Headgear issues

[fluteface]

So it would seem that I am adjusting adequately to my machine, mask, etc. I've been at it six weeks or so, and I seem to be on track about 75-80% of the time by my estimation. I've also been working on trying to see some humor in the whole situation, and have named 'him' Guthrie Tate. (Ya see, I only sleep with guys. )

Anyway, the one item that still makes me crazy, at least crazier than anything else, is headgear. Aaarrrggg!!! It all seems very slick, especially where the top portion goes around the back of my head, and then, fairly quickly, slips up in back as far as the lower piece will allow it to go. I have a fairly thick head of hair and I'm sure that contributes to the problem as well. In addition to the headgear that came with my nasal mask, I've also tried Respironics' deluxe headgear which, IMHO, has an infinitesimal edge over the original because I can put a couple of twists upwards in the lower portion of the gear.

So my question is, does anybody have any suggestions? What's out there that might work better for me? Are there modifications that I can make to the headgear that have worked for others? Does somebody make alternative solutions?

Thanks for any hints or directions you may point me.

[Mary Z]

I wear a knit cap on the crown of my head, actually it's just a small knit cap that fits only on the head, not down to the eyes and doesn't have to be rolled up. It keeps the straps in place on my head. Some people use a bandana (tie in front) or a do rag to achieve the same results.
Good luck

[nanwilson]

MORNING
If you put a bit of velcro (the scratchie bit) on the inside of the strap it will no longer slip. The velcro kind of sticks to your hair but doesn't stick so as to damage it. Velcro is a cpap patients friend, I always keep some on hand , never know when I will need it. I frequently just use the "dot" type, the dots just fit perfectly and your straps.
Good luck
N

[carbonman]

So my question is, does anybody have any suggestions?
Thanks for any hints or directions you may point me.[/color]

You may be able to adapt the Papcap Plus4 for that mask.
It is much more comfortable than neoprene.


http://www.pur-sleep.com/products/prodD ... rch=&page=

[ufo13]

fluteface:

If you check out this old post of mine ref. a fix for the back strap sliding up, this should bring it up----viewtopic.php?t=5965---Also look for rested-gals (Laura) great listing of helpful lab rat posts at viewtopic.php?t=15104, I believe! If you put it in the search box it should bring it up!

All the best,
Steve,
ufo13

[trike-mike]

I sometimes had this problem a bit in the first days of my still short time and solved some of it by making the lower straps significantly tighter than the upper so it tended to pull down rather than up. That might be worth a shot. Also, I've seen this headgear which is listed to work with your mask on our host site https://www.cpap.com/productpage/snuggl ... dgear.html I have looked at it for one of my masks purely from a comfort standpoint. Perhaps it would reach lower and cover a broader area to stop slipping up as well as a more textured surface with the fleece rather than neoprene to keep from slipping on your hair?

[billbolton]

Are there modifications that I can make to the headgear that have worked for others?

There are so many variables in terms of getting really good fitting headgear, that in my experience you need to work out what is going to work for you through trial and error.

With some surgical tape you can do a lot of experimenting in terms of where the various straps end up in relation to both each other, and your head shape and hair style etc. Once you've found something that works for you through experimenting with the tape to adjust the shape of the headgear, you can then look at what is going to be best to permanently hold the headgear in that shape.

Whatever you come up with, remember head gear does wear out and will need to be replaced, so your solution needs to be readily repeatable when your replace the head gear.

Cheers,

Bill