Headrest/Aura--decapitations, modifications Question

goose · Post by **goose** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:28 pm

Hey RG -- thanks for that. I know I've seen those pix at least a dozen times...
I have to say that is one solution I haven't tried yet -- But I will. I haven't tried that many masks, but this one really works for me. Thanks once again for the suggestions and I'll just have to order a pair or two

take care
cheers
goose

JZ · Post by JZ » Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:09 am

All of you out there in cpaptalk.com land -- just wait -- Rested Gal will get her Hanes on you.

I think in the warmer climes, pantyhose tights are not all that common. I had to look around for awhile and finally found some at Walgreens.

Jen -- I have a small head and the Aura headgear is way big on me. But since I don't have lab rat genes, I decided to give it a whirl out of the box. And actually it works fine for me with one pantyhose tights strap just below the vent. The stap takes up the slack in the headgear. The only modification I have done is jcarn's rubberband fix:

viewtopic.php?t=5962

I find the Aura to be quite noisy on inhale. It bothers me a little when I am trying to go to sleep, but I am pretty used to it now. And the smaller size of nasal pillows (which are not very small) seem too big and hurt my nares just a tiny bit when I first put the mask on.

But the Aura is magical once I go to sleep. No problems with leaks (I use lanolin), lightweight, and comfortable. I am a side sleeper and can put the whole side of my head on the pillow. I can even turn onto my stomach, which I was unable to do with the Swift, the Activa, or the ComfortLite 2. When I awaken during the night or in the morning, not only can I not feel the cpap pressure, I can't feel the mask. It seems like part of my face and head. Lovely!

Keep us posted with your Aura experience.

Janna

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 1:06 pm

[quote="goose"]My Headrest is pretty much stock.
I did add one of Geralds velcro modifications at the top to pull the lower section tighter (don't know what to call it).....I think I have his pictures filed here somewhere.....

I reallllllly like the mask --
One issue I've had is the slippage of the rear lower head band piece (rubber kind of sucks too, but.....). I think I read in one of the threads that someone put some Velcro (hook side) on the inside of the lower rear headband so that it would hook the hair and not slip -- My hair is too short for that to work, and if I had longer hair, I'm not all that sure I'd want Velcro hooking it .....just me.

My leak rate still seems to be a bit high and the graph shows it all over the place but it is very consistent at about 33. I tried the poligrip strips to see if I was mouth leaking but the numbers are the same (I didn't think I was mouth leaking, but needed to eliminate it as a cause).
I do notice some leakage at the swivel joint at the top where the hose fits in, and the pillows don't completely seal my nares all the time (at the "top"/front). I've used the greases (Lanolin, KY, etc.) and it only makes the leaking worse around the nares......I'm using the large pillows.
Also, it is a bit noisy. It doesn't bother me because I generally wear earplugs anyway (wife snores like a chain saw)....

I'll have to take a look at the decapitation process so when I get a new one, I can "play" with the old one.
All of that said, I do like the mask a lot!!!!

cheers
goose

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 1:09 pm

Soak the seal in warm soapy water for about 30-45 mins of you want to get rid of more of the plastic smell.

Ozij,

That worked! Thanks!

Jen

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:18 pm

socknitster wrote:
Soak the seal in warm soapy water for about 30-45 mins of you want to get rid of more of the plastic smell.
Ozij,

That worked! Thanks!

Jen

roster · Post by **roster** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:43 pm

rested gal wrote:
rooster wrote:Are we just talking about pantyhose?
Almost. Not quite. Tights are a little thicker material than what's in regular pantyhose. A strap using tights would stay wider. Not be as apt to roll into a thin tube when pulled. Tights material is also a little grippier -- not as likely to slide.

http://www.nononsense.com/Tights.aspx

rooster wrote:Is there a spec?
Well, on that page, the Cotton Blend Tights would probably do nicely. I like cotton. Wouldn't have to be those exact percentages. Or even those exact "ingredients." Does need to be "tights", though.

Cotton Blend Tights
Talk about love... Spandex yarns combined with nylon and cotton make these soft and comfortable tights look and feel great. These tights are a true classic.

* Classic opaque tights
* Soft feel and durable

Product Content:
51% nylon, 40% cotton, 9% spandex

Oh RG, so according to that history men were the first to wear tights!

And technically, my wife is correct - you can have pantyhose or you can have tights, but no pantyhose tights. Gee, I am alway wrong around her. I am even wrong if I speak in the woods.

Now I googled silk tights because they must be the most comfortable, especially during warm weather. Quite expensive. I need to ask my wife's girl friends if they have any old pairs they would donate.

No scratch that, my wife needs to ask her girl friends

Oh crap, better forget that whole blame idea.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:27 am

rooster wrote:And technically, my wife is correct - you can have pantyhose or you can have tights, but no pantyhose tights.

By golly, she IS right! It's one or t'other...not both, though the resemblance is striking.

Geeze, just think of all the grief I could have saved myself had I left out that infamous word and written only of making a strap from a leg cut off a pair of TIGHTS.

And just think of all the extra money wives would have had, free to spend on more pantyhose, 'cause their cpap-using husbands would have not had to keep buying mask after leaky mask. Those husbands who weren't ABOUT to wear pantyhose on their heads WOULD have been willing to cut a leg off TIGHTS to make a mask work.

Or, at least some of 'em would...

rooster wrote:Oh crap, better forget that whole blame idea.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:24 pm

O.

goose · Post by **goose** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:55 pm

Thanks for the info Jen - I'll take a look at an XL interface. That may work better -- I'm very happy with the mask!!!

The rubber band fix didn't work for me -- kept slipping off. That's why I did Geralds velcro fix that essentially does the same action.

Let us know how you like the mask as you progress!!!

cheers
goose

Born Tired · Post by **Born Tired** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:15 pm

rested gal wrote: Geeze, just think of all the grief I could have saved myself had I left out that infamous word and written only of making a strap from a leg cut off a pair of TIGHTS.

Yes, RG, but then the world would never have been introduced to the term "Mantyhose".
Esther
__

Born Tired · Post by **Born Tired** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:37 pm

Jen,

If you are like most women, the headgear is probably a bit too large. Here is the link (I hope) to what I did to make it fit.
viewtopic.php?p=211914&highlight=#211914

I have since started using RG's homemade strap. My leak rate is around 13.

Also if you use gel (ayr, KY, etc) try applying the gel and waiting a few minutes before inserting the pillows. The gel gets tacky after about 5 minutes, and the seal stays better for me then.

Hope you really like yours. It's a great one!!
Esther
__

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:46 pm

I hit Dillard's overstock/discontinued store about 8:45 tonight when I thought no one I know would see me. Hanes Silk Reflections, size E-F (largest), color: Peacock (blue-grey), 93% nylon/75 Spandex, regularly $8.50, discounted to $2.12. Paid cash - no credit card record.

Rubbing against my face they feel quite comfortable. So comfortable I have been rubbing them against my face for 15 minutes (wife is not home yet). Heck, should have bought an extra pair.

So I guess I'll just cut the legs away from the waist and crotch at the seams. Will they unravel if I do this? How do you fasten the leg ends to make a circle?

Now wait a minute, I have been wearing a $21 Buff (buffusa.com) to protect my nice head of hair from the mask straps. These tights are much cheaper. Maybe I can just leave the legs intact, put the panties over my hair and pull the legs around my mask.

Metro-Male.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:30 pm

I don't quite understand ... can post a pic?

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:45 pm

rooster wrote:I hit Dillard's overstock/discontinued store about 8:45 tonight when I thought no one I know would see me. Hanes Silk Reflections, size E-F (largest), color: Peacock (blue-grey), 93% nylon/75 Spandex, regularly $8.50, discounted to $2.12. Paid cash - no credit card record.

Rubbing against my face they feel quite comfortable. So comfortable I have been rubbing them against my face for 15 minutes (wife is not home yet). Heck, should have bought an extra pair.

So I guess I'll just cut the legs away from the waist and crotch at the seams. Will they unravel if I do this? How do you fasten the leg ends to make a circle?

Now wait a minute, I have been wearing a $21 Buff (buffusa.com) to protect my nice head of hair from the mask straps. These tights are much cheaper. Maybe I can just leave the legs intact, put the panties over my hair and pull the legs around my mask.

Metro-Male.

I'm getting a positively amazing image in my head .....

Mindy

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:33 pm

rooster wrote:How do you fasten the leg ends to make a circle?

Well, I'm gonna be serious here while everyone else laughs at you, my fine feathered friend.

Here's how to tie the knot behind (or on top of) your noggin:
http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/doublestartknot.htm