New Mask from Philips Respironics

I thought getting to try this mask would be as easy as having the DME rep come out to my house, but nooooo. Gotta drive all the way out to visit my doctor for a fitting. Ugh!! Oh well, I'll set an appointment and go try it I guess. I hate my nasal mask. Breathing out inside of it is so hot around the nostrils. Hate it.

For the last 11 nights I've used the Philips DreamWear Under the Nose Nasal Fit Pack provided my Sleep Medicine Tech as a sample for evaluation. In the previous five plus years, my preferred CPAP mask was the RespCare Bravo Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask which I settled on as the most versatile and comfortable when compared to several other CPAP nasal pillow masks I've used in over ten years as a CPAP Patient. I find that the Philips DreamWear is amazingly much more comfortable and versatile than the Bravo. The DreamWear is an ingenious design that utilizes a mask frame which eliminates bulkier tubing and more elaborate headgear, fittings, fasteners, and points of adjustment common in all other designs of CPAP nasal pillow masks I've used in the past. The DreamWear mask frame performs a dual role as both a soft flexible portion of what would be headgear in other mask designs while also delivering air to the mask cushion as tubing would to air pillows in other mask designs. The mask frame is held securely on the face by the headgear which is a simple single strip of soft flexible elastic fabric that is amazingly comfortable and easy to adjust with two minimal velcro fasteners located on each end of the headgear. The is no visual obstruction while wearing DreamWear which makes it television friendly. The DreamWear mask cushion is much more comfortable and less intrusive than any nasal pillow mask I've used before. Just looking at the mask cushion I was skeptical as to how it could possibly accomplish an air seal at the bottom of the nose as effectively as nasal air pillows, but I found the seal is just as effective as nasal air pillows and experienced no noticeable air leakage between the nose and mask cushion. I have a heavy mustache which didn't affect the air seal between the nose and mask cushion. The nasal mask cushion all but eliminates irritation, itching, and tickling occasionally experienced when using nasal air pillows. The DreamWear elbow swivels freely and utilizes a tubing quick release for connection to the CPAP hose. As with other hose above the head mask designs, I find that movement and comfort while wearing the mask is improved if the CPAP hose is of sufficient length to be suspended slightly, I suspend my hose from the bedpost. The optional mask frame fabric sleeves are made of soft smooth material and provide some added comfort, but the mask frame is just about as comfortable without them. The design of the DreamWear eliminated minor irritation and next morning "mask print" I've encountered with the Bravo and other designs. The DreamWear Fit Pack comes with 4 mask cushions in small, medium, medium wide, and large; and 3 mask frames in small, medium, and large; all are simple user friendly components that make it easy to find the right fit with proper size selection of mask cushion and mask frame as specified in the manufacturer's instructions. Disassembly and reassembly of the components for cleaning is simple and straightforward. The most significant comfort aspect of the DreamWear Under the Nose Nasal Mask is the design of the mask frame in conjunction with built in exhalation points located on both the mask cushion AND the elbow, if one side of the mask frame is compressed or restricted, the dual built in exhalation points allow the opposite side of the mask frame to instantly equalize the air flow so that no felt difference in air pressure is experienced by the CPAP user; this makes it possible for the user to sleep on their side or stomach with no obstruction of air flow as well as no physical discomfort sometimes caused by tubing and other components in the Bravo and other mask designs. In my opinion the DreamWear design is a monumental leap forward with it's simple yet effective design and unbelievable comfort. Here's a link to a photo of the DreamWear: https://www.flickr.com/photos/philips_n ... 0941509342

This mask is definitely comfortable. I put it on a few minutes prior to getting in bed to allow it to warm and fit to my nose where it then stays all night. No more air on my arms or my wife or needing to keep my face turned slightly up at an angle. There is a slit in the front of the nose for pressure relief but only a small amount of air exits. I use with a chin strap underneath and a bandanna to keep my mouth breathing under control and it works with no issues. I also sleep on my side and haven't had any issues though my pressures are low at 9/5.

I was one of the people that did a trial on that mask for the company - it was well over a year ago. They kept sending me modified improved ones to try out and I had to answer questions about it. I am supposed to be receiving a free mask once it went into production since I did the trial. I loved it!

I have the new DreamWear nasal mask. Have worn it for the last 3 nights. Very comfortable. Easy to disconnect the tubing at top if need to get out of bed. First 2 nights had no problem at all. Slept well all night. Last night I had some air leakage - I may not have gotten a good seal when I first put it on. I thought the air flowing through the sides would be blocked if I was lying on my side but there's enough coming through the other side that I did not notice a difference. And guess what - very little facial marking when I woke up and what was there disappeared within a few minutes. The mask is very flexible and soft. I have worn the Wisp, ComfortLite, and Swift FX over the last 4 1/2 years and so far this one is the best. Let's see if the air leaking continues.
I did hear a slight hum especially when I took a breath but I sleep with a fan for white noise so it didn't bother me or my husband.
I'm really hoping this mask works out.

My wife did a medical trial a few months ago with the Dreamwear. She loved how comfortable it was, especially compared to the wisp (control/comparison mask for the study). Unfortunately it was prone to large leaks and she ended up preferring the P10. She has a small nose so that might be a factor.

I've been using it for the last three nights. I have just started using CPAP so this is my first mask, apart from the nose pillow mask used during the sleep study.

In general, I like the design a lot. The tubing attachment at the top of the head is brilliant as it is never in the way (it swivels too). The mask is light and the sides touching my cheeks have not been an issue for me at all. The seal has been perfect, no leaks whatsoever.

I only have one issue so far comfort wise, it has bruised the skin right under my nose and at the edge of my left nostril. Not sure why yet. I used the small insert, I will try medium tonight to see if it makes a difference. The bruising is pretty bad, but for the time being I am chalking it off to "growing pains", getting used to the mask and fine tuning. I'll post an update in a few days.

here is a link to a video on the new machine and mask together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_q-IeKJGpw

I've been using this for 3 weeks, happened to be talking to DME supplier to trade out my eson out right when it came out.
I'm primarily side sleeper, and find that it works very well. The hose off the top of the head makes it pretty convenient in any position. Stomach sleeping is not an option, at least not without a different pillow arrangement.
Starting out I did have marks for 3-4 hours every morning, my mother made me cheek pads for the hoses, problem (mostly) gone.

I do notice my nose is a bit more stuffy in the morning, and I have yet to see how it works with a cold -- I'm thinking not so good.

The biggest complaint I have is the venthole on the front of the air pad. It's not diffused so it blows straight out (my pressures are 8/15), and if anything gets into that airstream it makes a lot of air rushing noise. Like the airstream hitting the blanket, pillow, arm, ... Under high pressure the range of the airstream and the amount of noise gets worse. I get woke up a couple times a night when I shift position and the noise startles me. (there is another venthole on top where hose meets mask, but that one is diffused & isn't a problem)

For this reason alone I'm questioning this mask. It's comfortable, doesn't leak on me (the reason I got rid of eson), but I still don't get sound sleep.

Just spent my first night with the Dreamwear mask. Loved the top delivery of air. I flip sides in the night and this top delivery was great. I have to use oxygen also so have hoses everywhere. Didn't get tangled up in the hose once. Wish it had the Wisp quick disconnect hose but guess you can't have everything. Liked that nothing was sticking up my nose.

I am a newbie to CPAP and got the Dreamwear mask as my initial mask two weeks ago. I really like it except now I am getting a very sore, red spot right under my nose between my nostrils.
I have tried Ayr with Aloe and Neosporin during the day but it still hurts at night. Can't really put a bandage at that spot and don't want to interfere with the air flow from the cushion.
Called the DME and they suggested increasing the humidity (it on auto now).
Any other suggestions?

Thanks!
UMTerp

RELATED THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=108195&st=0&sk=t&sd=a with differing opinions.

The DreamWear had been so a successful for me that after two nights (and after years on the ComfortLite2) it's now my official new mask.

Karen, I bought forehead pads from you for my CL2 years ago, and thank you for the many years of comfort using your product. I especially loved the blue with yellow stars pad.

In looking at the picture I'm seeing a cash cow for the DMEs. It looks like a one piece mask that would be hard to keep clean.

Other than that, the design looks good. I might have to get one to try when I go in for my yearly sleep appointment.

Chris

Follow up - It looks like it is NOT a one piece mask.

Moreinfo on the mask:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... -pack.html
http://www.cpapxchange.com/dreamwear-cp ... Hwodyf4IRg

I have been using the Eson mask for a couple of years now. It was ok, but not really comfortable and I struggled with the tubing and leaks. I have fallen in love with the new DreamWear Under the Nose mask. I sleep on my side and it works quite well. If one side of the side pieces are under your face, the other side still allows proper air flow. I also have to use an oxygen concentrator along with my bipap machine. Although I used the size small in the Eson, I use the medium head gear as well as the medium mask piece with this DreamWear model. It is so easy to clean and not many parts to actually take apart. This is certainly the mask for me, now if I can get the medical supply place that my insurance covers to stock it. Right now, I have to purchase it outright, but still worth the comfort. No longer do I have sensitivity under my nose and no uncomfortable mask piece on my nose. Very flexible and comfortable with no hose in the front of my face to deal with. Sold on this mask!