Switch to Hybrid?

[Flying_Norseman]

I am currently using the Swift II which is decent, but I need to tape my mouth because I found out I was losing pressure by opening my mouth while sleeping. I am not a huge fan of taping and the Swift II gave me a pressure sore on my nostril and I had to switch to to my original mask which is a Ultra Mirage Nasal mask. Since the Ultra Mirage leaks into my eye a lot I am thinking that the FF version will do the same thing.

That brings me to my question. I have a week or so to decide to keep the Swift II or switch to something else. I am considering the Hybrid and was hoping folks could give me some feedback on that mask.

[OutaSync]

I've had the Hybrid for 12 days (my 5th mask since my diagnosis on September 5), At my pressure of 16 I could not keep ff masks from blowing out. The Hybrid is nice because it comes with three different sizes and even the nose pillows can be cut apart and you can mix the sizes if you need to. I still have to tape the pillows to my nose to keep them in place and I can't roll from side to side without a leak springing up somewhere. My leak rate last night was 55.2 l/m and my AHI was 40.8. I'm going back to my doctor tomorrow because i need help!!

[Flying_Norseman]

Outasync,

Thanks for the reply. The Swift II works well for me if I tape my mouth. The two nights I did that, my AHI was below 5. Not as close to 0 as I would like it, but still acceptable. I think I need to experiment with pressure settings once I have the mask issue resolved. I can deal with the taping if I have to, but I woke up a few times panicked because I couldn't breathe through my mouth. The thing that concerns me about the FF masks is the propensity for leakage and air shooting into my eyes. There is a lot more area that needs to be sealed in a FF mask so it is more problematic than nasal pillows. I have heard that some people have issues with the Hybrid leaking too. I don't want to give up the Swift II and return it just to find out that the Hybrid won't work either.

FN

[tuna]

I've had the Hybrid for 12 days (my 5th mask since my diagnosis on September 5), At my pressure of 16 I could not keep ff masks from blowing out. The Hybrid is nice because it comes with three different sizes and even the nose pillows can be cut apart and you can mix the sizes if you need to. I still have to tape the pillows to my nose to keep them in place and I can't roll from side to side without a leak springing up somewhere. My leak rate last night was 55.2 l/m and my AHI was 40.8. I'm going back to my doctor tomorrow because i need help!!

According to my Hybrid book your LR of 55.2 m/l is exceptable for your pressure. But that AHI of 40.8 really sucks!

[geoDoug]

The Hybrid is nice because it comes with three different sizes and even the nose pillows can be cut apart and you can mix the sizes if you need to.

A little clarification, in case it isn't obvious: There are three sizes of nasal pillows and three sizes of mask cushions, all of which can be used interchangeably. This means that the different sized-nasal pillows can be used at the same time (if you have different sized nostrils) and you can use any size cushion with any size pillow. I REALLY like this flexibility!

The only downside I've found to the Hybrid was already mentioned. It tends to shift easily. I haven't bothered with any "home remedies" like pantyhose to help secure it. I don't toss-and-turn when I'm sleeping, so that's not a huge issue for me. Perhaps I should, since I can't reliably get my AHI as low as I'd like.

Doug.

[geoDoug]

My pressure is low: 6. For my pressure, I think the intentional leak rate is somewhere in the high 30s. My average leak rate is almost always in the 40s. I consider that pretty good. Are my standards too low? Anybody?

Doug.

[neverbetter]

Hybrid has sure been the answer for me. My wife, who hates all full face masks, can wear it as well with no problems whatsoever.

With my pressure so high, everything else blows right off my face. This mask is gentle with very little leakage.I highly recommend it to anyone having problems.

[marymoon]

I go back and forth between my original Swift and the Hybrid. I like the Swift much better because I find it more comfortable, but I'm having sinus issues yet again and cannot breathe thru my nose right now. I was hoping that the sinus surgery I had in July had worked longer than 2 months.

I've had the Hybrid since April and have a love/hate relationship with it. I find that I have to keep the headgear pretty tight to eliminate leaks and I recently cut off the chin flap because it started irritating me to the point that I was taking the mask off in my sleep.

I just ordered a new FF mask - the HC432 from Fisher-Paykel- from my DME so we'll see how that goes...

[Flying_Norseman]

I am trying to decide between the Hybrid and the HC432 I am just concerned about leaks with a FF mask due to the larger area that needs to be sealed.

[track]

What happens with the hybrid if one nostril is closed but the other one is open? Does it leak in the side that is closed up or just shoot twice as much air up the one that is open? Is a hybrid practical for someone that often has one nostril closed up?

[Flying_Norseman]

Track,

It would be the same as the nasal mask you have now. I have the Swift II and I also have the problem of one nasal passage clogging up a lot. The air goes where it can and keeps your pathway open. Usually, the pressure clears the clogged nasal passage fairly well too.

[skits]

From reading this thread (after complaining in my own) and looking at one of the pictures, I think my Mirage Liberty must be what's considered a hybrid. Does anyone else feel like they'll look like a baboon after a month? I feel like it's ballooning my nose. If I could get past that, I might make it. Taping my mouth shut is just not an option, so I think I have to stay with a FF mask.

And how come everyone seems to have stats on their sleep? I'm a newby and nothing was mentioned about me reading that card.

[oceanpearl]

Am certainly that some people are able to tolerate the leak rate of the Hybrid. I couldn't! Total waste of money for me.

[neverbetter]

The old Hybrid had a higher leak rate than the new hybrid with the new shell. You must have had an old one.
and no, the Hybrid is not a Liberty. I cannot use a liberty because it's way too much pressure on my nose. The Hybrid works fine for me, however.

[Guest]

I just took the resmed hybrid loaner back. It would not seal at the nasal pillows no matter which size pillows I used. By the time I adjusted it to seal the best ,It would be too tight on my upper lip and teeth. The respcare hybrid has two levels of pillow adjustment and might have worked better, but on my way to exchange the masks I went to Medical Equipment Specialists in West Allis, WI and found a full face mask which is unbelieveable. The Probasics zzz full face mask is super light weight, seals under the lower lip not on the chin and does not have a forehead brace, you don't need one! I looked on line and found it for $89.00 on sale at cpapsupply.com. I'm looking forward to my first night of sleep in years.Never thought I'd use a full face mask, this one is completely comfortable and unlike the hybrids, no sore upper lip.The medium was nice but my big nose liked the large size. Good luck (you won't need luck if you get the probasic zzz full face mask) Baxter
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