thinking of making a custom mask any one tried it yet?

[JeffL]

I've got somewhere between curly and kinky hair, so the Velcro idea might work. I like the clip idea too.

[Sleepigal]

JeffL wrote:I'd like to find a way to modify the elastic strap on my nasal pillows. When I pull down the elastic strap from the normal position, to the position shown in red, I get a much better seal. Problem is, as I sleep, it rides up again. I'd like to find a way to keep it in the low position (other than adding another strap to wrap around my throat ).


I am a fairly new user and just joined the forum a couple of weeks ago (but have been reading longer).

OK, I would have NEVER admitted that I did this, but since you wrote your note, I have to reply. I had a very simular problem with my strap, and it would not stay in a different position that was much better for me and my head. I actually took duck tape and made a thin strip. At the base where you have to change the angle, I ducted taped it into the new position.I went around it 3-4 times. It has not moved a hair. It stays right where I want it and is VERY comfortable. Easy.

I pick on my husband all the time about duct tape and he would never let me live it down! It is only a matter of time till he sees it.

[JeffL]

JeffL wrote:I'd like to find a way to modify the elastic strap on my nasal pillows. When I pull down the elastic strap from the normal position, to the position shown in red, I get a much better seal. Problem is, as I sleep, it rides up again. I'd like to find a way to keep it in the low position (other than adding another strap to wrap around my throat ).


I am a fairly new user and just joined the forum a couple of weeks ago (but have been reading longer).

OK, I would have NEVER admitted that I did this, but since you wrote your note, I have to reply. I had a very simular problem with my strap, and it would not stay in a different position that was much better for me and my head. I actually took duck tape and made a thin strip. At the base where you have to change the angle, I ducted taped it into the new position.I went around it 3-4 times. It has not moved a hair. It stays right where I want it and is VERY comfortable. Easy.

I pick on my husband all the time about duct tape and he would never let me live it down! It is only a matter of time till he sees it.

I used to work with a guy who said you can fix anything with duct tape and bailing wire

[Papit]

Would sure like to see a couple of photos taken from different angles. I think innovating improvements has worked for me too.

[wilsonintexas]

I have tried the sleep weaver, and the resmed ultra. Pillows hurt my nose from the inside, and I feel that I am clogged up on exhale. I must have a strange nose, because any pressure clogs it up very easily.


I am headed off to get the life mask kit and will try making a custom liner. Not sure what else to call it.

Will keep you updated.

[archangle]

Remember that if you don't have an exhaust vent, you'll suffocate. And that if it's a full face mask, you might suffocate if the machine fails and you don't have an anti-asphyxia valve.

[wilsonintexas]

No pictures yet but I made the life mask, and made teh first "liner". From looking at it I can see that it is thicker right at the end ofthe nose.

Theree is a slight improvement in the leak numbers, but not what I hoped for, But with any mask if takes a few nights to figure out the leaks.

After amlost a week, I have solved the face fart problem with the mask linner. I will try to get photos tonight.

I still have a problem when I sleep on my side or stomach, I dislodge the mask.

I may try the fabrick mask again, making a harder liner for it. It worked pretty good, until the pressure got higher then it leaked.

Maybe I can bet the best of both worlds....

a cloth maks that adapts to being squished,

and a firm liner that is molded to my face.....

. (I am on ASV and my pressure ranges from 6 to 17.5) so there will be a challange with any mask.

[sleeplessinsanfran]

wilsonintexas, I'm really interested in your experiment, can't wait to read how it works out. We have the same ASV machine and I've had a terrible time finding anything that fits my face, and/or stays in my nostrils, with the high pressures...Not only that, but my DME (who gave up on me altogether after having me only try 4 masks), claims "nothing will fit" me because my nose is "too small!" I refuse to give up though!

[wilsonintexas]

Sorry I did not update this.

my work moved me to an area with no internet access, then I had pitutary tumor surgery (benieng) but needed radiation to finish it off...... and now I am fighting minere's....... been a tough year

Mask summary:
made mold of face (a negative) , then made positive and used a soft sllicone gel around the edges of the best fitting mask to get into the corners of my nostrels, and places it just did not fit.



worked fine, if sleeping on my back..... but I never do that, I go from back to side to stomach.

if you can mold yur face in one sleeping position it will work. for me I have to many squshed faces depending on how I sleep, head right, left, stomach, side...... you get it.


finally ended up with the sleep weaver cloth mask, It adjusts best to being swuished....... leaks usually in the acceptable range. It works best if fairly loose so it cab form a baloon around the nose. I find that the head band wears out after about 6 months,,,,,


Oter than that all is fine

I thought apnes was a bear, this minere's is kicking my !@#$. Understand my wife's morning sickness when she was pregnent..... but mike kicks up every time I move.... But that is another forum........

[Sir NoddinOff]

Thanks for the update, I'm glad you've got your apneas under control. So sorry to hear about the minere's and other issues. Don't wait so long to update us in the future!
BTW... THIS IS FOR CURRENT SWIFT FX USERS: I saw my earlier posts and what I ended up doing to keep the Swift FX bottom strap from riding up was to skip the duct tape but use 3M NexCare multipore tape to loop over the center of the bottom strap and then let a 4" piece dangle down my neck. I then tape that piece to my neck with some more NexCare tape. It worked for the year I used my Swift FX pillows. No ride-up ever again but it was kind of a PITA to set up every night.

[wilsonintexas]

thanks for the support

I am doing pretty good with my sleep weaver.....
my ahi has been between 0.00 and 0.4 for a long time.
I recently tried a nap on an old S9 Auto (normal auto cpap mpde) I happened to have it downstairs trying to get my wife to try it. During the nap my AHI was 10.X 9.7 were centrals...... so I guess I bring the asv down for naps or go updtairs to sleep. (I am in texas and we usually shut down the upstairs AC during the day to save money....)

I am so glad to have finally gotten on ASV and have finally adjusted to it.