oh, my achin' nose

rookie@47 · Post by **rookie@47** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:32 am

Greetings to all. Your support is priceless.
I am one week in on my M Series Auto and pleasantly suprised with immediate results. Now I understand how waking approx 42 times per hour was affecting my sleep, my wifes sleep and our health. Now to the question at hand - When I input my measurements for a mask, I only came up with 9 choices. Having spent so much on the machine, I only purchased 1 Comfort Classic mask(terrible headgear, now I only use the the headgear I got from Kaiser). Both the classic and the mask I got from Kaiser cause redness and a bruised feeling at the bridge of my nose. I try to set the straps as loose as possible without leakage but the condition persists. Do you get used to this over time?
I'm thinking about trying a nasal pillow type. The choices generated by the measurement output included the Everest Aura, the Mirage Swift and the New Version Breeze. Being a back and side sleeper, the Swift doesn't look practical. That leave the Aura and the Breeze. Both have pros and cons in the reviews...thoughts?

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:40 am

I would suggest the ComfortLite 2..

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 12:48 pm

I have used the CL 2 for about 6 months with the direct seal. The nasal pillows for the CL 2 have a definite tendency to invert for me, but the direct seal does not.

I have just this week acquired an Aura/Twilight, and a Breeze. I do not see HOW the Aura was allowed on the market with its adjustment problems. If it were to be deconstructed as Rested Gal has done, it would be much better.

The Breeze is somewhat better, but also needs help. Robert had a suggestion for a fix that would take off the back plate, and I am currently considering that.

Neither mask could be used as effectively as the ComfortLite 2, IMHO. They have some nice features, but would need some work before I could sleep as well with them. It mystifies me that they were brought to market in this way. Only a very few with the perfect anatomy for the mask would find either one effective.

This is my opinion, but I may not have enough experience with the Aura/Twilight and the Breeze. Consider this in evaluating my choice of mask. It may be that you are PERFECT for these masks!!

new2 · Post by **new2** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:14 pm

In my opinion, if your not a mouth breather, go for the comfort, not the fads. I have tried these masks and found the Nasal-aire II to be the most comfortable. It does not need to smash up against your nose to seal. You can get all 3 cannulas now, here at cpap.com for the price of one. This little cannula is the gold standard for little masks.
If you mouth tape, like me, try the Hybrid. Good luck, and remember, one mans floor is anothers ceiling. There is no one mask for all of us.

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:24 pm

Rookie sorry to hear about your woes.

I will give different advice.

Find a DME that will let you try on interfaces at home, and exchange them if they do not suit you.

It may be more expensive initially, but finding an interface that suits you is well worth it.

As for sizing, the best two interfaces (Hybrid and the Nasal Aire II) were not listed for me when I did the sizing.

whatrdreamsmadeof · Post by **whatrdreamsmadeof** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:34 pm

I am a side and stomach sleeper, and i have been using the Breeze nasal interface for almost 8 months and i love it. It has an adjustment on the straps that allows it come down onto the forehead if you need it to secure for rolling alot. I can lie on my back too and the headgear is comfortable for me. Remember, everyone is different so if you can try several masks by all means do so. I found the comfort lite headgear too hot for me and it' like wearing a hat imho. Good luck

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 2:18 pm

Some people have had good luck applying moleskin to the area that is being rubbed excessively.

Or use a stabilizing strap made of old pantyhose legs. The redness is probably caused by rubbing, not by pressure. (At least that is what causes similar problems with new footware.)

My vote for favorite mask is the Mirage Activa. The measurements on cpap.com don't always recommend this mask, even when it will work.

If you have a narrow bridge, you will need the standard. A normal bridge will use the shallow best. I am not sure about the large, since I haven't tried it.

The Activa works well for both side-sleeping and back-sleeping.

Moogy

cinderella · Post by **cinderella** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:01 pm

I have only been using cpap for 2 weeks and am already on my 2nd style of mask. I started with a comfort gel nasal mask and tried it for a week and honestly just couldn't tolerate it. I switched to the Breeze and feel its a big improvement. I am a side and back sleeper and the breeze is pretty good at allowing the side snoozing but it does tend to leak a bit. I am going to try adjusting it. Whe trying to decide between the Breeze and the Swift, the RT told me that the Swift is much noisier than the Breeze so that pretty much decided it for me. Also, I was able to try on a Swift and while I liked the head straps better, I felt it would be harder to side sleep with it. It gets easier with time I'm finding....good luck!

cinderella · Post by **cinderella** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:04 pm

My profile shows that I use a Breeze mask with the Dreamseal attachment but I don't have the Dreamseal. There was no other choice for masks that I could see whn I set up my member profile. I just have the plain old Breeze mask. I don't use a humidifier either but don't get a dry, sore throat or anything so I can't advise you on that....

rookie@47 · Post by **rookie@47** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 9:20 am

Thanks to all for your advice. As most said, we are all different and we have a limited number of masks to choose from. In reading other posts, it appears that the users do what it takes to make what's available work. I still have a red nose but a renewed determination to do just that.
Happy Thanksgiving!

oh, my achin' nose

oh, my achin' nose

side and stomach sleeper

Oh, and one more thing....

oh my achin' nose