Hi Young 'Uns,
I'm 73 and would be truly enjoying life if it wasn't for those darn DME's. They make me feel like 100+. With Medicare I can't change providers, so I'm up the proverbial creek without a paddle.
Thank goodness for CPAP.COM. I've purchased a Goodknight 420E which I love plus a Swift mask, which is too wide for my face. I'm thinking of trying the Aura. I'm quite thin and have a narrow face. Do you think that would work?
Thanks for any input.
Taking an age poll....
klady,
Have a look at the SleepNet masks. All (I think) have gel interfaces and some way of changing the shape (bendable metal strip over the bridge, or an embedded wire) and are thus to some degree customizable.
Gosh, I'm beginning to sound like a SleepNet flak, aren't I? I'm not; just a very satisfied customer.
You might also consider the CPAP PRO, which is a type of nasal pillow that uses no headgear or face supports. Instead, it uses a heat-shaped part you hold bewteen your teeth.
I also considered the Respironics Simplicity, as I also had trouble getting conventional masks to fit my narrow-bridged nose and high-cheekboned face.
If you're a mouth-breather, you might even consider Fisher & Paykel's Oral.
Goof luck!
Have a look at the SleepNet masks. All (I think) have gel interfaces and some way of changing the shape (bendable metal strip over the bridge, or an embedded wire) and are thus to some degree customizable.
Gosh, I'm beginning to sound like a SleepNet flak, aren't I? I'm not; just a very satisfied customer.
You might also consider the CPAP PRO, which is a type of nasal pillow that uses no headgear or face supports. Instead, it uses a heat-shaped part you hold bewteen your teeth.
I also considered the Respironics Simplicity, as I also had trouble getting conventional masks to fit my narrow-bridged nose and high-cheekboned face.
If you're a mouth-breather, you might even consider Fisher & Paykel's Oral.
Goof luck!
GaryS
CPAP: Invacare Polaris EX with SoftX and EX Heated Humidifier (plus Polarfleece insulating sleeve for winter)
Nasal Mask: SleepNet Phantom with Phantom Strap and Respironics QuickClips
CPAP: Invacare Polaris EX with SoftX and EX Heated Humidifier (plus Polarfleece insulating sleeve for winter)
Nasal Mask: SleepNet Phantom with Phantom Strap and Respironics QuickClips
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Klady,
Congratulations on being 73 years young! Sounds like the CPAP is working well for you as you sound like a very energetic 73. Hope to be like that when/if I make it into my seventies. That's wonderful.
I am concerned if you say the Swift is too wide for you, that the Aura headgear may not fit you. Is there a way you can try it on to see, perhaps at the fabulous DME's office? I know mine doesn't carry it I guess because of the fact that it's made by Aeiomed, which I hear is a new company. Given time, they all should as it's a great interface.
I don't know how you feel about deconstructing and reconstructing one, but you could do that, like Rested Gal has done. That way you wouldn't have to worry about the headgear fitting you. But it would be something I might be concerned about. Maybe someone else who uses the Aura who has a not-too-wide head, too, will weigh in on this and help us out here. It's a great interface, especially for a side sleeper like me.
I wish you luck in finding the best mask for you. And I really hope it ends up being that the Aura is usable for you and you love it as much as I do.
Congratulations on being 73 years young! Sounds like the CPAP is working well for you as you sound like a very energetic 73. Hope to be like that when/if I make it into my seventies. That's wonderful.
I am concerned if you say the Swift is too wide for you, that the Aura headgear may not fit you. Is there a way you can try it on to see, perhaps at the fabulous DME's office? I know mine doesn't carry it I guess because of the fact that it's made by Aeiomed, which I hear is a new company. Given time, they all should as it's a great interface.
I don't know how you feel about deconstructing and reconstructing one, but you could do that, like Rested Gal has done. That way you wouldn't have to worry about the headgear fitting you. But it would be something I might be concerned about. Maybe someone else who uses the Aura who has a not-too-wide head, too, will weigh in on this and help us out here. It's a great interface, especially for a side sleeper like me.
I wish you luck in finding the best mask for you. And I really hope it ends up being that the Aura is usable for you and you love it as much as I do.
And I would NEVER recommend the Oracle. I have only met one person who has had success with it and I was one of the unsuccessful users. Gave me everything from TMJ to balloon lips every morning, not to mention nose puffs and sores in the mouth...please read the thread on the Oracle before you ever consider it. Garys, not a good interface, IMHO...If you're a mouth-breather, you might even consider Fisher & Paykel's Oral
Last edited by Sleepless on LI on Thu Sep 29, 2005 11:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
L o R i
LoRi,
I agree that oral masks for CPAP seem to be problematic. I've never tried one, but worried about dry mouth, scratchy throat, and the lip & jaw problems you encountered.
I assume that anyone in this discussion group will do plenty of online research (thanks to Google, it's easy!) before buying anything. Something as important to health and well-being as CPAP deserves suich careful consideration before falling for the promotional hype from the manufacturers--and the providers (including sleep labs as well as medical-appliance dealers) who only stock a few brands and don't want to be bothered with special-ordering.
This discussion group is an incredibly valuable aid for apnea sufferers trying to find their way through the commercial thicket of machines and--especially--masks, nasal pillows, and other interfaces. The product stream seems to be in full flood, and we are all pretty much beta-testers.
I agree that oral masks for CPAP seem to be problematic. I've never tried one, but worried about dry mouth, scratchy throat, and the lip & jaw problems you encountered.
I assume that anyone in this discussion group will do plenty of online research (thanks to Google, it's easy!) before buying anything. Something as important to health and well-being as CPAP deserves suich careful consideration before falling for the promotional hype from the manufacturers--and the providers (including sleep labs as well as medical-appliance dealers) who only stock a few brands and don't want to be bothered with special-ordering.
This discussion group is an incredibly valuable aid for apnea sufferers trying to find their way through the commercial thicket of machines and--especially--masks, nasal pillows, and other interfaces. The product stream seems to be in full flood, and we are all pretty much beta-testers.
GaryS
CPAP: Invacare Polaris EX with SoftX and EX Heated Humidifier (plus Polarfleece insulating sleeve for winter)
Nasal Mask: SleepNet Phantom with Phantom Strap and Respironics QuickClips
CPAP: Invacare Polaris EX with SoftX and EX Heated Humidifier (plus Polarfleece insulating sleeve for winter)
Nasal Mask: SleepNet Phantom with Phantom Strap and Respironics QuickClips
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Gary,
I truly believe this site is irreplaceable. I am so grateful to have found it right when I was starting on therapy. It's been my salvation. That is why I am trying to give back whatever I can to those who now need help.
I did write a whole thread, especially recently to dkeats (David) when he was using the Oracle, all about the problems I had with it. And, like I said, only one person that I know of, an RT at my DME's office, is successfully using it. It was a nightmare for me, although, like is always said, what works. or doesn't work. for someone maybe work or not work for someone else. It's such an individual thing when it comes to masks.
I truly believe this site is irreplaceable. I am so grateful to have found it right when I was starting on therapy. It's been my salvation. That is why I am trying to give back whatever I can to those who now need help.
I did write a whole thread, especially recently to dkeats (David) when he was using the Oracle, all about the problems I had with it. And, like I said, only one person that I know of, an RT at my DME's office, is successfully using it. It was a nightmare for me, although, like is always said, what works. or doesn't work. for someone maybe work or not work for someone else. It's such an individual thing when it comes to masks.
L o R i
Ok.....I'll start out with age to keep the thread in line with the subject.
I'm 63, female.
Linda, I see you are using the Resmed S7, with the humidifier. Are you happy with it? I like the full mask, but still my mouth, nose and throat get really dry. I really need to consider a humidifier.
Oh, did I say I'm 63?
I'm 63, female.
Linda, I see you are using the Resmed S7, with the humidifier. Are you happy with it? I like the full mask, but still my mouth, nose and throat get really dry. I really need to consider a humidifier.
Oh, did I say I'm 63?
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
rainee, while the ResMed S7 machines themselves are fine, the integrated humidifier that went with them (Humidaire 2i) may not put out as much heated humidification even at its highest setting as other brands' humidifiers do.
I've read some complaints about the Humidaire 2i, and when I used it with a ResMed Spirit auto, that's what I found too... at the highest heat setting, it didn't produce anywhere near the amount of humidification that I was used to getting at even below the middle heat setting of my Fisher and Paykel HC 150 humidifier (a separate humidifier - the one I prefer) or Respironic's integrated humidifier.
In fact, some people were going back to their old original Humidaire which seemed to work better than the newer Humidaire 2i. I don't know how well the even newer 3i works...the one that goes with the S8 machines.
If a person didn't need much humidification, then a 2i cranked up high might do, but if you need quite a bit (and you probably do, with a FF mask), you might want to think twice about ordering a Humidaire 2i for an S7 machine. I think you'd be better off getting the F&P HC 150 separate one, to attach with a short hose to your machine. Or perhaps try to find one of the original Humidaires. I've also read good reports about the DeVillbiss separate heated humidifier, but have never use that one.
I've read some complaints about the Humidaire 2i, and when I used it with a ResMed Spirit auto, that's what I found too... at the highest heat setting, it didn't produce anywhere near the amount of humidification that I was used to getting at even below the middle heat setting of my Fisher and Paykel HC 150 humidifier (a separate humidifier - the one I prefer) or Respironic's integrated humidifier.
In fact, some people were going back to their old original Humidaire which seemed to work better than the newer Humidaire 2i. I don't know how well the even newer 3i works...the one that goes with the S8 machines.
If a person didn't need much humidification, then a 2i cranked up high might do, but if you need quite a bit (and you probably do, with a FF mask), you might want to think twice about ordering a Humidaire 2i for an S7 machine. I think you'd be better off getting the F&P HC 150 separate one, to attach with a short hose to your machine. Or perhaps try to find one of the original Humidaires. I've also read good reports about the DeVillbiss separate heated humidifier, but have never use that one.
I'm still 63.
Rested Gal, there's a lot I have to learn. Financially, I have to find a humidifier that will go with my machine. I can't afford another one
You mentioned the F&P HC 150. Do you have to buy two parts to that one? Will that one work with my machine?
You are such a cool group here. Everyone is so helpful. Thanks a lot.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier
Rested Gal, there's a lot I have to learn. Financially, I have to find a humidifier that will go with my machine. I can't afford another one
You mentioned the F&P HC 150. Do you have to buy two parts to that one? Will that one work with my machine?
You are such a cool group here. Everyone is so helpful. Thanks a lot.
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier
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Last edited by rainee on Thu Sep 29, 2005 8:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
rested gal...that must be the humidifier I am using.....could that be why I still have some dryness in the morning? It's the only one I ever used so I wouldn't know. I have mine set at 3, but if I set it any higher I get moisture in my mask...what do you think?
Oh yea....this is suppose to be about age...LOL
Oh yea....this is suppose to be about age...LOL
Last edited by lindas88 on Thu Sep 29, 2005 8:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
*** Linda ***
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MissAmethyst2U
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catchin_zzzs
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