Bleep/DreamPort nasal mask review thread

[Pugsy]

I use the system Stuart recommended, and it works great.

Apologies if this is already in the thread, but what exactly are the products that go into Stuart's system? I watched the video but couldn't catch what he was saying.

The hose management system Stuart sent me a link to was this one.
https://www.amazon.com/North-American-H ... 264&sr=8-1
So that might be the one. I haven't watched that video and never have needed or wanted to use a cpap hose management system.
I would suspect that any hose management system that a person was happy with would work just fine.

[khauser]

I use the system Stuart recommended, and it works great.

Apologies if this is already in the thread, but what exactly are the products that go into Stuart's system? I watched the video but couldn't catch what he was saying.

No worries...
There are two parts:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IW ... UTF8&psc=1
and
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N6 ... UTF8&psc=1

The second piece includes a self-adhesive pad that is NOT used. Instead, the center of the second part is supported by the loop in the first part. Using the velcro that comes with it, you can support the hose so that it is more spread out than a simple up and over (which you can do with the first part on its own).

It's quite possible the first part on its own is enough ... I have not tried it. To me, the retraction on the second part is too much to overcome on its own, while the first part has a relatively mild retention. I used some spare velcro straps to hold my hose to the stand on the first part ... otherwise it would fall off of the shelf I keep it on and the weight would drag everything over. The key is to get the hose to be well supported without being pulled away and yet not touching you. It sounds a lot more fiddly than it really was. Took less than 5 minutes the first night I tried it.

[Jankahay]

Stuart sent me these links: https://www.amazon.com/North-American-H ... B0034CHMRU AND https://www.amazon.com/Retracting-Reel- ... B00N6RKILO

[Miss Emerita]

Many thanks for your replies, Pugsy, khauser, and Jankahay. And Jankahay, welcome to the forum!

[mets123]

I have been using the bleep mask for a week and really love it. I have tried over a dozen masks but this one is so different from the rest. It’s so nice not to have any headgears and my AHI has been under one. Tube management has been a work in progress but I think I have solved this. The other thing is I get no leaks with this mask.
I have spoken with Stuart several times and found him to really care about helping me with any problems.
Would highly recommend trying this mask.
Hope that the company comes out with a way to buy the ports in monthly or quarterly or annual supplies.

[Miss Emerita]

The Bleep is pretty amazing, isn't it? I'm a recent convert myself.

For hose management, I needed to replace my sturdy Hose Buddy with a CPAPology Houdini hose stand. (This is similar to the one Stuart mentions and khauser referenced; that particular one doesn't seem to be available these days.) I use a fleecy hose cover that I scrunch up some, and that helps the hose stay put in the supporting loop. The horizontal arm on the Houdini is longer than the one on the Hose Buddy, which is essential, and it swings more easily, which is helpful. The Houdini telescopes down so you can hide it behind a pillow during the day if you like.

I'm now pretty good at applying the ports, though my skills attaching the dreamway connector are a work in progress. I somehow knocked one loose last night and was really pleased with myself that I managed to reattach it lying there in the dark. I'm getting there....

[Pugsy]

I'm now pretty good at applying the ports, though my skills attaching the dreamway connector are a work in progress. I somehow knocked one loose last night and was really pleased with myself that I managed to reattach it lying there in the dark. I'm getting there....

The ports to the connector require lots of experience it seems. Do what I do after connecting the ports to the connector put the end of the hose in the palm of your hand to block it and then try to breathe in and out. If the ports to connector are solid you won't be able to breathe easily.
Now sometimes we do just simply get ourselves in a bind and maybe knock the connection loose and yes we are getting good when we can reattach in the dark.
I don't even use the mirror anymore either. I never could easily master doing something backwards in the mirror so once I apply the ports I abandon the mirror. It took me months to get to this point though.

I look at the minor accidents in the night like I look at the minor accidents I have had over the years with all the masks I have used...it happens. Nothing is totally accident free. I fix it and move on.

[Miss Emerita]

Yes, the mirror-image part doesn't help -- or my efforts to adjust my reading glasses so I get the best view. But it is getting better. I use the block-the-tube trick (think I first learned it from you, Pugsy), and that does save me a trip to the machine to try things out under pressure.

[mets123]

Thanks Miss Emerita and Pugsy for your comments. Yes I really do like this mask also. I still have trouble attaching the ports but its only been a week. I am trying to work on tube management if this fails I will try one of your recommendations Miss Emerita. Pugsy, I know you have said previously that you are using the original tube and not the longer updated tube. I had to contact Stuart because the short tube I received constantly pulled out of the front connection.
It was so easy to detach . He was so nice to send me the new tube design. Did you ever experience that problem with the short tube? If so how did you correct it? Do you also still use the filter attaching to the exhaust areas? Do you change the filter often?
Thanks!

[Pugsy]

Pugsy, I know you have said previously that you are using the original tube and not the longer updated tube. ...... Did you ever experience that problem with the short tube? If so how did you correct it? Do you also still use the filter attaching to the exhaust areas? Do you change the filter often?

I did use the short hose/tube for quite a while and I never had a problem with. Rather liked it myself. I know one other person who had trouble with the short hose coming off too easily but I never had that happen to me.
Then someone tried the P10 hose on it so I tried it and I liked it as well. I am easy to please.
Last spring I got a chance to demo the new updated hose and it is very much equal to the P10 hose IMHO and that is what I continue to use. The short hose got delegated to the "spare" equipment plastic tote. Just in case one of my cats decides the hose is a fine toy to play with but chances are slim...they have never really shown any interest in my cpap mask equipment stuff.

I suspect you are talking about the filter material in the bikini thong diffuser???? I did get that also back last spring to demo and I just washed it for several months and only changed the material maybe 2 months or so ago. When I did just wash it....it was maybe once a month. I don't wash my stuff very often at all. Never have with any of my masks after my first 6 months on cpap. That got old real fast and I got lazy real fast and discovered that I didn't die or get sick if I didn't wash my masks and stuff very often.

If you are talking about the first homemade filter before Stuart came up with the bikini diffuser holder...I washed it about once every couple of months and when it got to the point that it seemed a bit too discolored after washing then I replaced it. Filters are cheap.

And yes...I still use the filter diffuser but now in the bikini thong holder. Otherwise the venting seems to hit something (usually my arm) and annoy me. I got spoiled with the P10 diffused venting so I still prefer it with the Bleep.

[khauser]

Thanks Miss Emerita and Pugsy for your comments. Yes I really do like this mask also. I still have trouble attaching the ports but its only been a week.

It took me the better part of a month to get real good at putting the ports on. I do have unusually oily skin so it's hard to get them to stick. Stuart was a huge help, he recommended some skin prep and tape. Together the vet me through the night. A little extra time that is thoroughly worth it.

[mets123]

Thanks Pugsy for your response. Always learn something new from you.

[mets123]

Thanks Khauser, hope I get there soon to be able to attach it more quickly.

[openheartmama]

Hey bleep users:
How securely do you find the ports to be attached to the tubing? I gave up after a night or two because I couldn't get a stable connection, but I am starting to wonder if I just have a bum mask. There is no audible click, and a little bit of tugging pulls the mask from the ports.
I can't seem to find a video that clarifies this for me.

[edfreeman]

You should play with it using some used ports where you can see how they're supposed to latch in. There should always be "clicks" when it is latched properly and it should never just pull lose without squeezing the tabs.

Make sure those tabs are aligned properly, There's two little nubs on the "outside" of the mask for each nostril that the outside tab is supposed to rest between to keep it from rotating.