Trying to adjust to the Liberty....

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:58 pm

[quote="radioactive1"]Now I'm depressed. Doesn't anyone else feel like they're being water boarded with those nasal pillows?

If you're a mouth-breather, I would think nasal or sinus problems would be an issue, making the sensation of 16 lb of air up your nose more claustrophobic than regular full face masks.

It sounds like there's a chance that the Hybrid would be less confining than the Liberty. Otherwise, I'll try one of the newer FFM when the budget permits. The F-P HC431 would have been fine if they made the forehead rest pivot instead of fixing it in place. So far the ComfortFull 2 worked best (using it with the F-P headgear) after going through the usual list of nasal masks, then nasal masks with a chin straps, the discovering Full Face Masks.

Plus after all 10 years of trying, you guys are way ahead with reader software and adjustable PSI and making Commando type modifications.

I'd settle for 3-4 hours sleep at a time.

skjansen · Post by **skjansen** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:54 am

Chipbuddy:

I think the Oracle could take a little time to get used to but I also think that I will like it if I can keep air from coming out of my nose. The Oracle fits inside your mouth so it is quite a different feeling than what we are used to with masks. I am a definite mouth breather so I suspect it will work well for me if I can get the leaks from my nose resolved. The Oracle comes with a small and large piece that fits in your mouth. Seems like to me I would be more successful and comfortable with a medium size!

Birdshell my Liberty broke at the elbow also. From what I can tell I would be best served by not unhooking the mask from that part but I think I should unhook it directly from the hose. That part is just way to flimsy to put any excess wear and tear on it. I also noticed like you that the part where the head gear attaches to the mask was a little weak as well. I love this mask but wish the parts were a little more sturdy.

Someday, someone will find a mask that has all of the kinks worked out of it and we will all be a very happy bunch of hoseheads!!

john_dozer · Post by **john_dozer** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:17 pm

My 3 cents about my experience with the Liberty and nose leaks

1) I found a good portion of the leaks were actually phantom leaks. The seal just doesn't seem good. I don't mean from the actual performance but just how it feels. Its the perception the mask gives over the reality. This increased my apprehension. Then if I had any strange sensation like being slightly cool or the slightest noise around the end of my nose and I jumped to the conclusion it as leaking. I found I needed to inspect for a leak by moving my finger around the location where the pillow seals against the nose. If there really was a leak, passing my finger made it much louder.

2) When I first put on the mask, I have to fuss with the initially seating of the pillows. I don't just jam them up there. I twist them or tug on them slightly. I check for leaks my finger and adjust as necessary. This take about 20-30s of fussing that seems to prevent future issues in the night.

3) I do position the mask so I have sufficient compression of the pillows

4) The shape of my nares have actually changed slightly to be a better match to the pillow

5) As the mask builds up oils, it loses its effectiveness at sealing. Clean it often or use wipes.

6) Trim your nose hairs. I think tickling the nose hairs was one of the contributors to the phantom leaks.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:55 pm

Properly seating the nasal pillows is something that I have found necessary with every nasal pillows-designed mask, so far!

Karen,
Who cannot recall how many

masks...

roster · Post by **roster** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:47 am

john_dozer wrote:..........
4) The shape of my nares have actually changed slightly to be a better match to the pillow

.........

Mine too.

crossfit junkie · Post by **crossfit junkie** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:19 am

Boy folks! I feel really fortunate....first mask I try with my first attempt at the CPAP last week is a Hybrid Liberty Mirage and I love it. No leaks, no marks, comfortable either breathing through my nose or my mouth and it doesn't wake me up- I don't think. Top marks from me!

SleepyDragon · Post by **SleepyDragon** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:44 pm

crossfit junkie wrote:Boy folks! I feel really fortunate....first mask I try with my first attempt at the CPAP last week is a Hybrid Liberty Mirage and I love it. No leaks, no marks, comfortable either breathing through my nose or my mouth and it doesn't wake me up- I don't think. Top marks from me!

Welcome to the ranks of the Liberty Lovers.

ZeeMan · Post by **ZeeMan** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:06 pm

I'm getting major leakage where the hose attaches to the mask. My latest leakage number is 56.7 L / minute with pressure at 8. My wife hints that the noise of this mask is as hard to live with as my snoring was. I've assumed that this particular leak was inherent in the Liberty's design. Is this leakage range typical of the Liberty? What leakage levels are other Liberty users experiencing?

I am aware that the Liberty's hose attachment has to click into place at the top and bottom of the elbow piece, and am careful to make sure it is firmly in place before use.

I've been using the CPAP for nearly 6 months, almost all of that with the Liberty. (The Quattro left my nose bridge bloody so I gave it up early). I'm encouraged that my AHI has dropped to 4.8. Its been in the lower teens most of that time and has rarely gotten down below 7.

Thanks!

azhosehead · Post by **azhosehead** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:50 am

I have a full face mask and use the quattro. I had a chance to use the liberty mask for my last sleep study. It was pretty good but the tech had to cinch the thing very tight so it wouldn't leak. I have since purchased a liberty and have found the thing impractical for me to use. I have a pretty high pressure and I have a problem tolerating that much pressure going through my nose. I also find the head gear mind boggling to get on and situated. I kept my mask and hope to try it again some time. For now, I'm back on the quattro. I have been on CPAP for 7 years.

If you are new to CPAP, adjusting to any mask is kind of a tribulation until to you get somewhat accustomed to it (I have never gotten used to using a mask). I would suggest you try another full face mask and compare to see what works out best for and go with how you feel physically (rested?).

That said, I think the liberty mask is going in the right direction in coming up with a full mask that reduces the mask size on the face.

LinkC · Post by **LinkC** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:15 pm

ZeeMan wrote:I'm getting major leakage where the hose attaches to the mask. My latest leakage number is 56.7 L / minute with pressure at 8. My wife hints that the noise of this mask is as hard to live with as my snoring was. I've assumed that this particular leak was inherent in the Liberty's design. Is this leakage range typical of the Liberty? What leakage levels are other Liberty users experiencing?

I only used a Liberty for a short time (the mouth cushion was a poor fit to my face). But that sounds like there is something definitely wrong with your mask. Is the vent a soft "insert" that's maybe dislodged? I don't think the Lib has O2 ports that may have lost a cap (the Hybrid does...) But there is SOMETHING amiss.

ZeeMan · Post by **ZeeMan** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:36 pm

Thanks for your thoughts.

Tried a second Liberty, same results. Whatever the deal with the hose-to-mask joint, it wasn't a good fit for me.

I'm now trying a Forma. It seems to fit better, doesn't leak, and is much quieter. Big question is whether its going to chew up the bridge of my nose like Quattro did.

Machine	Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: 11-14 cmH2O

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