Review: Respironics TrueBlue Nasal Mask

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

jen4700 wrote: The part that bugs me the most is after I wash my headgear getting all the straps back where I want them. But I suppose that is the same with any headgear!

What I do is use a black Sharpie Permanent Marker and mark where the end of the velcro part of the straps are (the marking left on the strap(s) looks the parenthesis used to bracket these words). After washing the headgear just line up your straps to the markings. Eventually you will have more than one set of markings due to the normal stretching out and necessary re-adjustment (over time) of the headgear, but you can just X out the old markings so there is no confusion over which marking is the correct one to re-attach the straps at.

I hope my explanation is understandable and makes sense to you... it does to my overly tired mind

John

[jen4700]

jen4700 wrote: The part that bugs me the most is after I wash my headgear getting all the straps back where I want them. But I suppose that is the same with any headgear!

What I do is use a black Sharpie Permanent Marker and mark where the end of the velcro part of the straps are (the marking left on the strap(s) looks the parenthesis used to bracket these words). After washing the headgear just line up your straps to the markings. Eventually you will have more than one set of markings due to the normal stretching out and necessary re-adjustment (over time) of the headgear, but you can just X out the old markings so there is no confusion over which marking is the correct one to re-attach the straps at.

I hope my explanation is understandable and makes sense to you... it does to my overly tired mind

John

AND THERE WAS MUCH REJOICING!!! Great idea - thanks!!

[Little Wing]

I have one of these in size small. New unopened package. I cannot afford shipping because I am unemployed, but if your in the Denver area PM me and you can have it.

Check your PMs.

[HoseCrusher]

Well...

Overall the TrueBlue seems to be a good mask. I was able to use it for a couple of weeks and was able to get it properly adjusted. My data indicated that it was doing a good job.

However...

I went back to my Swift FX, and find it much more comfortable because of its minimal design and very comfortable fit.

I'll keep the TrueBlue as a backup mask. This will give me some variety if I decide to play around a little.

[catbirdgirl]

just got this mask... we shall see!

[DWF]

I have just gotten the TrueBlue and used it for only 30 minutes before I had to stop. The plastic odor was so strong it made me sick to my stomach. Today I soaked the mask but the smell hasn't gone away. I like the fit of the mask but my first night 's experience was horrible. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[archangle]

Just a generic suggestion, but disassemble, wash with hot water, place somewhere warm with a lot of air circulation.

Maybe a trip through the dishwasher, if you have one. (Not the headgear.)

[JohnO]

Today I soaked the mask but the smell hasn't gone away. I like the fit of the mask but my first night 's experience was horrible. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'll echo what archangle said. Let it soak in warm, soapy water for 30-60 minutes, rinse it out well, and then let it dry out for a long time in an area of good air circulation, perhaps in front of a fan.

My True Blue had a bit of a smell, but it went away after a couple of days. I know everyone has different sensitivities, but hopefully a long soak and a good drying period will help.

[And as far as the review part of the thread goes - I thought the True Blue worked well, and was very well made, but I did end up switching to a nasal pillow (Aloha) as it has less "stuff" on my face.

[teachcsg]

I like the TruBlue mask. If a patient does not like the pillow mask and they are requesting a "nasal" mask I will try the Trublue mask. Seems to work well, minimal leaks, does not have to be too tight and pts seem to like it. Not that many complaints or returns. As with all mask, we have had some pts complain and we have had to exchange but that is true for every mask out there. The complains are not enough that have caused us to stop using it. One thing the rep. mentioned which I think is true it seems to run "smaller" than the other Respironics mask i.e. comfortgel mask. The small Trublue is smaller than a small comfortgel.

[mwink5@sbcglobal.net]

I like the TrueBlue, but the forehead post doesn't actually rest on my forehead. It just kind of floats off my forehead. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Is the purpose to rest on my forehead when I'm on my side, or do I just have a funny forehead? I was wondering if I could soak the post in hot water and bend it so it would be closer to my forehead?

[chunkyfrog]

It's probably a better idea to use layers of fleece fabric to "shim up" the forehead brace.
I did that, and it worked, but eventually I just let the forehead pad stay off my face, touching nothing,
as the mask was comfortable and sealed well. I even considered removing the brace entirely,
but started using other masks instead.