Seeking advice and feedback

[Tino2You]

Hi Everyone,

I am a new CPAPer and will have completed my first 14 days on the machine tomorrow (I'll post a summary then). My question today is I think I would like a full (or Hybrid) mask for those days when because of sinus constriction my Swift FX nasal pillow mask doesn't work. This will be an out of pocket expense as I am not going to exchange my Swift FX as I like it too much. I just want a backup ffm for those non-nose breathing days. I was thinking about a hybrid as it might just be the best of both worlds.

I have a Comfort Blue Gel which takes forever to put on and adjust and except on one occasion woke me up after 3 or 4 hours with face farts and hurricane breezes in my eyes.

I have no problem sleeping with masks or straps. I am currently averaging 6 hours of "mask time" per night and that number is skewed down by a couple nights of 4 hour (ffm) sleep durations. I fall asleep within minutes of my head hitting the pillow and sleep well until awoken by a leak or nature call.

I know that everyone's face is different and that everyone has a unique, albeit in 6 basic sleep positions, I go from soldier to fetal to yearner with a bit of starfish thrown in for good measure. So I am a mover when it comes to sleeping.

Thanks in advance,

[Pugsy]

Since you are not in any immediate rush to have a full face mask to try and they are so darn expensive...why not utilize the mask trial to see if you would even like the Hybrid?

$14 covers the mailing both ways. The supplies are limited so there may be a wait but since you are thinking "what if" thing and not in any immediate need why not?

http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials

FWIW which isn't much. I thought I would have to have a full face mask also for the what if times I have a bad cold.
You know what...I crank of the humidifier and take some decongestants and I have yet to have a night where I couldn't get my nasal passages open well enough to sleep with my nasal pillow mask. 3 years now..2 or 3 colds and never really had a problem with breathing and sleeping other than the normal "cold makes you feel like crap" thing.

We have no idea if you will like the Hybrid or not..some people love it and some people hate it.

[DreamStalker]

Innomed produces the Hybrid and ReMed produces the Liberty ... both very similar models.

As I recall, the more important differences between the two were in the curvature of the oral or mouth pieces in terms of the shape of your face.

The hybrid comes with more options for pillow and oral cushion sizing whereas with the Liberty has fewer options.

The leak rates are also different which may affect data accuracy for those with lower pressures.

It has been a very long time -- but I experimented with the hybrid type masks for the exact same reason you have an interest ... as a back up for sinus congestion.

After all the trial and error testing between the two masks, my particular face morphology was best suited for the Liberty.

Oddly though, I have not had sinus congestion for the past six years since I've been 100% compliant with my CPAP therapy. Before CPAP I had allergy/cold/flu related sinus congestion 4 to 5 time per year ... and now, none for 6 years.

[Pugsy]

Oops...looks like mask trial link is no more.
Has Dane discontinued this or just a bug at their website?
Anyone heard anything?