More on Masks

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 9:06 am

(Yes, that's More On Masks, not Moron Masks)

So far, I've yet to sleep at all well. I've been using a ResMed Ultra Mirage FF mask.

I would like to try the ResMed Mirage Swift nasal pillows, but apparently no one in the area has it in stock (neither the sleep clinic, nor my medical equipment company, and I don't want to get into buying mask after mask, I'd rather trial them until I find one that's right).

Instead, they've got me trying the comfort-lite (after trying on Nasal Aire-II, which I didn't much like).

But, while I was there, the woman told me about something called CPAP Pro. (http://www.cpappro.com). It's apparently a nasal-cushion contraption connected to a mouth-guard type thing. The mouth guard helps keep you from mouth-breathing (thus eliminating the need for a chin strap), as well as keeping the thing in place as you toss and turn, because there are no head straps to pull left and right.

Half of me thinks this sounds like a great design, the other half thinks that I'd hate it. I just can't decide. So, anyone have any experience with this thing?

--Liam

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 9:16 am

I've seen the ad for this device, but have not tried it. I'm very interested to know what others think of it.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 9:46 am

Sounds like a great idea if the weight of the interface and the hose don't cause your teeth to shift. Some people have reported shifting teeth from the pressure a a nasal mask on their upper lip. I'm sure if that's the case they would see shifting from the cpappro interface.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:54 pm

I don't understand how the CPAP pro can stop mouth breathing since it only attaches to the top teeth. This leaves the bottom jaw free to open for mouth breathing. I do not see any way that this device will keep the mouth closed.

Johnb

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:18 pm

Well, I'm getting conflicting information from my research.

(OK, "research" is a stretch. From my few searches on Google.)

Basically, of those who have tried it, about half think it's cheap, cheesy, and completely NOT worth the price. At least one person said the hoses leaked after less than a month.

The other half think it's a godsend, they love it, have never been able to abide any prior attempts at masking and think that it's the best thing since sliced bread.

(And personally, I'd say BETTER than sliced bread. I tried sliced bread, and I found that it leaked most of the pressure away.)

I think I agree, $169 plus $15 shipping is a lot to spend to try the thing out, and since it's only available from their web site (and since they don't offer a money back guarantee)... I think I'll hold off until it's my last resort.

(By the way, I can't decide what I think of the no money back guarantee thing, either. On the one hand, one would think if they had faith in the product, they'd offer one. On the other hand, my impression is that it's a VERY small company, started around an idea that they felt was a better option. As a result, their prices are going to be higher (no economies of scale) and their ability to swallow the cost of returns in an area where most people are accustomed to trying a mask or two before settling on one is probably lower. So unlike one poster on one site I read, I'm not necessarily willing to assume that it sucks just because they DON'T offer the guarantee.)

--Liam, the devil's advocate.

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:20 pm

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand how the CPAP pro can stop mouth breathing since it only attaches to the top teeth. This leaves the bottom jaw free to open for mouth breathing. I do not see any way that this device will keep the mouth closed.

I think the idea is that having something in your mouth reflexively makes you want to close your mouth on it. Also, it tends to increase the salivary glands (trust me, I've got a mouth guard for abruxation), which make you swallow more and tend to close your mouth.

But that's just a guess.

-Liam, the drooling fool.

hockeydad · Post by **hockeydad** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:59 pm

Hi Liam, glad to see a fellow New Hampster on the site.

I too have been less than satisfied with my DME supplier, they seem to be of no help at all, I've gotten 100 times more info and help from this site than I ever have from them.

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 2:05 pm

hockeydad wrote:Hi Liam, glad to see a fellow New Hampster on the site.[\quote]

Enfield! I'm in Grantham.

hockeydad wrote:I too have been less than satisfied with my DME supplier, they seem to be of no help at all, I've gotten 100 times more info and help from this site than I ever have from them.

Keene? Or someone else?

Liam, not the only New Englander on cpaptalk.com!

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 2:22 pm

New Hampsters? is that what you guys call yourselves? LOL

seamaiden · Post by **seamaiden** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 3:03 pm

Make that 3 folks from NH on this thread. Laconia here.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 3:31 pm

I think the idea is that having something in your mouth reflexively makes you want to close your mouth on it. Also, it tends to increase the salivary glands (trust me, I've got a mouth guard for abruxation), which make you swallow more and tend to close your mouth.

I've been using a bite guard for years and although I do bite on it when I'm awake, my mouth does fall open when asleep. I don't think a bite-guard is any guarantee of keeping one's mouth closed.

hockeydad · Post by **hockeydad** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 3:52 pm

Grantham!! Heck, we're almost neighbors.

No, not Keene, wish I had used them. Doctor gave me a choice of 3, they were one, but then he suggested I use the "new guys in town", Lincare. Big mistake.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 4:21 pm

What do you do with your Old Hampsters ?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 4:29 pm

Anonymous wrote:What do you do with your Old Hampsters ?

Feed them to the new.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 4:35 pm

I thought they sent them next door to Vermin(t)

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