DME's Recommendations re Hybrid and Other Masks

John Galt · Post by **John Galt** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:46 pm

I have been using the Comfort Lite. While I like it, I have had some occasional nasal discomfort and some problems with mouth leakage. So, I visited my DME today to try on various masks.

My DME strongly discouraged me from trying the Hybrid, stating that they had fitted 5 people and none could use it due to leaks. I tried it on and it sealed fine. Of course, they have no place to lay down. He insisted that it would leak, and asked me to put my head back to represent a sleeping position. I suggested that my head tends to go down, not back when I sleep, but he insisted that this would mimic the facial changes that occur when the face slackens during sleep. I did develop some leaks.

I question if this is an accurate way to assess whether the mask will leak during sleep. What do you think of this?

My DME also discouraged me from the Activa (yes, I know it wouldn't solve the mouthbreathing issue, but it would potentially solve other problems) as he stated that it doesn't work well for side sleepers. I thought that it was designed for those of us who turn often and sleep on our sides.

I will say that I was pleased that he allowed me to try on several masks, so it wasn't all negative. I settled on the Swift as an experiment to determine if my current leaks are primarily from the mask or from my mouth. If I continue to have leaks, he will suggest trying a Full Face mask, though I have lots of problems with bridge pain, so I would still want to give the Hybrid a try.

JCraig · Post by **JCraig** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:03 pm

John Galt wrote:My DME also discouraged me from the Activa (yes, I know it wouldn't solve the mouthbreathing issue, but it would potentially solve other problems) as he stated that it doesn't work well for side sleepers. I thought that it was designed for those of us who turn often and sleep on our sides.

He's on crack. The Activa is great for side sleeping.

roster · Post by **roster** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:09 pm

IMHO, the only way you can test a mask is at home in bed over several nights. The Hybrid is giving me the therapy I need after 8 months of failure with nasal pillows/mouth tape.

Since you have mouth leaks, my recommendation is to try the Hybrid over several nights and if you have problems give this forum a report and we will give you advice on adjustments to make.

The Hybrid is great for me as masks go. I still have hope that someone will invent something simple, cheap and painless to make cpap therapy obsolete. Well heck, if it is that good it doesn't have to be cheap - they would deserve to make a ton of money.

JCraig · Post by **JCraig** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:11 pm

Problem with Hybrid is that it's 1/2 a pillows interface, so I think for people that don't do well on pillows interfaces will also not do well on the Hybrid. That's why I haven't tried it.

John Galt · Post by **John Galt** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:23 pm

I find the nasal pillows to be comfortable. That's why I wanted to try the Hybrid. I couldn't tell from my test in an upright chair whether it would leak when I am in a prone position and using a bed pillow. I'm surprised that my DME doesn't have a place to get horizontal.

snoozie_suzy · Post by **snoozie_suzy** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:30 pm

JCraig wrote:Problem with Hybrid is that it's 1/2 a pillows interface, so I think for people that don't do well on pillows interfaces will also not do well on the Hybrid. That's why I haven't tried it.

That's what I thought would happen with me, because I just could not deal with the force of the Swift pressure into my nose, or even the feel of the nasal pillows against my nose. But with the Hybrid its different. the pillows are much softer and the force of air isn't as bothersome to me, infact some nights I feel like my machine isn't even on.

Just a perspective from a formerly opposed nasal pillow person.

Suzy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:31 pm

Mine didn't either. I suggested it when I was trying on masks and they thought it was a great idea and admitted that they wanted to, they just didn't have room for a full bed in any sort of place that would afford the privacy required.

John Galt · Post by **John Galt** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:25 pm

I'd gladly sacrifice the privacy if I could just try a mask in a reclined position. The fit of some masks change dramatically when I'm upright versus prone, so I need to be fitted when I'm in a reclined pose.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:42 pm

Apria told me the hybrid wouldn't work for me. It's a good thing I didn't listen. I can sleep in any position and am as comfortable as you can be with a mask and hose strapped to your face.

Brenda

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:34 pm

JCraig wrote:Problem with Hybrid is that it's 1/2 a pillows interface, so I think for people that don't do well on pillows interfaces will also not do well on the Hybrid. That's why I haven't tried it.

I tend to agree with this, at least in my own experience.
But I actually did try the hybrid, and "kicked it to the curb"™ after three nights.
Although I have heard some (folks who have an aversion to nasal pillows) claim that the hybrid did work for them.

JCraig wrote: The Activa is great for side sleeping.

I couldn't agree more. It is indeed an awesome mask.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:54 pm

I agree, your DME is on crack.

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:22 pm

Apria is always last to learn....

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DME's Recommendations re Hybrid and Other Masks

DME's Recommendations re Hybrid and Other Masks

Re: DME's Recommendations re Hybrid and Other Masks