New TAP PAP mask review

[Pugsy]

When you set your mask up on pressure, move the mask away from your nose as much as you can without it leaking. You will find it doesn't need to be tightened much to seal as a regular mask,

Yep, that's what I did. Took just a wee bit of fiddling with it under pressure to get things just right for me.

[Mask guy]

I really wanted to LOVE this mask. I loved the way it stays in place without straps. I really LOVE being able to wake up without strap marks on my face! One tragic flaw for me... Unfortunately my nose is a bit to wide to fit the nasal pillows comfortably. The pillows pinch my septum so hard I can't stand the pain by morning.

I REALLY wish they would make a version of this mask with a wider spacing between the nasal pillows so I could use it. As it stands now I will have to go back to my Swift LT and waking up with strap marks every day. (The FX does not stay put for me.)

Sorry I forgot to quote, but I responded to your comment, below your post.

[BigLou]

I'm trying it tonight for the first time too. Would really like this mask to work. One note......the build quality seems quite cheap but of course maybe this is just part of it's minimalist concept. Still an expensive mask @ 129 but hey, it's kinda neat and super light. Wonder how often they expect us to replace the mouth guard/pillows? Will be using the head gear, it just gives more of a sense of security and will allow you to route the tube over your head like the Swift LT, Opus 360 etc.....also the head gear can be worn VERY loosely and the mask still feel secure. Here goes!

[Pugsy]

First night is done. The mask is definitely a keeper for me unless something really weird happens later.
Remember this is the first time I have ever used any type of mouth guard....it wasn't much of an issue.
A few wake ups during the night but was able to go right back to sleep. Wake ups mainly from leak....one with really high pressures and looking at the report it was easy to see.
This was my fault...the leaks. I knew I was pushing the envelope with the Small size nasal pillow. It is not nearly as forgiving as the Medium is in so far as adjusting. Tonight will use the Medium nasal pillow.

A word about the nasal pillow sizing...If I am needing a Medium...these nasal pillows are running small when compared to other nasal pillows. I have tried numerous models of nasal pillow mask systems and I always have been able to use the XSmall or Small or Petite and Small depending on what they are called. For me not to be able to use the smallest size is unusual.
I haven't had a chance to really compare the Large size with the Large Swift FX as I need to see if I have a large Swift FX to compare it to for sure. I am thinking that the Tap Pap makers might want to look at an extra large being offered.
While I don't have a button nose (or nostrils) I am a small woman with smallish features so for me to not be able to get by with the Small size...tells me it is running smaller when compared to other nasal pillow masks.
Part of it is the pillow "rim" the part that rests against the nostril. The rim tends to not be quite as "pillowy" as the other nasal pillows like the Swifts. The rim simply tries to sneak up into the nostril instead of resting outside like it is supposed to.
It's easily seen if one looks in the mirror. So last night's leaks with the Small didn't come as a big surprise to me....I kinda thought this would happen. But we don't learn unless we try.

All in all a decent night's sleep considering a totally new concept in mask design and a mouth guard to boot.
Image below of my SH report and the Leak from ResScan so we can see the red line for no man's land. This is one of those situations where I didn't spend a lot of time above 24 L/min but I had more than my usual leaks for the bulk of the night and since I remember several awakenings related to leaks...this leak line isn't acceptable to me even though the bulk of it was less than 24 L/min. Normally I flat line at 0.0 with just a brief segment of spiked leak that doesn't wake me up.

Didn't use the headgear last night. Mouth guard stayed put. I am certain the leaks shown are related to nasal pillows and not mouth breathing because I could feel them.

Vent noise... at my bilevel IPAP of 13 not bad at all nearly silent...when I woke up to the 18 IPAP...it's a bit noisy but that is to be expected. That happens with any mask at higher pressures.

The vent is going to go directly in front...no way around it. So it is likely going to be annoying to a bed partner that sleeps close to a person and has exposed skin...like the face or the back of the neck. I am thinking a bit of bedding or small pillow or something could be used to block the air flow by just placing it strategically between the vent and the person getting blasted...not too close to vent itself or it does create a bit of noise.



Sorry for the big graph but obviously I had some starting and stopping after 12 noon that got stuck on this report.

[SleepingUgly]

Pugsy, you might not be able to answer this as you don't have serious mouth leaks, but is there anything about this mask that you think would make the cheeks filling up with air less likely than with just ordinary pillows and no chinstrap? My needs for a chinstrap that both lifts my jaw and covers my mouth stem from leaking/puffing air out of my mouth with my jaw closed, as well as cheeks filling up with air and waking me just as I'm starting to doze. I can't take the marks on my face from my Hannibal Lechter chinstrap anymore. Walking around for HOURS after I wake up looking like I spent the night in bondage is just not the look I'm going for.

[Pugsy]

is there anything about this mask that you think would make the cheeks filling up with air less likely than with just ordinary pillows and no chinstrap?

The mouth guard placement and subsequent tongue placement over the mouth guard might allow for the tongue to do a better job of blocking the air from ever entering the mouth.
It's real hard for me to say because I have to make a conscious effort to get air into my mouth...even while awake and I have never had chipmunk cheek issues. Normally when I do have a bit of mouth breathing it is totally related to being flat on my back. I was hoping that my brain would learn that it needs to "bite" the mouth guard thing even when on my back but of course way to early to see if that happens.

So I don't know if it would be of benefit for you or not. You already have a mouth guard though don't you?

Do you get the chipmunk cheek thing or is the mouth leaking just an annoying constant little leak through the lips?

[SleepingUgly]

I have a pretty thin mouthguard that goes over my top teeth and has a bit of material just behind my front teeth on the roof of my mouth. I find that without the chinstrap covering my cheeks, when I'm starting to doze (and perhaps my tongue relaxes from the roof of my mouth), my cheeks sometimes puff with air, waking me and starting the whole falling asleep process over. In addition, if I just wear a chinstrap that holds my jaw up, but doesn't cover my mouth, I will puff air out between my lips.

Where does the tongue go with this mask? Is there any material in the roof of the mouth or mainly just over the teeth?

[Pugsy]

Where does the tongue go with this mask? Is there any material in the roof of the mouth or mainly just over the teeth?

The tongue position for me is changed slightly due to the mouth guard material on the roof of the mouth. There isn't a lot of material on the roof of the mouth...I just looked and maybe 1/4 of an inch or so in places. Kinda hard to tell but I can feel it in the roof of my mouth but certainly is not a large presence in the roof.
My tongue normally rests on the roof of my mouth just barely behind my front teeth. Not really touching my front teeth so with the mouth guard in place the tip of the tongue has to rest a little further back. It doesn't touch the mouth guard behind the teeth much if any.

I suspect that someone with larger teeth might have less material in the roof of the mouth.
I have no idea how my tooth size might compare with others though.

[chunkyfrog]

to tchavalas:
Did you try rotating the pillows, or loosening them up? (per mask guy)
You could also look for something small to wedge between them at the base, to spread them a smidge.
Let us know how it goes.

[Pugsy]

Regarding the nasal pillows...they can be rotated to fit the nostrils maybe a little better. Not everyone needs or wants that upside down V configuration.

I don't know how one would increase the separation between the pillows though...something to look at when I have some time.

[Janknitz]

Pugsy, was there much condensation in the pillows in the morning? That's why I eventually gave up on nasal pillows, the condensation was driving me nuts.

[Pugsy]

Pugsy, was there much condensation in the pillows in the morning? That's why I eventually gave up on nasal pillows, the condensation was driving me nuts.

None so far but remember I am using the ClimateLine at 80 degrees on automatic.
I did not cover the short hose though.

I did wonder about possible condensation issues in the pillows themselves.
We are supposed to have much cooler weather in a couple of days so I will get my PR S1 50 series machine out and see how it does.
Normally I use Classic mode and a hose cozy with that machine. That and a good cold night should give me an indication as to chances of condensation. There isn't as much "space" for condensation to pool in these pillows though. Maybe the lack of "space" will equal air being kept warmer due to exchange and not allow the cooling to occur to the point of releasing the moisture.

You know the Hybernite 2300 heated hose totally eliminated my rain out issues with my PR S1 machine. No need for hose cozy or anything. I used the barrel cozy mainly just because I liked the feel of it against my skin. It wasn't really needed.
And I like LOTS of added moisture and a cold bedroom so it got a good test drive.

I am going to try to get some pictures of the nasal pillows for the Tap Pap and Swift FX so you all can see what I mean about the overall size and volume.

[edm_msu]

How well does the TAP TAP work for side sleeping?

[park_ridge_dave]

How well does the TAP TAP work for side sleeping?

I will let you know in the morning

Cheers,

Dave

[Pugsy]

How well does the TAP TAP work for side sleeping?

Excellent for side sleeping. That's the way I always start out at night. I prefer side sleeping (or sort of on my tummy) over back sleeping because supine sleeping causes me more low back and pelvic discomfort. So I go from side to side a lot...it hurts to stay in one position too long.
Nothing really even touches the bed pillow.
There's a swivel at the end of the short hose where it attaches to the long hose so even with turning from side to side there isn't much undue stress on the hose to pull on things.