Tried Dreamwear last night - not good result

[lathnos46]

I really want to find a mask that has a smaller frame over my face and head. So I ordered the Dreamwear with the free return insurance (thank you cpap.com) and tried it out last night. It seemed fine at first but after about 4 hours I ended up taking it off and putting the Eson nasal mask back on. I had too many leaks and was constantly waking up. I feel like crap today. I will try again tonight, and tomorrow night, and several more, trying to make it work. I am practically blind and have to wear my eyeglasses to read in bed and I like to do that a few minutes before going to sleep. The Eson mask makes it impossible to wear my eyeglasses. The Eson mask also makes marks on my face that last until past noon because I am a side sleeper most of the time. I don't believe the Dreamwear would leave marks so that is another reason to want it to work. Those of you that have the Dreamwear as your primary mask, please tell how you have made it work. Thank you!

So far I have tried: Amara View
ResMed N10
Respironics Swift FX

[Pugsy]

Try snugging up that back strap just a little. I had to do that when I tried the DreamWear. Took me a few nights to get it just right.

Did you get the FitPack with the Medium frame and the multiple sizes of cushions?

Are you using the side covers? If not..try using them.

[rkl122]

..............Those of you that have the Dreamwear as your primary mask, please tell how you have made it work. .........

Hi. I've used it for weeks at APAP IP=9cm H2O, with few leaks. Using the measuring template that comes with the pak, I carefully considered the cushion size options. (I use MW.) I find it's important to be sure the straps are at back of head and the hose junction is straight up just anterior to the crown of the head. I put on the mask before turning on the machine. When I do turn it on (ramp off), there's a surge of pressure - almost as if the machine knows it needs to puff out the flaps on the cushion cup. During that surge, I pull it away from my face a bit so the flaps will configure naturally. Then I make minor adjustments to the frame position, by nudging the straps, so that the exit stream from the cushion is directed upwards at about a 45 degree angle from my face. I use a buckwheat pillow (which I learned about on this great forum). Some nights, the mask does shift with my tossing, and if I wake and notice it, I shift it back to starting position. Have never had an extended major leak.

More than you wanted to know, right? And, with all that, I still don't get AHI consistently below 5.

Good luck, -Ron

[lathnos46]

Thank you, Ron! That is not more than I want to know. That is exactly what I want to know. My favorite childhood cookbook began each recipe with, "Go into the kitchen", so I like to have things spelled out very specifically. When I used the template for sizing it showed I needed the small size cushion. I was kind of surprised by that because I never thought I had a small nose. I will give it another good go tonight. Can you give the specific buckwheat pillow you got? Thank you so much!

[lathnos46]

Thank you, Pugsy. I will try the things you have suggested. You are the greatest. You do so much good here. Hope you are doing well.

[Pugsy]

I was borderline needing the Small frame.
The FitPack comes with the Medium frame and I could maybe have used the Small frame (has to be ordered separately if a person got the FitPack).
I found that the side strap covers helped enough that I could get by without the Small frame and by tightening up the back strap I got to the point that the leaks didn't wake me. First couple of nights it was a bit ugly though. I was used to having headgear really loose with my nasal pillows and I needed tighter with the DreamWear. Tighter wasn't uncomfortable though.

If I were going to use the DreamWear full time I would probably have purchased the Small frame but while I liked it well enough it didn't knock out the P10 from number one mask preference spot. So I didn't want to put anymore money in it. I did keep it though and didn't return it to cpap.com which is saying something.
I figured it might come in handy sometime.

Oh...with the added tension from the back strap I found I was having strap dents on my cheeks (I get the dents real easy) so I added the strap covers and they helped with both the dents and the overall tension to help with the leaks.

[rkl122]

Hi, well interestingly, when I click on the link under my orders, Amazon says it can't find the page. The wording associated with the link is:

CPAPfit CPAP Pillow--Cool, Dry, Comfortable & Adjustable--for Sleep Apnea
Sold by: CPAP Gear Shop
$49.95

I think there are other specific recommendations on this forum. BTW, I'm not saying the buckwheat pillow for sure facilitates use of the DreamWare mask. I think it does, but mainly I just like the feel of it. Good luck,

-Ron

[Janknitz]

I'm usually advising people with air cushion masks to loosen up so that the air cushion can fully inflate, but for this mask it needs to be pretty snug. Make sure the back strap sits below that ridge on the back of your skull and push the silicone head strap forward a bit.

[lathnos46]

Thank you, everyone!

[marnne108]

I have been using Dreamwear as my primary mask for several months. My hair is long enough to put in a ponytail. I anchor the two back straps between the ponytail. A thick scrunchy works better than a thin one. Another thing I do is put mask pads on the part of the mask that goes from the ears to top part of the mask. The grey felt type pads add some traction to keep the mask from sliding. I was very determined to make this mask work for me. It now stays in place with minimal leaks and decent AHI numbers. Hope you can make the mask work.

[lathnos46]

Thank you, marnne108. Good tips! Tonight is another night and I will report tomorrow how it goes. I switched to the medium cushion because my nose goes just over the line into the medium on the sizing guide.

[moonslice]

Were you sleeping on your back or side? I've been using this mask for a few days, and while I find it more comfortable than the Pilairo, the leaks are bugging me. I'm going to pick up another size cushion tomorrow to see if that helps. So far, I can only sleep on my back with it. Just wondering if you've been able to sleep on your side.

I do feel like this mask gets out of place too easily.

[FranckDG]

I switched to this mask a few months ago and I love it but the first few days were tough as with any new mask. I found the best for this one is to keep it pretty tight around your face. I use a pen to mark the best position so that I can find it again after washing it.

Good luck!

[Holden4th]

I'm usually advising people with air cushion masks to loosen up so that the air cushion can fully inflate, but for this mask it needs to be pretty snug. Make sure the back strap sits below that ridge on the back of your skull and push the silicone head strap forward a bit.

I make sure that the mask is just sitting under my nose but with no upward pressure. As LanKnitz says, the mask needs to fully inflate and moving the top of the mask slightly forward on your scalp will help to achieve this effect? Works for me. I love this mask!

[lathnos46]

Hi everyone! Last night was so much better, taking into account all of your tips. I slept mostly on my sides and did not have that much leaking. Well, actually I did, according to Sleepyhead and ResMed, but I know it will get better in time. It was so nice to be able to have such a small thing on my face and the hose coming from the top instead of the nose. I feel really good today too and got some things done that have been on my to do list for a long time. FranckDG, I love your idea of marking the headgear with a pen so you can adjust it back to what it was before washing. I will keep reporting. Thank you!