I love my ComfortCurve, but has anyone tried the Nasal-Aire?

Derrell · Post by **Derrell** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:34 pm

I started using the ComfortCurve very successfully from the beginning of its release. However, it has now started a whistling noise that I can't seem to adjust away. I was using the medium, however, and out of desparation switched to the small. Whistle went away, and it is also working fine for me. Wonder if there is a short lifetime issue with these things?

Anyway, I am considering an alternative with the small profile over the face like the ComfortCurve. Has anyone used the Nasal-Aire II CPAP by InnoMed? It looks interesting as a possible alternative.

MartiniLover · Post by **MartiniLover** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:57 am

It is my number 1 mask. I have four total.

glassgal · Post by **glassgal** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 1:31 pm

Hi Derrell,

I have used the NasalAire II interface since January, and it is my only usable one. I am working on an Aura, but haven't got it modified to my satisfaction yet.

The NasalAire II is tricky to fit. You must get it to seal in your nostrils, which means that when it is cold, it is difficult to insert (you can kind of fold the prongs to get started & they will pop out when warm). Once it warms up, it gets softer and will seal and not move around. If you get it too small, it will leak like crazy (very noisy and annoying) and hurt the inside of your nose because it will be moving around all the time. I started with a size small and now use a medium plus.

Get a tube of Ayr or Simply Saline gel -- it helps to moisturize and heal your nose and it will ease the adjustment period. As far as I am concerned any XPAPer should have a tube of this for dry/sore nose problems!

I really like that the NAII has minimal headgear. I do not use the upper headband that comes with it (with the loops) -- I only use the behind the neck strap. I wear glasses and like to read before dropping off to sleep, and I can do this with the NAII.

The downsides that I perceive are:
1) the exhaust ports blow straight out, and will hit your arm or the sheet and be cold and make noise. It is also hard to sleep on your stomach with the exhaust ports aimed as they are unless you really twist your neck around.
2) I don't like the feel of plastic on my skin. My solution is to get some tubular knitted bandage from the medical supply store (available by the foot in different diameters). I cover the small hoses with this and it is inexpensive enough that you can replace it periodically.

It does take some getting used to, but is minimal, less claustrophobic and it works very well for me. I have been 100% compliant since I started in January.

I don't use the Comfort Curve, but seem to recall a series of posts (by Mikesus maybe?) regarding a whistling elbow that was patched with saran wrap or teflon plumber's tape. You could do a search on that.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 8:10 pm

I used the NAII for awhile. I did like the minimalism.
The tips in the previous post are very good.
The NAII is a noisy interface.
The main issue is the fit is VERY finicky. If you are lucky and you fit one of their few sizes EXACTLY, it is a great interface.
If its too small it leaks.
If its too large you will soon experience pressure sores.

I have tried a number of sizes.

It does work well for some people though!
Get a tempurpedic type pillow to sleep with it, which will "absorb" these hoses so they won't be as much a bother on the side of your face.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:22 pm

Hi Darrell. I have two good friends (married to each other in fact!) who both use the NasalAire interfaces and love them! When I went to visit them I asked to see their equipment and because the NasalAire is so simple and
looks soft and much less cumbersome than some I've seen on the net, that is what I'm asking my dme person to bring along for her first visit.
I'll give you an update! In the mean time...I'm here trying to sort out whether to just buy the stuff I need from cpap.com directly or use this dme co my dr recommended....which is causing me to wait a few days now until I figure out what would suit my finances etc... best. Terry

Derrell · Post by **Derrell** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:18 pm

I appreciate that Terry. Please let me know.

Terry Flower51 · Post by **Terry Flower51** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:03 pm

Hi Darrell! I used my NasalAireII for the first time last night. It is much less invasive looking than other masks/interfaces and very lightweight. I really like it. It does make a whooshing sound but by morning it didn't bother me so I think its something I'll become accustomed to.

When I tried to fall asleep last night, and ditto for trying to take a nap today, I just layed there waiting for sleep to kick in for about an hour. Not sure why really, the equipment didn't annoy me and I wasn't uncomfortable except for the initial "adjustment" to having air going in my nose.

Have you made any decisions???? I'd look into the nasal aire it really is a nice choice if you think you can come to consider the "whoosh" sound as white noise that is like the ocean, lulling you to sleep....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Two things though...this am. dh said I'm still snoring and also my humidifier water was at the same level it had been last night...hmmmm.
RT said if I didn't press the button to turn on the humidifier, it would still come on as a passive (cold) humidifier, just not the heated kind. Since its 90+ degrees in Ohio where I live, I didn't want the air any warmer than the room....Any ideas? BTW they are using a respironics auto w/cflex the first 2 wks on me. Terry

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:07 pm

Diddo about the NA II being loud. I"m a mouth breather and had to use a chin strap with it. Not a great solution for me.

I had the Large prongs @ 1st, because my DME had the wrong sizing, so they sent me a Med free of charge. Stupid thing left my nose on fire with irritation. My nose is still peeling from wearing it last wk. So for me, you can guess I am not a big fan of it.

Back to the never ending mask finding ritual I go....

rubbins · Post by **rubbins** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 8:17 pm

HI, I have used the nasal aire II since going on CPAP 3 months ago. It took a couple of weeks getting used to, but now I don't notice it at all at night. I still don't feel significant results from CPAP however. I notice many users complaining about noise...I have NONE. Wonder if maybe I'm not doing something right. Use the Remstar Plus set on 10.

Good luck!!!

Terry Flower51 · Post by **Terry Flower51** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 1:11 am

How do your NA prongs fit? Are they "snug" like it says in the cpap.com video? Is there "wiggle room" for them to go up and down in your nose?
I'm thinking mine may be too small....Do you still snore?

Rubbins...could it be that you are blocking the air flow exhale places w/a mustache or ?????

Swordz have you tried ky jelly on your nostrils???? It makes a diff, also spraying w/generic saline spray helps. Sorry you have a sad ouchy nose.
T

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 7:53 pm

Hi,

Yes, the nasal aire fits snugly and not moustache! I do hear some noise when the sheets are next to the exhaust valve...but it seems others find it more bothersome. Perhaps I just pass out when I go to sleep!!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:29 pm

Hi rubbins and all...I had a terrible night last night...posted elsewhere on here. After talking to another NA friend and reading your posts, I snugged up the interface by tightening the velcro band at the back of my head and wore the headband too. What it did was stop the prongs from moving around inside my nose and I realized they were the wrong size. SO NOISY it turned from ocean to NIAGARA FALLS. And the air was blasting me like a little whirlwind. I was miserable and only could stand two hours awake w/that on in my bed. I ended up staying up till morning just because I couldn't fall asleep from the exp.

Rubbins I'm thinking you may be the one w/the best fit because today when my RT came over to exchange the small prongs for another size, I tried the medium, no seal and still a whoosh though much quieter than the small's niagara. I tried the large and VOILA so quiet its a whisper! WOW! It feels doable...Of course I'm talking after just 5 minutes of testing it out....lets wait to see how it is all night long. I'm using kyjelly so I don't end up w/a sore nose like poor Swordz....did the medium hurt you too? Maybe you need a small? I saw on cpap.com that the Infinity canula is interchangeable w/Nasal Aire II so maybe they'd have diff sizing??????

Rubbins are you sure you are titrated correctly? My RT said the sleep study I had couldn't give her a true picture of what therapy I needed and said I should go back and have a titration study w/ekg, etc....info for her. She said even w/the Respironics smart card info she'll get from me after 2 wks w/the autoloaner, she wouldn't know how to set a bipap correctly for my needs (and the dr concurred). Do you have an auto, cpap or bipap? T

Terry Flower51 · Post by **Terry Flower51** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:30 pm

T was me.

MaskedMan · Post by **MaskedMan** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:39 am

In my opinion its a lifetime issue. I have been on CPAP about a year and have reached a point where no mask seals worth a darn anymore. Thinking back, I believe after a few months of use the seal degrades and after a few more doesn't seal at all anymore. I consider my use, treatment, cleaning, etc to be normal and the local DME can't tell me anything to do differently to get a better life. Everyone says expect to replace every 6 months, but considering the cost, I personally think that is unacceptable and we should have the expectation for great sealing for a minimum of 1 year. I really wasn't paying attention to the life of seals in this first year of CPAP. I will now as I have just bought new seals and can say that I now get good sealing.

You may say I am harsh, so take it with whatever weight you want. I feel that any product I buy is defective if it does not meet a reasonable expectation as long as I feel I have used it in a normal and reasonable manner. I personally believe we should expect a mask to seal well for 1 year. However, given that most people expect a 6 month life, I will go with that so I expect my new seals to seal well for 6 months - ie, not seal well for 3 months than ok for 3 months, but seal well for the entire 6 months. If not, I feel its defective because the design, materials, contruction, etc do not meet a reasonable expectation. I just read an article in Consumer Reports on bed sheets. They suggest after a period of use if the sheets shrink too much to fit the bed that you should return them. To me, this is similar to our CPAP masks. I expect 6 months of normal use and normal use is wearing it while you sleep every night and expecting it to prodive a seal. If the head of a hammer cracks after pounding nails - that is defective because pounding nails is normal use and you expect the hammer to be contructed to handle that duty. CPAP masks are expensive, the general consensus is to expect them to last 6 months - which includes sealing - so, I believe they are defective if they don't meet that. I would contact the manufacturer to replace the defective ComfortCurve seals.

Sorry for the rant, I am passionate and persistant - not only in CPAP products - but all products that I reasonably get what I paid for.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:15 am

She said even w/the Respironics smart card info she'll get from me after 2 wks w/the autoloaner, she wouldn't know how to set a bipap correctly for my needs (and the dr concurred).

A rather odd statement from an RT and for a doctor to concur with, imho. Oh well.

I love my ComfortCurve, but has anyone tried the Nasal-Aire?

I love my ComfortCurve, but has anyone tried the Nasal-Aire?

Hi Darrell re NasalAireII

swordz and rubbins

that was no guest