Mask experiments

fstanmyre · Post by **fstanmyre** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:53 pm

Here's another survey that might be fun and informative. I'm a big believer in getting the right mask or nothing else is going to work and for me that meant buying masks. Anyhow, here's the survey. How many masks have you had or experimented with before settling on the final one or two? I'll start it off by admitting to four. It would be interesting if the final selection was included, for me the Breeze with nasal pillows. If you all think this is a waste of the forum space, feel free to say so or ignore.

BTW, I'm betting on RG.

4Katie · Post by **4Katie** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:00 pm

I'm on my second mask, and I think this might be the one. I started with the Swift, but since I'm a side sleeper (and I move from side to side), I was always dislodging the mask. So I tried the Breeze.

Once I learned (from the wonderful peeps on this board) to get a shapeable pillow, anchor my hose to the headboard, and use larger nasal pillows, the Breeze has been working well for me. I actually slept all through the night last night - and I remember dreams from the last two nights!

I also brought a Breeze mask, so I can switch now and then. I love that none of the mask is on the side of my face, so I can sleep the way I'm used to.

Next week I should receive my heated hose from OZ, and I'm hoping that will allow me to turn my humidification up and not have rainout. (It's bad enough worrying about suffocating - I don't want to have to worry about drowning, too!)

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:26 pm

Katie, have you actually tried the nasal mask for the Breeze, the DreamSeal. I hear it isn't very good.

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:33 pm

I tried 3 masks before getting the Mirage Activa Nasal Mask...this mask works great for me.

mommaw · Post by **mommaw** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:57 pm

Interesting topic, let's keep it going.

Listed are the masks I have and the order of my preference:

1. Aura
2. Swift
3. Breeze
4. Ultra Mirage FF
5. Comfort Lite

I tried the Comfort Curve, was NOT for me. I could not get a seal. I am a side sleeper and all of the masks above work very well for me. I switch masks when I tire of one, which can be 2-3 times a week.

Gilda

BigHeart · Post by **BigHeart** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:51 pm

I started with the Breeze. Then I tried the Swift, the Activa, a couple of used masks that I traded the Activa for, then the IQ, the Aura, the Comfort Lite, the Infinity, and most recently the Nasal Aire II. So's that's about 10. I've wasted a lot of money, and I've been very frustrated with most of the masks. I think I'm finally finished trying new masks. I've settled on the Breeze. (The Comfort Lite is a distant second.)

4Katie · Post by **4Katie** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 6:51 am

[quote="Janelle"]Katie, have you actually tried the nasal mask for the Breeze, the DreamSeal. I hear it isn't very good.

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:47 am

4Katie...I had 4 or 5 great nights and last night was not so good....so I think that just happens.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:32 am

First mask I bought was a Respironics Comfort-Lite. Liked so much that I bought a second one after the first wore out. I use this nasal pillow mask often as I find it very comfortable and stable even though I toss and turn alot.

Second mask was Activa, which is a great mask, but I gave it away because it bites the bridge of my nose.

Third mask was Aura. What a colossal dud! I sold mine to someone on this forum. She has told me that she is very happy with it.

Fourth & fifth: Breeze (great mask, use it many nights) & Swift (great mask, don't like the marks it leaves on my porky cheeks and, it is not as comfortable on my nose as are the Comfort-Lite and the Breeze)

Was able to trial, at home, an Infinity (comfortable, but no tolerance at all for rolling around) and Nasal Aire II (comfortable, but not stable enough / needs better headgear)

I'd like to trial a Tiara Snapp.

qrlylox · Post by **qrlylox** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:25 pm

DME gave me a comfort gel small first. That didnt work so we tried a petite, which works.
But still looking for something better, I tried the Infinity but it didn't work for me.
Next, Activa, which I liked for a bit, but now its bunching up under my eyes and the plastic is going over my nostrils so i wake up not getting much air.
Finally - the Breeze, and so far it has been the best for me.

SnoreNoMore2005 · Post by **SnoreNoMore2005** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:58 pm

I've gone through 4 masks and I've only be using a CPAP for about three weeks. By far, the most comfortable has been the Mirage Activa Nasal Mask which was recommended by several people in this forum.

As long as you don't need a full face mask, the Activa would be my recommendation. Of course, since I've only been using CPAP for three weeks (and am obviously very fickle), take what I say with a grain of salt.

SnoreNoMore2005

gracie97 · Post by **gracie97** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:57 am

1. Aura
2. Swift
3. Breeze
4. Ultra Mirage FF
5. Comfort Lite

The Aura, Breeze and Comfort Lite all seem pretty similar.

So wondering what features about these three lead you to rank Aura 1, Breeze 3, and Comfort Lite 5? What are the pluses and minuses of each from your perspective.

I've only tried the Breeze and feel so-so about it: Like the pillows and that it lets me sleep almost face down, but the headgear is impossible (currently using pantyhose and alligator clips instead).

The Aura looks like it would be easier to jerry-rig better headgear to (as some here have done) than the Breeze and a bit easier to read with (true?). Are its nose pillows really more comfortable?

But the Comfort Lite headgear looks like it would be actually usable -- so what's the catch?

Any comments appreciated.

Gracie

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pur~Sleep Oils (Love Them) Aussie Heated Hose, Encore Analyzer, Pad-A-Cheek Guards (Work Great!)