Tried AirFit P10 - Back to OptiLife

[AutoBiPAPFrank]

Well, I tried yet another mask to see if I can get the same results that I get with my OptiLife but I am again returning to my tried and true. I started trying to find a replacement due to my DME special ordering it now. With my rather large head and the small adjustment margin I am left with on the AirFit P10, I am not able to get the mask into a working position without the mask being too tight and causing my nose to be very sore the next day. At the widest margin for the head strap, I end up with a still very tight lower fit while leaking some air out the top. Anything in between is way too tight all over.

Nasal Pillows Tried:
Airfit P10 - Too tight, not adjustable enough
DreamWear (not pillow, but cushion)- Caused rash, even with soft wraps rash developed right next to nose
Nuance - Pillows did not extend enough into the nose but were flat against it with minimal cushion base making me have to wear it too tight for a good fit.

I have thought about trying the Swift FX but with the silicone straps, I am afraid of the same ending as the DreamWear rash. Suggestions of others to try?

[SleepyEyes21]

Well, I tried yet another mask to see if I can get the same results that I get with my OptiLife but I am again returning to my tried and true. I started trying to find a replacement due to my DME special ordering it now. With my rather large head and the small adjustment margin I am left with on the AirFit P10, I am not able to get the mask into a working position without the mask being too tight and causing my nose to be very sore the next day. At the widest margin for the head strap, I end up with a still very tight lower fit while leaking some air out the top. Anything in between is way too tight all over.

Nasal Pillows Tried:
Airfit P10 - Too tight, not adjustable enough
DreamWear (not pillow, but cushion)- Caused rash, even with soft wraps rash developed right next to nose
Nuance - Pillows did not extend enough into the nose but were flat against it with minimal cushion base making me have to wear it too tight for a good fit.

I have thought about trying the Swift FX but with the silicone straps, I am afraid of the same ending as the DreamWear rash. Suggestions of others to try?

Hi Frank,

A suggestion for the P10 might be to sew an elastic strap to the headband, but this would involve cutting into the headband and you might not want to do that. It's an option however, to get more length out of it.

It's interesting that your skin reacts to silicone straps, but not to silicone pillows. Take a look on cpap.com at the Opus 360 or the Swift LT, and see what you think of those masks.

[AutoBiPAPFrank]

Thanks SleepyEyes21, I may end up trying one of those suggested or try stretching it out further. I was surprised by my rash on my face also since I did not have that happen before on my nose.

[yaconsult]

There is an article on here somewhere that I have been unable to find again by a long term poster who modified his P10 headband by cutting the lower back strap, passing the end though a vercro cable strap and then sewing a loop. Here is the velcro strap: http://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-ONE-WRAP-S ... 001E1Y5O6/ and it has all kinds of handy uses around the house. The velcro strap has the hooks on one side and the loops on the other.

Now, it's true that that post and almost all other posts I've seen about the P10 header have to do with tightening up headgear that has stretched out over time - just the opposite of the problem you have with it. So do expect the strap to stretch out over time. The recommended process to shorten it up again is to wash the strap in very hot water.

The P10 is an extremely popular mask - for good reason. I love mine! It's like not even using a mask. It seals as well as any mask I've ever tried.

[SleepyEyes21]

There is an article on here somewhere that I have been unable to find again by a long term poster who modified his P10 headband by cutting the lower back strap, passing the end though a vercro cable strap and then sewing a loop. Here is the velcro strap: http://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-ONE-WRAP-S ... 001E1Y5O6/ and it has all kinds of handy uses around the house. The velcro strap has the hooks on one side and the loops on the other.

Now, it's true that that post and almost all other posts I've seen about the P10 header have to do with tightening up headgear that has stretched out over time - just the opposite of the problem you have with it. So do expect the strap to stretch out over time. The recommended process to shorten it up again is to wash the strap in very hot water.

The P10 is an extremely popular mask - for good reason. I love mine! It's like not even using a mask. It seals as well as any mask I've ever tried.

yaconsult, I remember that post also- just can't recall the member at the moment tho. From what I remember, he posted pictures of his modifications to the P10. I'm sure with a bit more research, one of us can find it somewhere!

Frank- I have some of these same velcro-one- wraps that are pictured in the link that I'd be happy to send you if you'd like to try them with your P10. I'll send you a PM; check your inbox.

[robysue]

I have thought about trying the Swift FX but with the silicone straps, I am afraid of the same ending as the DreamWear rash. Suggestions of others to try?

I've worn the FX for years and I despise the feel of silicone on my skin. My fix for those dang silicone straps? I asked Padacheek to make me a (then custom) mask pad that completely covers the entire silicone strap---it even keeps the top silicone strap from touching my scalp. She must have had orders from others as well, because she now lists a "Over the Top" strap pad for the Swift FX. It looks like this:



Padacheek made me two custom strap pads back in 2010. They're both going strong. The picture of her current Over the Top strap pad makes it clear that she's improved a bit on the design of my custom strap pads.

[RogerSC]

Well, I tried yet another mask to see if I can get the same results that I get with my OptiLife but I am again returning to my tried and true. I started trying to find a replacement due to my DME special ordering it now. With my rather large head and the small adjustment margin I am left with on the AirFit P10, I am not able to get the mask into a working position without the mask being too tight and causing my nose to be very sore the next day. At the widest margin for the head strap, I end up with a still very tight lower fit while leaking some air out the top. Anything in between is way too tight all over.

Nasal Pillows Tried:
Airfit P10 - Too tight, not adjustable enough
DreamWear (not pillow, but cushion)- Caused rash, even with soft wraps rash developed right next to nose
Nuance - Pillows did not extend enough into the nose but were flat against it with minimal cushion base making me have to wear it too tight for a good fit.

I have thought about trying the Swift FX but with the silicone straps, I am afraid of the same ending as the DreamWear rash. Suggestions of others to try?

Have you looked at the Sleepweaver Elan nasal mask? I've been a long time Swift FX user, and was looking for a softer mask. The Sleepweaver Elan is a bit more difficult to get used to than the Swift FX or AirFit P10, but it has no silicone. Took me watching a fitting video a couple of times and a couple of nights to get good results with it, but I ended up getting better results than the Swift FX or AirFit P10, and better comfort level. Cpap.com had it on sale, and it has a 30-day free trial, so you could try it and see how it worked for you at no cost. Unless it works for you, of course...then you'll buy it.

[AutoBiPAPFrank]

Thanks RogerSC! I will take a look at the videos. I am a bit hesitant as I don't like any air near my eyes but it looks very interesting.

Have you looked at the Sleepweaver Elan nasal mask? I've been a long time Swift FX user, and was looking for a softer mask. The Sleepweaver Elan is a bit more difficult to get used to than the Swift FX or AirFit P10, but it has no silicone. Took me watching a fitting video a couple of times and a couple of nights to get good results with it, but I ended up getting better results than the Swift FX or AirFit P10, and better comfort level. Cpap.com had it on sale, and it has a 30-day free trial, so you could try it and see how it worked for you at no cost. Unless it works for you, of course...then you'll buy it.

[AutoBiPAPFrank]

Thanks robysue, I may have to pull the dreamwear back out and try some other wraps. I tried the wraps that came with it and they came close to covering everything but at the base next to my nose.

I've worn the FX for years and I despise the feel of silicone on my skin. My fix for those dang silicone straps? I asked Padacheek to make me a (then custom) mask pad that completely covers the entire silicone strap---it even keeps the top silicone strap from touching my scalp. She must have had orders from others as well, because she now lists a "Over the Top" strap pad for the Swift FX. It looks like this:



Padacheek made me two custom strap pads back in 2010. They're both going strong. The picture of her current Over the Top strap pad makes it clear that she's improved a bit on the design of my custom strap pads.

[JimP]

Well, I tried yet another mask ....snip....

Please excuse me if you've tried this already but you do know that you can loosen it by spreading the two straps further away from each other. Right?

[AutoBiPAPFrank]

Yeah, I had it spread apart as much as possible but the lower part of the pillow was still too tight. I did manage to get the upper part ok by putting the top strap on the front of my forehead . I can probably get it there by the suggestion to cut the bottom and sew in a Velcro strap. My DME has agreed to special order another OptiLife so I will likely trade in and wait for next replacement cycle.

Well, I tried yet another mask ....snip....

Please excuse me if you've tried this already but you do know that you can loosen it by spreading the two straps further away from each other. Right?