Sleepweaver elan- air blowing towards eyes

Still new and trying to get things to work. So- I am allergic to silicone so have been working with a sleepweaver elan- I had to find the details for the company I deal with. I a using a small.

I can get it on and settle - mostly- but I am concerned about the air blowing at my eyes- particularly on the left. I have started wearing an eyemask as well but that doesn't see to totally protect the eye. I did seem to sleep so that is hopeful.

My eye doctor has warned me about possible eye issues with an improper fit o a cpap mask. Is there enough of a leak with any mask to cause eye issues? I can probably learn to live with the elan- though may need temp up now that winter is here so air is warmer.

I thought I had perhaps soaked and aired the silicone mask enough so tried it with the silk liner I made last might- it too seemed to have a ton of air blowing and despite the liner I was left with some red on my nose this am- though not the horrendous reaction I had before.

I know the provider wants me to make up my mind re: buying the machine but w/o clear ask answer what is the use? But with obstructive at 55 and central at 17 I do need to do something.

Also- is a silicone and a gel mask the same? I was going to get a small sample of gel and test it for reaction if it is different.

I know my med provider will cover 80 % of machine and 1 mask but I may have to suck up the cost of the second ask that I have bee working on purifying. Maybe they will sell me the second ask at a discount as they can't possibly be planning on using it with anyone else- how does that work?

I truly appreciate having a community of experienced people as I was getting frustrated at being told that "no one is allergic to silicone" and "this is the type of ask to use"- the one they sell- w/o being told there were many options.

Some info on your questions:
1. A gel mask still is silicone. There is an extra layer under the silicone of really soft and flexible gel. The idea is that it will conform to your face better. I have used the Activa LT in medium size for about 5 years. My biggest problem is that the gel makes it a bit heavy. But you get used to it. And had variable leaks - some days no problem and others . . . Also found my skin seems to slowly break down the silicone. When the leaks got out of hand, I would change the cushion. That happened every two to three weeks.

2. I am in process of switching to the Sleepweaver Advance and have been using it about 3+ weeks now. The leak problem is pretty much controlled. But, I have been having trouble with the cold air blowing on my eyes. It feels like a leak but it isn't. The air is expelled from the mask thru a large number of tiny pores located on the fabric part that goes over the nose. I have figured out that there needs to be a small deflector located over the top area of the holes to direct the air away from the eyes. Been thinking about experimenting with putting a little ridge across the area - but how? The ridge would need to be as flexible as the fabric and you could not sew anything on as needle holes would screw up the integrity of the fabric. Maybe a bead of rubber cement or maybe using fabric glue to attach a tiny roll of light material such as old tee shirt. I am guessing that the Elan may be better than the Advance because it has a swivel (which Advance does not). Also you really need to use that short piece of very flexible hose, but warm air cools while going thru it. I put a sock on that tube with rubber bands this morning to make a hose cosy. Will see tonight if that helps.

Have also found that I can use my sheet to shield the eyes. Problem with that is if I move, the sheet does too.

As for costs - I think the insurance "they" are supposed to allow some mask experimentation in the first few months. I would bet that 95% or higher of our members have had to experiment with at least two and frequently 5 or 6. People change over the years. Many use different mask with the season or the amount of nasal congestion on any particular day. Don't let them bully you on masks - or at all.

Good wishes - that silicone allergy is a major bummer.

lindalrc wrote:
As for costs - I think the insurance "they" are supposed to allow some mask experimentation in the first few months. I would bet that 95% or higher of our members have had to experiment with at least two and frequently 5 or 6. People change over the years. Many use different mask with the season or the amount of nasal congestion on any particular day. Don't let them bully you on masks - or at all.

Good wishes - that silicone allergy is a major bummer.

Each DME has a specific policy on this...It is NOT up to the insurance companies. Some DMEs are very liberal and others may allow only 1 or 2 exchanges in 30 days.

Lindairc- Do you wash your advance every day? I think that is what is recommended. I do use the featherlight hose as that came in the kit that my sleep centre ordered.

I like your sock idea for the hose- may give that a try. The swivel on the Elan is great- I can toss it over y head- no headboard so I trap the hose between pillows but can still move around. I couldn't tolerate any rubber on the Elan- the fact that it is cloth w/o anything else makes it work for me.

I haven't seen anyone speak of oxygen levels in their sleep study- mine were at 77 which I guess is really low. I haven't figured out how to check results myself on my Airsense 10 for her- guess I had best read the book as the person I deal with at sleep centre told me she hadn't read the book- doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.

I am at least getting sleep- they have let me use the equipment w/o purchase for nearly two months- though with all the ask issues I have really only used it for the last week. I think when I go back next week they just want me to buy the machine- I guess I get it then figure out what else I need to know by reading in the CPAP community.

Thanks for the responses. It soesn't seem like there are a lot of Sleepweaver users.

I use the Elan with the feather weight tube extension.
My first trick is to make sure the top edge of the mask is tucked in properly.
Second trick is to route the hose over my head and position it to put just the right amount of tension on the mask to pull or push it into a position with no leaks.
Third trick, as a side sleeper, the side strap of the mask is between my cheek and the pillow. I move my head just enough to put the proper amount of tension on the mask to stop any residual leaks. This can also help to direct the mask vent away from the eyes.

These are all very subtle adjustments discovered over several years of using Circadiance Sleep Weaver masks.

bwexler wrote:I use the Elan with the feather weight tube extension.
My first trick is to make sure the top edge of the mask is tucked in properly.

Was hoping to short-circuit years of learning about the Elan by asking you tuck in the top edge of the mask. Do you pull it down and away from your face, and kind of roll it back up your nose? Kind of wondering how you make sure that it's tucked in properly, how you do the tucking *smile*.

Thanks, I'm just getting going with the Elan myself, used it for about the total of a week a a while ago, and using it again now. I realize that the top edge of the mask being properly positioned is about the most important part to ensure less leaks, quietness, and as little air blowing up towards one's eyes as possible.

Thanks!