FFM's and hose routing from above?

[ozij]

I'd like to learn from the experience of people who tried to route the hose from above while using a FFM, (with the Hozer or in any other way) and how it worked out.

Thanks,
O.

[cflame1]

Ozij,
I've yet to find a FFM that doesn't have the vents right in front... where the hose would be if you routed it directly overhead... tried the UMFF, the 431/432, Hybrid. Makes it kinda loud... so I just don't do it.

[Cobalt Panther]

Ozij,
I am so glad that I can be of help to you. I have a hose hanger (Hose Lift $22 est) and I love it. I find it much easier to sleep since I don't have to worry about the hose. I tend to toss and turn quite a lot sometimes. The hose hanger allows me to roll back and forth with no problems. It is definitely worth the money I have used it with the Quattro and the Ultra Mirage and have had no problems. I sleep on my side and the hose does not cover the vent holes. Hope this helps.
Cobalt Panther

[ozij]

Thanks for info, cflame1 --
Cobalt Panther -- that gives me hope. I bought a Hozer for use with the Opus -- but recently the seal breaches behind my palate are becoming worse and worse....
I dread parting from the comfort of my nasal pillows masks and of the hanging hose (I too toss from side to side).

Anyone else?
O.

[BleepingBeauty]

Hi, ozij.

I use the CozyHose Boss with my Hybrid. When I'm on my back, the hose going straight up from the mask will deflect the vented air, making noise and leading me to think there's a leak near the pillows. But if I leave enough slack in the hose so that it stays to the side of the vents, there's no noise. When I'm on my side, the hose is out of the way of the vents, so no problem.

Usually, I just manually move the hose out of the way when need be. But I'm glad you posed this question, because it gives me an idea. Perhaps taping the hose connector part of the mask (under the anti-asphyxiation valve) to the shell would keep the hose in an initially-downward position, negating the issue altogether. I'll try that and let you know how it works.

[Velbor]

ozij,

I use the ResMed UMFF with tubing routed from above, with no problem.
For all practical purposes, I run the tubing over my headboard, securing it with cable ties, paper clips and a wire coathanger.
The UMFF has both a rotating elbow, and a swivel as part of the quick-disconnect link, giving it full freedom in all planes.
In addition, I use a swivel connector and a short extention tube (from the ResMed Activa) between mask and main tubing, for additional omni-directional flexibility.
This allows me to turn, and to easily position the tubing out of the way, without any torque on the tubing and without disrupting mask seal.

Blessings, Velbor

[DoriC]

We just have it going over the headboard which is high enough, but I discovered that if we push down the hose cover leaving a little of the hose exposed where it lies in front of the exhaust, the mask is much quieter. My husband is a side sleeper.

[bailachel]

I am primarily a stomach/side sleeper and I tend to switch from side to side. I hang the hose from a hook over the bed and it works very well. Since there is a swivel where the hose attaches to the mask, the hose just routes itself off to the side and up. I travel for work a lot and take temporary/removable hooks with me to use in the hotels. This past trip, I ended up on a rollaway with nothing nearby which could hold the hook. I really missed that hook! I ended up rolling on the hose and/or getting tangled multiple times per night. I hope not to have to sleep again without having the hose suspended from above any time soon.

[Kiralynx]

Ozij,

Keep in mind that I only use a full-face when I'm desperate -- down with a respiratory infection, or really bad allergies.

I use a Zzz-mask, but I modify it by changing out the strap for a CL2 strap. (Hey, I put a CL2 strap on everything!)

I typically sleep on my left side, facing my Hozer.

I route the hose from in front, over my right shoulder and up to the Hozer. If I change positions to my right side, I usually grab the hose and transfer it to my left shoulder as I turn over. I do not sleep on my back.

The Hozer keeps the hose aloft, and out of my way, and the "hose shift" is no worse than readjusting the covers when I turn over.

[ozij]

Thank you, BB, Velbor, DoriC, bailachel and Kira. It's very helpful to hear of all those techniques and solutions.
BB, let us know how your tweak works (I'm sure you will...).

The info more the better!
O.

[SleeplessInSpokane]

First of all, I am new to xPAP therapy so have more questions than I do answers. However, one of the first problems I had to deal with was the hose running to the side. I couldnt see how that would work with tossing and turning, and keeping the bed covers over my shoulders. So, I had to come up with something that would work for me.

I use the Ultra Mirage II Nasal Mask.

https://www.cpap.com/viewImage.php?PNum ... k-side.jpg

The mask has a head strap that wraps around the back, top of my head, and the hose came with a small clip attached to the hose with a velcro strap.The hose connection swivels so I swivel it up and run the hose up over my head and attach the clip to the head strap. I use two pillows so my head and shoulders are a little elevated which allows me to drape the hose over and behind the pillows. The hose then runs to my right, off the side of the bed and into the machine that is on the night stand.

I came up with this so that I could turn from side to side during the night without pulling the mask off my face. It seems to work well enough and I have three sleeping positions; on my back, left side, and right side.

Oh, BTW... I used this same method with my full face mask.

Hope this helps and gives you some idea of what you can do.

Good Luck.

[ozij]

Thank you for the detailed description, SleeplessInSpokane.
I'll add something to my question -- cflame1's point is the one that is worrying me:

Ozij,
I've yet to find a FFM that doesn't have the vents right in front... where the hose would be if you routed it directly overhead... tried the UMFF, the 431/432, Hybrid. Makes it kinda loud... so I just don't do it.

Do you hear the noise and ignore it (got used to it) or has your solution avoided the vent to hose noise problem?

[Trinity101]

I have a Hozer and liked it, but the clips that came with it do not accomodate my Pad-A -Cheek hose cover- so I don't use it. I tried it for a few nights without the cover, and the feeling was OK, but not so much better that I would go without the cover all the time. I really do not have that much problem with my hose- when I turn over, I just automatically shift everything around. I use a Quattro.
~joan

"Throughout human history, we have been dependent on machines to survive. Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of irony."

[Kiralynx]

I have a Hozer and liked it, but the clips that came with it do not accomodate my Pad-A -Cheek hose cover- so I don't use it.

<chuckle> THe Hozer is so light, and Padacheek's covers so wonderfully thick and luscious, you can actually put the Hozer inside the cover, WITH the hose.

[DoriC]

We just have it going over the headboard which is high enough, but I discovered that if we push down the hose cover leaving a little of the hose exposed where it lies in front of the exhaust, the mask is much quieter. My husband is a side sleeper.

Ozij, don't know if this makes the difference but we use a lightweight hose(much lighter) and the exhaust really is quiet leaving it exposed a bit. When the hose cover was pulled up all the way and in front of the exhaust, it was much louder. Just a thought. Dori