Headgear slippage

[CpapedTexan]

Hi everyone,

I'm fairly new to using a Cpap(over 2 weeks) and I have a question about headgear. As I was being fitted for a new mask the other day, the therapist mentioned that I have a very small head; this causes a major issue with the headgear straps slipping and coming off at night as I am sleeping. I pull the straps as tight as I can without making it too tight, but the straps still move around. All of my headgear is the smallest they have for an adult. So what can I try short of using children's headgear?? Any suggestions??

Thanks,

Michelle

[Babette]

Michelle, the best thing I've found for ME is to ditch my headgear and attach my mask directly to my chinstrap. This depends on what mask you're using, obviously.

Here are pix of how I've done this with a Nasal Aire II mask, and a Tiara Topaz and Deluxe Chinstrap:

http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p36/ ... aise/CPAP/

Another option might be trying the PAP-CAP, which is a chinstrap with built in cap. When you put your headgear on over it, it stabilizes the headgear. It also can be used to attach your mask directly TO the PAP-CAP, eliminating headgear:

http://www.pur-sleep.com/products/produ ... category=6

http://www.pur-sleep.com/content/?id=44

Another solution you can try IMMEDIATELY is to take a ski cap or bandanna, put it on first, then put your head gear on. I know one forum member that just takes a bandanna, drapes it on her head without tying it, and then pulls her headgear on. She says it really helps keep the headgear from slipping on her hair.

Good luck!
Babs

[ractar28]

I actually tried the headgear from my "universal hybrid" with my Ultra Mirage II mask and it works well, though is a little short on the bottom straps.

I wish there were a "universal headgear" out there that had more adjustment points than the factory stuff.

[AuntieNae]

I am finding I have the opposite problem .. needed the small mask .. but large headgear.

[CpapedTexan]

Michelle, the best thing I've found for ME is to ditch my headgear and attach my mask directly to my chinstrap. This depends on what mask you're using, obviously.

Here are pix of how I've done this with a Nasal Aire II mask, and a Tiara Topaz and Deluxe Chinstrap:

http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p36/ ... aise/CPAP/

Another option might be trying the PAP-CAP, which is a chinstrap with built in cap. When you put your headgear on over it, it stabilizes the headgear. It also can be used to attach your mask directly TO the PAP-CAP, eliminating headgear:

http://www.pur-sleep.com/products/produ ... category=6

http://www.pur-sleep.com/content/?id=44

Another solution you can try IMMEDIATELY is to take a ski cap or bandanna, put it on first, then put your head gear on. I know one forum member that just takes a bandanna, drapes it on her head without tying it, and then pulls her headgear on. She says it really helps keep the headgear from slipping on her hair.

Good luck!
Babs

Thanks for the suggestions. I do have a chinstrap here that I can use. I will try it tonight and see how that works out. I also thought about using some hair clips to secure the straps into place. If one doesn't work, I will try the other.

Michelle

[ca_hosehead]

I've had success with this product:

http://www.slumbergear.com/

The back of my head doesn't have much of a bulge so I have a problem with the headgear riding up in the back. This thing has a lot of attachment points so it's easy to keep things stable.

Pursleep's pap cap is very nice too:

http://www.pur-sleep.com/

It also has good attachment points.

I can't speak to how these things would do with a small head, mine is large.

[crazy4cougars]

I have the Ultra Mirage and had that problem for the first few nights. My fix was to attach an extra piece of velcro across the two smaller straps in the back which drew up the slack. This stopped the movement for me. I haven't had a problem since doing this.
Each time I get a new mask/strap I just replace it onto the new one. I just went to the local hardware store and found some straight flat velcro strips. You can also make your own if you have the pieces.