Custom headgear changes

[TRzzz]

I've occasionally posted re my wife's ongoing struggle to find an adequate mask (never mind "perfect") for her head and face shape. Right now she's using the ResMed Liberty Mirage, which is the best so far. The Phillips Dreamware and ResMed Amara View are in the reject pile.

One thing she just can't seem to find is that sweet spot between headgear tightness and not leaking. Some combination of the shape of her head, her hair, her cheekbones, and nose structure is making it difficult.

She's thinking that modifying the strap slightly might work but is unclear how to proceed. Does anyone have experience with customizing their headgear, or what sort of modifications have you made to improve the manufacturer's design for your head? She's capable with needlework so can handle pretty much anything.

[Pugsy]

Has she tried a mask liner?

If she likes the Liberty....have her take a look at the Respcare/Innomed Hybrid mask. It might be a little more stable.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -CPAP-Mask

[booksfan]

Has she tried the Bleep? No straps! This mask was a godsend for me...I had a terrible time with straps slipping and causing leaking. Also, waking because the mask would slip off when the straps would slip. Might be worth a try.

[TRzzz]

Has she tried a mask liner?

She has used the mask liners, but they didn't get the job done.

If she likes the Liberty....have her take a look at the Respcare/Innomed Hybrid mask. It might be a little more stable.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -CPAP-Mask

Thanks for the suggestion. We've got one in hand -- purchased, I will add, from the fine company that sponsors this forum.

[TRzzz]

Has she tried the Bleep? No straps! This mask was a godsend for me...I had a terrible time with straps slipping and causing leaking. Also, waking because the mask would slip off when the straps would slip. Might be worth a try.

The Bleep's no-strap, minimalist design is a tantalizing option for my own use, but I don't think it will work for her as she also opens her mouth while sleeping, hence her need for a full-face mask. (Sorry, failed to point that out in my original post.)

With the Bleep, is the only way to hold it to your nose with their sticky pads? Seems like it might get expensive.

[Pugsy]

With the Bleep, is the only way to hold it to your nose with their sticky pads? Seems like it might get expensive.

Unfortunately yes...need those sticky pads to create the seal and I can't think of any other way to hold them tight enough with some other outside force like headgear.

Yes they can get expensive but Medicare (and most other insurance) look at the box of replacement ports like a nasal pillow or nasal cushion replacement and they allow 2 per month. 2 boxes of 16 ports equals 2 nasal pillow/cushions per month.
The box of ports uses the same HCPCS billing code as the nasal cushion/pillow replacement uses.

So insurance will pay and the cost isn't any more than a person would have with a nasal pillow.
Of course nasal pillows usually last a lot longer so most people don't get 2 per month...but they could.
Cost will suck even with insurance if there is a high deductible or copay involved. I realize that part.

Some people will find the cost is worth it in terms of the results they get. Others won't. Pretty much typical for any mask out there really. There's always going to be lovers and haters and it doesn't matter even if the mask was free.

For some people that lack of headgear with the Bleep is totally worth whatever else they have to do or pay.
Headgear issues are huge for some people and not huge for others.

[booksfan]

With the Bleep, is the only way to hold it to your nose with their sticky pads? Seems like it might get expensive.

Unfortunately yes...need those sticky pads to create the seal and I can't think of any other way to hold them tight enough with some other outside force like headgear.

Yes they can get expensive but Medicare (and most other insurance) look at the box of replacement ports like a nasal pillow or nasal cushion replacement and they allow 2 per month. 2 boxes of 16 ports equals 2 nasal pillow/cushions per month.
The box of ports uses the same HCPCS billing code as the nasal cushion/pillow replacement uses.

So insurance will pay and the cost isn't any more than a person would have with a nasal pillow.
Of course nasal pillows usually last a lot longer so most people don't get 2 per month...but they could.
Cost will suck even with insurance if there is a high deductible or copay involved. I realize that part.

Some people will find the cost is worth it in terms of the results they get. Others won't. Pretty much typical for any mask out there really. There's always going to be lovers and haters and it doesn't matter even if the mask was free.

For some people that lack of headgear with the Bleep is totally worth whatever else they have to do or pay.
Headgear issues are huge for some people and not huge for others.

Very good points, Pugsy!

With my previous mask, I had to replace the pillow every 2-3 weeks. At that point, it would start leaking, soon reaching an unacceptable level. That is ALMOST the same replacement schedule as what I now receive with the Bleep, my 2 boxes/month. And headgear issues were huge for me, so I purchased my first, full set of the Bleep out of pocket in March to try it. Then transitioned to insurance coverage. Had a period of insurance issues and ended up having to buy a box of ports myself until my new insurance started up. I am one who considers it totally worth it!

[Franniep51]

I have had the same problem. My mask kept slipping over my hair, and sometimes off my head, with the Dreamwear. I need the small face mask and nasal pillow. I couldn’t sleep with a mask covering my nose and mouth. I am also an active roll-around sleeper. I finally got the idea to pull my hair up over the back head strap. I’m secured with the mask that way. I can move around and rarely have a leak. Of course my hair is a little messed up from the strap, which is still at its tightest, just need a few extra minutes to style it. Hubby greatly appreciates my CPAP so he can get his rest, too!

Merry Christmas, y’all!

[Janknitz]

I have modified the headgear a couple of times.

I guess I have a very short head, because the headgear that comes with a Mirage Quattro mask is too long (and Crapria could never get it together to get me the requested small size headgear). I used my sewing machine to shorten that part in the back that is too long.

I have also sewn velcro hook tape (the scratchy side) into the back strap of the Mirage Swift FX and the Dreamwear masks. I have very short hair and this helps keep the back strap from sliding.

Tell her to give it a go. Until you cut the original headgear, nothing has to be permanent--you can always remove the stitches. So she can try it on and make sure it really works before cutting anything off.

One caveat is to always make sure that the CO2 vent remains unobstructed if you are moving straps into weird places.

[gv280z]

You may want to give the F30 a try. I also had the other two masks you mentioned, and liked both of them but also found them to be leaky and finicky to deal with. Where they have very narrow surface area of cushion to face, the F30 has a bit more robust contact and is now my forever mask. However, I did have to swap the headgear with the one from the Amara View, because the F30 headgear will start to ride on the tops of the ears until you tighten the top (crown) strap so much it's painful. The 'View headgear is much more comfortable.

I have tried the Dreamwear several times, I wanted to like it so much, I liked the design and lightness of it, seemed to be a well designed mask, but I could never get to be really comfortable with it over a long term. The View however, I used for over a year, that really was my mask but then I tried the F30 and that killed it. I've since got rid of those other two, gave to a member of this forum. And then tried the Dreamwear AGAIN about 2 months ago, and same thing again....just didn't come together for me, Also tried a Dreamwear nasal experiment, that failed hilariously...I was happy to go running back to the 30.