Time to try a new mask again. Should it be the SNAPP?

[mikebomb]

I fell for it and bought the ComfortCurve. I can almost get it working right, but it has defeated me. Maybe my nose is too small for it -- I am using the small cushion and it is all I can do to keep the tip of my nose out if it. It leaks too easily: any movement of my nose or cheek, or lying on my side, will dislodge it and it will not reseal itself.

I have looked at all the masks on this site and others, and right now, with the possible exception of this one, the one that intrigues me most is the Tiara SNAPP.

What have your experiences been with the Tiara SNAPP? Is it really as noisy as some of the posts here have said? The HC405 is almost silent when sealed, and even the ComfortCurve is pretty quiet now that I sealed the elbows and swivel with plumber's teflon tape.

Does anyone recommend this mask? Disrecommend it?

[KILRUSH_]

HI MIKEBOMB, I TRIED THE SNAPP AND I COULD NOT USE IT. THE DME GUY PUT IT ON ME, AND IT SEEMED TO FIT FINE. WHEN I GOT IT HOME I COULD NOT GET IT ON MY HEAD I TRIED EVERY WHICH WAY SO I NEVER GOT IT TO WORK. THIS IS FOOD FOR THOUGHT. MARY

[Guest]

Hi Mikebomb:
I've tried several masks and have had great success with many of them. Most recently, I have been using Tiara Snapp and I am liking it. It is not the first mask that I would suggest (Breeze is a better choice) but, Snapp is OK.

All of the following comments are just my opinion:
Snapp is a nasal cannula type of mask -->little tubes actually stick part way into your nares. Snapp creates a seal on the inside edge of your nares as well as against the outside edge of your nares. The silicone in Snapp is softer than Swift. Snapp is alot like Swift except that Snapp extends further into your nares than does Swift.

I like the Snapp headgear better than Swift. Swift leaves 'Nike swoosh' marks on my cheeks and, I find that Swift tends to shift and irritate my nose somewhat when I roll around in bed. Snapp is somewhat irritating to the inside of the nares, but I found that I got over this quickly and can tolerate Snapp all night (8 hours) without problem. When I received the Snapp, it came with two little tubes of Roezit creme. This stuff is very effective in soothing irritated skin and is safe for silicone CPAP parts.

Both Swift and Snapp are a bit noisy, but neither one keeps me awake. I don't consider the noise of either of them to be a deterrent.

If you have not tried Breeze, I'd suggest it over Snapp. Also, before buying Snapp, call Tiara Medical (makers of Snapp) and ask them to send your their Snapp sizing guide. This little paper thingy helps you to figure out which size of Snapp to order. I'd encourage you to err on the side of bigger rather than smaller. I ordered the Medium Snapp and wonder if I would have done better with the large. When I used the sizing guide that they sent me, I questioned whether to have the Snapp fit tight, or be a bit on the loose side. If I order another Snapp, I'll try the Large.

So, I like Snapp, but I like the overall adjustability of Breeze better. Swift is OK, but I can only stand it for a few nights before the stiffness of the nasal pillow gets too irritating. I don't regret buying/trying Snapp.

[WillSucceed]

I got 'guested' ... that last post was me.

[yawn]

Hi MikeBomb,
I vote NO, NO, NO on the SNAPP. I thought it was very flimsy compared to all other masks and I couldn't get it to fit right. I never even tried sleeping with it because it was leaking like crazy.
If you want a nasal interface, I recommend the Swift. It's a little noisy but very easy to get used to. Yes, it does leave swoosh marks on your face but they fade quickly (and I'm working on a way to eliminate the marks..will post if I can get this to work).
So that's my 2 cents for what it's worth.
Good luck!
Amy

[rock and roll]

I vote Swift over the Snapp as well. I don't have any noise with mine, in fact it is the quietist of all that I have tried as it does not @$^& like most masks. I don't get the NIKE marks at all but I wear it very loose.

[kilrush_]

HI MIKE, MARY, AGAIN, I USE THE BREEZE AND THE ACTIVA AND LIKE BOTH. I TEND TO USE BREEZE IN THE WARM WEATHER BECAUSE ONLY THE NASAL PILLOWS TOUCH THE NOSE. I COULD NOT USE THE SNAPP AT ALL!!!!
MARY

[mikebomb]

Okay. Even the person who posted that he likes the SNAPP likes the Breeze better. That does not give me much confidence in the SNAPP. After my ComfortCurve experience , I am going to place a greater weight on the opinions of other posters.

The two masks that you guys have been mentioning most are the Breeze and the Swift. I like that the Swift does not break the sightline at all. I do not like having a tube on one side that means that if you wear the tube up, you cannot sleep on that side. I do not like the way the Breeze comes down the middle of the face but I do like the fact that it should allow you to sleep in any position other than face first into the pillow.

How do I choose between them? Have any of you tried both? Which did you like better, and why?

[elliejose]

I have the Swift. Only been on cpap for 5 months. Still a lot of wrinkles to iron out, but I like the Swift. I don't have any problem sleeping on either side or even my stomach.

I would like to have another mask to swap off occassionally, but don't know what that may be or when I may get it. Being able to read (wear glasses) with my mask on is important to me and I also cannot get any air through my nose if I have even the slightest bit of pressure on the bridge of my nose. Therefore I am not sure I have a whole lot of options.

[Newsgrouper]

I have the Swift and the Breeze. I find the Breeze more comfortable, quieter, and much more tolerant of my side sleeping and frequent tossing and turning. The Breeze has become my every nighter.

[WillSucceed]

I do not like having a tube on one side that means that if you wear the tube up, you cannot sleep on that side.

I have only ever used Swift with the tube up and, I do sleep on my side (both of them); no problem at all. Swift is a good mask, as is Breeze.

I don't regret having bought Snapp and I use it successfully. I think that Breeze is a best 'overall' choice as it is very adjustable and, once set correctly, very comfortable and easy to use.

Good luck with your choice!

[gracie97]

The two masks that you guys have been mentioning most are the Breeze and the Swift. I like that the Swift does not break the sightline at all. I do not like having a tube on one side that means that if you wear the tube up, you cannot sleep on that side.

Mike,

I started with the Breeze, fought with it for a month, and then gave up and started using a Swift two nights ago. Planning to try to Snapp next, despite the negative comments.

Breeze: Very comfortable, but I just couldn't get it stable throughout all positions. And so it slipped around, irritated my nose, blew air on my cheeks instead of up my nose, woke me with noise also when it slipped many times/night...

Swift: Not as comfortable -- don't like the feel of the somewhat prickly straps on my cheeks: it touches the face more. But it is a lot more stable for me. Last night I woke up 3/4 face down with my nose buried in the pillow, yet it was not leaking. Despite being noise sensitive, I don't mind the sound of it much (with earplugs) but find it is too noisy when even one or two of its exhaust ports are blocked by the pillow. And the stiff nasal pillows make my nose hurt (although not in the rubbed raw way the Breeze did).

The main reason I tried the Swift before the Snapp was concern about the elbow joints and tubing on each side of the Snapp. However, I learned from the Swift that that might not be an issue: Was surprised to find that I can sleep on the tube side of the Swift, so the smaller Snapp joints/tubes shouldn't be a problem for me (although some have complained about them).

Each interface seems to have its own problems, and I guess it boils down to determining which problems loom for you in particular, which can take a lot of trial and error. Good luck.

Grace

[yawn]

The Swift is my favorite interface and I am a side sleeper. The tubing doesn't interferre with side sleeping at all!!! I almost didn't try the Swift because I just couldn't understand how I would be able to sleep on my side if the tubing were there but you CAN...it doesn't get in the way at all. I'm still playing with the placement of the tubing...so far, it seems to work best (for me) if I point it upward. I sort of run it along the side of my face and then attach it to the top of the headgear. It is by far, the most comfortable interface for side sleeping and I've tried LOTS of masks. I'm not a Breeze lover or any interface that comes over my head like that...it's too much stuff for me. Would you DME allow you to try a Swift?
Amy

[Janelle]

5 weeks on the Breeze, spent most of every night adjusting it every which way. Never could get it to not touch my upper lip. Extreme pressure there, the headgear kept shifting from side to side no matter how tight I did the side straps, the nasal pillows kept leaking and shifting, even with the large. the hair down the middle of my head started breaking off the second day. I could hardly wait until my Swift arrived.

LOVE IT. As others, there is no problem sleeping on either side, and most especially if you have a near or real Temperpedic pillow, and if you use one of the mini-hose covers sold at Cpapwrap.com it is very soft and cozy if you lay on the hose. I resolved the strap marks which I got from laying on my side by substituting a remodeled cap made for masks for the headgear. My Swift is virtually silent but now is completely silent because I put a small piece of pistachio nut bag mesh in the barrel. I don't find the nasal pillows stiff at all. In fact I think they are much softer and pliable than the Breeze. The Swift pillows seem to expand once there is pressure in the interface, making a better seal, I never noticed this with the Breeze.

Another thing I didn't like about the Breeze was the direction of the exhaust vent which was straight out from my face. It blew directly on my husband. The vent for the Swift is at more of a downward angle, about 20 degrees maybe. doesn't bother hubby at all. Rested Gal complains the vent blows on her arm when she hugs her pillow. This doesn't bother me, because in the winter I have the heat on the humidifier up higher and it is kind of soothing. In the summer, I use a lower heat that is a bit cool and that is nice too, on a hot night. And if I didn't want to feel it at all, I could cover my arm with the sheet or put it under the pillow instead of on top.

it's time I can purchase another mask, but I haven't seen anything that comes up to the Swift. Would like the Comfort Curve if they work out the kinks and get it to work for side sleeping. I really like the idea of the type of nasal contact, as I feel it is probably less irritating than any other interface.

[gracie97]

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 the mini-hose covers sold at Cpapwrap.com it is very soft and cozy if you lay on the hose.

Janelle, nothing came up when I searched for that site.