New Mask Suggestions for Stomach Sleeper

[Spuddlethud]

I've been using a CPAP for around 10 years now. I've had pretty good luck overall, but I'm getting antsy for something a bit different.

I started with a ComfortGel nasal mask initially and did pretty well with it, but ran into a lot of problems with sore spots on my nose and especially on my forehead where the single pad once was. The reason for it was clear as I had to put the mask on ridiculously tight to get a good seal.

After that I wentto the ComfortLite II prong system. I tried both the standard nasal prongs and the direct seal. I had better luck with the direct seal, but both tended to leak a bit (especially when rolling over) and needed to be adjusted almost every night. I tried the full nasal attachment that my wife had and while it was comfortable before the machine kicked on, it flapped like a skirt in the wind when the pressure kicked in so I could never really use it.

Currently I'm using the Breeze which gives me a pretty good seal and allows me to sleep on my stomach without any real issues. The problem though is that every time I change the nose pieces, I get wicked sores in my nares. Once I get past that it works well, but the sores kill me. I also tend to have problems with hose management even with a hose hook to keep things out of the way. The main reason is that the hose has no swivel point.

Anyhow, I'm currently looking at some possible replacements and wanted to get more feedback. Here are the top candidates right now:

Mirage Activa LT - this looks like a good possibility, but I'm concerned about getting an imprint on my forehead again. I'm also worried about maintaining a good seal obviously. I managed on my stomach pretty well with the ComfortGel a while back so I think I'll be ok in that regard here.

Mirage Swift LT - It seems everyone loves this mask, including side sleepers, but I just don't see how that's possible. With those side "rails" on the cheeks, how can that not cause problems? While on my stomach my head is hanging off the edge of the pillow with my cheek pretty much on the pillow. I would think that would just cause one heck of an indention.

Breeze w/DreamSeal - I like the Breeze head gear for the most part, though I need a swivel to handle the hose. I'm thinking about this route because it might take the burden off my nares a bit. However, based on the experience I had with the full nasal attachment on the CL2, I wonder what that will work like.

Here are some details I imagine you will need:

My pressure is set to 10 on the machine listed in my profile. I initially go to bed on my back but spend the majority of the night on my stomach on both the left or right side of my face on the edge of the pillow. I currently run a leak rate of around 27 and my AHI is a 0.7. So obviously things are working as they should, but I just wonder if I could be more comfortable.

A couple of additional notes: When I initially went to the nose prong-ish versions of the mask I was waking up with enormous gas issues (nothing like a trumpet solo in the morning!). My doc lowered me from a 12 to 10 to accommodate that which did work. The only problem is that I haven't done a titration in a while so I might be at too low a number. (Though I did recently loose a fair amount of weight which probably means I'm in line.) Anyhow, I said that to say this...I think I'm having problems with CO2 on the Breeze. It just seems sometimes that I'm not getting as much good air as I should be and I wonder if the Breeze isn't venting as much as it should.

Anyhow, that should about cover it. I'm really anxious to hear any feedback you guys might have. I've searched the forums and read comments all over the products I'm looking at, but the opinions tend to be all over the place. Just curious if anyone might be able to directly relate their experiences to me.

Oh, one last thing. I don't have a DME that is set up for me to try on all of these masks locally. Basically I'm going to have to pick one and order it and see what happens. 6 months later I'd be able to try another. I'll still have my existing gear if the new one doesn't work out, but you know how that can go.

Again, thanks for any help you can offer!

[Pugsy]

Mirage Swift LT - It seems everyone loves this mask, including side sleepers, but I just don't see how that's possible. With those side "rails" on the cheeks, how can that not cause problems? While on my stomach my head is hanging off the edge of the pillow with my cheek pretty much on the pillow. I would think that would just cause one heck of an indention.

The "marks" are minimal without the available pads from padacheek or similar homemade fleece. With pads they are pretty much nonexistent. The side pieces aren't really uncomfortable at all. The Opus 360 is similar and I made my own little fleece pads to prevent the marks on my cheeks. I end up with my face in the pillow much as you describe. Dents in my cheeks and faces have been minimal to nothing and I really don't notice the side pieces while sleeping. Of the masks you mentioned, these are the only ones I have used so I cannot offer my thoughts on anything else. Oh, except the Nasal Air II prongs, even less on the face but a bit more unstable for me because I didn't use it with the headgear supplied.

[momof2inmn]

Re: Swift LT
1. I have the Swift LT for Her and it comes with soft, fleece coverings for the parts that touch your face. I don’t know if there is a difference in the size of the headgear itself or if it’s just a softer color for women, but maybe someone online could tell you if it is likely to fit a male. I would think with the velcro adjustments it could fit just about anyone and it’s color is light blue camo so it’s not too girly if that bothers you. The LT/Her is VERY comfortable and I haven’t had a mark on my face since I started using it. It comes with XS, S, and M size pillows but I think it fits the L and XL sizes, too. The other suggestion would be to see if you can find the coverings on an auction.

2. I am a side sleeper with occasional nights on my stomach and I always had problems with my masks pushing into my face and losing the seal. After much consideration I bought a PurSleep Regenesis pillow about a month ago and it works great! I never have my seal broken and I never have to adjust the pillow no matter how many times I turn from side to side in the night. I thought I would have to shift the buckwheat hulls around but it does it all by itself and makes a space for my mask too, so I don’t have to sleep with half my face hanging off the pillow anymore. I thought I would have problems on the nights I need to sleep on my stomach (helps my RLS) but that worked out fine, too.

I LOVE the combination of my LT/Her and my Regenesis. They make it easy for me to deal with wearing a mask at night. I think that having the choice of several different sizes of nose pillows is really important too. It took me a while but I finally found the right size for me and now there is no struggle with the nose pillows anymore either. Just slip it on and off to sleep I go.

[lovecollies]

I am a stomach sleeper, and I use the Swift LT. I also use the padacheeks, so no marks on my face. I did have marks, though, before I got padacheeks. I really like this mask. And I have zero leaks using it, which is also great.

I have not tried the others that you mentioned, so cannot comment on those. Hope that helps you to decide.

[GaryG]

I actually liked the Activa, and don't remember any marks with it. But as a mouth breather it isn't a perfect mask for me. I found it very comfortable, very easy to adjust, and liked the way the mask "moved" with me when I turned over from side to back to side. This is referred to as "ActiveCell Technology" which is supposed to allow for movement with less mask leakage. Others on this forum have had great results with the Swift LT.

As far as the nose sores, I strongly recommend Ayr saline nasal gel. This will relieve the soreness, and for nasal mask users, it helps to apply before bedtime. Here's a link to it on CVS, but its available at any drugstore, or at the usual places on the web.
http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_ ... navCount=3

You might want to try this product anyway while you're using your current mask or if you switch to another nasal mask. (I do not get a commission for this. I actually liked the product when I was experimenting with nasal masks.)

[Spuddlethud]

I've actually been using the Ayr since I first started using the prong style masks. I put it on every night before I put on the mask. It helps with the seal and alleviates some of the issues with the sores, but it's not a 100% solution. The biggest problem is when I get new pillows which are a little stiff for the first few nights. I think part of the problem as well is that the pillows for the Breeze have seams on the top which doesn't help much.

The ActiveCell Technology of the Activa just sounds so "marketing sales gimmick" to me. I guess the only way I'd know is to try it.

The Swift LT is clearly a dominating presence on these boards. I hope to hear more from folks that have tried some of mine and switched to the Swift.

I understand what everyone is saying about the pads, but man...those rails just won't stop jumping out at me in all the images. Padded or not, it just seems like they'd be a problem.

[JZ]

The Swift LT is clearly a dominating presence on these boards. I hope to hear more from folks that have tried some of mine and switched to the Swift.

I understand what everyone is saying about the pads, but man...those rails just won't stop jumping out at me in all the images. Padded or not, it just seems like they'd be a problem.

Dude -- get some help for that rail paranoia.

I don't sleep much on my stomach, but am almost always on my side, often with my cheek half on and half off the pillow. I started using the Swift LT with nude rails, which left slight indentations that disappeared quickly. Once I dressed the rails in padacheek covers there were no indentations at all. The rails are not uncomfortable.

JZ

[Spuddlethud]

At this point it looks like I'm probably going to go with the Activa LT.

The Breeze with DreamSeal doesn't get very good reviews, and I think I want to get away from that large back plate for when I do sleep on my back.

The Swift LT still looks like a possibility if I were to continue with the nasal pillow route. I just remember though that when I had the Profile Lite (not the ComfortGel as I originally thought) I tended to feel much more rested. I gave up on it though because it put a lovely indention in my forehead. That, and the fact that I didn't have good insurance at the time so I couldn't replace it often. I managed to get one to last almost a year, but it was a pretty bumpy ride.

Considering all of that, I think a full nasal might be best for me. Something about a full nasal was allowing me to sleep better than with either of the nose pillow systems I've tried. Not really sure why exactly, but results are results.

I'm hoping my DME will be able to work with me in getting a fitting so I can make sure I get sized properly from the onset.

[nosbig17]

In my opinion the Active Cell technology is NOT a sales gimmick. Have used the Mirage Activa since it first came out. Early on I modifies two of them by installing the swivels onto the elbows. Another improvement was using a cuffless hose in place of the inlet tube assembly. My reasoning is that the less weight and bulk connected to most interfaces helps them work better. For me at least a 7cm pressure is needed to keep the mask from pulsing (moving in and out) during respiration. With a clean face and cushion, low pressure set at 8cm and loose straps, I enjoy a large range of movement with few leaks. The Activa LT exhausts straight out instead of down alongside the hose, also when you start to have rain-out it will alert you with a slight whistle. The beautiful thing about the Active Cell technology is that it works best when worn loosely, and provides a lot of latitude for movement. The Activa is by no means the perfect interface, I'm still looking for that one, but it is the mask that I use most.

Cuffless Hose (Quest Style)

Tiera TSB-6Q
Roscoe SBT-LW6
Respironics 532316

[alicerobert]

hi ... my dad is a asthma patient. is this new mask will be better for him or not???

[chunkyfrog]

Please note dates of other posts on this thread are over four years ago.
Many more popular masks are available now.
You may check cpap.com. All but the very newest masks show reader reviews.
Circadiance fabric masks are very nice for stomach sleepers, but many other masks have been worn in the prone position.