Any mask suggestions?

[YogaKitty]

I am still working on getting my initial system set up. I figured it will help if I go in with some mask ideas. I am a side sleeper, like to bury my face in the edge of the pillow. I already have to use a night guard because I clench my teeth. I hate a lot of stuff on my head and face. Also I have to have my shoulder length hair loose or I can't sleep.

I have been thinking about the sleep weaver élan and the Swift fx with the Bella loops. I would love any other suggestions.

[xenablue]

Both are great masks, but the only way you'll know is if you try them for yourself. Masks are such an individual issue that what works for one person won't necessarily work for all.

Some people hate nasal pillows, many can't get the SleepWeaver masks to work for them at all.

Btw - I use the Swift FX, LT and SleepWeaver (model before the élan), all with good results.

Cheers,
xena

[gertrude]

Here's a related thread where you might find some suggestions.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=80890&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

But the need to have your hair loose will probably limit your choices.

[YogaKitty]

Heading to check out the thread now. I am starting to realize the loose hair thing may limit me, but I get a headache if I have my hair in a ponytail more than just a few minutes. The mask will be bad enough, I don't want to compunde it with a ponytail...

[DreamStalker]

I know it goes against your desire not to have more stuff on your head/face but you may want to consider adding a PapCap as a stabilizing platform for your mask. Loose hair may certainly make for sliding and slipping headgear for any mask and consequently, leaks -- bad for therapy.

[Pugsy]

For the "less on my face" thing...try the Bella Swift FX...it comes with the Bella loops and the traditional headgear.
I am a side sleeper also and also like to bury my head in the side of the pillow. I have tried pretty much almost all of the nasal pillow masks and for the "less on my face" the Swift FX is the least intrusive.
The SleepWeaver is soft and very comfortable but it has a much larger presence on the face. It might work just fine for you. Those that use it and master the leaks ...love it. Those that don't master the leaks...hate it but they do say it is extremely comfortable ...just leaky.

Hopefully your DME will let you try on several before you choose so you can get an idea what each one is like.

[chunkyfrog]

I think I could let my hair grow long again if I used this:
http://www.partycity.com/product/wig+cap.do

[YogaKitty]

I read the posts a few days back on wearing a kufi or a buff. I'll have to keep them in mind too.

[robysue]

Heading to check out the thread now. I am starting to realize the loose hair thing may limit me, but I get a headache if I have my hair in a ponytail more than just a few minutes. The mask will be bad enough, I don't want to compunde it with a ponytail...

I too hate ponytails.

I found that the Swift FX headgear did just fine over my curly/frizzy shoulder length hair without the need to tie it into a ponytail. My guess is that most headgear can be worn on top of your hair without the need of putting it into a ponytail. But it will feel like you are sleeping in a funky hat of some sort. And your hair may feel or looked "smooshed" when you get up. In other words, with traditional headgear worn in the conventional fashion, your hair can be "loose" in the sense of not being tied up, but it won't be free to float all over your pillow. When using the traditional FX headgear, I always felt I had to "trap" my hair on top of my ears and there wasn't a good way to get it off my neck temporarily: I could only pull it so far (not enough) if I put the headgear on top of my head, and if I tried to run the backstrap under my hair, the strap was either too low on my neck or my hair felt as though it was being pulled up into a floppy peacock tail. Putting the backstrap on top of my hair (and hence trapping the hair on the neck) felt more comfortable than trying to put the backstrap under my hair.

The Bella Loops, however, give your hair complete freedom. See my Free at last--my hair is free at last thanks to Bella Loops thread for my initial review of the Loops. I've only had them about a week, but the hair still loves them. You can brush the hair away from your ears (when you are hot) and then pull it back down over your ears when you get cold. You can pull the hair off the neck or let it fall back down. It is not a mask that will work for everyone, but given your desire to have free hair, it is well worth considering the Bella Loops.

[Elle]

I'm a side sleeper and would prefer to have less on my face but I cannot use nasal pillows so I use the Resmed Mirage Softgel and don't really notice it when I turn over or push my face into the pillow.

[Xney]

So far I've found the Swift LT, Swift FX, and Aloha to be pretty friendly to side sleeping. Also the Sleepweaver if it fits you and seals well.

But I'm a guy, and no worry about hair *grin*