new bravo is wonderful

[MelissaMB]

To all of you brave and knowledgeable XPAP trailblazers:
Thanks to this forum, I took the 89.00 leap of faith and bought the new Bravo Pillow Mask and I just want to say thanks. For so long I have been struggling with a variety of masks, eventually becoming a Swift devotee, recently upgrading to the new Swift II and still without success of a true good night sleep. I just took it for granted that I would have to awake and adjust my mask a few times a night.
The Bravo fits so much better and my nose has not gotten sore once since I bought it. I'm loving how easy it is to take on and off and being a side and stomach sleeper, I need something I can be all over the bed without the headgear or tubing getting in the way. I'm logging at least 7 hours sleep every night before waking up and it's like a dream. I can always count on this board to give an honest review of all these new masks as they come out because it's overwhelmingly expensive to have to learn by trial and error.
Thanks again for being the real eyes and ears of the sleep apneoa market.
Melissa

[sleepyWI]

I've had exactly the opposite experience. So far I have found the Bravo to be unusable. It takes me 10 minutes of fiddling to get it not leaking when I go to sleep. It will be stable for a couple of hours and then it leaks again...10 more minutes of fiddling. I don't need this in the middle of the night. I have tried all the position/options/pillow orientations etc. When I get a little time I am going to try to "lab rat" around with it and see if I can make it work better. I will say it is very comfortable and quiet...if only I can get the leaks under control. So far I'm sticking with my CL2.

[neverbetter]

You can always go to the next pillow size on these pillow masks and if it's anything like the swift is should have a buckle on top of your head to tighten and lift the interface closer to your nose.

[new2]

MelissaMB, if you register, we can see what equipment you wear and it helps everyone answer any questions you may have in the future. If your new, welcome to the forum.
I lurked for ages befgore I posted something and once I did I made some nice friends here that have seriously helped me keep my humor and sanity through all of this.

[Sergey45]

Well, as you can see from my report
http://www.sleepapneasymptom.medgrip.com/cpap_mask.html
I have tried 4 different masks. Bravo is the fifth one I am currently testing. So far my opinion is not certain. At the beginning of the night it looks very comfortable, but I waking up 2 – 3 times because of leakage. I will update my website as soon as I’ll finish my testing.
Sergey.

[Babette]

I've had exactly the opposite experience. So far I have found the Bravo to be unusable. It takes me 10 minutes of fiddling to get it not leaking when I go to sleep. It will be stable for a couple of hours and then it leaks again...10 more minutes of fiddling. I don't need this in the middle of the night. I have tried all the position/options/pillow orientations etc. When I get a little time I am going to try to "lab rat" around with it and see if I can make it work better. I will say it is very comfortable and quiet...if only I can get the leaks under control. So far I'm sticking with my CL2.

Try using the Nasal Aire II cannulas with the Bravo. I found that to be the only leak-free solution for me, so far. But then, why not just use the entire NAII and skip all the headgear and hard swivels of the Bravo?

I think the Bravo is a definite step up from the OptiLife, Breeze, and ComfortLite 2, but not as leak free and comfortable as the NAII.

My two cents.
B.

[neverbetter]

Nothing is as comfortable as the Nasal aire II , but there are other features like ease of putting the mask on and taking it off that draws people to other pillows and it's only the last year or two that Nasal Aire sells the mask with 3 sizes.

[mecocosm]

Absolutely loving the Bravo and its soft, comfortable pillows and headgear. I also use a chin strap with it. I originally bought it to occassionally switch out of the Hybrid but now I find myself sleeping with the Bravo most nights.

[Sergey45]

Can you list all of the masks you have tried?
Thanks.
Sergey.
http://www.sleepapneasymptom.medgrip.com/tips.html

[new2]

Bravo is easier to take on and off than any mask I have ever had. I've had quite a few.

[Sergey45]

Bravo is easier to take on and off than any mask I have ever had. I've had quite a few.

That’s true. I am currently testing this mask. I will complete my report when I’ll finish.
http://www.sleepapneasymptom.medgrip.com/cpap_mask.html
Sergey.

[mecocosm]

Can you list all of the masks you have tried?
Thanks.
Sergey.

I have tried the Swift, Hybrid, F&P HC431 and Bravo. I'm a mouth breather, so I must either use a mask that delivers air to both my nose and mouth (HC431, Hybrid) or use a nasal interface (Swift, Bravo) with a chin strap.

I used the Swift initially with chin strap but my nares really got sore, despite using Ayr Gel. Then I tried the HC431 but the bridge of my nose hurt and air leaked into my eyes. When the Hybrid came out, I got it because I read early reports that the pillows were soft and sure they were! I've successfully used the Hybrid for many months. Then when I read that the Bravo had the same kind of soft pillows like the Hybrid, I decided to give it a try. So far so good!

[John031949]

I am just about to get my machine and a mask.
Has anyone ever tried the "No Mask"?
I am not sure about the mouth piece, but since I am not thrilled with the Idea of headgear. I thought I would ask.
Thanks
JohnD

[curleycat]

i have a bravo and i HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT. I have NEVER been able to get it to stop leaking. I was so excited to get it so i could read or watch TV before i fall asleep. But no matter what it do or try. It just does not work for me.......

[DreamStalker]

This is the worst nasal pillow interface ever designed. Unless you sleep on your back and only on your back ... you should stay away from it.