Liberty -- My thoughts after 1 night

[Jefe]

So I wore my brand new Liberty to sleep last night. It took a little bit of adjusting to get the nasal prongs in my nose, but they stayed in for the night -- mostly. I had some very slight nose leaks when I woke up. The DME said I'm borderline between medium & large, so I should try both for a night, and see which works better.

It is much more comfortable for side sleeping than the Quattro. I'm also amazed at how much smaller it is. The Quattro had been giving me really bad aerophagia. I tried playing with, and turning off, cflex, but no help. I still got air from the Liberty, but I was able to get rid of it quickly this AM. Usually the Quattro pumps me so full, I'm near vomiting in the morning. Not nearly as bad on the Liberty.

Dislikes: Those upper straps. Plastic, with pads? Not only are they hard, but they come off the mask way too easily. Lower straps were hard to connect. It might be because I'm still not familiar with the location. Also, my nares were a bit sore, but no lasting issues. I'll get some Ayr gel tonight. The main problem is my nose won't stop running today. Too soon to tell if this is Liberty related or not.

Likes: The quick disconnect elbow -- seems to be much nicer that the Quattro. I'll watch it for leaks though, and keep the teflon tape by the bed. I also like the short hose with the swivel coupling. Added length was nice, and made it easier (by far) to turn over without the mask torquing into or off my face.

So I'm liking it so far. I'm still using My Pursleep 2.0, which is annoying my fiance, as the only scent I like is clear, and it's the only one she doesn't like I'll see haow night 2 goes. If I keep using it consitently, I'll get some hybrid pad-a-cheeks for it.

[roster]

[quote="Jefe"]........ I'll get some Ayr gel tonight. .......

[ibthebest]

I have been using my Liberty for about three weeks. Had sore nasal for about first week and started using neosporin at night just before I put on the mask. I am using the large nasal pillows because the neosporin tends to be a little slippery for the mediums and they came out too easily. Another tip is to to put a rubber band over the pillows, hooked at the top strap on each side. Make sure the rubber band is not in the hook but rather on the band. I agree those top hooks are too easily dislodged. I have also found that I need to have the top straps fairly tight and close to my nose to keep from leaking and usually have to reseal after every roll over. My other complaint, is the mask tends to fart fairly easily on the sides of my mouth. Again tighter tension (this time on the lower straps) will eliminate this. I think they make too big a point about not tightening the straps very much. If it aint tight, it's going to leak. That's my experience. As far as the running nose; I had the opposite, plugged up. Got a prescription for Flonase and that condition has gone away.

Michael

[Jefe]

There is one other thing I liked. If I relax my jaw, I can wiggle it under the seal, and drink water with a straw, so I don't have to unstrap the whole mask like I had to with the Quattro.

I'm also a lot less dry. I'll play with the humidity settings, but I could never wake up in the Quattro without my mask feeling like the Sahara desert.

[neverbetter]

My liberty leaks at the connection joint. I think thats what it's called. It did since day one. When I called to complain I was told they all do so I'm stuck.
Only one thing on it I liked better than the Hybrid. The loose heagear nobs. The pillow, leaks, comfort, everything else...I feel hybrid is far superior.

I saw today on Apneasupport.org that someone put her liberty pillows on her hybrid and it works. I cant figure out why she would want to, since the hybrid pillows are much better, but she said it fit, but couldn't put hybrid pillows on the liberty. Now that would have been worth trying.

[Jefe]

So Night 2 --

I tried Ayr gel, which only interfered in getting a seal. I wiped it clean, and sealed right up. Fell asleep right away, and stayed asleep for about 5 hours.

I skipped my trazedone, as I always do Thursdays, as I have to be at work at 6:30 AM. I ran to my fiance's office to fix her computer and she was staring at me in disbelief. She said "Yesterday, you were full of so much energy, I thought you were hyped up on Caffeine. Today your damn near dancing in the seat. How much caffeine have you had?"

She was amazed when I told her I've been off caffeine for about 3 days now. I've got a lot more energy. I"m still tired (I only got 5 hours last night), but I'm much more productive.

This CPAP thing may actually be working -- after 3 months.

[sleepngo]

Jefe, I too use the Liberty FF mask and really like it. I also have GERD and suffer from Aerophagia, but it is under control, now that I am using a M series Bipap auto with Biflex. One problem I still have is mouth breathing and snoring, even with the liberty so form time to time I use Saran wrap to stop the mouth leaking and snoring, works great so far. Glad to hear that you are doing so well with the Liberty.

Dan

[craftersfriend]

I have just started using the Liberty this week and have used it for 3 nights now. I really like it much better than the ultra mirage, but it seems to leak quite a bit out the connection elbow. Any ideas on how do deal with this?

[Vettecraze]

My Liberty does not leak at the elbow, whoever told any of you that a leaking connection elbow is normal was wrong. The only advise I have is to make sure the elbow is connected properly and all the way in, and to check the valve.

[Jefe]

Well, I used it all weekend as well. I learned a few other things.

First off, even if the elbow has clicked, it may not be in place. You have to play with it.

Second Ayr Gel -- rub it lightly on the pillows. Putting it on your nostrils is useless.

Third, no matter what you do, you're gonna have to fart around with the pillows for 3-5 minutes to get a good seal.

I do feel more rested. I'm still tired, but I have more energy. I do believe it's finally working. AHI numbers are pretty much unchanged, but according to my sleep doctor, my OSA isn't nearly as severe as my RLS, and he feels the CPAP is helping with the RLS.

I still have sore nostrils, but I'm getting used to it. My nose still runs in the morning, but less every day. I've also discovered the headgear was designed by the Marquis DeSade. It has hard plastic bits that rub my ears raw, and it really needs an adjustment at the crown of the head.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, AHI, seal