SleepDeprived - try making some hose covers for just the NAII tubes. SleepyCarol made me some from fleece that just slip over the tubes, and I find that really increases the comfort of sleeping on them, plus it increased the stability of the tubes in the headgear, as they are not sliding through the velcro.
Cheers,
Barbara
Breeze or NAII (or headrest) - small philtrum
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allisonandrews
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:49 am
- Location: Located in the town that got all the UFO publicity in January, Texas
Sorry I didn't get back earlier - I got the flu, so CPAP was sort of the last thing I was concerned with. I did get the NAII in (the all size kit) and messed around with it for a bit. First impressions are that the hoses are so heavy and stiff! I tried out several of the prong sizes. I think I finally decided I would be a medium. I could fold the prongs in the MP and force them up there a bit, but even after about 15 minutes, they had not "unfolded" and I was experiencing heavy leaking. I was using the Ayr gel. I did have quite a bit of problem keeping the prongs in when I switched position... perhaps because the mask was so unstable on me. I was just using the headband with the tubes through the bands. I kept repositioning where the bands were stuck on the headband, but I don't know if that helped or not. I guess I am going to have to look for some more pictures of how people have modified the headgear. (I ended up buying this one on CPAP.com and got the insurance, so I am not going to do any permanent changes while I am still contimplating sending this one back.) My nose is finally healing up some, so perhaps I can try the mask again tonight or tomorrow.
Does anyone know what coconut oil would do to the mask? I've been using it on my nose where it got so raw it was peeling. (From my cold, not CPAP). I guess I will try the Ayr gel tonight, but only if it doesn't burn/sting too much.
Does anyone know what coconut oil would do to the mask? I've been using it on my nose where it got so raw it was peeling. (From my cold, not CPAP). I guess I will try the Ayr gel tonight, but only if it doesn't burn/sting too much.
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Guest
Hi Allison!
For me, I find that any oils or liquids can cause leaks for me. I use them during the day to heal up anything I've got going on, then make sure I'm oil free at night. Even if you use something say during dinner, it should be worn off by bed time enough for you to get a good seal.
Also, if my nose is at all runny, I just swab good with a kleenex to get everything dry. You might try doing that right before you mask up. Poke a finger up your nose covered in kleenex and just dab around a bit to ensure you don't have residual creams or oils up there.
You will need to go to the link I provided earlier to see pix of how I and other people have configured our headgear. Most of us have abandoned the headgear that came with it, and rigged up our own. I like attaching the side tubes to the sides of my Topaz chin strap. That gives great stability, which helps me alot. Anchoring the tubes to the sides of my face is surprisingly comfortable.
I haven't found my tubes to be stiff at all. You might try warming them up a bit and see if that helps some. Maybe pop them in the microwave for a few seconds?
In order to get the cannula to unfold in your nose, you may have to push and pull gently on it, and wiggle it, until it pops open. Also try twisting the cannula so that the vents move from pointing straight down to more horizontally. This will become very easy for you once you've figured it out, and it will happen nearly automatically. For now, I suggest laying down, masking up, and then fiddling with it. I find if I try to do it sitting up, I start to get more frustrated and irritated. If you can lay down, and relax, and remind yourself to keep breathing, it might help.
I also find that once the air starts through the cannula, it helps to "pop" open any folded tubes.
Make sure you are using adequate heat in your HH to help heal any soreness you've got going in your nares. There's a delicate balance between enough heat, and rainout, so you're exact temp will vary.
Good luck!
Babs
For me, I find that any oils or liquids can cause leaks for me. I use them during the day to heal up anything I've got going on, then make sure I'm oil free at night. Even if you use something say during dinner, it should be worn off by bed time enough for you to get a good seal.
Also, if my nose is at all runny, I just swab good with a kleenex to get everything dry. You might try doing that right before you mask up. Poke a finger up your nose covered in kleenex and just dab around a bit to ensure you don't have residual creams or oils up there.
You will need to go to the link I provided earlier to see pix of how I and other people have configured our headgear. Most of us have abandoned the headgear that came with it, and rigged up our own. I like attaching the side tubes to the sides of my Topaz chin strap. That gives great stability, which helps me alot. Anchoring the tubes to the sides of my face is surprisingly comfortable.
I haven't found my tubes to be stiff at all. You might try warming them up a bit and see if that helps some. Maybe pop them in the microwave for a few seconds?
In order to get the cannula to unfold in your nose, you may have to push and pull gently on it, and wiggle it, until it pops open. Also try twisting the cannula so that the vents move from pointing straight down to more horizontally. This will become very easy for you once you've figured it out, and it will happen nearly automatically. For now, I suggest laying down, masking up, and then fiddling with it. I find if I try to do it sitting up, I start to get more frustrated and irritated. If you can lay down, and relax, and remind yourself to keep breathing, it might help.
I also find that once the air starts through the cannula, it helps to "pop" open any folded tubes.
Make sure you are using adequate heat in your HH to help heal any soreness you've got going in your nares. There's a delicate balance between enough heat, and rainout, so you're exact temp will vary.
Good luck!
Babs
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allisonandrews
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:49 am
- Location: Located in the town that got all the UFO publicity in January, Texas
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Guest
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Sleepdeprived
- Posts: 325
- Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 3:07 pm
- Location: Florida
[quote="Anonymous"]SleepDeprived - try making some hose covers for just the NAII tubes. SleepyCarol made me some from fleece that just slip over the tubes, and I find that really increases the comfort of sleeping on them, plus it increased the stability of the tubes in the headgear, as they are not sliding through the velcro.
Cheers,
Barbara
Cheers,
Barbara
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Sleepdeprived
- Posts: 325
- Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 3:07 pm
- Location: Florida
[quote="Anonymous"]SleepDeprived - try making some hose covers for just the NAII tubes. SleepyCarol made me some from fleece that just slip over the tubes, and I find that really increases the comfort of sleeping on them, plus it increased the stability of the tubes in the headgear, as they are not sliding through the velcro.
Cheers,
Barbara
Cheers,
Barbara
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allisonandrews
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:49 am
- Location: Located in the town that got all the UFO publicity in January, Texas
Okay, so I experimented with the NA II last night.
I added some velcro strips (I think they were actually one-wrap ties) to the main headband so that the tube now attached in two locations - in front of my ears and behind my ears. I did sort of a pony-tail / figure 8 style.
I also went up a size on the cannula. I went with the MP. I had to fold it to insert it and then I could get it to pop back out. It did hurt like a B****, though. I made it 3 hours - 1 sitting up watching tv, 1 laying down watching tv, and 1 asleep. But when I woke up, I was in so much pain that I thought I was going to cry.
The headgear seemed stable enough, but it did want to move around a lot on my head. I think I will try out the Mediums tonight and see if they will seal and stay in place. I just don't think I can handle the MP!
One side effect I noticed: extremely pissed off cat! One of my cats still likes to cuddle... okay, actually, this cat still tries to nurse. Well, he didn't appreciate this new flow of air everytime he tried to get close.
I added some velcro strips (I think they were actually one-wrap ties) to the main headband so that the tube now attached in two locations - in front of my ears and behind my ears. I did sort of a pony-tail / figure 8 style.
I also went up a size on the cannula. I went with the MP. I had to fold it to insert it and then I could get it to pop back out. It did hurt like a B****, though. I made it 3 hours - 1 sitting up watching tv, 1 laying down watching tv, and 1 asleep. But when I woke up, I was in so much pain that I thought I was going to cry.
The headgear seemed stable enough, but it did want to move around a lot on my head. I think I will try out the Mediums tonight and see if they will seal and stay in place. I just don't think I can handle the MP!
One side effect I noticed: extremely pissed off cat! One of my cats still likes to cuddle... okay, actually, this cat still tries to nurse. Well, he didn't appreciate this new flow of air everytime he tried to get close.
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Sleepdeprived
- Posts: 325
- Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 3:07 pm
- Location: Florida
[quote="allisonandrews"]Okay, so I experimented with the NA II last night.
I added some velcro strips (I think they were actually one-wrap ties) to the main headband so that the tube now attached in two locations - in front of my ears and behind my ears. I did sort of a pony-tail / figure 8 style.
I also went up a size on the cannula. I went with the MP. I had to fold it to insert it and then I could get it to pop back out. It did hurt like a B****, though. I made it 3 hours - 1 sitting up watching tv, 1 laying down watching tv, and 1 asleep. But when I woke up, I was in so much pain that I thought I was going to cry.
The headgear seemed stable enough, but it did want to move around a lot on my head. I think I will try out the Mediums tonight and see if they will seal and stay in place. I just don't think I can handle the MP!
One side effect I noticed: extremely pissed off cat! One of my cats still likes to cuddle... okay, actually, this cat still tries to nurse. Well, he didn't appreciate this new flow of air everytime he tried to get close.
I added some velcro strips (I think they were actually one-wrap ties) to the main headband so that the tube now attached in two locations - in front of my ears and behind my ears. I did sort of a pony-tail / figure 8 style.
I also went up a size on the cannula. I went with the MP. I had to fold it to insert it and then I could get it to pop back out. It did hurt like a B****, though. I made it 3 hours - 1 sitting up watching tv, 1 laying down watching tv, and 1 asleep. But when I woke up, I was in so much pain that I thought I was going to cry.
The headgear seemed stable enough, but it did want to move around a lot on my head. I think I will try out the Mediums tonight and see if they will seal and stay in place. I just don't think I can handle the MP!
One side effect I noticed: extremely pissed off cat! One of my cats still likes to cuddle... okay, actually, this cat still tries to nurse. Well, he didn't appreciate this new flow of air everytime he tried to get close.
Last edited by Sleepdeprived on Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Guest
DANG! Sorry it HURT!
Well, maybe you're just not an NAII gal? I'm so sorry....
Have you tried the Headrest? Less stuff there on the upper lip, and if you de-capitate it, you have nearly as little stuff touching your face as the NAII.
But give it another try before you call it a failure. Maybe try the next size smaller, now with the better stabilized headgear?
Hugs,
Babs
Well, maybe you're just not an NAII gal? I'm so sorry....
Have you tried the Headrest? Less stuff there on the upper lip, and if you de-capitate it, you have nearly as little stuff touching your face as the NAII.
But give it another try before you call it a failure. Maybe try the next size smaller, now with the better stabilized headgear?
Hugs,
Babs
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allisonandrews
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:49 am
- Location: Located in the town that got all the UFO publicity in January, Texas
I think it was just the too large size cannula. Everything else felt fine. I forgot to mention that I did away with that top strap as well. If I could sleep with my hair in a low pony tail, I would definately do that. (Not only for CPAP, but also just not to be laying on it so much.) It just irritates me and I end up taking it down during the night no matter what.
My nose isn't sore right now, so I am going to see about experimenting with the medium tonight.
My nose isn't sore right now, so I am going to see about experimenting with the medium tonight.
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allisonandrews
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:49 am
- Location: Located in the town that got all the UFO publicity in January, Texas
I tried the medium last night. I am happy to say that I did make it through the entire night (and even pressing snooze twice) with the mask on.
I did feel that the medium was able to slide up into my nose farther than the medium plus. I did prefer the medium plus for that reason. However, the medium did not "wiggle around" or anything, it could just be pushed farther into my nose (I sleep on my side/stomach).
It took quite a bit of fiddling each time I rolled to the other side or changed position as I was trying to get to sleep. But, once I got comfortable and then got it at the proper direction (and pulled out of my nose a bit), I was able to fall asleep. I did not have to do any additional adjustments during the night.
When I first got up and removed the tubes, my nose was a bit tender. However, that soon went away.
I will definately try this mask out several more times before forming a final opinion, but so far, so good.
I did feel that the medium was able to slide up into my nose farther than the medium plus. I did prefer the medium plus for that reason. However, the medium did not "wiggle around" or anything, it could just be pushed farther into my nose (I sleep on my side/stomach).
It took quite a bit of fiddling each time I rolled to the other side or changed position as I was trying to get to sleep. But, once I got comfortable and then got it at the proper direction (and pulled out of my nose a bit), I was able to fall asleep. I did not have to do any additional adjustments during the night.
When I first got up and removed the tubes, my nose was a bit tender. However, that soon went away.
I will definately try this mask out several more times before forming a final opinion, but so far, so good.
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allisonandrews
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:49 am
- Location: Located in the town that got all the UFO publicity in January, Texas
I forgot to add, here were my LCD display numbers for last night:
Pressure: 8.2 (I am titrated at 9)
Leak: 0.0 (Wow! A ZERO!)
AHI: 4.8
AI: 0.2
HI: 4.6
The next few times that I try it, I am going to wait until I am actually ready to go to bed to put it on. I wonder sometimes if stuff that I do awake actually might affect the AHI numbers. (Like plugging up the vent holes momentarily and holding my breath to check for leaks, or coughing, or trying to practice talking, etc.)
Pressure: 8.2 (I am titrated at 9)
Leak: 0.0 (Wow! A ZERO!)
AHI: 4.8
AI: 0.2
HI: 4.6
The next few times that I try it, I am going to wait until I am actually ready to go to bed to put it on. I wonder sometimes if stuff that I do awake actually might affect the AHI numbers. (Like plugging up the vent holes momentarily and holding my breath to check for leaks, or coughing, or trying to practice talking, etc.)
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Guest
YAY ALLISON!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Okay, here are some random thoughts:
I was fiddling with it, too, for the first few weeks. It was still far more comfortable than any other mask, but I did find myself fiddling with it. Once I came up with my chinstrap/headgear morph, that cut the fiddling WAY DOWN. Stabilizing the tubes along the sides of my face really helped keep it in position. The tubes would still slide a little inside the velcro, however. Once I covered the tubes in fleece, however, that little bit of sliding stopped, and I'm now nearly 98% Fiddle Free. I can still knock it a little out of position sometimes when I toss and turn, but really, nothing like the early days.
One of the things that helped me alot was seeing Jerry's (6ptstar) pic of his face masked up. He pulls his tubes TIGHT, so that the cannula is forcing the tip of the nose to bend up slightly. When you first mask up this way, it seems slightly uncomfortable, but I've found that once I lay down, any discomfort totally goes away. This particular position is the most stable and comfortable for me. Jerry, if you're reading, would you post that pic again?
In this position, the cannula will touch the nose. The space between your nares will touch the cannula between the prongs. Does that make sense? However, like I said, it tends to shift away ever so slightly once I lay down, and I don't even feel it once I've laid down.
I do not fear to shove the cannula as far in as it will go. I guess my nose is built to take it. It doesn't bother me in the least. I have been able to get comfortable with it shoved all the way in as well as pulling it out until it "stops" at the bump. It just depends on what my nose is doing that particular moment, I guess.
Keep tweaking the headgear until you find your own personal sweet spot. Whatever works for you. My hair is short, so I don't put it up into any ponytails. You don't need to have your hair in a pony to make the NAII work. But you might need to rig up a chinstrap configuration in order to stabilize the cannula. Even if you don't NEED a chinstrap to keep your mouth closed - you might find that configuration more comfortable and stable than without the chin portion.
Cheers,
Babs
Okay, here are some random thoughts:
I was fiddling with it, too, for the first few weeks. It was still far more comfortable than any other mask, but I did find myself fiddling with it. Once I came up with my chinstrap/headgear morph, that cut the fiddling WAY DOWN. Stabilizing the tubes along the sides of my face really helped keep it in position. The tubes would still slide a little inside the velcro, however. Once I covered the tubes in fleece, however, that little bit of sliding stopped, and I'm now nearly 98% Fiddle Free. I can still knock it a little out of position sometimes when I toss and turn, but really, nothing like the early days.
One of the things that helped me alot was seeing Jerry's (6ptstar) pic of his face masked up. He pulls his tubes TIGHT, so that the cannula is forcing the tip of the nose to bend up slightly. When you first mask up this way, it seems slightly uncomfortable, but I've found that once I lay down, any discomfort totally goes away. This particular position is the most stable and comfortable for me. Jerry, if you're reading, would you post that pic again?
In this position, the cannula will touch the nose. The space between your nares will touch the cannula between the prongs. Does that make sense? However, like I said, it tends to shift away ever so slightly once I lay down, and I don't even feel it once I've laid down.
I do not fear to shove the cannula as far in as it will go. I guess my nose is built to take it. It doesn't bother me in the least. I have been able to get comfortable with it shoved all the way in as well as pulling it out until it "stops" at the bump. It just depends on what my nose is doing that particular moment, I guess.
Keep tweaking the headgear until you find your own personal sweet spot. Whatever works for you. My hair is short, so I don't put it up into any ponytails. You don't need to have your hair in a pony to make the NAII work. But you might need to rig up a chinstrap configuration in order to stabilize the cannula. Even if you don't NEED a chinstrap to keep your mouth closed - you might find that configuration more comfortable and stable than without the chin portion.
Cheers,
Babs
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allisonandrews
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:49 am
- Location: Located in the town that got all the UFO publicity in January, Texas
Thankfully, the headgear modification that I did worked just fine. The tubes do not easily slide around - I think that might have made the fiddling a little bit more necessary as I could not just move the tube. Most of the adjustments I had to do when laying down were side to side. When I would lay on one side it would attempt to shift the cannula in my nose. I would need to pull out a bit of extra tube to compensate. Once I got that down, no problem. I do have my tubes pulled back pretty tightly.