Sleeping with élan

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:13 am

As promised, I am reporting back on my experience with the new Sleepweaver élan.
First night: I can't believe it! My leak rate was only 6.0!
--My eyes were a little dry, but I'll just have to leave the window fan off tonight (I think that was it).
(I only get single digit leak lines with the Comfortgel FF and the Swift FX .)
My 95% pressure was only 10.5--this is on a par with the FX.
I did not use the tether, but the little flex tube just lay down in front of me when I was on my side.,
and my fishing pole kept it up when I changed positions.
Good: comfortable (for a cpap mask)
Not so good: the headgear could be a little . . less.
All in all; so far, so good. this one may be a 'keeper'. (fingers crossed)

Suzjohnson · Post by **Suzjohnson** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:20 am

That is super! What exactly is the material that sits on your face? I watched a video but it didn't really explain much. It looks so comfortable I've been tempted to try it. It wasn't leaking into your eyes, was it? Eager to hear more!!

Suz

xenablue · Post by **xenablue** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:27 am

Thanks for the report chunkyfrog - have been wondering how the new SW mask fares. I'll be up for a new mask in a few months and trying to decide between the Aloha and élan.

cheers,
xena

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:02 am

Suzjohnson:
The fabric looks like that in a really expensive raincoat. The polyester (or nylon--??) is soft and drapey;
the outside is fairly silky, like a dressy blouse, and nearly as light.
Xena:
I tried the Aloha before, and found it to be everything I would want--except not my size or shape.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
I have never tried the original sleepweaver, because the hose positioning seemed awkward to me.

Tip10 · Post by **Tip10** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:54 am

xenablue wrote:Thanks for the report chunkyfrog - have been wondering how the new SW mask fares. I'll be up for a new mask in a few months and trying to decide between the Aloha and élan.

cheers,
xena

Hey Blue -- how are you faring with the redesigned seal on the SW?
I finally got one (been playing with the Aloha) and have used it 3 nights now -- two with 95% leak rates in the very low single digits (one a ZERO!! and one about 1.6 or so -- way DOWN) the third night was up around the 12-14 range on the 95% numbers (about the upper level of what I got with the old seal). Not sure why the wide variance or if the one night was just "one of THOSE nights". But -- I'll likely retire my older SW's in favor of the new seal (kinda have to huh? ) -- it is better.

I, too, have a Elan on the way -- should be here in a day or two. I'll post once I see the differences between the two.

IMHO, The Aloha is good, very good. I've been switching back and forth between it and SW now for several weeks -- much better leak numbers with the Aloha and pretty good comfort factor. Headgear is weird for me though -- won't stay in place -- slides almost off a lot (but remarkably I usually don't lose the seal on the pillows when it does -- or I'll get the tiniest of hiss and just reach up and tug the headgear back in place and I'm good to go again).

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:12 am

Suz:
I don't really know if there was much leakage in my eyes--there seemed to be a little,
but that could have been the fan. I'll find out tonight.
--I'm glad I ordered blue, as the 'beige' is more of a flesh color. "No, dear my cheeks are not that puffy"
(I also think a fleshtone hearing aid looks like a 'growth')
Edit; my AHI last night was 0.5---all 'centrals'.

Suzjohnson · Post by **Suzjohnson** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:35 am

chunkyfrog wrote:Suz:
I don't really know if there was much leakage in my eyes--there seemed to be a little,
but that could have been the fan. I'll find out tonight.
--I'm glad I ordered blue, as the 'beige' is more of a flesh color. "No, dear my cheeks are not that puffy"
(I also think a fleshtone hearing aid looks like a 'growth')
Edit; my AHI last night was 0.5---all 'centrals'.

Nice to have your AHI so low! Oh well, what are a few centrals between friends. Maybe reduce pressure a hair?

LOL! I know what you mean about fleshtone hearing aids! It really would be better to either make them clear or some attractive color.

The ceiling fan makes my eyes dry so I started using Genteel Lubricant Eye Gel that my opthamologist recommended. It really needs to be applied just prior to going to sleep because reading or watching tv afterwards is out of the question. Pull your lower lid down and apply a short bead in the groove, then blink a bit to get it spread around. What with all the stuff that needs to get put on in the evening now, I have been forgetting and wake up with my lids stuck to my eyeballs. Anyway, I believe it really helps. Also good to use in the mornings when your eyes feel dried out. Just don't be rushing over to your needlepoint!

Suz

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:59 am

My current hearing aid is metallic blue and silver.
I would never want a fleshtone lump behind my ear. eeew!

jen4700 · Post by **jen4700** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:42 am

Chunky,
Did you ever try the SW? How does elan compare? Thanks!!

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:10 am

Never tried the original sleepweaver, the fixed hose position was not to my liking,
because I nearly destroyed my first Swift FX by laying on the hose.
I have been hanging my hose up ever since.
When I saw the élan had a swivel--I was SOLD!

Suzjohnson · Post by **Suzjohnson** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:22 am

My oh my, I am so tempted to order one. Maybe in the Fall when things cool down. The thought of wearing a chinstrap now kind of gives me the shudders. We rarely sleep with the AC on because the house is actually cooler in the morning from windows and sliding doors left open than it would be with the AC running all night, plus I'm chea...I mean, thrifty.

Suz

xenablue · Post by **xenablue** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:25 pm

Tip10 - the new design is definitely an improvement (leak-wise) on the original one, but I still have some issues with leaks. I use this mask about 3 nights a week, because some nights the leaks drive me nuts and keep waking me.

I'm willing to keep at this mask, though - the comfort factor is what makes it worth the effort.

cheers,
xena

jen4700 · Post by **jen4700** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:28 pm

I'd love to have a nasal mask with no forehead bar. I think I'm going to order one.

jen4700 · Post by **jen4700** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:07 pm

here's the video link
http://youtu.be/PyqOU5eWifs

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:09 am

Another successful night; leaks at just a tad over 10--a decent number, but some air in my eyes.
Wearing swim goggles worked for a little bit, but they tend to cause more problems than they solve,
as they push into the mask, due to their bulky frames--(maybe a bubble style would be better)
I found myself fidgeting with the headgear from time to time during the night,
and have come to the conclusion it needs a vertical adjustment, or a smaller size.
I think making a headgear from scratch might work better, maybe something like Bella loops.
Wouldn't that be --(wait for it)--awesome?
I'm also tempted to reduce my EPR from the current 3 to help maintain more even inflation.
It's logical to me that a fabric mask would be more reactive to pressure fluctuations.
(but I'm no engineer; I just draw stuff for them)

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