year ago... didn't like it but now can't remember why.

Did you ever try the Amara View full face mask?
If you did and you didn't like it then I don't know that you would like this one. It's pretty much the Amara View with the hose coming in at the top and maybe a slightly smaller footprint of the insert/cushion. I will try to remember to go dig out my Amara View and set it down next to the DreamWear cushion/insert and see how they compare.

And yeah...if someone doesn't already have a frame and never tried the original DreamWear...I would recommend getting the fit pack and starting with the medium frame.
Here's why...assuming that cpap.com offers this mask package with free return insurance...no brainer. If you hate it you send it back.
If you buy just the parts individually then you can't return them and get your money back.
If you end up needing a small frame...you could always sell the medium frame and recoup some of the expense or just swap it for something.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 12:35 pm

Lucyhere wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 12:27 pm

Hmmm... I consider myself, "normal" (sometimes lol), but in the past have needed a small frame. Do you still suggest getting a Medium and going from there? I'm still trying to decide if I'm tempted enough to try this mask. I've tried so many FFM... there is something about a mask covering my mouth that I can't deal with. Wondering if maybe this one will be different. I remember trying the DreamWear FFM about a year ago... didn't like it but now can't remember why.

Did you ever try the Amara View full face mask?
If you did and you didn't like it then I don't know that you would like this one. It's pretty much the Amara View with the hose coming in at the top and maybe a slightly smaller footprint of the insert/cushion. I will try to remember to go dig out my Amara View and set it down next to the DreamWear cushion/insert and see how they compare.

Well, that takes care of it for me. I tried the Amara View and didn't like it... too bulky. Looks like I'm going to have to wait until that "perfect" mask is finally introduced... but won't hold my breath. Thanks.

Lucyhere wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 12:45 pm

Well, that takes care of it for me. I tried the Amara View and didn't like it... too bulky. Looks like I'm going to have to wait until that "perfect" mask is finally introduced... but won't hold my breath. Thanks.

I got some pics comparing Amara View cushion to the DreamWear insert. Give me a bit to get them from my phone to my imgur account.

It's not nearly as bulky when you look at them from the side for vertical size coming from the face.

Plus the DreamWear insert has less hard plastic and more soft silicone cushion.

Will post the images shortly so you can get an idea how they compare. Sideways from left to right probably not that different but depth and overall height off the face the difference is rather remarkable.

Comparing the Amara View Small to the DreamWear Small.
The DreamWear has more soft cushiony silicone than the View does. The View has more hard plastic. The clear part of the DreamWear is the only hard plastic.



From the outside



From the inside

This looks pretty interesting. I use a F&P Simplus FFM which I like overall, but with my high pressure support I really have to pull the headgear rather tight. The back part of it tends to bother my neck sometimes. I wonder if this will seal as well.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 1:32 pm

Comparing the Amara View Small to the DreamWear Small.
The DreamWear has more soft cushiony silicone than the View does. The View has more hard plastic. The clear part of the DreamWear is the only hard plastic.

Surprised to see such a nice difference! I may have to reconsider this mask. The hard plastic is what I couldn't deal with on the Amara View. The soft silicone on the DreamWear may make all the difference. Thanks for posting those pictures.

Hi Pugsy:
I am still in the hunt for a ffm that will fit my face without too much leaking. I did try the Amara view, but had to use the medium cushion to fit my nose. However the rest of my face is more petite than my nose and I couldn't control the leaks around the chin. In your opinion, would this new mask tighten up better around the chin than the Amara view? Or would there be more "give " in the nasal cushion area so that the small cushion might work?

I am currently using the AirFit n20, but have to use a chin strap and tape my mouth to get it to function well. I also need to be very conscientious about using saline rinses to keep my nose from stuffing up during the day (it is still cold here in Wisconsin!). I have tried at least 6 different ffm with little success. If it fits my nose, it is too wide in the mouth/chin etc.
Thanks for posting all of the pictures and comments!
Carol

xcountrygal wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 04, 2018 3:10 pm

Hi Pugsy:
I am still in the hunt for a ffm that will fit my face without too much leaking. I did try the Amara view, but had to use the medium cushion to fit my nose. However the rest of my face is more petite than my nose and I couldn't control the leaks around the chin. In your opinion, would this new mask tighten up better around the chin than the Amara view? Or would there be more "give " in the nasal cushion area so that the small cushion might work?

I am currently using the AirFit n20, but have to use a chin strap and tape my mouth to get it to function well. I also need to be very conscientious about using saline rinses to keep my nose from stuffing up during the day (it is still cold here in Wisconsin!). I have tried at least 6 different ffm with little success. If it fits my nose, it is too wide in the mouth/chin etc.
Thanks for posting all of the pictures and comments!
Carol

I do think that the DreamWear is a bit more forgiving in terms of seal than the Amara View is....my own person experience anyway.

I your situation...if you are going to buy it out of pocket then I would wait until I could get the fit pack and get the mask package with free return insurance (assuming it is available with this mask) because that way you would have the small or medium available to try.
In all honesty there's not a lot of difference between the small and medium except where the nose rests.

My issues with the leaking was at the top under the nose because the frame would slide forward on my head since it's a bit too large and so it won't stay where I put it to get the best seal. It slides forwards and that lets the nose part drop down and leak.
I had no issues with the seal at the bottom part of the mask at all. There is considerably more and softer silicone overall...so I think more forgiving in general.

I am looking forward to trying this mask. I used the Amara View for several months, until the F20 came out, and I switched to it. Right now, I am doing a 13 week trial with the F20 mask. They sent me a new cushion to try, and I agreed to use it for 13 weeks.