First Night On Heated Therapy

[SleeplessInLasVegas]

I just completed my first night on heated therapy. I cannot believe the difference. Slept for 7 hours straight without waking up once using my Activa mask. Waking up today, my nasal passages clear, with none of the cold/flu like symptoms I received from the cold passover humidifier.

I'm using the REMStar humidifier "M" series and had the unit set on 5 the whole night. Used about 80% of the water in the tank with no rain out. In fact, absolutely not one drop of water in the hose. Of course I live in the desert where I wouldn't expect it anyway.

I did try to initially sleep with my Swift Nasal Pillow but for some reason I keep getting a burning sensation in my nose, even with the humidifier. I thinks it's the difference between breathing out of the nasal mask with the Activa which is more like a pressured chamber as opposed to the Swift which is closer to two jets of air shooting into your nose. I switched within 15 minutes to the Mirage Activa. I have made so many micro adjustments to the headgear that I have finally got it adjust perfectly. It fits very loosely and barely touches my face until I turn on the machine. Then the thing jumps up on my nose like it just popped out of one of those eggs from the movie Alien.

I must again thank everyone here for their input. I know that being able to express my issues, reading others issues, and the valuable feedback I have received from so many fellow hoseheads (yes I picked up that term from here) has made my journey to living with this therapy a quick and positive one. I can honestly say that after just one week I am comfortable and able to comply 100%. Although I still put on that mask every night and look at myself in bed in disbelief in my dresser mirror.

Thanks again for everyones help and kudos to all!!!! I look forward to remaining a part of this website and continue learning and helping others in our mutual quest for a better nights sleep.

Randall

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, mirage, activa, hose, nasal pillow, swift

[SleepySandy]

Glad to hear it Randall.

Heated humidity makes all the difference for me.

[NightHawkeye]

Congrats, Randall.

I did try to initially sleep with my Swift Nasal Pillow but for some reason I keep getting a burning sensation in my nose, even with the humidifier. I thinks it's the difference between breathing out of the nasal mask with the Activa which is more like a pressured chamber as opposed to the Swift which is closer to two jets of air shooting into your nose.

Sounds more like the Swift pillows are not seated properly in the nares. Have you tried larger pillows? Some folks use gels of one kind or another to help with this.

I persisted with pillows for several months myself because pillows worked acceptably for me, but I always had a sore at the base of the nares from them. I finally decided that pillows probably work better for folks who have round nares, rather than slotted nares like I have. I eventually opted to try the Comfort Curve interface which fits flush up against the base of the nostrils, rather than going inside the nares, and I haven't looked back since. (Actually, to be more correct, I haven't even had the urge to try any other interface since the first night I used the Comfort Curve.)

Sounds like with the Activa, you already have found an interface which works well for you, Randall. Congratulations!

Regards,
Bill