Which masks works well with auto CPAP?

I'm a newbie--pressure 9--got MD to write me a new prescription for Auto CPAP--range is 5 to 15--currently use Breeze pillows cause I'm claustrophobic--nose a little sore but can manage with Neosporin--don't want a nasal mask.

Currently am on Remstar Auto with humidifier set at 3--works well--not much rainout--don't know if it works well with the Breeze--sometimes wakeup in the morning with pressure at 13--usually sleep 6 hours, urinate, eat a bowl of cereal, go back to sleep for 1 to 2 hours.

Called up Respironics--they said Breeze DOESN'T work well with their equipment--said Comfort Curve would--don't know if they're just selling me something or if each manufacturer designs their machines only with their own masks--will be getting a Respironics Auto with CFLEX next week. My questions are these: Will the Breeze be compatible?( I don't necessarily trust Respironics or any manufacturer) Are there other brands of Nasal pillows that would work? Would the Comfort Curve be worth buying if the Breeze didn't work? Not too concerned with price--just want something to work with the Respironics C-FLEX Auto CPAP machine. Why? I figure it might be the most comfortable machine for me--just want the most comfortable mask that will work well with it. Please Help! Thank you!

I am thinking of getting the confort curve. I use the Comfort Select Mask with Headgear - Medium $49.99 I got from CPAP.com. It does press against just above the upper lip , but it works for me.

Artwood, the Breeze is one of my favorite masks. I used it almost every night with my Remstar Auto and also with my Remstar Auto with c-flex. I have the Encore Pro software, so was able to see how things were going. The Breeze worked fine for me with both Remstar Autos.

Respironics has one of the best sales forces out there. The Comfort Curve is their newest baby, so they're understandably pushing it...even on their support phone lines.

It's true that for a some people a narrow diameter short connector hose could interfere with some autopaps being able to read what's happening correctly. Since that possibility exists, the companies conservatively caution against using those kinds of interfaces with autopaps.

A notable exception is Puritan Bennett which does recommend their Breeze with their 420E auto.

However, there have been many, many, many posts from people on this and on two other apnea message boards about successfully using the Breeze (and other narrow diameter short connector hose interfaces) with every brand of autopap, including the Remstar.

I wouldn't worry another moment about it. I'd wear the mask I liked with the machine I liked regardless of mixing brands. If you started having a problem with your treatment, you could always think about another mask then.

Thanks rested gal! I think I'll just stay with the Breeze for a few months. I might try the Comfort Curve later on down the road. It sounds like it might be comfortable--I'm just afraid it might be problematic to adjust and I'd just wind up having leaks.

Speaking of leaks--how can you tell if you're having them or not? They say you can take your smart card to the home equipment people and they can download it--I don't have a smart card reader--do they cost much money? Will the printout tell me if I'm having leaks? My regular pressure is 9. Is a pressure of 13 on the Auto PAP unusual? I usually wake up with it on 13--sometimes a little less.

One last question--I have heard a few horror stories about people dying while on CPAP during a power outage. How rare is that? Would it make sense to get a battery backup system?

The breeze worked just fine on my Remstar auto also. I had other issues with the breeze, which were mainly quality related. A TINY TINY percent of people might have some compatibility issues of using that combo, but I have never heard a single case yet discussed on any of the forums.

I think people dying on CPAP during power outages could be an urban myth. Masks are designed to vent when the air is cut off, and it is more than likely that someone would wake up with the sudden ceassation of air flow. Once again, I would be interested if ANY of these "many" cases were first hand knowledge. i.e. ...I wouldn't worry. Now going to sleep without CPAP during a power outage, probably has the same risk as at any other time an untreated apnea person goes to sleep.

From what I have seen on the forums, 9-13cm seems to be a pretty common average pressure. 18 and up seems to be HIGH, especially above 20.

Software and cardreader.....since the smart marketing people have it locked into proprieatary card reader and software, is $200 if you shop around, although you can pay more. It is VERY useful software, although it can be a pain to set it all up.