Does a FF mask "solve" mouthbreathing?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:25 pm

oldgearhead wrote:This appears to be great time to pick up one of
the older RemStar Autos. The overstock is starting to
become available. Yahoo Auctions has 4 right now..

http://auctions.yahoo.com/i::111467092

But the problem you need to be careful with, they are so old they don't have C-FLEX, not good. Jim

TheWife · Post by **TheWife** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:30 pm

rooster wrote:Keys to successful use of the Hybrid are selecting the right size mask, selecting the right size pillows, selecting the right pillows height and adjusting the straps. This can take a few nights.

Do I understand correctly that the mask comes with all the sizes? I can see including different pillow sizes, but are there really different-sized masks included when you order it?

Theresa

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:32 pm

Sorry, I meant to mention that. The mask comes with all three mask sizes and three pillow sizes.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:35 pm

OOps! Sorry! I didn't notice that. Thanks Goof for pointing that out.

I guess they only have two of the 'newer' ones.

http://auctions.yahoo.com/i::112821025

TheWife · Post by **TheWife** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:54 pm

The Hybrid is here! I phoned the DME and they now have the Hybrid in stock, so my husband will be able to get one today. I'm so excited about this.

Now, my question is, should he have them fit it for him in the store (they've never had one before, so perhaps aren't so skilled at it), or just take it home and do it on his own (with the valuable help I get from everyone here)?

Also, he's been using an AutoPAP as a CPAP so they can collect his data. Should he try it as an APAP? My own answer is, try the Hybrid first, only change one variable at a time so we know what is making the difference. He can try an APAP later.

Theresa

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:39 pm

I agree that it makes sense to only try one variable at a time. However, if it were me, I would want to know if my numbers change significantly with the Hybrid. And I would certainly assume they would since the mouth leaks should stop.

Good luck to him and please keep us informed how he does.

TheWife · Post by **TheWife** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:45 pm

I'll keep you posted. He really wants to go back to the F&P because it has the heated hose, and when he turns up the humidity on his current machine, he gets rainout real bad. He's going to ask about ordering a separate heated hose (the Australian one). But hopefully he'll stay with what he has for now so he can collect some more data.

Theresa

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:28 pm

If your husband is a side sleeper, you really need to consider purchasing a PAPillow. I use a FF mask and I sleep mostly on my side. Since I have used the two together, I have experienced significant results. However, it took about 2-3 weeks to get where I really feel good. You can find the PAPillow at http://www.talkaboutsleep.com. It's pricey, but well worth the cost.

TheWife · Post by **TheWife** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:36 pm

Anonymous wrote:If your husband is a side sleeper, you really need to consider purchasing a PAPillow.

He bought it about a week ago and it has helped with his sore neck/back. Yes, it was pricey, about $75 Canadian.

rooster wrote:Keys to successful use of the Hybrid are selecting the right size mask, selecting the right size pillows, selecting the right pillows height and adjusting the straps. This can take a few nights....The mask comes with all three mask sizes and three pillow sizes.

Sooo. He got the Hybrid. They fitted him at the store, and sent him home with one mask (large) and one set of nasal pillows (medium) in the case! D'ya think they might try to sell the other masks separately?

Let's hope it works. I'll keep my fingers crossed. He has the RemStar again so they can collect data for another week.

There was an Encore Pro report, 10 pages long. They gave him pages 1 and 3. Man, do these people have control issues or what? Here's the data from last week (my comments.questions in italics)

Average usage: 5 hrs. 30 mins. He tends to fall asleep for about an hour or more when putting our youngest to bed (without CPAP), then stays up too late 'cause he can't fall asleep, so doesn't get a full night's CPAP sleep.
Total AHI: 1.9 what does that mean?
There's a graph labelled FOSQ Score with a solid bar across the week between about 17 and 20. Meaning?

Pressure: CPAP 8.0
Average Obstructive Apnea Index: 0.9
Average Hypopnea Index: 1.0
Average AHI 1.9
Average Vibratory Score 3.3
Don't really know what most of these mean, except the first one.

Average Max Leak: 136.1
Average 90% Leak: 26.3
Average Leak: 21.0
Average Large Leak: 0 mins
Don't know the difference between the different leaks, but the guy said it was good that he had no large leaks

Basically, the DME guy said his numbers looked good, and if my husband hadn't asked for it, would have probably sent him home with the same equipment.

So let's keep our fingers crossed for a good night's sleep tonight...I think I already said that, sorry this is so long.

Interesting side note: I have chronic sinusitis, and for about the past week, I'm the one who's been completely mouth breathing every night. I keep my PowerAde bottle filled with water near my pillow and take sips every time I wake up, but man, the dreams about an unquenchable thirst!

Theresa

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Encore Pro, CPAP, DME, AHI, Hypopnea, Nasal Pillows

roster · Post by **roster** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 5:14 am

TheWife wrote: Sooo. He got the Hybrid. They fitted him at the store, and sent him home with one mask (large) and one set of nasal pillows (medium) in the case! D'ya think they might try to sell the other masks separately?

There was an Encore Pro report, 10 pages long. They gave him pages 1 and 3. Man, do these people have control issues or what?

Totally deplorable actions by the DME!

Gotta log off, I am having problems with my PSPP (Personal Stop Profanity Project).

risktaker99 · Post by **risktaker99** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:49 am

"Control" by the DME is an understatement. I wonder how much they charged you for what you got? FYI, the mask comes with all three sizes (small, medium and large) for the pillows and the mouth section. My DME did that to me with the Swift mask when I was a Newbie (what did I know?) by not including the other sized pillows and the clinician's manual that came with the CPAP machine. When I realized the clinician's manual came with the machine and I confronted the DME, they said it wasn't there. I wouldn't be surprised if the RT was selling them on EBAY!!

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:49 am

Contact the DME and have them send all the parts to you! My DME set me up with the masl and after the first night I had to change the cushion and pillows to get a good fit. If nothing else you can trade the parts you don't use for parts you do use. The mask comes from the manufacturer with ALL the parts, you buy the mask you get the parts!

Brenda

TheWife · Post by **TheWife** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:22 am

Wellll. The higher your expectations, the greater the disappointment. After trying it in bed and trying to lie on his side, my husband was ready to hurl the mask across the bedroom after having it on for five minutes.

Because of the information I got here (thank you), I KNOW there are different-sized masks, so I will insist he go back today (what a wasted trip) for all sizes of everything. Even though he's 6'3", I don't think he needed the "large" mask, with his narrow face. Looking at him from the front, the edges of the mask are even with the edges of his face, so how could it not get bumped off when he lies on his side.

Sure, sit in a chair in an office all hooked up and, tadah! Yup, it fits, no leaks. Lie down in bed on your side, and that sucker whines and whistles like nobody's business.

I felt like crying...I couldn't get back to sleep. Luckily, the DME left the old mask in the case, so I fished it out and we hooked my husband back to his old setup and he was asleep within five minutes. I stared in mute frustration at the ceiling...

FWIW, all equipment is still on a trial basis, and "presumably" he would have given my husband everything if/when he eventually bought it (giving them the benefit of the doubt here). We paid a $250 deposit and have about another two weeks to "get it right" before we plunk down the full price (to be reimbursed 80% by my insurance company later). This, after the initial two month trial failed.

Oh, one more thing. DON'T wear a chin strap with the hybrid. He tried this at first (he has a large neoprene chin strap) but didn't get a good seal and had to take it off.

Theresa

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:37 am

DON'T wear a chin strap with the hybrid

Don't throw away the chin-strap just yet. I wear mine under my chin, once
in a while, to 'puff up' my cheeks, on those nights when I don't want to wear
my partial plate. Another chin-strap trick with the kind that have the hole for the chin is: Put the hose through the chin hole, attach the mask, then
pull the chin-strap up over the Hybrid's elbow, and fasten it behind your head. It acts like a fifth strap to help increase the face contact

If hubby has a long narrow face, and if the large mouth-piece leaks at the
corners, I would suggest the medium mouth-piece with the chin-flap removed.

roster · Post by **roster** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:57 am

Lie down in bed on your side, and that sucker whines and whistles like nobody's business.

Since your husband has mouth leaks and doesn't want to use tape, don't get discouraged yet with the Hybrid. It took many of us some nights before it worked well.

The large mask "looked" like it fit me well and the medium mask looked too small just barely extending beyond the corners of my mouth. With some experimenting I found out that the medium mask worked for me with no leaks.

I did have to cut the chin flap off and can't imagine using the mask with the chin flap although I know others do.

I suggest your husband experiment with the mask early in the evening and get everything set up for the night. Leave some time to relax before bed. At bedtime he can just "slip into" the mask. If it is just not working then bring out the Swift for the night and experiment again with the Hybrid the next day.

Good luck.