Nasal Aire II modifications?

[gracie97]

Can the Nasal Aire be modified so that the tubes run up to the top of one's head instead of around it?

From picture it looks quite possible -- just add another strap across the top of head and direct the tubes upward by fixing them to it?

Was told my sleep doctor DOES NOT recommend the Nasal Aire because when tested at his clinic, it did not deliver even pressure as the narrow tubes squished under the weight of patients' heads. Does that happen?

(I'm ever willing and even eager to ignore his position, of course.)

Am wondering if the great length of the narrow tubes may be a problem, especially with APAP. So thinking that if it could be worn over head, perhaps one could also shorten the narrow tubes -- just cut them off and reinsert new ends into the connector?

Grace

[Flower51]

I've got an apap and have used Nasal Aire II from the beginning. I feel good and don't have any problems that I'm aware of anyway! Don't have data backing it up since rt hasn't read the smart card, but just going on how I feel and how my health has improved.

Some dmes I've spoken too have told me that if I personally don't exp problems w/it, don't worry about the cautions re autos and NAs. Terry

[snork1]

Get a tempurpedic type pillow to "absorb" the hoses and avoid the problem of crushing the hoses.

NAII works just fine with an auto, in my experience. Many people use the NAII with many machines.

Alas I was not able to use NAII due to sizing issues.

When the NAII works for a person, it works very well.

[gracie97]

I've got an apap and have used Nasal Aire II from the beginning.

Flower51, since you have one, could you please tell me if it seems like the NAII hoses could be directed up over the head, e.g. are they pliable enough to train that way?

And does it look like there would be any barrier to shortening the long narrow hoses if one did that?

Even if it doesn't cause problems with an auto, I think I'd prefer it if those modifications might work. Just don't like the idea of the hose going downward. Would feel more comfortable about getting one if there were such flexibility.

Grace

[MartiniLover]

I also use one, (my favorite of five masks) and just wanted to jump in.

I think your doctor is all wet.

I used a regular pillow and never had a problem. The tubing is stiff enough to not collapse. Last several months I have used one of the molding pillows, and like that. I don't think it matters.

The ends can not be cut as they are molded to a little larger size to accept the nasal prongs. This kind of precludes any shorting, etc.

Just a side note, the head band that comes with it is not needed. Several people wrote about taking it off and I tried taking it off and now never wear it. Stick the prongs in your nose, wind the tubes up over your ears, and put the band on the back and it is a go. Easy on, Easy off.

[Flower51]

lHi Snork! Did you try sizing w/the nasal sizer innfomed provides? If you ask for one, they'll send it to you. They mailed me one for free. My rt only carries sm/med/lg but there are other inbetween choices available too! If you want to talk about your exp and what problem you had, be specific and I'll see if I have any exp that may be helpful...I did have my rt come back to try other sizes on me after the small was such a loud WHOOSH! Now I'm happy happy happy and breathing easy. Most nights I don't even use ky gel anymore! Terry

[snork1]

lHi Snork! Did you try sizing w/the nasal sizer innfomed provides? If you ask for one, they'll send it to you. They mailed me one for free. My rt only carries sm/med/lg but there are other inbetween choices available too! If you want to talk about your exp and what problem you had, be specific and I'll see if I have any exp that may be helpful...I did have my rt come back to try other sizes on me after the small was such a loud WHOOSH! Now I'm happy happy happy and breathing easy. Most nights I don't even use ky gel anymore! Terry

Back when I was buying NAII, they only sent one size with each unit and you had to specially request other sizes. They didn't give out the sizer to other than DME's and my DME wouldn't carry NAII or Freestyle (even when Innomed offered it to them as a free sample).

But with the NAII the medium-plus leaked and the large gave me pressure sores (even with lube).

I also discovered the Freestyle is a MAJOR difference in size from the NAII. I had assumed I could use the same size in both since they came from the same company. Wrong assumption on my part. I think I wore out their patience in asking for sizes before I found the correct size in the Freestyle, or else its the most uncomfortable interface of ANY (for ME). I felt like the Freestyle was a trying to sand down my nose hairs by doing the hula every time I moved and was in PAIN after only part of the night. I tried a large and medium-plus (I think) in the Freestyle and gave up before I could stretch my luck and get a medium. Plus they said they were going to retool to make it quieter since I had it while it still sounded like a jet engine, and I never heard if they really got it quieted down. They were going to let me know when the retooling finally happened. I never heard any followup and by then the Swift was out and seems to be working OK for me, if I rotate it with the Activa.

Thats my long and winding Innomed story.

If the NAII fits your PERFECTLY , it can be an EXCELLENT interface. I wish they would come out with a REALLY soft part for the tip inside the nose that would balloon out and fit a wider range of people. A material like that used on the comfortlite interfaces, but with the NAII design.

[Flower51]

I don't know about over the head use....Tonight when I go to bed I'll expermiment with it for you and let you know! I did see a picture where the headband was used in a way that had the hose draped under the nose, over the ears and BEHIND the back. I never thought of putting the hose over my head. The way it is now, its so easy to turn in any direction and sleep w/out having to make any major adjustments in how I normally would sleep (which is just about everyway but standing on my head) that I like it just as it is. I'll report back when I've done my experiment! BTW I think MartiniL is right about not being a good idea to cut it because of the shape of the hose ends. Some on this board are pretty good at cut and duct taping etc.....though and much braver than I so don't throw out the idea until you've bounced it off of them (for ex rested gal). Terry