Sleep study using Hans Rudolph mask

[wading thru the muck!]

Guest, I am not misleading nor do I work for the Hans Rudolph Corporation. I do not owe you any explanation nor do my posts need sensored.

Sev,

We all know you are just a satisfied customer! It's nice that you have taken up the task of being the resident HR expert. It's a valuable resource to have here. Keep posting your comments and supporting the mask(s) that work well for you.

[allen]

To "Guest":

I've not been to this site in about a month. Prior to my leave, however, you posted your suspicions that Sev is somehow receiving compensation from HR. Obviously, you are disappointed in your experience with HR. I'm disappointed in my experience, too, but I'm not blaming Sev nor am I in any way trying to scapegoat her.

Let it rest, Guest--you bought the mask, it didn't work, and that's it. You weren't forced to buy it by Sev or by anybody else. You've no excuse to throw flames at Sev or, for that matter, HR.

Severeena has said more than once that no one mask works for everyone. She found a mask that works for her and she talks about it. Behind the scenes, she's offered me much advice and support, and I can assure you she's not being compensated in any way. She "taught" me how to make my own headgear as an alternative to having to buy a new one from HR. She's simply being a good sport and trying to help others--you might try that, yourself.

Dale--thanks for your response. We sound like two peas in a pod regarding depression, weight issues, and anti-depressants.

Sev--
I think the mask is too small. Does that sound right to you, or are you thinking it may be too large?

Allen

[Severeena]

Allen I am thinking to big, that is what happened to Tom. He needed a medium and not a large.

When you measure for the HR, some times it will fall between two sizes, I always go with the smaller size and that is usually the perfect one. I fell between Ex-Small and Petite, so they gave me a small, geesh what do DME's know. I next went to the petite fit great but a little to tight. Now I am using the extra-small and getting along great.

The new head gear is now out and it comes in three sizes; small, medium and large.

[Newsgrouper]

Severeena,

I have tried the SensaSeal (leaks worse than without) and bought the new headgear (much easier to use but doesn't stop the leaks), and have spoken to KC at HR.

When I wear it low enough on the bridge of my nose the leaks are greatly reduces but it pinches my nostrils in such a way that I am unable to breathe through my nose.

[Dale92]

Nan, you asked about my "Silencer". I am not sure if we are dealing with the same dental appliance but I will assume we are. I have a small wrench that came with mine and I can adjust forward or backward the amount my jaw protrudes. The wrench inserts into the appliance and you can unscrew the post to adjust it to 1 of 5 positions. My jaw normally hangs back toward my throat slightly so I have my appliance set at the middle position. If you can adjust yours like I can you will see 5 small holes that your post can set in. The dentist who did mine set it at the center hole. I tried it at the next forward hole for a night but it was a little uncomfortable so I moved it back to the center. I suppose I could get used to the more forward position but it is working fine so I will not mess with success.

The way you describe your experience with the silencer it sounds like you have your jaw set too far back. I am not a dental or medical doctor but I would think the farther forward your jaw is able to move the farther open your airway would be? I was cautioned by my dentist before getting this appliance that if I had my jaw to far forward for extended time periods, maybe 8-10 hours day after day there was the possibility of it affecting my bite.

As for the masks, yes I am using full face masks. The Hans and the Ultra Mirage are both full face and I occasionally used the Breeze nasal. I hope my explanations are clear if not let me know and I will gladly try to shed some light if I am able.

Dale

[neversleeps]

To "Guest":

Obviously, you are disappointed in your experience with HR. I'm disappointed in my experience too

--you bought the mask, it didn't work, and that's it. You weren't forced to buy it by Sev or by anybody else.

I could have written those exact words. I found the HR to be a terrible (and ridiculously expensive) disappointment. To make matters worse, I threw good money after bad and bought the sensa seal in hopes it would solve the leaking issues. Severeena tried to help me with it, but the HR mask was a dismal failure. Even with the precise measuring caliper, even with the appropriate size, even with the sensa seal, the HR FFM didn't work FOR ME.

Severeena found a mask that works FOR HER. When that happens, you want to shout it from the rooftop!!!! I feel the same way about the Puritan Bennett Breeze, but there are plenty of others who don't share my opinion, so I've learned to temper my enthusiasm.

For the few that seem to like HR masks there are many, many, many more (check out this site) that find them a total waste of money.

That may well be true, but the problem is, you never know until you try ---and trying is expensive. Every mask purchase is a gamble. (That's why lots of us have a drawer full of rejects.) The problem with the HR FFM is that it is much more expensive than most. As with any mask, if you're not willing to risk the loss, don't take the gamble.

I question if she works for RH sales and uses this site for cheap and free advertising purposes.

I'm guessing you came to this conclusion because she includes the Hans Rudolph website address in the signature of all her posts. In a way, it's too bad she doesn't work for them, because knowing Sharon, she'd most certainly be letting all of us try their masks for free!

[Guest]

Neversleeps you are so right. I feel all masks should be a free trial since the mask to me is the biggest part of our treatment.

I was really upset over that person's post, but then I felt that person was very immature and small.

[Guest]

I DON'T BELIEVE THIS. I AM LOGGED IN AND THIS THING GUESTS ME EVERY TIME.

[sleepy gal]

Hi Dale, yes we are talking about the same appliance. Thanks for responding.

The problem with me isn't the adjustment of the posts (although I may also need to work on moving my jaw forward more...it hurts a little though) but rather when the appliance is in my mouth and I try to use the CPAP with my FF mask, the air doesn't go past the appliance well. Then, for sure my airway isn't open enough!

I don't feel that using the Silencer alone, at least at my current setting, which is also in the middle, that my apneas can be controlled..

I would love to be able to use them together so as to reduce the pressure on my CPAP (highest setting is 14, not awful, but easier when lower)

I gather you don't have this problem?

Thanks.

[Severeena]

Tom has wanted to try the Hans Rudolph, the caliper measured him between Large and Medium. We got the Large to big. I then ordered the Medium, guess what that one is to big, so now I am letting him try the Small I have. Yes you are reading right, two masks too big. Go figure.

This might be the problem with you, Neversleeps and Allen. The mask is to big even though the caliper says other wise.

Tom did not try the Small HR last night, but I think he may take it with him tonight for his sleep study.