First night with my Twilight NP/Aura

JZ · Post by JZ » Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:01 pm

I recently bought a Headrest/Twilight NP/Aura/whateverthecurrentnameis from cpap.com. I tried one on at my DME awhile back but it seemed way too big on my small head and they would not let me have it. I was too meek to insist and tell them I would slice and dice it until it fit, mostly because I don't have much confidence in my lab ratting skills.

But I kept reading about it here and finally decided to buy it on my own. Somehow it escaped my attention about how loud the dang thing is. I did see mention of that in a post AFTER I ordered it. I am a light sleeper and noise can be problematic.

When it arrived, I wanted to see if I could make it work out of the box. The first time I tried it I only made it an hour. Then, I used jcarn's rubber band fix as shown in the link below.

viewtopic.php?t=5962

I wore it last night all night. I also wore ear plugs, so that took care of the noise. Plus I used my panty hose tights strap for extra stability.

All I can say is WOW! It was great for me as a side sleeper. I don't know yet if I will retire my ComfortLite 2 or if I will decapitate the Twilight NP as some have done. But this could become my favorite very easily. I used a little lanolin on my nares and had no problem with leaks.

Thanks to everyone who has provided so much information about this interface on this forum and also detailed instructions for modifying it.

Janna

goose · Post by **goose** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:19 pm

Hey Janna,
Very cool -- I get my "whatevernameitistoday" tomorrow (I hope)....I read the deal about noise, but since I sleep with earplugs every night anyway I figured it wouldn't be an issue.

What kind of lanolin did you use?? I've seen ayer (or something like that), and KY, and all kinds of stuff here. I may not really need it, but I figure it's best to have something on hand.....Already have my rubber bands!!!

I'm happy to hear more good words about that mask.....

cheers
goose

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:37 pm

Head for the part of the drugstore that offers supplies for breastfeeding moms. You'll find the lanolin right there.

JZ · Post by JZ » Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:21 pm

goose,

I have been using Ayr saline nasal gel on my nares to get a good seal with nasal pillows for about 6 months. You can find it at the drugstore in the section where the nasal sprays are. it is about like KY jelly in consistency and works pretty well as a sealant.

But I had heard some forum members say lanolin works better. One of the major brands is Lansinoh. I was really surprised when I saw the stuff. It is thicker then Ayr, is opaque, and is tacky rather than slick. I have just started using it, but so far I do think it is superior than Ayr gel.

As Gerald says, look in the baby supply or breastfeeding mom supply area of the drugstore, Target, etc.

Let us know how the whatevernameitistoday interface works for you.

Janna

goose · Post by **goose** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:55 pm

Janna, Gerald -- thanks a million for the advice!!!
If I pick up the mask tomorrow (it arrived Friday, but the DME and me didn't hook up.....) I'll be sure to hit the drug store and find some lanolin!! Sounds like something that will make it a better experience!!

Knowing me, I'll give a running commentary on my experience with the interface....

Thanks again...
cheers
goose

painterman · Post by **painterman** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:03 pm

I love my decapitated twilight NP. I just cut it's head off last week and have been enjoying the result. I still get some leaks but I don't think it is affecting my therapy. My average for leaks is about 33 L/min and my AHI for the last week of decapitation has been about 1.3. Before decapitation I generally got the same results, so right out of the box it was good for me. I just got tired of the thick rubber headband stuff, so I go up the nerve to chop away. It has been worth it.

As far as the sound goes, it is a little noisy but I always have either a fan going or a white noise generator going for background noise. I live by a busy street so I need the background noise and so I really can't even hear the machine or the mask.

This has become my go to mask!!!!
Jon

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:53 am

Goose.....

I have chosen not to de-capitate my aura.....because I connect a chin strap contraption to part of the head-piece straps.

Also.....if you haven't already done so, rig an overhead suspension system for your hose. I use a swinging arm clamped to the headboard....it's a modified hanger for pot plants.

SleepingBeauty · Post by **SleepingBeauty** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:56 am

How funny, I have some hearing loss and never knew my Aura was noisy! I honestly don't hear a thing. I modified the straps (they just don't make these things for a small woman's head!) and I use the rubber bands. Love this mask!

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 1:40 pm

I don't find mine noisy at all, and never have, UNLESS...and this is a big unless ...the exhaust is hitting something. If my pillows are tilted even slightly upwards, the exhaust hits the pillow and can be loud enough to wake me. All I do is just flatten out the pillows and go back to sleep. If it sounds noisy, try sitting up so there's nothing blocking the exhaust, and then see if it's still noisy. If it's not, you know the exhaust is hitting something, and correcting that will stop the noise.

Of course, different individual masks probably make different amounts of noise, and different people have different tolerance levels, of course - but my hearing is great, since I'm young, so you would think I'd be fussier than most. I am about everything else! LOL

JZ · Post by JZ » Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:55 pm

CG,

The odd thing is, my Twilight NP is noisy on INHALE, not EXHALE. Your post sent me running (well walking) back to the bedroom to make double sure. It is perfectly quiet on exhale. But it makes a rushing air sound on inhale. And the sound seems to come from the area of the exhaust holes. Nothing is blocking them, but breathing in reduces the amount of exhaust and somehow is making the noise.

A related issue is that I have to work harder to inhale with this mask than with my ComfortLite 2. Maybe the split tubing coming down to the pillows carries less air than the CL 2 tube? But if it is coming at the same pressure I don't understand why it is a little harder to inhale.

I would be interested in hearing from others about their experience with this mask, and if they have the inhale noise. Last night was my second night with it, and I am still liking it. I did not wear ear plugs and seemed to adjust OK to the noise. It is so nice to be able to turn from side to side without ever having to reach up and make an adjustment.

SleepingBeauty,

Could you please describe how you modified the straps? The lower set of straps that are not adjustable are the problem for me. I am thinking of cutting about an inch off of each side, then overlaping and super gluing the cut ends together. Thanks.

Janna

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:13 pm

JZ wrote:my Twilight NP is noisy on INHALE, not EXHALE. It is perfectly quiet on exhale. But it makes a rushing air sound on inhale. And the sound seems to come from the area of the exhaust holes. Nothing is blocking them, but breathing in reduces the amount of exhaust and somehow is making the noise.

Same for me, Janna, with every Headrest/Twilight NP/Aura I've had. Same sound that every Breeze with nasal pillows I've had made. A shussssh sound on every inhalation; quiet when exhaling.

I run a fan in the bedroom, so don't hear it much. If the fan is off, the change in sound during inhaling is very noticeable to me.

I liked both those masks (Breeze and Headrest) so much that I was able to get used to or ignore the inhale sound.

goose · Post by **goose** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:18 pm

Got my Evo Headrest today -- yay!!!! (aura/twighlight/whateveritsnameistoday)

Now, after reviewing some of the previous posts on this mask -- I have a few to do. It fits just ok so I have some work to do on that because I can't roll over to my side without leak problems. Also my nares seem a bit large for the pillows.
Got some lanolin and it seems to help a little, but I think I need the rubber bands and perhaps a strap.
The headgear seems to be a bit strange, but I'm sure it's going to take a while to get used to.

Thanks RG for the incredible list of posts regarding the masks and hose managment -- got as many as I can bookmarked for more reading.

I'll be using the old mask tonight because I have a Job Fair to attend tomorrow and want to be my "best".......such as it is!!!

I'll be tweaking with it tomorrow when I get back and perhaps try it out in action....
More comments as time progresses......

cheers
goose

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:46 pm

Good luck, goose!

Rubber band and/or extra strap. That's the ticket.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:45 pm

rested gal wrote:
JZ wrote:my Twilight NP is noisy on INHALE, not EXHALE. It is perfectly quiet on exhale. But it makes a rushing air sound on inhale. And the sound seems to come from the area of the exhaust holes. Nothing is blocking them, but breathing in reduces the amount of exhaust and somehow is making the noise.
Same for me, Janna, with every Headrest/Twilight NP/Aura I've had. Same sound that every Breeze with nasal pillows I've had made. A shussssh sound on every inhalation; quiet when exhaling.

I run a fan in the bedroom, so don't hear it much. If the fan is off, the change in sound during inhaling is very noticeable to me.

I liked both those masks (Breeze and Headrest) so much that I was able to get used to or ignore the inhale sound.

Rested Gal says it so much better than me - so all I can say is ditto, on everything excep that I don't run a fan...

O.

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:06 am

Goose....

PM me with your regular e-mail address....and I'll send some pictures of my aura....with cushioning, chinstrap, and positioning mods.