Initial results with Hybrid mask

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Sidesleeper wrote:I am a register user and it says my email is taken when I try to sign up again. I cannot remember my password. I think I remember it, but it won't work.
I want everyone to see I wear a Hybrid when I post. I really believe there is a major medical benefit to that chin flap. My event's are down to 0.0 and 0.1 and I feel wonderful. Cpap is finally working after all this time. When people said they were getting their energy back , this is what they meant.
I sleep so well that I feel like I can do anything and I want everyone to feel this way.
I might be a candidate for that surgery that brings the jaw forward. I think thats what is happening to me.

Sidesleeeper,

Are you referring to the AI and HI values when you say they are down to 0.0 and 0.1? What were they before and which mask were you using? After 1 week, I'm going to look at these readings too. They must be low because I feel very refreshed. I''m curious if the manufacturer expected this mask to reduce events compared to other masks. Has anyone tried to find out?

-Cheers!

Paul

Third night on the Hybrid and I have discovered another tweak to help keep my mouth closed (or open if that is the objective).

As mentioned earlier, my mouth and throat dried out on second night because of directional force being placed by mask on my chin towards my throat. Last night, I noticed that if I shifted the mask slightly closer towards my nose my mouth would open more and if I shifted the mask further away from my nose my mouth would stay closed (actually my teeth still did not meet but my lips remained sealed). So I raised the nasal pillows up to maximum height and positioned the mask lower away from my nose … that did the trick. I did have to adjust the mask back down a couple of times during the night but I slept great and woke up with no dry mouth or throat.

Hope this post helps you out Hybrid convert.

I think I have tweaked this mask for optimum effectiveness on my face. I have begun to think of a preemptive fix on the Velcro/strap problem but will wait until I can actually get a fix that works before posting.

Going for the lean mean dreaming machine …

- roberto

DreamStalker wrote:
I think I have tweaked this mask for optimum effectiveness on my face. I have begun to think of a preemptive fix on the Velcro/strap problem but will wait until I can actually get a fix that works before posting.

Roberto,
Please do share with the rest of us about the velcro fix. Of course I could probably just go to a sewing supply store and manually sew on more velcro but if you come up with something even easier I would be grateful!

Suzy

snoozie_suzy wrote:

DreamStalker wrote: Roberto,
Please do share with the rest of us about the velcro fix. Of course I could probably just go to a sewing supply store and manually sew on more velcro but if you come up with something even easier I would be grateful!

Suzy

Well ... OK.

I was thinking of adding either cam buckles or quick-release buckles like shown here -

http://www.nationalwebbing.com/0phdwr01 ... Buckles...

Will need to use one that is 5/8 inches as that is the size needed. Will also have to get some 5/8 webbing material to sew the buckles to the current snap-on clips of the Hybrid. You would then thread the neoprene straps (velcro end and all) thru the strap-locking portion of the buckles. This would retain full adjustment of straps and add the quick-release feature.

Hope that makes sense ... it seems to in mind which is why I wanted to wait until I had a working model to take pics and show.

dreams defrag the mind ...

- roberto

[quote="DreamStalker"]Third night on the Hybrid and I have discovered another tweak to help keep my mouth closed (or open if that is the objective).

As mentioned earlier, my mouth and throat dried out on second night because of directional force being placed by mask on my chin towards my throat. Last night, I noticed that if I shifted the mask slightly closer towards my nose my mouth would open more and if I shifted the mask further away from my nose my mouth would stay closed (actually my teeth still did not meet but my lips remained sealed). So I raised the nasal pillows up to maximum height and positioned the mask lower away from my nose … that did the trick. I did have to adjust the mask back down a couple of times during the night but I slept great and woke up with no dry mouth or throat.

Hope this post helps you out Hybrid convert.


- roberto

Dreamstalker: My first experiences with the Hybrid were very much like rooster's: hot, sore jaw, inflammation under chin from chin flap. So I cut the chin flap off. Then the mouth breathing started. Without the chin flap I don't think the mask can be adjusted to keep my mouth closed. I think I could learn to tolerate the dry mouth except it it so annoying it awakens me.

Perhaps you had your straps to tight because you were using too small of a mouth piece?

Very good point. In order to make the tweak adjustment I was describing, the chin flap is needed (works as a second seal for me I think) ... also, I do not know if my beard plays a part in this tweak. Sorry, I won't be shaving it off any time soon to find out

- roberto

Anonymous wrote: Dreamstalker: My first experiences with the Hybrid were very much like rooster's: hot, sore jaw, inflammation under chin from chin flap. So I cut the chin flap off. Then the mouth breathing started. Without the chin flap I don't think the mask can be adjusted to keep my mouth closed. I think I could learn to tolerate the dry mouth except it it so annoying it awakens me.

I believe you are right. Once you cut off the chin flap, you cannot do anything to keep the mouth closed. That is the trade off. But some people find that the mask is lighter and cooler without the chin flap.

Maybe by adding a separate chin strap ... that might help keep the mouth closed?

A new chin strap - $15 to $45 ... A new Hybrid - $175 (or free if your lucky) ... A night full of dreams - priceless ...

- roberto

Maybe I've missed something along the way, but I thought one of the big advantages of the Hybrid was that you COULD have your mouth open, i.e. when you have a cold or alergies that clog up the nose. From what I'm reading here, it seems as if ya'll are trying to keep your mouths closed. Now I'm really confused!!!

You are absolutely right Linda. The initial reason for getting the Hybrid is to be able to mouth breath when needed (at least my initial reason).

However, the Hybrid can sometimes forces your mouth open even when you don’t want or need to mouth breath (causing dry mouth/dry throat problems). The Hybrid should allow for either or both nasal/mouth breathing and it can ... so long as you don’t cut/remove the chin flap so that you can adjust it properly.

Hope that clears things up for you.

've used the Hybrid mask for a week now and compared to the ff mask I was using for the week prior, I LOVE the Hybrid. I was having non-stop leak problems with the ff mask and I still have a few with the Hybrid, but they are much less frequent or extreme. I'm usually able to get rid of the leak w/o having to turn off the machine and unhook the mask like I was doing before. The first night it was really hard to get used to the nasal pillows (I don't know why they call them that), but since then, it has been much better. I don't wake up feeling like Bozo with a big red nose!

For me, the biggest advantage to the Hybrid (leaks notwithstanding) is the ability to wear my glasses to read or watch tv in bed before falling asleep... something I absolutely could not do with the ff mask.

Newbies, if you're having problems with your first mask, you may want to contact your DME without delay. In my case, the manufacturer of my first mask had a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Because I was not satisfied, my DME was able to give me the Hybrid mask (at no charge - courtesy of the guarantee) without involving my insurance company. What a pleasant surprise! I have no idea this is a common practice or not, but it's at least worth checking into if you find yourself in a similar situation.

Just an update, I have used the Hybrid mask 29 nights now and it is great. I am having a lot of dreams for the first time in years.

The mask rarely leaks. I found a good fit (medium mask, chin flap cut off, medium pillows). I can understand if you don't find a good fit the mask may leak for you.

The only time I get leaks is when I have been pulling at the hose or mask. This rarely happens.

The nose pillows are softer than Swift pillows and I have had no irritation around the nose.

In the last two weeks I have adjusted the headgear only once. This is the original style headgear.

The mask is also easy to clean.

I am starting to feel better physically and mentally. Daytime sleepiness is decreasing.

I just hope this good fortune is not jinxed by writing this!

rooster

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I'm glad you're doing so well with the hybrid rooster. I know how you feel, the hybrid is the only mask I've ever used. Thank goodness it works for me. I keep thinking I should try another mask but I'm afraid to mess up the good sleep I've been getting. I did get the new headgear, my top strap stopped sticking. The new headgear is much better, something to consider when it's available again.

Brenda