Help for a Patient with a Hybrid Mask

GaCRT · Post by **GaCRT** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:03 pm

I need some help from people who use the Hybrid mask. I have a patient who has a somewhat odd face shape. She has a rounder face with a small nose. She needs a full face mask because she does mouth breath and has found no help with chinstraps. The bridge of her nose is almost set even with her eyes. I mean she has a very little bridge and almost any mask she uses blows in her eyes and does not seal. I suggested she try the Hybrid mask. So she did but even with the smallest cushion she cannot get them to stay in her nose because her nostrils are so tiny. They can stay in untill she turns the machine on and lies down. Then they come out. I am running out of options and I don't really know what to suggest to her. Any one have any ideas on how to get the cushions to stay in? Has any used a sealant of any sort in a problem like this? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:15 pm

I, too, am trying to get used to the Hybrid and read some posts about Mack's silicone earplugs, and they helped immensely with keeping the nasal pillows in correct placement for me last night, in addition to making them easier on my "new to CPAP" nose. I just grabbed a hunk of an earplug, rolled it into a little snake, and made a silicone ring basically for each nasal pillow. It made a little cushion and seal and made a huge difference. Maybe your patient could give *that* a try.

Good luck!!

Peggy

CJ · Post by CJ » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:58 pm

I too am a Hybrid user on occasion. I had the same problem until I cut a strip of t-shirt fabric about 2 inches by 12 inches found the center..cut an X, slipped it over the elbow going into the mask and then tie it over the headgear. Keeps the mask from tilting out and pulling the nasal pillows loose. Might try that also... Good luck CJ

GaCRT · Post by **GaCRT** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:14 pm

Thanks, you guys for the suggestions for far. I am hoping she is really up to suggestions and some modification on the mask. She has a very small nose with much rounder cheeks so finding a mask to fit her has proven difficult so far. I am hoping something on here will work.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:41 pm

Here are a bunch of RestedGals links for the hybrid;

viewtopic.php?p=91423

Hopefully you will find what you need there.

Brenda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:07 pm

[quote="CJ"]I too am a Hybrid user on occasion. I had the same problem until I cut a strip of t-shirt fabric about 2 inches by 12 inches found the center..cut an X, slipped it over the elbow going into the mask and then tie it over the headgear. Keeps the mask from tilting out and pulling the nasal pillows loose. Might try that also... Good luck CJ

Ditto.. did the same thing with the hybrid and with a FFM and it works great.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:37 am

Good link, Brenda.

GaCRT, you might also check out the Lab Rat Awards thread. Hybrid is one of the masks that people have posted "award winning" fixes for:

viewtopic.php?t=15104

Or, you might see fixes for other masks there, that you could possibly apply to your person's Hybrid.

CJ's suggestion sounds like a good one, too. Got any pictures of your fix, CJ?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:12 am

Thanks for all the help. I think she is going to try some modifications on it, and hopefully join this forum. I gave her the website and told her to visit it. So we will see. I do appreciate all the help. Thanks agian