Need Feedback on Nasal Aire II Nasal Prong Mask

[remstarcpap]

Hi,

Can anyone who a) uses a Nasal Aire II and b) doesn't sell them give me feedback on how they like it?

I've recently become a side sleeper, and my old trusty OptiLife Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear sucks for side sleeping as the plastic frame pushes into my face. My Swift LT is a little better, but still not really great, and I never much liked it anyway.

So I'm looking for a mask that has minimal stuff on the face, and works well for side sleeping. I'm open to other suggestions. I want a nasal pillow or nasal prong mask.

I'd also like a mask where the venting isn't straight ahead, as that bugs my sweetie when I cuddle up to her blowing air.

Thanks for any advice or feedback you can give me. I did a search, but most of the posts on this mask were from someone who clearly has a conflict of interest in that they sell and support the mask. I'd like an objective position.

Questions:
How noisy is the mask?
Can you side sleep on the hoses?
Where's the vent?
How does it hold up?

thanks!!!

[Uncle_Bob]

Its the worse mask I've tried. I never slept a full night with it as I found it impossible to sleep on my side.

[remstarcpap]

why was it so hard to sleep on the side?

[Hawthorne]

I used it briefly but the tubing pressed on a nerve or something on the side of my face and I could not shift it so I just quit using it.

[Kiralynx]

I tried the Nasal Aire II, and it did not work for me as my nares are too narrow. I also did not care for the noise of the hose running alongside my face.

However, there are people who swear it is the best mask they have ever had. Look for posts by Babette -- she runs a Nasal Aire II free mask trial which is excellent. You get sent a mask. Disinfect it. Try it for a week or so. Disinfect it again, and then send it on to the next person on the list.

That way, you can try a mask before you buy it.

[remstarcpap]

Yeah, no offense to Babette, who sounds like a lovely person from her posts, but she's hardly an objective user. That's why I'd like other feedback from those who don't sell the mask, and who side sleep with it.

So far it sounds like side sleeping might be tough with the NAII.

Can anyone recommend a good mask for side sleeping?

[6PtStar]

I have used the NAII since 7/2007 and I love it. I will admit it is not an easy mask to get used to. I sleep on my side completely. A soft pillow helps because the hoses can sink into the pillow and I do not feel them at all. If you use a hard pillow it is like trying to sleep with a pencil stuck behinfd your ear. I can understand how if you have a sensitive nerve above your ear it could be a real problem. Also if your nares are not the same size it will not work very well. I love the fact that it does not use any straps that I have to adjust every night. I use the headband that comes with it except I do not use the strap over the top of the head or the tie behind the head. Just slip the band over the head, put in the prongs and pull the hoses snug. The leak rate is really great. The air blows the prongs out and they seal completely. When people first start there is often some tinderness to the nares but if you stick with it the nares toughen up and the soreness goes away. Like any mask there are as many that like it as there are that hate it. The NAII seems to be one of those masks that you eather love or hate, very little in between.

Because it is a hard mask to get used to is the main reason Babette does her NAII Test Drive. She is not on Innomed's payroll. She pays the same price for a mask as the rest of us do. She is trying to keep people form spending money on something they can't use. Many that have tried it have stuck with it and it has become their mask of choice. Just as many have said NO WAY!! My sleep lab gave me my first one because I was using a FFM and wanted to try a nasal mask to see if I could keep my mouth shut. When I got it I took one look at it and also said there is no way I am going to be able to use this thing. I was expecting a small over the nose mask. It sat on my desk for two weeks before I decided to try it for a short nap, woke up 2 hours later with a lower AHI than I had ever had. It is not for everyone but if it works for you it is a great mask.

I don't sell it eather, in fact I have gotten so that I don't push it and don't try to convence others to use it unless the ask for my opinion.

Jerry

[junie]

I just purchased this mask hoping I can wear it well not yet I'm pulling it right off It hurts my temples This mask looks so allosome
that I wanted it, Every night I will give this mask a try, Good luck with your try. I've been wearing the swift LT, I just bought a new
one But I'm having so much trouble with the headgear I never did before.

[kokefishman]

This mask takes getting used to but once you do it is awesome. Here are some hints: I use a little KY jelly on the prongs before they go up the nostrils. feels gross but it makes it more comfortable. I have moved the velcro holder very far forward on the headband so the two hoses run very close to the outer sides of my eyes. I secure the two hoses near the apex of my head and then run the main hose behind me. The trick is securing the two hoses tighly with the velcro pieces on the headband and then adjusting the tension so the prongs stay up in your nose securely. After I perfected this there is nothing touching my face at all except inside my nose. That feels disconcerting at first but after a few minutes your nostrils seem to forgive the insult and you can't even feel the prongs. This is the only mask I can use without also using nose breath rite nasal strips. The prongs really seem to open up stuffy noses. It is a pain to put on sometimes but after a few weeks you will have it mastered. Also, I find that I need the humidifier set one notch higher with his mask. Other than that, good luck.

[raggedykat]

Okay, I was all ready to go for all this. Now I read where I might be putting KY jelly up my nose. Now I am back to square one.

[kokefishman]

Cracking up here....OK the KY jelly is not required just my invention.

[nomoore]

I am a side sleeper and currently use this mask. I have no problem sleeping on the tube. I have a memory foam pillow though so that may help. I use the headband and route the tubes right in front of my ears and above my head. Then I use the velcro to bring the tubes together above my head to help secure it. Looking in the mirror the shape the tubes make is a wishbone when holding the tubing straight up above my head. When I first started I had trouble sleeping on the tubes where they are held in place by the headband. I only had to re-adjust the location of the tubing holders on the band and the problem was fixed. The only problem I have is that I have allergies and so my nose is always at least a little moist and I get a minor leak. If I take zyrtec I don't have this problem.

Oh, and I had to get used to this mask at first. The first time I tried it it caused my nose to get raw in a couple of hours. I had to switch back to my other mask in the middle of the night. Once it healed I tried it again with some ayre gel and was able to use it longer. I let it heal again and then was able to use it a whole night. I let it heal again and haven't had anymore problems. I have since stopped using the ayre gel.

[nomoore]

As for the noise level it can be noisy sometimes, especially if you don't dry it out well when you wash it. I grab one end of the prong set where the hose connects and flap/shake it around for a minute or two until most of the drops of water are gone.

The vent holes aim downward when being worn. I have to be careful not to block one of them off if I snuggle down to my pillow too hard. Plus they make a LOT of noise if they are blowing on something.

[ivory]

I've used the nasal aire II for the past three months or so and I love it. I've tried a couple of different configurations, but now wear it without headgear. I roll in my sleep (and sleep on my back, sides and stomach) so it's much better for me than other masks that would restrict my sleeping positions. The only way you can't really sleep with it is your face completely pressed against the bed/pillow because you'll block the vents.

The trick for me was getting used to it the first couple of weeks it did irritate my nose. I used saline gel and that helped. After a week or two the irritation just went away. Also, I ended up wearing a larger size nasal prong than I initially thought (went from xs to s) - it should be very snug! I also made some simple cotton sleeves that fit over the tubing because I can't wear rubber/silicone next to my skin.

If you give it a try, commit to using it for a couple of weeks before making a decision and try the different configurations to find the one that works for you.

[Issac]

Nasal Aire never gave me a problem sidesleeping. heck, you can wear it 101 ways.