DreamWear mask

[Janknitz]

I was given a DreamWear mask to try. I've used it three nights so far. The first night was ok, second not so good, last night was pretty good. The difference last night was I tightened that sucker up! It wasn't quite the pig nose effect, but pretty darn close to it. With it really cinched up it sealed really well, no leaks, very quiet, and actually felt quite comfortable and secure. It did not feel uncomfortably tight.

The night before I had it fairly loose and it was terrible. Leaky, noisy, insecure. I lie on my side and it felt bulky and loud against my cheek. I don't know why tightening it up helped that but it did. I was also not liking the silicone against my nose. But with the mask cinched up tight I didn't feel that discomfort. My ahi was different, too. 0.3 on the "loose" night, 0.1 on the tight night.

I really like the swivel connected on the top of my head. It does not get in the way, and I don't have to reposition anything to turn over. Love that!

I'm a big believer in "loose is better" and the mask should "float" on the face. But the opposite seems to be true for this mask.

[bryansong]

Thank you.

[Jay Aitchsee]

I was given a DreamWear mask to try. I've used it three nights so far. The first night was ok, second not so good, last night was pretty good. The difference last night was I tightened that sucker up! It wasn't quite the pig nose effect, but pretty darn close to it. With it really cinched up it sealed really well, no leaks, very quiet, and actually felt quite comfortable and secure. It did not feel uncomfortably tight.

The night before I had it fairly loose and it was terrible. Leaky, noisy, insecure. I lie on my side and it felt bulky and loud against my cheek. I don't know why tightening it up helped that but it did. I was also not liking the silicone against my nose. But with the mask cinched up tight I didn't feel that discomfort. My ahi was different, too. 0.3 on the "loose" night, 0.1 on the tight night.

I really like the swivel connected on the top of my head. It does not get in the way, and I don't have to reposition anything to turn over. Love that!

I'm a big believer in "loose is better" and the mask should "float" on the face. But the opposite seems to be true for this mask.

I agree, Jan (and said as much in another post/thread). I found that the mask straps which go behind the head needed to be tightened much more than experience with other masks suggested. Even so, as you point out, I did not find this uncomfortable. The only problem I have with the mask is that the strap slides up the back of my head, loosening the fit allowing the cushion to become dislodged.
While I kept the strap at the back of the head fairly tight, the frame portion going over the top of the head was not. In my fit, there was probably around an eighth to a quarter inch under the frame and the top of my head. This allows some movement of the frame at the top of the head, but it does not seem to interfere with the fit.
I'm considering modifying the strap to prevent the slip, because I really like the attachment at the top of the head. Otherwise, I find the ResMed Airsense P10 to be about equal in comfort.

[Lucyhere]

The night before I had it fairly loose and it was terrible. Leaky, noisy, insecure. I lie on my side and it felt bulky and loud against my cheek. I don't know why tightening it up helped that but it did. I was also not liking the silicone against my nose. But with the mask cinched up tight I didn't feel that discomfort. My ahi was different, too. 0.3 on the "loose" night, 0.1 on the tight night.

The above, in bold, was the reason I gave up on the DreamWear (medium). It was so bulky (not so much loud) that it was extremely uncomfortable and I went back to my P10. I decided to try again since I too like the idea of the hose routing over my head. I ordered a small size and should get it next week. Strange that making it tighter helped... I'll keep that in mind.

[Janknitz]

Jay, I think the old "Velcro inside the back strap" trick will work, except the strap is pretty narrow so it might be harder to sew into place. OTOH, that neoprene looks like it could stretch out pretty quickly, and the Velcro sewn in will give it some stability, too. Just this morning I was thinking that if I really do keep this mask as my primary, I'm going to have to raid some of my other masks for their neoprene straps and modify them to fit this one.

[Jay Aitchsee]

...I'm going to have to raid some of my other masks for their neoprene straps and modify them to fit this one.

Yeah, I've got a ton of old headgear - primarily from various FFM and I think I could find something to work, but I'm thinking (I haven't looked at it yet) the strap from the P10 should work - just run it thru the slots of the DreamWear and back onto itself - with any number of fasteners to hold it.
The P10 headgear works pretty good for me and was the reason I went to it in the first place - to get away from that strap from FFM masks hitting a nerve at the back of my head.

[SleepyEyes21]

...I'm going to have to raid some of my other masks for their neoprene straps and modify them to fit this one.

Yeah, I've got a ton of old headgear - primarily from various FFM and I think I could find something to work, but I'm thinking (I haven't looked at it yet) the strap from the P10 should work - just run it thru the slots of the DreamWear and back onto itself - with any number of fasteners to hold it.
The P10 headgear works pretty good for me and was the reason I went to it in the first place - to get away from that strap from FFM masks hitting a nerve at the back of my head.

Hi All - I'm also thinking about trying the DreamWear mask, and need to go back and read previous posts about it in the forum from others. I've talked to my DME about it, and apparently I need to go in to be fitted for the frame and nasal piece because unlike how it is advertised (with 3 sizes for the frame), my DME says there is a 4th frame size. The DME also will not give me all different sizes of the nasal piece because insurance will not cover it (so they say.)

I have read some reviews on this mask, and I am primarily a back sleeper. Jay- question: does the strap on this mask slip up just like the back strap on the P10? Jan- what is the 'velcro inside back strap trick' and is there a pic somewhere that I can see how that's done?

I have read that this mask can be noisy from air sounds rushing by the ears, and that the air can feel cold by your nose. Has anyone tried wrapping the tubing in fleece/ something else to help reduce these issues, and was it effective?

Thanks everybody!

[Jay Aitchsee]

Hi All - I'm also thinking about trying the DreamWear mask, and need to go back and read previous posts about it in the forum from others. I've talked to my DME about it, and apparently I need to go in to be fitted for the frame and nasal piece because unlike how it is advertised (with 3 sizes for the frame), my DME says there is a 4th frame size. The DME also will not give me all different sizes of the nasal piece because insurance will not cover it

Tell your DME you'll buy it OOP from someone else and see what he says. Our host is offering the Fit Pack with all cushions with a 30 day full money back trial at around $100. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... -pack.html. I bought my Fit Pack from another online vendor for $65 (no refunds).

Jay- question: does the strap on this mask slip up just like the back strap on the P10?

My P10 doesn't ride up, but the DreamWear does. This probably depends on hair, shape of head, and sleeping position.

I have read that this mask can be noisy from air sounds rushing by the ears, and that the air can feel cold by your nose. Has anyone tried wrapping the tubing in fleece/ something else to help reduce these issues, and was it effective?

I don't think the noise comes from the tubing to the ears, but it might. The Fit Pack comes with fleece liners for the frame/tubes. I didn't use them. I think this mask does allow you to hear your own breathing more than some others, just as you can hear your breathing if you listen as you inhale through your nose in a quiet environment without a mask on. I didn't find that objectionable and I didn't find the air cold on the nose. I didn't find the mask to be "bulky" as some have mentioned, either.

[Sonnyboy]

Re: I'm also thinking about trying the DreamWear mask, and need to go back and read previous posts about it in the forum from others. I've talked to my DME about it, and apparently I need to go in to be fitted for the frame and nasal piece because unlike how it is advertised (with 3 sizes for the frame), my DME says there is a 4th frame size. The DME also will not give me all different sizes of the nasal piece because insurance will not cover it (so they say.)

Medicare covered my Fit Pack.

[SleepyEyes21]

Thanks for the replies, Jay & Sonny. I'll check into the Fitpack further with my DME, and possibly another provider.

[Holden4th]

I've got the Dreamwear and love the hose at the top of my head. I also had to tighten up the velcro straps at the back of the head but this fits well now and doesn't ride up during the night.

I read on another thread about how 'as loose as possible' is the best way to wear your masks. I move the silicon headpiece slightly forward on my skull (I'm bald) to avoid undue pressure on my nose and it works. There are leaks at times but they are not bothersome and as a side sleeper I'm training myself to move into a position so that the leaks seal by themselves.

When I first got the mask I feared that I wouldn't be able to continue with it as I might need higher pressures and am also a mouth breather but things are starting to sort themselves out and I'm hoping to stay with this mask. I was using a chinstrap for the mouth breathing but a soft cervical collar seems to be working just as well. There are, of course, some mouth leaks but very rarely do I see any large leaks.

I do need to buy a FFM as a back up for when I can't breathe adequately through my nose. I'm looking at an Amara view. Now if they made a FFM with a hose that was on top of the head or went up in that direction I would be very interested.

[Catnapper]

I would really like to use the Dreamwear mask. I have one, and tried it for 3 weeks. The strap in the back of the head slides up no matter how I adjust it, so all night I have to pull the mask into place. That wakes me up too many times and results in insomnia. If I could find a solution to that, I would love it.

Catnapper - Joanie

[SuzyFor]

I just made the switch to the Dreamwear mask and could not be more pleased! It is light weight and allows me to read, which is terrific. Plus no indentations on my face the next morning.

[Janknitz]

I would really like to use the Dreamwear mask. I have one, and tried it for 3 weeks. The strap in the back of the head slides up no matter how I adjust it, so all night I have to pull the mask into place. That wakes me up too many times and results in insomnia. If I could find a solution to that, I would love it.

Catnapper - Joanie

One trick is to sew a piece of Velcro hook tape (the scratchy side) to the inside of the neoprene strap. The Velcro catches on your hair and stays put. It's not uncomfortable, surprisingly.

[QueSera]

Just had my second night with the Dreamwear (small/small) and had my best two nights since I started CPAP just over two months ago. I had so much trouble with mask fit and leaks, tried many masks and adjustments, and got the Dreamwear in desperation, thinking there was no way it would really work. It is heaven for me. In addition to the top of the head connection, the main vent is at the top of the head, so, nowhere near me eyes. (There's another small vent near at the nose piece, but I don't notice it unless the blanket slips up over my nose before I fall asleep.) I have slept both nights without removing it once to re-seat it.

Curiously, the MyAir app seems to see the Dreamwear as a nasal mask instead of a nasal pillow; ill have to check that so I can correct the settings on my Airsense 10 and in Sleepyhead. But so far ... very good.