Recommendations please

Hi guys... Hitting a bit of a snag in an otherwise relatively easy treatment so far.

I normally use the Swift for Her nasal pillows. At the moment I have a wicked cold and am totally plugged up. Last night was a nightmare. I have been taking advil cold and sinus but both that and tylenol cold/sinus make me really edgy at night and I can't sleep properly. It didn't really work all that well last night anyway, as my nose was runny and a runny nose with nasal pillows was not a good combo.

I'm still claustrophobic so the thought of a full face mask still freaks me out but if it's only a night or two once in awhile I suppose I just need to buck up and get over myself. What I need is something quiet, comfortable, not massive straps, and would allow for side sleeping.

Anyone have suggestions? I can order from US. I have my script and can have it sent to my aunt who will forward it on to me. Obviously it won't get to me in time for this particular cold but I refuse to pay upwards of $300 for a mask here.

Thanks in advance for all advice.

Hi,

Check out a style of mask called a Hybrid. They have the bottom part of a full face mask that goes over your mouth, and it has nasal pillows like the Swift for your nose. I used one for a few months until I went to the Swift LT. The hybrid doesn't cover your nose, doesn't leak into your eyes, and it doesn't block your vision.

-john-

Ditto on the Hybrid. I can use it if I absolutely have to. My problem isn't phobic but I have a bad neck so the straps on it are less painful plus I can't wear any nasal mask that creates any pressure over the bridge of my nose to my cheeks. The slightest pressure completely stops up my nasal passages, then I can't breath at all.
The little pillows in the Hybrid fit like the Swift pillows. I slept on my side with the Hybrid without any issues.

The ResMed Liberty is similar but it only comes with the one size cushion that you choose in hopes to fit your face.

The Hybrid comes with 3 sizes of cushions.

They both come with 3 sizes of nasal pillows.

I am not madly in love with the Hybrid ( because of my neck problems but it is the best of the choices I have) it could be used in an emergency should some germs pour a load of concrete up my nose....

.
Hi Froro,

I personally decided not to get a FFM just for sick nights, because I'm not sick that often. I can't imagine how a FFM can be that helpful anyway when you are sneezing, coughing, and nose is running, etc. (The thought of the nasal gunk running into my mouth doesn't sound very pleasant!)

What helps me A LOT at times like these are two things:
1 - Use a netipot several times a day and before bed using warm salt water plus a little baking soda. That really clears the gunk out.
2 - Use a couple sprays of Rx Flonase (brand name; I forget the generic name) just before bed to open you up so you can breathe.

These two things really do a respectable job for me!

Best wishes and hope you feel better soon! ~ Joy

Thanks guys. Joy, I've been doing the neti pot thing for two days now....freakin useless for me. I'm going to try using a steroid spray tonight to see if I get can the inflammation down (avamys)

Regarding the hybrid mask. Is there a specific one you guys are referring to. You mentioned the liberty but is that the one you used? Thanks again. This is really helpful.

Froro wrote:Regarding the hybrid mask. Is there a specific one you guys are referring to. You mentioned the liberty but is that the one you used? Thanks again. This is really helpful.

When I mention Hybrid, it is this mask system. The original Hybrid. This is the one I have.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

The Liberty is ResMed's version of the hybrid and is similar but not the same.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/mirage ... llows.html

At the DME office I got a chance to fiddle with the Liberty but the lower head gear strap placement puts a very awkard bind on my old arthritic neck. The neck pain would prevent my trying to sleep with that mask.

The Innomed Hybrid strap placement is a bit different and allows for me to move it upwards a bit, so that my neck isn't forced into awkward position. I have a metal plate in my neck and the least little tension creates all sorts of havoc. I have slept with it in trial. I can see where this mask could be a very good mask and I don't want to say bad things about it. The problems I have really are my problems and not the mask itself. It is surprisingly comfortable. It will only be for emergency use because I absolutely love the nasal pillows or prongs.

Pugsy wrote:I can't wear any nasal mask that creates any pressure over the bridge of my nose to my cheeks. The slightest pressure completely stops up my nasal passages, then I can't breath at all.

I found the same to be true until I realized that the mask needs to seal at the bony portion of your nose and not the cartilage. Too low and your nose squeezes shut or partially shut making breathing labored or impossible. Of course too high and you get the eye blow. Find the right mask and right fit and breathing is free and easy. It took me a long time to realize this.

flylow wrote: Pugsy wrote:I can't wear any nasal mask that creates any pressure over the bridge of my nose to my cheeks. The slightest pressure completely stops up my nasal passages, then I can't breath at all.



I found the same to be true until I realized that the mask needs to seal at the bony portion of your nose and not the cartilage. Too low and your nose squeezes shut or partially shut making breathing labored or impossible. Of course too high and you get the eye blow. Find the right mask and right fit and breathing is free and easy. It took me a long time to realize this.

I am such a weenie. I don't even wear sunglasses comfortably. My reading glasses are barely tolerated and those are the ultra light weight titanium things.
I am quite content with the nasal pillows and see no sense in spending the money on the nasal masks. I had the trial during titration with one that was awful and we tried 3 others at the DME briefly and they all did the same thing. Finding the right mask and fit can be extremely taxing or someone might get lucky. I do extremely well with the nasal pillows or prongs. The least amount of crap I put on my face is just fine with me. I probably won't ever try the straight nasal mask again. There simply is no need.

I ended up with a full-face Zzz-mask, on which I replaced the manufacturer straps with a Comfortlite 2 strap. THe mask is light weight, not too expensive, and CPAP.COM overnighted it to me. (I had the CL2 strap from my regular mask, and when the straps that came with the Zzz-mask did not work at all for me, I lab-ratted....)

I, too, am claustrophobic, but a single night and the resultant pain issues convinced me that when I have a cold, nothing matters except having my Bipap working for me.

I'm a side sleeper, and the Zzz-mask worked OK this way. Expect more leaks that you are used to with your nasal pillows. I have yet to find a leak-rate chart for this mask. This being temporary, I had a king-sized pillow, and then placed a regular standard pillow on top of it to give me a dip to hang the mask over.

A full face mask will NEVER be my choice of mask, but this one worked well for what I needed it for: a few days while I was sick.

Froro, get the RespCare Hybrid; it's easier to fit as it comes with 3 oral cushions, 3 sizes of pillows, and the pillows can be set at 2 heights.