Hi everyone,
I'm thinking about a breeze for a change of pace to the 2 ResMed masks I am using (Activa and Ultra Mirage FFM). The bottom strap is creating sore spots on the back part of my head. I think the Breeze might be a logical alternative, because it rests on your head differently, but have a few questions. Hopefully, some of you can give me a little guidance on this!
1. Is it comfortable, with that hard plastic shell?
2. I'm a restless side sleeper. Will it stay on ok?
3. I use a ResMed Spirit. Is it compatible? if so, at which mask setting?
4. I know it is available with both nasal pillows and a nasal mask. Are both comfortable and effective.
Thanks in advance for the wealth of experience you all share with me every time I ask a question! It is truly appreciated.
New Breeze?
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nodding off
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
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- Location: Tennessee
nodding off, I love the Breeze (with nasal pillows larger than what you or the person fitting you thinks you should have.) I tried a Breeze with the "Dreamseal" triangular nasal mask but found that leaky. The Breeze with nasal pillows, however, is very leakproof even at high pressures. I do use the stabilizing side straps ("halo straps") that come with the Breeze, and I use them down much lower than they are shown in ad pics.
I don't even use the clip and track for the side straps. I took the clip off and instead I stick the velcro tips of the side straps to themselves in front of the hose, like this picture I retouched:
The retouched picture also shows the way I route the hose upward over the head. In ad pics the hose is shown looking like it runs down the back of the man's head, but upward to attach to a main air hose held up on the headboard of the bed (or hook on the wall, bungee, whatever) is the best way to arrange it.
I am a sidesleeper for sure - turning often from side to side. The Breeze with nasal pillows works fine for me. I used it very happily for a year or more. I would not like the Breeze though, if I were predominately a back-sleeper. For back sleeping, the Swift works better, imho.
Actually, the Aura works the very best for me, in any sleeping position I tried, including face down in a pillow. But until Aeiomed gets their act together on making Extra Large nasal pillows available, the Breeze/nasal pillows would be my recommendation to anyone (men, in particular) who thinks they might have nares that would be too big to allow the Aura's "Large" pillows to seal leak-proof-edly outside the nostrils.
Back to the Breeze... the hard plastic shell didn't bother me at all - I didn't even feel it. The whole thing is so light on the head. Those who sleep on their backs though, might not like the plastic pad (even though it's padded) at the back of head. When I experimented with turning onto my back with the Breeze, the back-of-head pad didn't really bother me, but any head movement tended to make the whole headgear shift forward (causing leaks at the nostrils) or backwards (tugging upward on the snout.)
Depending on how your nose tilts, you might or might not feel the shell that holds the nasal pillows. Some report they feel some pressure on their upper lip. I didn't. In fact, the shell didn't even touch the area above my upper lip. It cleared it by about 1/4 inch, so the only contact in front was the pillows themselves against the outside of my nostrils.
I don't even use the clip and track for the side straps. I took the clip off and instead I stick the velcro tips of the side straps to themselves in front of the hose, like this picture I retouched:
The retouched picture also shows the way I route the hose upward over the head. In ad pics the hose is shown looking like it runs down the back of the man's head, but upward to attach to a main air hose held up on the headboard of the bed (or hook on the wall, bungee, whatever) is the best way to arrange it.
I am a sidesleeper for sure - turning often from side to side. The Breeze with nasal pillows works fine for me. I used it very happily for a year or more. I would not like the Breeze though, if I were predominately a back-sleeper. For back sleeping, the Swift works better, imho.
Actually, the Aura works the very best for me, in any sleeping position I tried, including face down in a pillow. But until Aeiomed gets their act together on making Extra Large nasal pillows available, the Breeze/nasal pillows would be my recommendation to anyone (men, in particular) who thinks they might have nares that would be too big to allow the Aura's "Large" pillows to seal leak-proof-edly outside the nostrils.
Back to the Breeze... the hard plastic shell didn't bother me at all - I didn't even feel it. The whole thing is so light on the head. Those who sleep on their backs though, might not like the plastic pad (even though it's padded) at the back of head. When I experimented with turning onto my back with the Breeze, the back-of-head pad didn't really bother me, but any head movement tended to make the whole headgear shift forward (causing leaks at the nostrils) or backwards (tugging upward on the snout.)
Depending on how your nose tilts, you might or might not feel the shell that holds the nasal pillows. Some report they feel some pressure on their upper lip. I didn't. In fact, the shell didn't even touch the area above my upper lip. It cleared it by about 1/4 inch, so the only contact in front was the pillows themselves against the outside of my nostrils.
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WillSucceed
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:52 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
Breeze
I think Rested Gal has it right regarding Breeze. I trialed it for a week (my equipment supplier is great) and found that it was exceptionally stable when I slept on my side. When on my back, however, the whole mechanism would shift somewhat. Also, I did not like the hard plastic plenum (spelling?) pushing against my upper lip. I opted to not buy the Breeze but I would agree that it is a good interface and probably works well for many people.
I'm using a Swift now and like it alot. It sometimes has a bit of shifting (with associated seal problem) when I roll around from side to side, but it is, overall very stable. If you have big ears, the headgear can dig into the spot where your ear and side of your head connect. This is a small problem for me that I just live with. The Swift is not as gentle to the nares as is the Breeze, but, the Swift does not push against my upper lip at all, so, for me, it is more comfortable. The Swift has not caused any sore spots where it touches my nares, it is just slightly annoying. I've gotten used to this and find that I fall asleep quickly.
Overall, I like the Swift better than the Breeze. Based on the opinions that I've read on this Board, I've ordered an Aura and have big hopes for it. The interesting bit for me is that the "large" on the Aura seems to be sized somewhere between the "medium" and the "large" on the Swift. If this is correct, I think it will be a good fit for me.
I have an Activa (size large cushion) which is a geat mask in terms of its ability to keep a comfortable seal no matter what position I'm in BUT, the bridge of my nose is just too sensitive to tolerate it so... If anyone wants to buy a slightly used Activa (I've used it about 6 times) I'd be very prepared to sell it.
I'm using a Swift now and like it alot. It sometimes has a bit of shifting (with associated seal problem) when I roll around from side to side, but it is, overall very stable. If you have big ears, the headgear can dig into the spot where your ear and side of your head connect. This is a small problem for me that I just live with. The Swift is not as gentle to the nares as is the Breeze, but, the Swift does not push against my upper lip at all, so, for me, it is more comfortable. The Swift has not caused any sore spots where it touches my nares, it is just slightly annoying. I've gotten used to this and find that I fall asleep quickly.
Overall, I like the Swift better than the Breeze. Based on the opinions that I've read on this Board, I've ordered an Aura and have big hopes for it. The interesting bit for me is that the "large" on the Aura seems to be sized somewhere between the "medium" and the "large" on the Swift. If this is correct, I think it will be a good fit for me.
I have an Activa (size large cushion) which is a geat mask in terms of its ability to keep a comfortable seal no matter what position I'm in BUT, the bridge of my nose is just too sensitive to tolerate it so... If anyone wants to buy a slightly used Activa (I've used it about 6 times) I'd be very prepared to sell it.
love the Breeze
I have been using the Breeze with medium nasal pillows and absolutely love it. I can sleep on my back with it without a problem but usually sleep on my side. It's very easy to find a comfortable position and to adjust the seal should it leak when I first turn on my side. I also use the stabilizing straps. The breeze is very light. The only thing I ever feel are the nasal pillows and given the proper position, they don't bother me at all. I never feel anything on top of my head. Good luck. kkblake
Count me in as a happy Breeze user. Based on RG's suggestion, I tried it and love it. I am a side/stomach sleeper, who turns quite a bit thoughout the night and have had no problem with it. In fact, it's the only mask I ever used where I can sleep the whole night without remembering waking. I use the upper straps, as instructions point out, without any problem. However, I would not recommend it for back sleepers, as the plastic base piece presses against the back of your head when laying flat on a pillow.
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