Summertime Masks?

[fumbling34]

Does any swap their masks depending on the season? Last night was pretty warm and I had a really hard time getting comfortable with my CPAP mask on. It just felt so hot and sticky. With summer coming up, I'm think that maybe I will be more comfortable if I switch masks. I have problems keeping the mask on for more than 4 hours, but I normally don't have problems falling asleep with it on. I'm only about 4 days into using my Zest, so any new mask would probably have to purchased out of pocket. Not sure that I would want to return it just yet. I'm thinking about possibly trying the SleepWeaver.

During my sleep study, I briefly tried a nasal pillow. I didn't like it then. The RT said that most people that tried it didn't like all of that air coming up their nose at first. This could be, though, because most of the people that she sees trying them are CPAP newbies.

Any thoughts, suggestions or comments would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Becky

[n0hardmask]

Does any swap their masks depending on the season? Last night was pretty warm and I had a really hard time getting comfortable with my CPAP mask on. It just felt so hot and sticky. With summer coming up, I'm think that maybe I will be more comfortable if I switch masks. I have problems keeping the mask on for more than 4 hours, but I normally don't have problems falling asleep with it on. I'm only about 4 days into using my Zest, so any new mask would probably have to purchased out of pocket. Not sure that I would want to return it just yet. I'm thinking about possibly trying the SleepWeaver.

During my sleep study, I briefly tried a nasal pillow. I didn't like it then. The RT said that most people that tried it didn't like all of that air coming up their nose at first. This could be, though, because most of the people that she sees trying them are CPAP newbies.

Any thoughts, suggestions or comments would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Becky

I love the SleepWeaaver, Becky. If you do get one, make sure it's absolutely the latest; it's supposed to have an improved seal- leaks being the main drawback folks have with it. And you can buy one online for $99. Probably a good next one to add to your kit. Good luck!

[chunkyfrog]

My favorite hot weather mask is the 'olde faithfulle' Swift FX nasal pillows. (with side covers)
If you look at the masks listed below member's posts here, you will indeed find quite a few nasal pillows.
You never know until you try. Some even use the pillows on fairly high pressure, although lower is recommended.
Whatever your DME tells you, by all means, take it with a grain of salt.
These people are not usually objective, and seldom (if ever) honest. --just saying.
Even your current mask can be made much more comfortable with a mask liner
--re Pad-a-cheek, or Remzzz's, or a homemade t-shirt liner.

[big_dave]

I have been wondering the same thing myself. I started CPAP about 3 weeks ago. I could not tolerate the pillow system initially, but I still have it (a Mirage Swift). I gave it another try last night, and I was pleasantly surprised that the night went far better than I expected. I still prefer the Activa, but I will try again in a few nights since it can take time to acclimatize to new equipment.

[Suzjohnson]

I noticed that it comes with a money back returns guarantee, less postage. Might be one worth trying. It's shocking how much return insurance is but I'm grateful for it never-the-less.

Suz

[Maxie]

My RT said the same thing about the nasal pillows but I choose them anyway. Once I figured how to control my mouth opening, I found that the nasal pillows are the best fit for me. I can't imagine anything else now. I tried a couple of masks in the interim and I went back to the nasal pillows and I'm not changing from that style again.

[msradar65]

I have three masks I use and I rotate between them in this order. Swift LT for her, Swift FX for her, and Golife for her. I rotate masks on a monthly basis. In the winter I use my humidifier set at around 70 degrees on auto climate control. In the summer I use my humidifier in passover mode only.

[fumbling34]

I noticed that it comes with a money back returns guarantee, less postage. Might be one worth trying. It's shocking how much return insurance is but I'm grateful for it never-the-less.

Suz

[s]Thank for the reply! Does the money back guarantee mean that I still have to purchase the "return insurance"? I hadn't noticed any other masks that mentioned the money back guarantee like the SleepWeaver. Yeah, I don't think that I could purchase a new mask online and not have some type of ability to return it if it didn't work. [/s] Oops! Nevermind, I just added to my cart and I can see the return insurance is included.

Also, I'm planning on using my Health FSA to get reimbursed for my mask. Do you happen to know if the return insurance is also expensable through that?

[fumbling34]

My favorite hot weather mask is the 'olde faithfulle' Swift FX nasal pillows. (with side covers)
If you look at the masks listed below member's posts here, you will indeed find quite a few nasal pillows.
You never know until you try. Some even use the pillows on fairly high pressure, although lower is recommended.
Whatever your DME tells you, by all means, take it with a grain of salt.
These people are not usually objective, and seldom (if ever) honest. --just saying.
Even your current mask can be made much more comfortable with a mask liner
--re Pad-a-cheek, or Remzzz's, or a homemade t-shirt liner.

Yeah, the RT was at the sleep lab.. not from my DME. She had me briefly try a nasal pillow before I even had the split sleep study. I also freaked out about two hours into using the CPAP because I felt like I had all of this air rushing at me... I really didn't and now I don't even need to ramp up. I think it's possible that my nasal pillow perception may be different.

Pad-a-cheek is a good idea too. I may give that a try too.

Thanks!

[DavidCarolina]

I completely removed the humidity unit for this very reason. Sure i get pretty dry in the morning, but it goes away soon enough. That hot air is just too much this time of year. We also have a pretty cold AC situation and use extra blankets, that really helps.

Make sure your unit isnt too close to the floor and that your filters are clean. Getting it closer to a source of cool air like a window unit might help cool off things a bit.

[Gerryk]

Being new to cpap, I would concentrate on making it through a night with the mask you have. Once you get to that point make it through a week of nights. Once you have done that and are more comfortable then try a different mask.

[fumbling34]

Being new to cpap, I would concentrate on making it through a night with the mask you have. Once you get to that point make it through a week of nights. Once you have done that and are more comfortable then try a different mask.

Thanks for the feedback, Gerry! How do you know when to give up on a mask? I'm not ready to give up on my Zest, but I feel like I need an alterative on hot nights. I actually don't feel confident about making it through the night with any mask in the immediate future. I figure that I'll just have to wait time until my mind/body adjusts to the CPAP. For the first two weeks, I couldn't get past the two hour mark without removing my mask unconciously. Since I can normally make it 3 or 4 hours now, I consider that huge progress.

Initially, I had hoped that my new Zest mask would work a miracle and help me sleep through the night. I did get 5 consecutive hours off it once-- which is my personal best. While I'm pretty patient, the feeling hot and sweaty in my mask is a HUGE obstacle for me. Maybe, I'm just a wuss. Leaks and face marks, I can totally deal with.

[xenablue]

I use Swift FX, LT and SleepWeaver masks - SleepWeaver is by far the coolest.

Now... if I could get rid of my chinstrap I would be even more comfortable!

Cheers,
xena

[robysue]

Want to add one more comment about nasal pillows in general.

If the pillows are at the correct angle, the airstream should NOT hit the inside of your nose. And if it doesn't hit the inside of your nostrils, you really should not feel the air blowing into your nose. I do feel it in my upper airway. And even at 18 months into therapy, on a bad night that sensation still tickles the back of my throat.

[portiemom]

Aloha, Aloha, Aloha, enough said! IMHO