going strapless ~ aka 'look ma, no headgear!'

[bast]

hi everyone,

i'm not trying to be provocative (well, maybe titularly), but i wanted to report that i've been experimenting lately with using my decapitated aura/twilight np without ANY straps at all!!!

it's been GREAT.

my leak rate is up a little, but my AHI has been stable, and the comfort of not having anything tied to my head is astounding. even w/ soft, light homemade straps using fishnet tights, i was often bothered by puffy eyes, a hot feeling around my face, and so on. also, as a 7-year migraineur, i am unusually sensitive to things touching one side of my head.

it started with naps, since i felt like i wouldn't be likely to miss much time on my mask if i lost contact/seal without the straps. since that seemed comfortable and successful, i started just trying the night.

the most common sleep position for me is on my stomach or side. when i feel the mask coming loose (or hear a leak), i usually just put my hand against it to steady it. i frequently sleep with a hand near my face anyway, so it's not that difficult or uncomfortable to just steady the mask with my hand.

my mom laughs that i must shove those nasal pillows UP my nose, but it's actually very gentle feeling - even less intrusive than before, despite somewhat more frequent adjustments.

so, although i'm not advocating it for anyone else, it seemed like something claustrophobes or otherwise sensitive people might want to try.

as rooster would say, i'm a barnyard fowl, my advice may not be good for humans. (although in my case it's more like i'm sasquatch's sister - needing fresh air and bare feet all the time)

ok, that's it. thanks for reading!

keep sleeping~ best you can

bast

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): AHI, Aura, Nasal Pillows

[sleepyred]

Wow - great job! I sure wish I could go, uh, oh - you know - "strapless"!

[birdshell]

Oh, no! Now poor Rested Gal/Laura's ubiquitous pantyhose tights strap is biting the dust?

I think I may hear a Queen falling over to the rhythm....

Duh, duh, duh...

[rested gal]

the most common sleep position for me is on my stomach or side. when i feel the mask coming loose (or hear a leak), i usually just put my hand against it to steady it. i frequently sleep with a hand near my face anyway, so it's not that difficult or uncomfortable to just steady the mask with my hand.

I'm impressed!!

Seriously impressed!!

[bast]

thanks, Rested Gal/Laura!

this was in NO way an attempt to "undo" the exquisiteness of your straps, you know.

it's been about 3 weeks now, with improvements in leak management and ease of sleeping. at first it woke me up a fair amount, but now i've gotten used to sleeping positions that keep the nose-piece stable.

can't think of any other mask one could use this way, so AGAIN, i am tremendously grateful for your pioneering spirit with this one.

last night i thought about it in my sleep and realized without the straps there are very few contact points on my face - and sometimes it is finally hard to remember that i am using the thing.

it feels like a refinement ~ very smooth and simple. even elegant, in a way. though perhaps also a little rebellious (like "take that, monster headgear makers!")

btw, RG, your summer picture is simply lovely!

best to all,
el

[needingu]

I guess we are soul mates as I feel the same.i

"like a refinement ~ very smooth and simple. even elegant, in a way. though perhaps also a little rebellious (like "take that, monster headgear makers!")
COULD IT BE!!!!

.Hmmm wonder if it would work for me.