Mask recommendations?

Tired Daddy · Post by **Tired Daddy** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:34 pm

I have been using the Breeze DreamSeal for the 6 weeks I have been using CPAP. During the night, it presses on the little bone under my nose (that separates the nostrils) and I experience soreness and redness there. Invariably, I pull the mask off somewhere between 4 & 6 am. So it's time to find a different mask.

I don't want a full face mask because I am a little claustrophobic. However, with a pressure of 14, I can't use the nasal pillows. I was looking at the SleepNet IQ and the Phantom, but I've seen some comments that they have to be pulled really tight above 12 cm.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these or have any recommendations?

All replies appreciated. Thanks

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:52 pm

Tired Daddy, a pressure of 14 (and even higher) does not necessarily preclude using nasal pillows interfaces.

If the Adams Circuit is the only nasal pillows interface you've tried, you might want to try some others:

Breeze with nasal pillows (same pillows the Adams uses, however the headgear is different, so might not put pressure the same place at the area between your nostrils.)

Swift (comes with three sizes of nasal pillows.)

Aura (the lightest feel at the nostrils of any nasal pillows interface I've ever used.) If you decide to try an Aura, I'd suggest buying it from cpapsuperstore - they will take it back and give full refund of the purchase price if you don't like it after you try it at home.

Experimentally I put the pressure up at 19 once with my Breeze. It held a seal fine there. I also did that with the Aura. It held a seal up at that pressure too, although I did have to add extra straps down at the nasal pillows area - had no problem with those added.

The most leakproof nasal mask (covers the nose) is the Activa, by most people's accounts. The Activa is by far my favorite in the nasal mask category. Nasal pillows interfaces are my favorites in general.

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:54 pm

I am real new at this but just began using a Mirage Activa mask and cannot believe how comfortable it is. The straps on the headgear can be left comfortably loose and it still keep its seal. I learned about it here where it seems to be one of the overall favorites. Here is a link to the Activa at a good company with very competitive prices:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1795

Vicki · Post by **Vicki** » Sun May 01, 2005 9:29 pm

I used ResMed's Ultra Mirage nasal mask for years, now I use their full face Mirage. I can't stand the Activa because the headgear is hard plastic and it doesn't fit around my Vulcan ears but hurts them instead.

Check out the Mirage at http://www.ResMed.com. Alternately, try moving the mask down a little on the bridge of your nose so that it takes pressure of the bottom.

VickiZsPlease

nodding off · Post by **nodding off** » Mon May 02, 2005 6:51 pm

The Activa is my favorite mask. It is comfortable and relatively leakproof for me, a restless sleeper.

glassgal · Post by **glassgal** » Mon May 02, 2005 11:13 pm

Hi Tired Daddy,

I use the much maligned NasalAire II, and it works well for me. It is a nasal prong interface which looks similar to a giant oxygen cannula.

My titrated pressure was 14, and I have my auto set from 10-17 cm/H2O. I frequently hit 16 or 17. The trick with this interface, and I suspect the pillows, is to get it big enough to not leak or move around. It makes noise if it leaks and it hurts your nose if it moves around too much.

I guess that I am saying not to discount the pillows because of the pressure!

The reason that I like the NAII is that it is very minimal. Two hoses (small diameter) run from your nose, around your ears and either in front or back to attach to the main hose from your machine. There is a strap that is elasticized and velcro to hold it behind your neck. I don't use the top strap -- it is annoying. I don't like anything on my head, and this is very minimal. Many don't like the noise -- I am hard of hearing, so that is not an issue for me.

I would like to try another interface, but I sleep quite well with the one that I have. I am seriously considering RG's Aura fix if the original Aura doesn't do it for me. I DO have reservations about the "lockbox"!

Good luck!

Tired Daddy · Post by **Tired Daddy** » Wed May 04, 2005 10:02 am

My Doc suggested I go meet with the sleep center's director. He is also a cpap-er and, after speaking with him on the phone, I can tell he can relate to my concerns (e.g., claustrophobia, wanting an unobstructed field of view, mask vs. pillow interfaces, etc.) . I'll update you tomorrow after my appt and share his recommendations.

Snuffle-nose · Post by **Snuffle-nose** » Thu May 05, 2005 3:21 am

My farvoite mask is the "Proile Lite", known as gel mask, good for someone who has a flat nose like me!!!

Tired Daddy · Post by **Tired Daddy** » Fri May 06, 2005 8:55 am

Well, the Sleep Center's director recommended the Mirage Vista (plastic headgear and all), so I'll try it out and see. I tested it for a couple of minutes at the Center, and it seems OK, but only a full night will tell!

And by the way, going back to the post that started this whole thread, the director said that if I wear the chin strap OVER the Breeze DreamSeal headgear, instead of UNDER it (as the DME showed me), it is more stable. I tried this last night and it was a big improvement: I made it all the way to the alarm clock with the mask on!