have Infinity nasal mask and airflow cuts off if I move.

[sleepysal]

Hello. I'm new to CPAP and very sleepy. I got an Infinity nasal type mask (the nose-covering type felt a bit claustrophobic), and every time I move, the air flow seems to cut off. I tried it for an hour or so the first week, then other nights, and kept feeling like I was suffocating. I can't seem to make myself stay in one position - - move from back to side to back to side, etc. Can someone please help me? I haven't had a decent night's sleep in over two years, and I really want to make this work.

[cflame1]

That doesn't seem to be a very popular mask/interface. Try doing a search under HC 481... see if something comes up. Also if you register and fill out a profile, we'll be able to help better determine what could be going on.

[goldie]

I think I am the only person who likes the Infinity 481. I've been working on this CPAP thing for about a year now and am mostly a lurker on this forum. It took me 2 visits to the respiratory therapist/DME to get the Infinity black velcro headgear adjusted right. It can't be too tight and can't be too loose. My rt said she used the Infinity 481 and was a great help with making the straps just the right tightness.

I keep my APAP on the floor, halfway under my bed. The hose comes up and around the right side of my head. The tube that comes from my nose has a swivel piece that I turn so that it points toward my head. Look at the little cartoon drawing that came with the mask. It shows how to drape the hose around your head. I sleep mostly on my left side and am very comfortable with the mask.

The Infinity 481 is very small and light and allows me to wear one of those sleep masks that covers my eyes to keep light out. I have a very small/petite head and nose. I use the small nasal pillow. Ayr gel helped me toughen my nares to get used to the pillows. This forum has been a real godsend. I've learned so much.

[sleepysal]

Thank you, Goldie and Cflame1, for responding to my post. I'll get with the technician at my DME dealer when I can get away from work to go to one of their clinics. I'll try to figure out how to register on this message board, as you suggested, Cflame1. I can already tell it will be very helpful for me to read the posts and participate.
Thanks again!

[chazz]

I was having problem using the Infinity until i devised a fix to stabilize the tube from the swivel connector. The problem I was having was that every time I moved my head the swivel connector caused the nasal prongs to yank on my nares (delightful).

What solved this problem was to secure the tube under a loop formed by one of the two velcro straps on the top band. I also decentered to two straps so that the tube was secured dead center between my eyes. This enabled me to read with the mask on.

Using this fix I found the Infinity a workable mask, although I now strongly prefer the Twilight NP (Aura).

Chazz