Any Nasal Aire II Comments/Suggestions?

First, Thanks to those who replied to my first post regarding mask problems! After checking out all masks, I am considering the Nasal Aire II. First, I like the head gear. No gadgets or straps across the top to flatten my already (flat wanna be) high maintenace hair, and that's just so I can pass for human!
Anyway, my one concern is the tubes that seem to rest in the back/sides of your head. Wouldn't air be cut off if we are laying on them?? Any body love the Nasal Aire II? Hate it...and why? Is is quiet? Tell me, tell me please! Thanks!!

Nasal Aire II, is my favorite. It did take a couple of weeks to get used to it. It was the first mask that I got. Sore nostrils can be soothed with a little Oral Gel swabbed into the nose and over the outside of the nose to numb it until you get used to it. The hoses are stiff enough that they don't collapse under the weight of my head. I am a side sleeper, and roller. I also use a temperfoam pillow which helps.
I did a little adjustment to the headband, and put a staple into the loops so they don't slide around and it makes it easier to put on in the dark or if I change masks in the night.

I have four, yes four masks. Eight months on PAP and still haven't found the exact Mr. Right.

My second mask was the Respironic Lite Gel and I still use it when I wake up and my nose is sore, I just pull the old switch and back to sleep. I average 8.2 hours per night.

My third mask was the Breeze, and I haven't gotten used to it yet. I have gone from the large pillows that everyone pimps, and got the small ones and they feel a lot better. Like the Nasal Aire, they go up the nose (now).

I also have the new Comfort Curve, and as time passes am finding it not to be as comfortable as I thought it was going to be.

Nasal Aire II get a big 2 thumbs up from me.

Although I am new to CPAP (2 months) and having rotten results, the problem is not the nasal aire II. I find it comfortable with no leak problems. I don't use the head straps at all...just fasten it tightly behind my head. My nose was sore for the first two or three days. Side sleeping and tossing and turning are no problem for me. Good luck!!!

Welcome to the forum, NoSleepingBeauty,

I have used the NasalAire II since January. It works for me. I do not use the forehead band with the loops at all. I just use the behind the neck strap. I use a Tempurpedic pillow, and don't have problems with the hose collapsing. I cover the small hoses with a knitted tubular bandage made for fingers (5/8" diameter) to cover the small hoses -- that way I don't have the plastic on my skin, which I don't like the feel of. For a while I used a headband from the drugstore to kind of stabilize the interface, but have since quit using it. I just pull down on the Y juncture of the small hoses and it tightens up behind my ears and repositions correctly.

My best advice to you on this interface is get a bigger size than you think that you need. I started with a small, which leaked like crazy, was noisy and hurt my nose because it was moving around. Then I got a medium, and I now use a medium plus, which is very snug at first, but softens some as it warms up.

I like to read, so it is not in the way of my glasses, and it is a minimal interface. I don't like stuff on my head, and this seems like the best of the lot for that.

If your nose gets sore or dry, get some saline gel at the drug store -- Ayr is one brand, Simply Saline is another. Some people use KY Jelly. The gels are soothing and moisturizing. They do not have petroleum, so will not damage the mask material.

The exhaust ports point straight out, so if you like the covers up by your face, you will hear the air hitting the covers. I am hard of hearing, so the noise is not an issue, but some others seem to think that it is noisy. The exhaust ports will also blow on a bed mate if you have one and face that direction -- which would be annoying.

I have an Aura which I haven't been able to use -- very leaky. I did Rested Gal's deconstruction, but haven't got the straps worked out.

I think that if you give it a chance, that it is a good interface! It is the only one that I use and I have been 100% compliant since January.

Good luck

Hi,

I've been using the NasalAire for about 3 years. For the first 2 years everything worked well, but now it's giving me some problems. My first mask wore out - the nose piece stretched and had to be tied on - so I replaced the entire mask. The new mask was a NasalAire 2 with the 'improved' nose piece. I had been using a large but with the new nose piece geometry, I think perhaps I should have switched to a medium; the large is causing me some irritation.

The main problem I am having however is a cut-off of airflow as a result of the tubing kinking at the Y joint. It cuts of the flow to one side or the other and I find I have to 'suck' air in order to get a lung-full.

As a result of all this, I wear the mask for about half the night and the tear it off and sleep without the mark for the last half. I definitely notice I'm more tired now during the day.

Any suggestions? I'm considering getting longer surgical tubing or trying to reinforce the tubing at the Y-joint (haven't worked out how yet.) Anybody else finding this problem?

Thanks,

Bob Johnson