Hybrid Mask Reveiw - First Blush (Long)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:09 pm

didnt understand?

Sleepy-in-AL · Post by **Sleepy-in-AL** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:15 am

Last night was much better with the hybrid.

I slept about 6 hours with no large leaks and an average leak of 58 with a 90% IPAP of 14 which is about the published vent flow rate.

The whistling occurred once or twice when I layed on the mask wrong, but not nearly as bad as yesterday.

It wasn't nearly as uncomfortable on the upper lip last night. When I woke up this morning I did have a slight leak around one nare. I repositioned the mask and it was ok again. I also had some nare discomfort but after having the mask off for a couple of minutes the irritation was gone.

Hopefully things will continue to improve. As others have suggested, it takes time to "get to know" a new mask. One other note, I do miss the quick disconnect for the hose. Although its only a minor inconvenience.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:55 am

SIA,

Thanks for the update. I feel a bit more optimistic now and you have really shown me not to just give up when it won't work today when I get it (see how optimistic I am?). I am one of those people who usually have the exact opposite response to things than most people. And when it comes to masks, since I've already found one I really like and use every night, it's harder to tolerate the imperfections of a new mask that you're trying to break in. But you've given me a real lesson not to judge it too quickly and I will remember this post when I try to use the Hybrid tonight. Thanks.

mousetater · Post by **mousetater** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:42 am

I, too, had a better 2nd night. I was able to sleep from 11:30 pm to 2:30 am before being awakened by a leak when I turned on my side. I tried simple manipulation of the mask, but that didn't help, so I switched back to my Activa again.

I think because there are so many options with the different size pillows and different size cushions all included, I have more patience with working with the mask, believing the right combination of sizes for me is there - I just need to take some time to find it.

The mask itself is comfortable, although it does put more pressure on the upper lip than previous masks I have used, including the Activa. At first I found myself almost fighting against the pressure of the mask but then made a conscious effort to relax my face muscles and that has helped.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:07 am

Okay. Just got my Hybrid. Took it out, set it up and tried it. I am having a few major problems that I don't know how to solve. I am remaining calm as I knew I'd probably be the first person on the site not to like it, but I won't form any permanent opinions yet.

1) The nasal pillows do not seal for me. I have the larges in, even cut the tab that holds them together, and they still seem to leak. Even in the high position, they move out of place and leak. I tried the mediums and it was far worse.

2) What is with the top clips on the side of your cheeks? I haven't even slept in the mask and when I took it off, there were already clip marks on my face. I got a sinking feeling that this could be another Swift Swoosh marks thing happening. They dug into my lowest part of my cheekbones and were very uncomfortable. If I loosen the straps, then it leaks. I may not have the facial structure for this mask.

I would welcome anyone's suggestions as to how to remedy this. As of right now, I can't even see trying to sleep in this thing. I watched the video and got no ideas from that, so I don't know what I can do to try to fix this. Sorry to be negative, but so far, not good.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:28 am

Hi Lori,
I found the mask to show different symptoms based on how high the top set of side straps are in relation to my ears. As follows:

1) Top set of side straps well above ears = No pillow problem. But leaks through sides of mouthpiece.

2) Top set of side straps down and riding on the ears = No leaks through the mouthpiece. However, trouble sealing right pillow.

Based on only two nights, I think the top (across the crown) strap is one of keys to living with this thing. Tonight I will try to adjust the top strap, so that the top set of side straps clear the ears by, say, 1/4 inch.

If this makes sense to you, your either crazy or a hard core hose-head..LOL.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:29 am

Lori,

All I can tell you is what worked for me. To get the seal on the pillows I moved them tighter than I have for other pillows. In other words crammed them agaisnt my nostrils. Even in that position they did not create sore nares. For me this is not a loose strap mask in any way. The advantage is it becomes very stable this way and the large pillows spread enough to cover my slotted nostrils.

In regards to the strap marks, I think Pad A cheeks for the swift will work on these straps too. Hope this helps some.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:38 am

Oldgearhead,

What works for me is strap above ears to seal pillows and bottom straps real tight to solve leaks on side of mouth. Definitely a mask that needs tweaking with.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:18 pm

OGH and MM,

Thanks for the feedback. Of course, now I can't stop fadiddling (is that a word?) with it to get it to work. I even tried inserting the Breeze pillows, but nope. I did pull out my bottle of benzoin tincture and instant seal about most areas. However, the pillows seems to have to really pull up against my nares to make a decent seal. My husband told me, in his best "Fat Bastard" voice (from Austin Powers), "Very sexy." And that even gives a woman more incentive to keep trying to get it to work .

I saw on the video that the side straps are supposed to clear the top of your ears and the bottom ones should come under the ears. Trying to keep that in mind, I think the answer is a combination of what both of you have said. Mike said to keep the top side straps tight enough to keep the pillows sealed. And OGH said to use the top strap that goes across the crown as possibly a key tension element. I will continue to work with those and see what happens.

Mike, yes, good old Karen and her PACs are definitely going to be needed for this. I have very sensitive cheeks when it comes to leaving marks, obviously. I wonder if they can fix that clip so that it doesn't dig in the way it does. I don't consider myself one with pudgy cheeks, but I can't see how this could work on anyone who does have pudgier cheeks. Not a good config. for the clip there. I may get creative and remove the headgear and try the old headband or pantyhose fix and see if it would work better for me. I have a feeling these clips and I are not going to get along too well. Even with a PAC, the clip is still there.

I am NOT GIVING UP. It's far too early to say those words, so back to the drawing board. Thanks for the feedback.

birdiebaby · Post by **birdiebaby** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:18 pm

Lori -- I am fitting my mask today, too, and I can really see what your saying about those clips. I wonder if it's an issue with higher cheekbones?

I took my PAC's off of my UMII and put them on the top straps. I was able to pull them down, around and under the clips. That seemed to help that digging feeling a bit.

I am leaning towards using smaller cushions. I have slotted nares, and I am worried that the cushions will move as I move. Tightening up that top strap seemed to help but the true test will be tonight.

Good luck!

Shelley

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:30 pm

Hey, Shelley. I am going to go pull out a pair of PACs and see if that will help me, too.

Let me know how your smaller pillows work tonight. I have the slotted nares, too, and usually lean towards the larger sizes but you never know.

Good luck!

sleeplessinca · Post by **sleeplessinca** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 2:09 pm

I'm looking at mine and trying to see what your talking about and it must be the headgear buckle ???
It sounds to me like you have the mask way too tight. Try making it tighter on top of your head and looser on the sides. The number one problem with FF masks is that we make them too tight. Sounds like you have a very high cheeks or something. Are your pillows set to the highest level? I wish I could see you in it and help.
The first thing I did was clip the pillows apart so I could wear the pillows closer together. That's just my nose.
I watched the video that came with it and did what the video said after the first night and found out I had the headgear inside out. I also had it too tight. I wear it looser now. One morning I awoke to find a pillow lopsided, but it much have happened just before I woke up. I prefer this mask to my swift and chinstrap, thats for sure. Sometimes, I just want to mouth breathe and it not set everything off. This is the only FF I can wear.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:14 pm

I just wanted to say, I got out a pair of PadACheeks and placed them on the top sides straps and over the clips...AH!!! What a relief. Much better. I think that PACs are going to be a must for a lot of people who use this mask with a similar facial structure as my own.

I think I may finally have the adjustments correct, or at least better than I had earlier today. I don't know what will happen when I attempt to sleep with it tonight, but I will let you know in the AM.

I think one of my problems is, I am so content with my current mask, the Aura/Headrest, that if any other mask gives me trouble, I tend to be less tolerant than someone who hasn't found a usable mask yet. But I really need a trade-off, so I am going to try to make this work.

roztom · Post by **roztom** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:16 pm

GO Lori !!!

I've got one on order.. I'm depending on you.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Tom

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:17 pm

roztom wrote:GO Lori !!!

I've got one on order.. I'm depending on you.

Keeping my finger crossed.

Tom

Oh, no, Tom!!! The pressure!!!

Mask

Additional Comments: Pressure MinE 11 MaxI 17.5