Does anyone have advice on a full face mask (nose and mouth breather) that does not have nasal pillows and does not go up to your forhead and thereby block your vision.
I tried mirage liberty but I can not breath through the nasal pillows.
I am currently using a mirage quattro but it slips off my chin breaking the seal and obstructs my vision. I wear glasses in addition to be claustrophobic and so when I awaken I immediately have to rip off the mask so that I can see.
clk
full face mask for claustrophobic
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• Page 1 of 1
Well.... it ain't for everyone... but I personally like the Hans Rudolph VIP 7600. Only reason I haven't been using it lately is that I have decided the size small I borrowed from Jen is in fact a bit TOO small for me (opposite problem that most folks have) As soon as HR comes out with their new V2 version I will get a size medium of it and will do a comparison review for the forum. I keep hoping that it will come out soon because I'm starting to feel rather guilty about not getting the small back to Jen but I want to be able to compare the features side by side... so... I've been holding off on returning it.
In general:
VIP 7600 pros:
Covers chin, mouth, and nose only. NO FOREHEAD SUPPORT! This means you aren't staring at plastic and you can wear glasses if you want to read in bed and are afflicted with eyesight issues (like me) It also may help with claustrophobia issues. I really don't get along with nasal pillows (even those used in the Hybrid and the Liberty masks) so for me this mask is a godsend since it's the only full face mask I have found that allows me to wear glasses and avoid nasal pillows altogether.
VIP 7600 cons:
Compared to most masks it is rather heavy and for some folks this fact alone causes claustrophobia issues. The reason it is heavy is because the whole thing is made from silicone with no hard plastic frame. Without the frame the silicone has to be thincker and heavier to maintain shape.
The standard headgear is a pain in the butt to get on. Although, unlike some people... I find it VERY comfortable once I get it on. It uses mesh netting rather than foam which I find to be a lot cooler in the summer. I agree though that they have made it overly complicated and difficult to get into place. The good news is there is an improved foam style headgear than can be purchased separately and the new V2 will come with the improved headgear right from the start.
Also some people have had trouble getting it to seal well. Based on my own experiences (which I won't go into here) I honestly think this has more to do with the difficulty of finding the right size. However, the new V2 version is also supposed to solve some of the seal issues among other things.
If you are interested in this mask I highly suggest you try it first. If your DME won't give you the chance to do a trial fitting then find someone here who will loan theirs to you. I happen to know that Jen (socknitster) has a size small that will be up for grabs again soon (just as soon as I send it back that is ). And there are other sizes that pop up here from time to time.
Everyone will have different advice and opinions on masks... but there you go...
In general:
VIP 7600 pros:
Covers chin, mouth, and nose only. NO FOREHEAD SUPPORT! This means you aren't staring at plastic and you can wear glasses if you want to read in bed and are afflicted with eyesight issues (like me) It also may help with claustrophobia issues. I really don't get along with nasal pillows (even those used in the Hybrid and the Liberty masks) so for me this mask is a godsend since it's the only full face mask I have found that allows me to wear glasses and avoid nasal pillows altogether.
VIP 7600 cons:
Compared to most masks it is rather heavy and for some folks this fact alone causes claustrophobia issues. The reason it is heavy is because the whole thing is made from silicone with no hard plastic frame. Without the frame the silicone has to be thincker and heavier to maintain shape.
The standard headgear is a pain in the butt to get on. Although, unlike some people... I find it VERY comfortable once I get it on. It uses mesh netting rather than foam which I find to be a lot cooler in the summer. I agree though that they have made it overly complicated and difficult to get into place. The good news is there is an improved foam style headgear than can be purchased separately and the new V2 will come with the improved headgear right from the start.
Also some people have had trouble getting it to seal well. Based on my own experiences (which I won't go into here) I honestly think this has more to do with the difficulty of finding the right size. However, the new V2 version is also supposed to solve some of the seal issues among other things.
If you are interested in this mask I highly suggest you try it first. If your DME won't give you the chance to do a trial fitting then find someone here who will loan theirs to you. I happen to know that Jen (socknitster) has a size small that will be up for grabs again soon (just as soon as I send it back that is ). And there are other sizes that pop up here from time to time.
Everyone will have different advice and opinions on masks... but there you go...
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Wulfman...
Re: full face mask for claustrophobic
Too loose.....wrong size?clk wrote:Does anyone have advice on a full face mask (nose and mouth breather) that does not have nasal pillows and does not go up to your forhead and thereby block your vision.
I tried mirage liberty but I can not breath through the nasal pillows.
I am currently using a mirage quattro but it slips off my chin breaking the seal and obstructs my vision. I wear glasses in addition to be claustrophobic and so when I awaken I immediately have to rip off the mask so that I can see.
clk
I can't imagine that mask falling off my face. (I have one)
Do you wear your glasses while you sleep?
Den
My hubby, Sequoia, uses a full face mask called The Legend. He has posted a thread.
viewtopic.php?t=23834&highlight=
He has had the best numbers and least leaks with this mask. It is very affordable.
viewtopic.php?t=23834&highlight=
He has had the best numbers and least leaks with this mask. It is very affordable.
Caution! I brake for Elves, Fairies, Gnomes, Leprechauns, Unicorns, Dragons & and other invisible creatures only I can see!
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tillymarigold
- Posts: 426
- Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:01 pm
- Location: Albuquerque, NM
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KimberlyinMN
- Posts: 288
- Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:19 pm
- Location: Minnesota
I am definitely a claustrophic person. I get this way watching TV too. (Underwater scenes - even with cartoons!) I started out with a full face mask, the Comfortfull 2. The sleep study was the worst case for me. The technician told me to just start out slowly, a few minutes more a night, etc. I think it was the second or third night and I finally slept through the night with the mask on. This was the "light switch" for my brain and I was able to continue to use this mask. I am sure I had a few episodes where I had to rip it off, but eventually it became second nature to me and the good feeling I had all day overcame the sense of being confined.
As for the glasses, I wear contacts during the day and I need my glasses at night to read or watch TV in bed. This was a BIG deal to me that I couldn't wear my glasses with the mask on. A BIG DEAL. In a way, I was like the bratty little kid stomping my feet because I couldn't get things MY way. (I am not implying this is how you are, but it sure was how I was.) After awhile, I realized that I don't have to put my mask on right away as soon as I get into bed. I can still read or watch TV and when I am tired enough I put my mask on and go to sleep. My vision is pretty bad (-5.75 and -4.75) - I don't even qualify for the $99 specials! When I wake up, I take the mask off and put on my glasses. (Unless the dogs are barking excitedly and I have to rush outside. So far I've managed to save a live bat from the cat. The small four-legged gray thing (possibly a mouse or a vole) wasn't so lucky.) There aren't too many occasions that I have to leap out of bed and forget the glasses. I can't see details, just blurry shapes and as long as the path to the bathroom is clear, I'm okay.
I did try the Hybrid but I found that when I wear a full face mask, I only breathe through my mouth. I guess that isn't so bad either, breathing is a good thing. But I also found the ComfortFull to be more comfortable to me, probably because that was my first one? ???
Now I use the ComfortLite nasal interface. (The full face mask is for the nights when I can't breathe through my nose.) I am one of the lucky ones who doesn't mouth breathe. My tongue suctions to the top of my mouth. (Very lucky.)
So... what's the point of my post?
1. Make sure your mask fits.
2. If you need to read or watch TV in bed, you can try to put your mask on over your glasses or even try to hang your glasses over your mask. (I did do that with mine.) Or just read/watch until you are tired and then put the mask on.
3. Just work with the mask a few minutes at a time each night. As the technician told me, the apnea didn't just start up so chances are I'm not going to die without the mask for a night or two.
Once I got over my foot-stomping antics, and realized how good I felt, my brain just gave up and accepted that this is what I need to do. Period. My machine goes with me everywhere. (Mexico, my parents, my in-laws, girls' weekends.) I just got the Pur-Sleep aromatherapy starter kit a couple of weeks ago and, while it could be a coincidence, I sure am sleeping sounder since starting it.
Good luck!
Kimberly
PS. Besides all of the other stuff... I was a newlywed too! Yikes! Although my DH just said it's like he was sleeping next to a jet pilot. Now with the Comfort Lite 2, he's sleeping with a Klingon. (Right... the man has a sense of humor at least.)
As for the glasses, I wear contacts during the day and I need my glasses at night to read or watch TV in bed. This was a BIG deal to me that I couldn't wear my glasses with the mask on. A BIG DEAL. In a way, I was like the bratty little kid stomping my feet because I couldn't get things MY way. (I am not implying this is how you are, but it sure was how I was.) After awhile, I realized that I don't have to put my mask on right away as soon as I get into bed. I can still read or watch TV and when I am tired enough I put my mask on and go to sleep. My vision is pretty bad (-5.75 and -4.75) - I don't even qualify for the $99 specials! When I wake up, I take the mask off and put on my glasses. (Unless the dogs are barking excitedly and I have to rush outside. So far I've managed to save a live bat from the cat. The small four-legged gray thing (possibly a mouse or a vole) wasn't so lucky.) There aren't too many occasions that I have to leap out of bed and forget the glasses. I can't see details, just blurry shapes and as long as the path to the bathroom is clear, I'm okay.
I did try the Hybrid but I found that when I wear a full face mask, I only breathe through my mouth. I guess that isn't so bad either, breathing is a good thing. But I also found the ComfortFull to be more comfortable to me, probably because that was my first one? ???
Now I use the ComfortLite nasal interface. (The full face mask is for the nights when I can't breathe through my nose.) I am one of the lucky ones who doesn't mouth breathe. My tongue suctions to the top of my mouth. (Very lucky.)
So... what's the point of my post?
1. Make sure your mask fits.
2. If you need to read or watch TV in bed, you can try to put your mask on over your glasses or even try to hang your glasses over your mask. (I did do that with mine.) Or just read/watch until you are tired and then put the mask on.
3. Just work with the mask a few minutes at a time each night. As the technician told me, the apnea didn't just start up so chances are I'm not going to die without the mask for a night or two.
Once I got over my foot-stomping antics, and realized how good I felt, my brain just gave up and accepted that this is what I need to do. Period. My machine goes with me everywhere. (Mexico, my parents, my in-laws, girls' weekends.) I just got the Pur-Sleep aromatherapy starter kit a couple of weeks ago and, while it could be a coincidence, I sure am sleeping sounder since starting it.
Good luck!
Kimberly
PS. Besides all of the other stuff... I was a newlywed too! Yikes! Although my DH just said it's like he was sleeping next to a jet pilot. Now with the Comfort Lite 2, he's sleeping with a Klingon. (Right... the man has a sense of humor at least.)
10 posts
• Page 1 of 1