Newbie needs nose mask selection help

strobotach · Post by **strobotach** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:41 am

This is the first time buy of cpap equipment for me.
I'm buying Respironics Remstar Auto w/ C-Flex & heated humidifier.
I'm buying software & reader.
From the sleep study, I spent 4+ hours with nasal mask & do not feel I will
need a full mask. My pressure setting is 9 cm/H2O and felt like I needed
heated humidity due to previous sinus congestion & allergies.

I could use some help with mask selection...

I have a 1/4" length beard and moustache.
My wife and I both took measurements and plugged them into cpap.com.
The measurements seemed to put me into borderline sizes.
Length=1 7/8"
Diagonal= 1 7/8"
Width= 1 5/8"
Depth= 7/8"
Full face= 3 3/4"
round nares, male

I was also trying to avoid headgear that had buckles, etc on the sides
since I sleep on my side and didn't want them digging in to my temples.

I'm considering Repironics Comfort Gel Medium...

Any help you provide me in selection would be much appreciated!!
Thanks! John

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:49 am

Are you actually "buying your reader and software"??????

You can get it all for $30.80

If you are interested:

http://www.2factors.com/index.php?sp=&p ... s=&lang=en

All the software that we Respironics people use is free. I or someone can give you all the info. Just say if you are interested or not.

Mask: The Aura Headrest is wonderful for side sleepers. Or do a search on this forum, it's full of info. Search before you purchase.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:42 pm

There are a lot of good masks on the market.

The one thing you must get is the correct measurement and a proper fitting mask.

You have to remember not all masks work for everyone. This is almost a trial and error situation.

I have found that the Hans Rudolph full face mask works best for me.

You have to get in touch with Hans Rudolph corporation to get the caliper and measure your face then call the company back to make sure you get the correct mask.

I am finding out that the Medium for Hans Rudolph is a large, our small is the same as someone elses Medium, and the Extra-Small is the same as Small for other brands.

I know Kelly Rudolph has posted on this forum she works for the Hans Rudolph corporation.

jawz · Post by **jawz** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:25 pm

Hi John, welcome.

1. Good choice on CPAP, very popular unit. I have same.

2. I'm on my 4th different mask, and like you, am fairly new to the world of CPAP. I finally found a mask I can tolerate. Granted, I have slept with other masks for months, but the Aura has truly been a dream. If I have to sleep with something straped on my head and face, then the Aura (aka Everest) gets my vote.

3. I followed that link to the $30 reader. Wish I did my research before I ordered the $200 reader / Encore software package. Oh well. I don't think they have shipped it, so maybe I can cancel my order. Not sure where to get the free software, but I did find some free software on cpaptalk.com, but it said that you needed Encore to use it.

Where can you get the free software? Anyone?

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:48 pm

If you have nasal congestion, you may well find many occasions when you just can't get started with a nasal mask.

Also if you have a beard I would like to suggest you also purchase a Breeze or Aura nasal pillows mask.

I have occasional problems with congestion and ended up with a f/f mask but recently switched to a Breeze I had previously shelved. Have been using it for 5 nights now & like it better every night.

It seems to blow its way past any congestion. On 2 nights I was aware that one side of my nose seemed congested but had no trouble breathing via the other side.

The thing I am enjoying most is not having to strap the f/f mask on as at 15cms I have to make it tight (since using the breeze have dropped back to 14).

Cheers

DSM

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): breeze, Aura

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:09 pm

Here's the Free info you need:

These are the steps my husband and I recently went through to install Encore Pro and MyEncore. This has been written several times, but after we fumbled around and uninstalled and reinstalled many times, we finally got it down pat. Plus, we even managed to get it installed on 2 computers.

We have Windows XP (pro and home editions):

You can purchase a reader for $30.80 (includes shipping from Hong Kong to the USA). I used a credit card, some pay via Paypal. It takes about 8 to 10 days to get to the USA. This is the one I purchased for a desktop:

http://www.2factors.com/index.php?sp=&p ... s=&lang=en

Do NOT use the CD that comes with the reader. You will get a driver from the 2factors site (see below).

1. Download and install the free Respironics software from the respironics site below. For a new installation use Encore Pro version 1.5i (this installs both the software and MSSQL server).

http://software.respironics.com/cgi-bin ... ge=[Encore]

2. Run the 2factors DT3500 for a USB desktop “sliding and portal” (that’s what we needed for the reader we bought). You want the “installers for Encore Pro” at the bottom of the screen. Do Not Use the CD that came with the reader… Go to this site to run the driver:

http://www.2factors.com/index.php?sp=&p ... s=&lang=en

3. Next you want to run the “setup.exe” driver file from “Sleepymans” website. You access it thru this forum and this is the page you will find it on: Just click on it and say RUN:

viewtopic.php?p=58727&highlight=free+do ... nics#58727

4. Last, you download and install MyEncore Ver. 15b7 from here:

viewtopic.php?t=6057&highlight=

Anyway, hope that helps to get you started off right. If anyone sees any additions or corrections, please let me know and I will update this and post it every so often.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:29 pm

strobotach wrote:I could use some help with mask selection...

I'm considering Repironics Comfort Gel Medium...

The Respironics masks seem to get the worst reviews. I'd recommend you look at the ResMed line. Here are some links you can click on:

ResMed Mirage Activa Mask

ResMed Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows System

Also might want to consider: Puritan Bennett Breeze

jawz · Post by **jawz** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:51 pm

Cancelled my $200 order for Encore. Downloaded it for free and installed it. Took a little figuring out, as there was some database intallation that had to be done first. But got it working and most importantly, it was FREE. That was a close call, almost threw away perfectly good money. Now I have that money for future mask experiments.

Now I just need to order my Card Reader.

Thanks to Linda for the info about the free software and the inexpensive card reader.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:02 pm

You're welcome Jawz. We're all here to help and support each other.

You're it - Pass it on.

Newbie needs nose mask selection help

Newbie needs nose mask selection help

Aura - My Favorite Mask

Re: Newbie needs nose mask selection help

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