Need help with Bleep attachment

Hi all! I've been away for awhile, about 10 years, and had to rejoin because I lost my password. I've been using my CPAP almost every night since 2011 after being diagnosed with severe apnea of 35 events per hour. After trying lots of masks I finally settled on the Swift FX for her. Have struggled with lots of air leaks, strap marks, nostril soreness and stretching. Plus headaches, sore throat, disturbed sleep and lung constriction over the years. Started with a ResMed S9, and now using AirSense.

The reason I'm back on here is that I'm having a hard time with the Swift FX now and was hoping forum members would know of any new better mask options. Happily there were posts about the Bleep Dreamway system and I purchased the mask and ports to try. It looks like a great idea and may be just what I'm looking for. However I'm having problems and am hoping someone can help me find some answers here so I can make it work.

So that's the background, and here are the Bleep things I'm struggling with:
1. First off, can't seem to get the nose ports to angle straight downward, which makes it hard to connect the hose connector to the ports.
2. I think the main problem is I'm having a hard time trying to get the ports and connector together, and end up wrenching my nose back and forth trying to click in. If I do succeed in twisting and clicking it in it pulls on my nose because the port is angled outward. It's awkward to hold and push together the two ends against my nose, and yes I do use a mirror. I can click the connectors together alright when they are not on my nose.
3. How do you angle the ports so they don't lay on your face? The plastic ring edge lies against and presses on the skin between my upper lip and nose, making a long uncomfortable tender dent. What is the purpose of this ring, Wouldn't it be easier to grasp the nose port without it.
4. The vent diffuser seems out of position over the air vents, probably from my port maneuvering, and air doesn't seem to be coming out easily. I tried to stretch it over the sides but it won't go so I took it off. Is it necessary for noise control? Don't have a bed partner, so blowing air is not an issue.
5. Noise - I tested after putting on the nose ports and no air was getting through, but after thinking I had the mask connectors on there was still a significant amount of rushing in and out breathing noise, and I couldn't determine where it was coming from. Too loud to sleep.
6. Didn't see anywhere in instructions which side center on the piece beside the vents is toward face - angled away in center (convex) or center bump toward face (concave)?

I've watched YouTube videos and Stuart's video, which make it look so easy to connect the parts. I've tried to do this many times, spending 45 to 60 minutes each time without success. I'm so frustrated but really want to make this work! I would greatly appreciate any suggestions, and hope someone can please tell me what I'm doing wrong and how to do it right. Thanks for listening.

New Bleep masks can be tougher to click together. Try a used Dreamport, with the mask and the Dreamport in your hand, and just give it lots of tries, connecting and disconnecting. It might loosen it up.

I don’t bother having the ports perfect. I suppose there are some nights my nose is being tugged a little since I didn’t get the angles to match, but as long as it isn’t making them unstick it doesn’t seem to matter.

Hope this helps.

Marielle5 wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:38 pm

1. First off, can't seem to get the nose ports to angle straight downward, which makes it hard to connect the hose connector to the ports.

I haven't perfected that either (will be using the last of my first 16 ports tonight), but one principle is aiming the pointy side of the tape further down - e.g. not towards the top your ear, but more towards your earlobe. If you put a port on a table, you'll see the port itself is angled, this is to help it point inwards (or less outwards...) when you tape it on your nose.
And the Dreamports certainly shouldn't be pointing towards your lip either. The should be sort of floating parallel to your upper lip....

I've watched YouTube videos and Stuart's videos

There are a number of videos by Stuart on his site and on the Bleep Sleep youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjn0Uu ... 7Hs-O7rww- some newer, some older. In about minute 5 of this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-pRVlAo6Ic&t=296s he describes connecting the Dreamway to the Dreamports, and how to check for leaks after you've connetcted. Worth watching more than once. All are.

4. The vent diffuser seems out of position over the air vents, probably from my port maneuvering, and air doesn't seem to be coming out easily. I tried to stretch it over the sides but it won't go so I took it off.

Yes, against noise. The video about re-assembling discusses that.

5. Noise - I tested after putting on the nose ports and no air was getting through, but after thinking I had the mask connectors on there was still a significant amount of rushing in and out breathing noise, and I couldn't determine where it was coming from.

That's coming from the unfinished Dreamport to Dreamway connection. When properly connected and tested (hand to end Dreamway hose) you hear nothing at all.

6. Didn't see anywhere in instructions which side center on the piece beside the vents is toward face - angled away in center (convex) or center bump toward face (concave)?

In one of the videos, I don't remember which, he mentions that that the Dreamway side with the bumps should be the outer side, away from your face. The concave side toward your face, and the QR port arm between the bumps.

Back in the days when I used an Aura, and a heated hose with its own power supply, a hose management system was a lifesaver. With Remed's slimline (heated) hose it's not that important for me, the hose is very light - but you might find a hose management system a worthwhile investment.