Sleeping with élan

[portiemom]

Nap_ster, I am wondering if this would work for me, I sleep in my stomach and turn my head a lot from side to side while on my stomach. Do you think or know if this mask leaks when squished in to the pillow? I know leaks are different for everyone due to facial contour, but most masks vent directly in to the pillow for stomach sleepers and move quite a bit creating a leak. I too love the aloha, but have the same pillow issues not lasting too long. Any trials you could do for us tummy sleepers would be greatly appreciated.

[chunkyfrog]

I've noticed some tummy sleepers use the other Sleepweavers, with good results.
At least there is no hard swivel to maybe get laid on.

[jen4700]

I've found that squishing my face in the pillow actually helps prevent leaks.

I woke up this morning and I guess I cranked the bottom straps down way too hard because under my nose is sore. But if I don't I feel like the mask slips up and the bottom strip covers my nostrils. This may be my imagination, but it drives me nuts. I wonder if using the tether for the tube would be good... I've had my climateline connected directly to the mask. Do you guys use the min-tube? Do you think it would make a difference in the mask sliding up?

I wonder if a bit of lansinoh under my nose would be sticky enough to hold it in place...

[jen4700]

I ordered the kit in blue, but can I just say: my replacement will be in LEOPARD! +1 for sheer hilarity in fabric choices! I believe in making my xPAP therapy as fun as possible, and I am very glad that the makers of élan put a little fun into things. I think it helps me -- and anyone I show my mask/machine to -- have a more light-hearted attitude towards the whole thing. This came up with our families (many of whom are either undiagnosed OSA or non-compliant CPAP users). I think they were expecting intimidating grey hospital equipment. And if that was the only choice, we'd make it work. But for people who have anxiety about the equipment, I think cute options like this really de-institutionalize the feel of it. And anything that reduces resistance to xPAP therapy is pretty great by me.

I agree!

[the_nap_ster]

Nap_ster, I am wondering if this would work for me, I sleep in my stomach and turn my head a lot from side to side while on my stomach. Do you think or know if this mask leaks when squished in to the pillow? I know leaks are different for everyone due to facial contour, but most masks vent directly in to the pillow for stomach sleepers and move quite a bit creating a leak. I too love the aloha, but have the same pillow issues not lasting too long. Any trials you could do for us tummy sleepers would be greatly appreciated.

I think this mask is awesome for tummy sleepers. I am a side/tummy sleeper myself, and like jen4700, I think that squishing your face into a pillow actually helps this mask. It's basically like a balloon on your face, so when you compress one area of the mask (ie: pillow squish), the other areas of the mask just compensate and it doesn't impact the seal. I think this kind of mask is probably better for tummy sleepers than hard silicone. Much more forgiving.

Jen4700: I'm having the slide-up problem too. For me, it doesn't block my nostrils and make it hard to breathe, but it does make it feel like it's leaking into my eyes (have I mentioned how much I hate this feeling?). Once I tug the lower straps back down, no problem. But they do like to creep up sometimes. My theory is that the regular mask is just a tiny bit too big for me, and so it creeps. For me, it helps to anchor the back of the headgear with a ponytail. I am also toying with adding a strap under my chin, attached to the two bottom straps of the mask. It would do double-duty: keep my mouth closed and stop the mask from sliding up. This is what I made out of an ace bandage lying around, and I'll try sleeping with it tonight. Please forgive the pic quality!

You can see I kept it really loose -- any over-tightening of the straps leads to leaks. I am just looking for some slight resistance to sliding. If it's promising, I'll probably sew something more permanent.

[jen4700]

Thanks napster! I've done the ponytail trick, which helps keep the straps down, but I guess I just tightened it too tight last night... I think I'm going to cut up an ace bandage and put it around the triangle where the straps come together against my face. Or maybe I just need to wash the straps to make them a little more soft.

[jen4700]

Last night I backed off on the straps A LOT. I kept them very loose. Very, very few leaks and a lot more comfortable.

[chunkyfrog]

I also may have cinched up too tightly last night, as well.
It is a learning curve; and it appears I am finally one of the slow kids.

[Zzzzzzzzzzz...]

Just sent mine back. Try as I might... I just couldn't get the thing to stop leaking...

Fortunately I still love my Swift FX and Aloha!

Z

[chunkyfrog]

I was impressed with the Aloha, but it didn't like me.

[portiemom]

Thanks everyone, now to see if my crazy DME carries it!

[millich]

Hi Chunkyfrog,

It was me that posted how in love with Elan I was. I said routing the tubing over my head took care of the leak around my nose. Well, I'm back. Now, the leaking into my eyes has them really irritated. How are you doing with that issue? Besides goggles, what are you doing?

[chunkyfrog]

I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but loosening the straps sometimes helps reduce the leaks.
I've tried goggles, but others have had better luck with them than I (maybe my face is too small?)
I reduced my EPR a notch, and that has helped, too.
I always keep artificial tears handy for when I wake up.

[millich]

Thanks for your reply, Chunkyfrog. All good suggestions.

I still absolutely love the Elan. Far and away the most comfortable mask I've worn. So, I do want to resolve this issue. I'll try the things you suggested. I'm thinking of also trying one of those sleep masks (the kind you use to block out light). I'm thinking the edge of it might just fit at the edge of the Elan.

Thanks again

[portiemom]

Spoke with my DME on Tues. she said they had the Elan and would leave it up at the desk, I asked her again is this the NEW Elan, and she replied Yes it says Elan. Well you know the end of this saga.....get there in this 100 degree weather on my hubby's first day of vacation, and alas they are tying to get rid of old stock because the are switching to warehouse mode, no more trying on masks, they will automatically send you whatever you had last and this was the original Sleep Weaver, and yes they tried to tell me I was crazy. I told her to look it up on Cpap.com and then finally they admitted THEY WERE WRONG....Ugh.