Hybrid Mask

After reading the review on the Hybrid I was somewhat apphrensive about forking out more money for a mask that might not work. In fact, it's one of the more expensive masks to try. My apprehension vanished the minute I put the mask on and it adjusted so well to my exact needs. Then I went to sleep with it last night and let me tell you, I've never had a better night's sleep on my BiPap Auto. I hardly noticed it.

This is by far the best mask I've ever used. I've only been on the BiPap for a bit over a month and this is the fourth mask I've bought and tried.

I started out with the ComfortFull by Respironics because the sleep techy found that I have a tendency to mouth breathe --or at least occasionally open my mouth and let all the air come rushing forth. The ComfortFull was a constant struggle for me with constant air leaks, dry eyes, strap marks and pain and marks on the bridge of the nose. For me it was like a torture device from the Middle Ages.

Then I tried the Oracle oral mask. To me, it was like being on the business end of a high-pressure air hose! The aerophagia and bloating were a bit much, resulting in subspace gaseous anomalies (for you Trekkies out there ). The air quality warning lights and sirens came on in the bedroom and my wife ran out of the room screaming. (Not really--just a little drama there for you. ).

My best result prior to my new Hybrid was with the ComfortLite 2 by Respironics. I finally began to get some good results with this mask. I was using the nasal pillows and aside from having to adjust them when I turned at night. Another problem with the ComfortLite was the fact that when I slept on my side (which I do usually) the mask would touch the pillow, causing my neck to be put in an unnatural position. This resulted in pains in the neck in the morning. Add to that the fact that I would get blow-back air from the pillow when on my side. That was annoying.

Now with the Hybrid it's almost the Beatific Vision! (a little religious lingo there for our pious hose-heads ). I hardly notice it being on once it is adjusted properly. I can sleep on my side naturally without cricking my neck. I even slept until 3:30 AM before waking up. Usually with the ComfortLite I was up between 1 and 2 and sometimes I would "take a break" for an hour so my neck would feel better.

With the the ComfortLite I had to tape my mouth, which was a bit uncomfortable, especially when removing the tape. With the Hybrid there is no need to do that. In fact the pressure has the tendency to keep my lips shut, though not always. There were a couple of times when I woke realizing I was mouth breathing. Also when that happens there's the inevitable desert-mouth, even with the humidifier turned all the way up.

Hey--just wanted to let you all know that it might be worth a try for some of you who were intimidated by the original review. I'm very happy. And don't think you have to pay full price for the Hybrid. I found mine on Ebay at substantially lower than the $160 some are charging. I saw one yesterday that was going for about $70, probably used and re-sterilized.

May you all breathe forever.

Pastordave

I'm not sure why that one review is still up there it is only one persons opinion.
Lots of us love our Hybrid just as much as you seem to,here are some links Rested Gal was nice enough to assemble.

viewtopic.php?p=91423

The Hybrid is a life saver for me. It's my dream mask and I wouldn't be without it. Even my wife who favors little nasalaire and swift masks, is sleeping 8 hours every night for the first time in 3 years without getting up to use the lew.
I'm surprised cpaptalk.com doesn't have a better review or at least a review from someone who has used it with the new headgear and has the new shell.The review that is up there doesn't address any of the fantastic changes. People miss out because their afraid to buy what I think is probably the worlds best mask for cpap.

I use it too, and love it!

I have been using a hybrid for almost a month, and wish I could say the same as pastordave. I have had some good and some not so good nights with it. I have experimented with the 3 face cushions and nasal pillows, I cut the chin flap off one of them and tried that, and settled on medium for both face cushion and pillows, with the pillows cut apart. I have also used a chin strap under the interface as a supplement to the mask, which helped with leak issues, but even with that, at bipap of 10 to 14, I have to have it pretty tight to get it not to leak. My hypopnia numbers are alot higher than with mouth taping, so I obviously need this type. I have the new headgear, not sure if the shell is new, didn't know that was upgraded.

neverbetter wrote:The Hybrid is a life saver for me. It's my dream mask and I wouldn't be without it. Even my wife who favors little nasalaire and swift masks, is sleeping 8 hours every night for the first time in 3 years without getting up to use the lew.
I'm surprised cpaptalk.com doesn't have a better review or at least a review from someone who has used it with the new headgear and has the new shell.The review that is up there doesn't address any of the fantastic changes. People miss out because their afraid to buy what I think is probably the worlds best mask for cpap.

Neverbetter,

Is this new shell you are talking about somehow related to the new Adaptive design version of the Hybrid? I read somewhere else about it, what's different about it? I love my Hybrid but my hypopnea index is running between 3 and 4. I'm wondering if this adaptive design will somehow reduce that.

Jim

Jim,

My RT told me that the adaptive flow design of the Hybrid has a lower exhaust flow rate at higher pressures. If your pressure is over 14, I can see how the adaptive flow design might reduce the number of hypopneas. At pressures less than that, I doubt it will have much impact.

But I'm not the ultimate expert on these kinds of topics...

I love my Hybrid but my hypopnea index is running between 3 and 4. I'm wondering if this adaptive design will somehow reduce that.

Just put a toothpick in one of the holes, and that will reduce it to
same "flush rate" as the UMFF. I tried that for a month, I did see a
small decrease in the snores. However, my "numbers" are low and
my pressure average is only 9.2 cm/H2O.

1) Hybrid- % use= 80. Pro: Easy breathing, Con: face tends to sweat a bit,
so it moves around after 4 hours. Using it since: 07/09/2006

2) CL2- % of use= 20. Pro: Dry face and higher HH setting are usable.
Con: Air ingestion. Using it since: 02/11/2006



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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Hypopnea

I agree with Oldgearhead. I find the Hybrid very easy to breathe with. When the Hybrid first came out several months ago, Mike Moran had mentioned that the air sits in the oral chamber for a fraction of a second before going into the nares via the nasal pillows. I think he was absolutely right, I don't experience a blast of air like the standard nasal pillow devices such as the Swift.

Cheers!

Pat

I have loved my Hybrid from the very first night! Been using it now for over 8 months and I still have the lowest pressures and AHI's on my auto than I even had in 3 years with any other mask! Guess I was one of the lucky ones! Sure is nice going to bed without chin straps and tape!

What does the new shell look like?

I really like the new headgear. What a difference. It is a bit big for a small head. But it does fit well.

neverbetter, thank you for mentioning your wife and the Nasal Aire II, I also use the NA II. I took the Hybrid out of the box and gave it a try without a cold. I slept better in it.

So much for using the Hybrid for when I have a cold only.