"No-Mask"

Hi! I just ordered a "CPAP nasal interface" and it should arrive any day. Anyone out there ever tried this? Just the idea of not having my head all tied up when I try to sleep brings tears to my eyes ("claustrophobic" attacks at night), however I'm sure I could use a few tips and or warnings from someone who has used this. Thanks

Well... Let's hope you're in the smaller group.

It seems every time this comes up the reviews by people who have actually used it fall into two categories:

1) Love it, can't imagine life without it, are astounded no one else ever came up with it.

2) Hate it. Think it's overpriced, cheap and junky, as well as uncomfortable and hard to use.

Unfortunately, it seems the second group is the larger group. But there are definitely those in group 1 who think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Liam, who slices his bread on a band saw. Leftover sawdust adds much needed fiber.

Thanks for your response Liam. Received my new equipment today and hope to be able to fall asleep with it tonight. I'm thrilled that it was delivered so quickly after ordering and hope that (should I be in the smaller group) I shall have no difficulty getting replacement parts sent to me when I return to Europe end of this month. I'm grateful that this forum exists, was thrilled when I "discovered" it and intend to register after my vacation is over.

rusty, please let us know what you think of it and why!

Hi (other) Guest, and you too Liam (incase your checking...) !

I'll have to give you a brief background in order to keep any info I pass on in the right perspective. I am only home in the States on vacation, I have been living in Germany for the past 23 years (originally as a military-brat/family member) so it is perhaps important to state that I do not have my humidifier with me and that I was very apprehensive about spending so much money (single mom guilt trip and cash flow issue...) for a piece of equipment that could be a total waste and disappointment.....

I LOVE THIS THING UP MY NOSE AND NOT ALL AROUND MY HEAD LIKE A LOVESICK OCTOPUS!!

Ok, let's get the record straight... the instructions were written rather poorly and if you are not at all technically inclined it would be advisable to have someone who is on hand for some assistance. I sweated it out alone...

Upon opening the package the first item I was confronted with was a "meat" thermometer! I thought "WOW if this isn't an omen - they send you this for checking your temperature you TURKEY, you've probably been had!" - not to worry though, it's only for checking the temp of the water for preparing the mouthpiece (so you don't scald the heck out of your mouth). Got the mouthpiece ready and then came the fun part .... getting this silly thing adjusted so it would sit properly! Not an easy task However, being the thickheaded little thing that I am, I was not about to give up easy.... if you loosen all the screws/bolts etc. at the same time and keep playing with it (the mask!, I meant the mask!) After several hours of adjustments - BINGO It sits right!!! Having my "normal" mask and headgear within reach I fell asleep (shear exhaustion from trying to get my new contraption fitting/sitting properly while laying there thinking about where, precisely, I should put the "meat" thermometer should all my attempts remain fruitless....)

I woke up three times on wednesday (actually now thursday) night in a panic because I thought I had ripped my mask off of my face and briefly did not realize that I had a mouthpiece in place and two tubes up my nose! (ok, they're not really up my nose, just pushing on my nostrils). Have been using it since then and I LOVE IT! I must however say that I am having very minor discomfort due to my nose and throat drying out somewhat (humidifier is back at home...) and minor confusion as to just where to put my tubing. I lay down, pop the mouthpiece in place, spend mere seconds adjusting the nose hoses and tadaaaah! I sleep! I sleep on my back, I sleep on my left side, I sleep on my right side, I sleep! I sleep, I sleep and I awaken without red marks and puffy eyes that don't want to open!!!!!!

I'm sure that since I was using a small mouthpiece prior to this (grinding my teeth at night) was advantageous to this experience and a few minor suggestions to the creator of this equipment might make it somewhat easier for others to use.

The only other comment that pops into my (oh so little but cute) mind is that I am not sure if I will be able to use this or will need to revert to my other mask when confronted with a cold or flu..... Time will tell.

Hugs to all of you out there, and a big THANKS to folks who enable this forum to exist!

HI Rusty,

It's good to hear you are having such great results. Would you share the brand and model of interface/mask you are using? I'm having trouble visualizing a unit that fits in your mouth and has tubes for your nose.

It sounds like a unit I would like to try.

Well I was so curious I managed to find the CPAP Pro by using a Google search. This looks like a very interesting way to go!

For anyone else curious and confused like I was, here is the link to the CPAP pro website:

http://www.cpappro.com/index.html


Keep On Sleepin

Hi there curious IWannaSleep!

Yes, yes, yes! you found it all by yourself . Looks a little strange compared to the masks I've used until now, which was why I was trying to find someone out there who actually tried this thing before I spent the money on it. I'm extremely pleased and am now checking out how I can get replacement parts sent to me in Germany (it has not been approved over there - could take a decade or so.... GERMAN BUREAUCRATS Hope, should you decide to give it a try as well, that you shall be as pleased with it as I am.

This contraption is torture for your jaws! My TMJ is absolutely killing me. I have reboiled the mouthpiece several times to see it I could make it more comfortable. It's AWFUL!!! I would not recommend this!!!!!!!!

hi there,
Im so glad its working so well for you!

I googled it to take a peek, and the nose pillows look like the ones on the hybrid masks, which did not work for me at all

This is something I would try if it had the f and p pillow set up, because I sure guess it stops mouth leaks!

Im happy you found a solution!

I bought one but haven't tried it yet. I normally wear a bruxism night guard, so I don't think the dental piece will be a problem for me. They do provide instructions for having the dental piece fitted by a dentist. That may be necessary for some people.

FYI: My CPAP Pro 'How To' Thread:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48304&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=cpappro

SG