Side/Stomach Sleepers: Hybrid adjustments?

TheWife · Post by **TheWife** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:50 am

My husband has had the Hybrid for a week now, and he's been having problems with the mouth mask leaking when he sleeps on his side or stomach. He gave up after two nights. I've been too tired to persevere, but I now have my second wind and am doing more research.

Other than tightening the straps, are there other things he can do to get a better seal? He originally had the large interface, which made loud leaking noises, and the medium seems to fit him perfectly. The first night seems to go well, but the second night, he woke up a basket case and was falling asleep all day.

We'll try tightening the straps again, but I hope there is no discomfort.

Any side/stomach sleepers using the Hybrid successfully? What else do people use who sleep on their side/stomach and are also mouth breathers/leakers? BTW, he is using a PAPillow.

Theresa

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:46 am

I keep my straps pretty tight. I use PAD-A-CHEEKS so I have no strap marks.
I change position several times during the night and have had no leaks.

Brenda

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:55 am

If you haven't already done so, make sure the corresponding side straps are adjusted to equal lengths so the mask is positioned directly on the center of the face.

Is hubby using the mask with the chin flap or has it been cut off?

quilterB · Post by **quilterB** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:51 am

I am a side sleeper and have been fairly successful with the hybrid. I have the chin flap cut off, but I think the biggest difference for me has been a set of pad a cheeks. They just seem to make the whole thing more stable.
Good luck to both of you,
Linda

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:16 am

quilterB wrote:................... but I think the biggest difference for me has been a set of pad a cheeks. They just seem to make the whole thing more stable.
Good luck to both of you,
Linda

Now that is a point that will eventually get me to order the PADACHEEKS. I have not ordered them so far because I don't find the headgear uncomfortable and the marks on my face are small and disappear after the morning shower. But I would enjoy some additional stability out of them. Thanks for the info Linda.

ladytonya · Post by **ladytonya** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:06 am

I am a side sleeper who uses the Hybrid successfully. I had some issues last night due to congestion, but I am addressing that in another thread. As far as sleeping on my side, I use the Pad a Cheeks, which as others on here have said seem to stabilize the whole interface. I have it strapped down fairly tight - tight enough that it doesn't just slide off my face when I turn on my side but not so tight that it hurts. I do still wake up with face marks even with the PACs. I tend to kind of bury the side of the mask in my pillow in such a way that the pillow helps hold the mask in place. It has been working well for me for over a month now. The Hybrid is the ONLY mask that I have been successful with in over 9 months of treatment and I sleep exclusively on my side and/or stomach. Hope your husband can get it working for him!

TheWife · Post by **TheWife** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 11:54 am

He ended taking off the mask at 5am because of sore nostrils, which he's never had the whole time he's used nasal pillows, so I guess that part was too tight. Tonight, we'll adjust the nasal pillows to the lower position. I don't think the mask leaked at all though, so that's a good sign.

I'll have to see if the DME carries the Pad-A-Cheeks. I know I could look it up, but how much are they (approx.)? He wasn't sore anywhere else, but if they add stability, that's sure a plus.

The head gear is so flimsy though, that he has trouble putting it on without my help. How long before the new headgear comes out?

Keeping my fingers crossed for tonight. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately, staying partly awake to keep an ear out for leaks.

And the exhaust ports on that thing. Man! It could do double duty as a leaf blower. My hair is blown all over the place when he's facing me. I might have to start wearing a night cap just to prevent frostbite from the cold air

Theresa

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:07 pm

TheWife wrote:He ended taking off the mask at 5am because of sore nostrils, which he's never had the whole time he's used nasal pillows, so I guess that part was too tight. Tonight, we'll adjust the nasal pillows to the lower position. I don't think the mask leaked at all though, so that's a good sign.

I'll have to see if the DME carries the Pad-A-Cheeks. I know I could look it up, but how much are they (approx.)? He wasn't sore anywhere else, but if they add stability, that's sure a plus.

The head gear is so flimsy though, that he has trouble putting it on without my help. How long before the new headgear comes out?

Keeping my fingers crossed for tonight. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately, staying partly awake to keep an ear out for leaks.

And the exhaust ports on that thing. Man! It could do double duty as a leaf blower. My hair is blown all over the place when he's facing me. I might have to start wearing a night cap just to prevent frostbite from the cold air

Theresa

Theresa,

Karen (Padacheeks) is a member of this forum. Her products are listed in CPAP.COM's site.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pad-a- ... cover.html

Den

TheWife · Post by **TheWife** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:21 pm

Wulfman wrote:https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pad-a- ... cover.html

But I don't see the Hybrid listed as a mask it supports. Does anyone already use these for a Hybrid?

While I wait for them to arrive, I guess I could use some polar fleece and whip up a couple of temporary ones.

Theresa

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:21 pm

Since cutting off the chin flap (July 9th), I've been sleeping on my right side
every night. My mask tends to leak more when I'm on my back than on my side.

Both the PACs and the 'new trial' head-gear help to stabilize it more.

snoozie_suzy · Post by **snoozie_suzy** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:36 pm

[quote="TheWife"]He ended taking off the mask at 5am because of sore nostrils, which he's never had the whole time he's used nasal pillows, so I guess that part was too tight. Tonight, we'll adjust the nasal pillows to the lower position. I don't think the mask leaked at all though, so that's a good sign.

I'll have to see if the DME carries the Pad-A-Cheeks. I know I could look it up, but how much are they (approx.)? He wasn't sore anywhere else, but if they add stability, that's sure a plus.

The head gear is so flimsy though, that he has trouble putting it on without my help. How long before the new headgear comes out?

Keeping my fingers crossed for tonight. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately, staying partly awake to keep an ear out for leaks.

And the exhaust ports on that thing. Man! It could do double duty as a leaf blower. My hair is blown all over the place when he's facing me. I might have to start wearing a night cap just to prevent frostbite from the cold air

Theresa

snoozie_suzy · Post by **snoozie_suzy** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:40 pm

One other thought Theresa, I meant to put it in the first post.....the sore nostrils. They hurt bad for a good 2 weeks, and then as quick as it started it was gone, now they don't hurt a bit. I think the nose just has to get "toughened up' or something.

some have suggested chapstick around the nares, or other balm. I never used it and still dont and now my nose is fine.

Suzy

tooly125 · Post by **tooly125** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:45 pm

TheWife wrote:
Wulfman wrote:https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pad-a- ... cover.html
But I don't see the Hybrid listed as a mask it supports. Does anyone already use these for a Hybrid?

Theresa,

Just PM PADACHEEKS (aka Karen)
she will be more than happy to help you out

TheWife · Post by **TheWife** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:47 pm

snoozie_suzy wrote: Theresa,
Go to Joann's Fabric or any sewing crafts store and get some more heavy duty velcro. SNIP The padacheeks are FABULOUS.

He's still not sure if this is the answer, we'll adjust the nasal pillows tonight and see if that helps. The Padacheeks are available for the Hybrid, but not through CPAP.com yet. I'll wait until we get the new headgear before getting padacheeks.

snoozie_suzy wrote:Now your husband might want to try cutting off the chin flap to help with mask leaks etc. I found once I finally cut mine off that I was able to use a size smaller than I was. It also helps the mask fit better from cheek to cheek when the chin flap is off.

He had been wearing a big neoprene chin strap so the Hybrid headgear doesn't feel terribly restrictive to him. The chin flap seems to actually help and fits him quite well, so I'll hold off on cutting it off for now.

snoozie_suzy wrote:As far as the "gale wind" that blows on you, try putting an extra pillow or two stacked on each other, in between the two of you, so that his exhaust air blows on that (or a bunched up blanket).

I still like sleeping close to him, but I may end up doing something like that. It 's just weird feeling the wind rushing through my hair at night. I'm sure it will make for some interesting dreams.

snoozie_suzy wrote:One other thought Theresa, I meant to put it in the first post.....the sore nostrils. They hurt bad for a good 2 weeks, and then as quick as it started it was gone, now they don't hurt a bit. I think the nose just has to get "toughened up' or something.

He'd been enjoying his nasal pillows before, I think we just tightened it too much and didn't think to lower the pillows. He says they feel fine this afternoon. He must have pretty tough nostrils.

He also says he's feeling well-rested today even though he only had about 4 hours with the machine.

Thank you for your help.

Theresa

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com, Nasal Pillows

TheWife · Post by **TheWife** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:48 pm

tooly125 wrote: Just PM PADACHEEKS (aka Karen)
she will be more than happy to help you out

Actually, she contacted me first. I'm going to wait until we decide if this is the mask for him, and also we'll probably wait for the "new and improved" headgear.

Theresa