CPAPtalk.com

RG - With cpapsuperstore allowing returns and others likely to follow, I wouldn't poo poo the AURA. Wader and I are both guys, (well I didn't check, but I am taking his word for it ) and we both are having EXCELLENT results with the AURA. Last night was the best night I have had with it! AHI of .3!! So, with the "return it if you don't like it or it doesn't fit" makes it a no brainer to me!

I have a full beard and 'stache --I've spent HOURS with the RT trying on different masks at different pressures. Here is what I have learned:

1) Facial hair has the potential to make any mask leak, expecially if you roll/move around in your sleep. Because the hair is keeping the silicone away from your skin, you will simply not get as secure of a seal as you will without facial hair. Having said this, the best seal that I obtained, without having to crank the straps tight, was with an Activa. I believe the Activa really is a tremendous mask but, it still leaks somewhat no matter how long, or short, my beard is. Also, the Activa, like every other nasal mask I've tried, chews a nasty groove into the bridge of my nose. Even with the straps really loose and the Activa cushion nicely inflated, I still get a bleeding, chewed-up nose bridge.

2) A nasal pillow system (Breeze, Swift, Aura, Comfort-Lite) has no seal problem related to facial hair.

I found the Breeze gave a great seal and was really stable when I rolled around, but I did not like it pushing against my upper lip and I did not like the hard piece at the back of my head.

The Swift is comfortable, seals well and stays fairly stable, but makes a bit of a "woosh" noise upon inhalation -I got used to it and use the Swift most nights.

I have been using the Respironics Comfort-Lite Pillows for about 4 months and find it remarkably stable and comfortable as long as your pressure is not above 14. Some others on this site love to bash this interface, but I find it to be very quiet, comfortable, easily adjusted, and easy to sleep with. I roll around like crazy and this sucker stays in place.

I'm waiting for my Aura to arrive, so I don't have an opinion on it, yet.

Overall, if you have facial hair, try out the nasal pillow systems, train yourself to not mouth breath and use lots of heated humidity. I found that a few months of Flonase (to reduce inflamation in the nasal/sinus system) use of the pollen filter in the XPAP machine, and a chinstrap (and occassional tape/ACE bandgage) helped me to stop mouth-breathing. Also, having an AutoPAP makes a HUGE difference as, overall, your pressures will be lower.

Good-luck and keep with it!

HockeyDad - sounds like you were one of D.W.'s patients, as was my husband. 2/18 was a really really sad day for us. He was to perform the same procedure on my husband 2/22, but alas this was not to be. Since the practice is now completely in an uproar trying to recover, they couldn't see us for months. We've just started the whole process again down in Concord. So far things look great -very thorough and nice to deal with. I'll keep you posted in case you need to locate a new Dr.

Meanwhile, you should know that since you have had the surgery you cannot use an AutoPap!

Pepper wrote:HockeyDad - sounds like you were one of D.W.'s patients, as was my husband. 2/18 was a really really sad day for us. He was to perform the same procedure on my husband 2/22, but alas this was not to be. Since the practice is now completely in an uproar trying to recover, they couldn't see us for months. We've just started the whole process again down in Concord. So far things look great -very thorough and nice to deal with. I'll keep you posted in case you need to locate a new Dr.

Meanwhile, you should know that since you have had the surgery you cannot use an AutoPap!

Why do you say you can not use an auto if you have had surgery? Haven't heard that said before

Good point, Mikesus!

RG - With cpapsuperstore allowing returns and others likely to follow, I wouldn't poo poo the AURA. Wader and I are both guys, (well I didn't check, but I am taking his word for it Wink ) and we both are having EXCELLENT results with the AURA. Last night was the best night I have had with it! AHI of .3!! So, with the "return it if you don't like it or it doesn't fit" makes it a no brainer to me!

LOL, Mike...I guess I still have Derek's description of the size of his nares burned into my brain - thinking of him tilting his head back for a full view in the mirror! Forgive me, Derek!

I applaud any store and any mask manufacturer who is willing to step up to the plate and take a mask back, giving a full refund of the purchase price with no "re-stocking fee" - the buyer paying only return shipping. That's been a policy of many successful retail stores that we all shop at for clothes and other items - even items that cannot really be "re-stocked" (toothbrush, undies). We get our money back for most personal items if we get them home and then find them to be unsatisfactory. We are apt to shop again and again at a store that bends over backwards for the customer that way.

Also, more people will try a product, like the very different Aura interface, if they have the reassurance that all they'll be out is shipping cost back to the store, if they don't like it. Being the great interface it is, more people will probably like it than not, the store will have many more successful sales than "returns" ...and a lot of good word of mouth recommendations to shop there. Everyone comes out ahead. Finally a mask being sold the way ALL cpap masks SHOULD be sold, imho - returnable for any reason.

The mask that delivers lifesaving cpap treatment is just too critical a piece of the "compliance" puzzle for people to be stuck with something that doesn't work for them due to insurance saying, "Oh, you've gotta wait x number of months before we'll pay for another." Or people of limited means and no insurance having to gamble on guessing what will work for them.

The few local DMEs that let patients keep trying masks until one works are outnumbered by the ones that say, "Open it, you own it." If Aeiomed sticks indefinitely with a "money back" guarantee on their mask, maybe they actually will make a dent in the mask market dominated for so long by just a couple of companies.

[quote="Mikesus
Why do you say you can not use an auto if you have had surgery? Haven't heard that said before [/quote]

I'm trying to locate the site where I read a long document relative to this issue. Apparently the Autos rely on the vibration of snoring as one of their indicators - after the surgery there is little or no uvula left to cause vibration - thus the inability to use Autopap equipment.
I'm going to keep looking into this and see if I can get some more data, or conflicting data.

I'll report back as soon as I find the original report, or anything else that supports it.

That sounds like VERY old data. The new machines do not rely on just snoring. If you want a real in depth read, check out the patent from the Remstar Auto.

Check out the Sleep EZ Anti Irritation Strips From CG Labs, 1 800 470-7796
I use them every night....

Thanks Pepper, keep me up to date on the new Doc. Yes, DW was my Doctor great guy, really liked him, we had planned on a follow up to research more options. Now I have no idea where to go, kind of limited options here in the upper valley.

Interesting about the autoPAP, makes sense, since I no longer have a uvula. But the machine isn't the problem so far, its been the mask. Have ordered the Ultra Mirage II, based of RG and others advice, waiting for it to come in. May buy the Activa and try that at some point as well, but being a mouth breather, I'm kind of limited.

Especially since I now have a cold. Figures, we finally get some good weather, and I get sick.

Finally a mask being sold the way ALL cpap masks SHOULD be sold, imho - returnable for any reason.

Amen to that RG. I just finished sending F&P my thoughts about their HC405 and HC431 masks that I recently shelled out over $200 for. Let's just say my remarks were less than complimentary.

Hockeydad,

I have been a CPAP user for over a year now and in the beginning, I had some of the same issues with mask discomfort and irritation. I tried several masks (thanks to my RT). None seemed to work for me. There always seemed to be an issue with fit or comfort (facial hair & sensitive skin). I needed to use a nasal interface since my skin was so sensitive. Since I could not find a mask that worked for me, I made my own. I won't go into any details hear, but what I want you to understand is there are options. Last year, Resmed came out with the SWIFT. I was surprised at the design, since it closely resembled my design, with some improvements. I have switched to the SWIFT and I find it to be very comfortable and effective. I designed my mask for minimal facial contact and flexible hose positioning, which seems to be a major factor in comfort. There is nothing worse then the hose tugging at the mask while you toss and turn. The SWIFT makes some effort to eliminate this issue. I recommend the SWIFT since it eliminates facial contact, and the need to over tighten the mask due to facial hair. I hope things work out for you.

wcampion wrote:Hockeydad,

I have been a CPAP user for over a year now and in the beginning, I had some of the same issues with mask discomfort and irritation. I tried several masks (thanks to my RT). None seemed to work for me. There always seemed to be an issue with fit or comfort (facial hair & sensitive skin). I needed to use a nasal interface since my skin was so sensitive. Since I could not find a mask that worked for me, I made my own. I won't go into any details hear, but what I want you to understand is there are options. Last year, Resmed came out with the SWIFT. I was surprised at the design, since it closely resembled my design, with some improvements. I have switched to the SWIFT and I find it to be very comfortable and effective. I designed my mask for minimal facial contact and flexible hose positioning, which seems to be a major factor in comfort. There is nothing worse then the hose tugging at the mask while you toss and turn. The SWIFT makes some effort to eliminate this issue. I recommend the SWIFT since it eliminates facial contact, and the need to over tighten the mask due to facial hair. I hope things work out for you.

wcampion: Would you mind telling me (us) what your pressure setting is? I ask because I had no luck at all with a Breeze nasal pillow interface due to my high setting of 18. However, I am expecting delivery today of my RemStar Auto with C-Flex and I am hoping this machine will allow me a reduced pressure at least during most of the night. If it does, I may again try a nasal pillow "mask" such as the Swift. My only concern about it is the hose connection. For the most part, I'm a side sleeper. It appears the design of the hose connection could be a problem for me. Any side sleepers out there successfully using the Swift? Thanks.

Anonymous wrote:

wcampion wrote:Hockeydad,

It appears the design of the hose connection could be a problem for me. Any side sleepers out there successfully using the Swift? Thanks.

Guest - I sleep on my side almost exclusively (occasionally I sleep on my stomach). I use the Swift and the only problem I have had is that on some nights I get wrapped up in my hose.

Scott

Put your hose attached to the crown strap and the run the main hose over your headboard to your CPAP or put a hook on the wall that will hold a bungee or scrunchie that you can run the hose through. Sure gets it out of the way. If you find the air is getting too cold, buy one of those hose socks made of polar fleece, for aboug $12. Really makes the air noticeably warmer and prevents rainout. I got a short one for my Swift hose too.

BTW I sleep almost exclusively on my side and have no trouble losing a seal with the Swift. I use medium pillows find the large will leak and are uncomfortable. I've noticed when the pressure is on the pillow tips inflate slightly and so do my nostrils. I didn't notice this with the Breeze. I think this is one reason they seal so well when you move around.

Just remember to use the straps rather loose. They don't need to be tight to maintain the seal. Hang your nose over the side of your pillow if you run into problems with the vent getting blocked by your pillow or bedding.

Hey hockeydad, sorry to hear about your troubles.

Here is a link to one of the articles under the collective wisdom on mask problems:
cpaptalk-articles/CPAP-mask-leaks-problems.html

One of the suggestions there is to use moleskin on sore areas, or to help with sealing. (Anyone use moleskin to help seal around facial hair??)

I also give my votes to the Activa and the Ultra Mirage, but I don't have facial hair so whaddoiknow?

Good luck finding what works for you...