Headrest deconstruction and gender

Maybe they are already bald.
B.

Hey Ozij,
It's on my list, but have not got a round tuit yet.....
My intention is to integrate it to the PAP-Cap somehow -- I really like it and it may work better than the straps....That said, I have no problem with the straps if I need 'em.......

One of these days......

cheers
goose

a Bump and a Question:

For those who have used the breeze and the Headrest, why is one better than the other?

Before I started using the Headrest (before the headrest was born...) the Breeze was the mask that made therapy possible for me. About 6 months into therapy I bought a headrest, and then switched back and forth between them for about 2 years, till I deconstructed my Headrest. In the 15 months or so since decontstructing my Headrest, I haven't touched the Breeze.

I use a cervical tempurpedic pillow, so lying on my back with the Breeze was doable - but I'm a side sleeper..

Here are the reasons I prefer the Headrest:

1. I couldn't do anything to keep the Breeze's shell from resting on my upper lip - the Headrest's nasal pillows part is softer and lighter
2. The H's vent directions is perfect -- straight up. I'm side sleeper, pull the cover towards my face, and the Breeze forced me to keep my arms/hands and blankets away from its flow - the H does not
3. With the deconstructed Headrest, I use pantyhose straps. I find them far less obtrusive on my head, and the don't leave an unnatural parting in the hair on top of my head (my hair is curly/wavy, and short).
4. I also find the pantyhose straps easier to "set". It's "pull and tie" and there's no problem in getting the tension right.
5. A deconstructed Headrest is much lighter than a Breeze.

O.

Thanks Ozij!
I think for me #2 is especially important. Thanks for the summary.
cheers
(I think I might have to send my Breeze out for its own test drive )

Sorry, O, another female input. I've used the Breeze and the Headrest (x2), all deconstructed. Before taking the back metal strap and hard plastic rear piece off the Breeze, I did find that padding under it made it shift less.

The one thing I did learn with deconstructing these is that the lightweight off-the-face design is altered and it's best to think it through and be prepared with appropriate padding that keeps it properly aligned and braced. Also, adding the straps around the face can pull the nosepiece inward. With the Breeze I found it best to put a strap more under the nosepiece that gently pulls it up rather than in. But gotta be careful not to let it slide over the vent. Doing that hasn't worked so well with the Headrest as the lift seems to cause leaks under the nose. I did end up putting moleskin on the hard plastic of the Breeze where it rested just above my lip, and that helped.

All that said, my bare bones Headrest is still my favorite. At least when I'm adding straps I have more options with the vent placed higher.

kteague wrote:Sorry, O, another female input. I've used the Breeze and the Headrest (x2), all deconstructed. Before taking the back metal strap and hard plastic rear piece off the Breeze, I did find that padding under it made it shift less.

Well, that falls in with the impression I had - more females deconstructing that mask (maybe ever more using it?) than males.

The one thing I did learn with deconstructing these is that the lightweight off-the-face design is altered

Very good point !

and it's best to think it through and be prepared with appropriate padding that keeps it properly aligned and braced

True.

O.

i think Babette is right about males w/sparse crops on the plateau not having a need for headrest hanky panky- a.k.a.deconstruction of the headrest ,opposed to tender headed scalps ....sure saves time i don't have to look at myself in the mirror

I think what women are experiencing is that MEDICAL DEVICES DESIGNED FOR MEN are in need of tweaking for women.

Pity the mask manufacturers are unaware of the vast numbers of females who are cpap users, and who have the desire to spend their own out of pocket money on a mask that suits THEM.

Cheers,
B.

Babette wrote:I think what women are experiencing is that MEDICAL DEVICES DESIGNED FOR MEN are in need of tweaking for women.

Exactly.

The few primary care physicians who even think of "sleep apnea" are apt to think of it in only in relation to middleaged men.

More men than women get diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Men usually wear a larger hat size than women do.

The Headrest mask is designed to be worn much like a ball cap. It's made big, to fit most men's heads. Not most women's.

Aeiomed could certainly make the straps more adjustable, to fit women's heads better. But they haven't.

So... quite a few women tweak it to fit. It's worth it.

Babette wrote:I think what women are experiencing is that MEDICAL DEVICES DESIGNED FOR MEN are in need of tweaking for women.

That was exactly my thinking when I started this poll. Results are still supporting it. And happy birthday, Babette!

birdshell wrote:Is it just me, or is every mask only demonstrated on a male person?

Its human society. Can you imagine all those obstinate "no I don't got nothing" men agreeing to wear a mask modeled by a woman? They'll ask for different model... and its cheaper to run only one add comapaign, aimed at what is still the majority of diagnosed people.

O.

And what about age (OT i realize)?? I went to my doc's backup last Friday, and when I told him I had sleep apnea, he looked at me strangely and said "how old are you ??? " ... what like I need to have one foot in the grave before I can have sleep apnea? I am sure I've had it all my life, no less now. sheesh.

Back to the female vs male discussion - NOW i realize why you started this thread, O!

So what is the theory behind the hypothesis that females use the Headrest more? Because none of the traditional nasal masks fit us (facial structure?) and therefore the Headrests/Breezes are a better fit? Or just that women would be more likely to deconstruct it?

I find that my Standard Activa is just a tad too large. Same goes for the SMALL UMFF. They're about 0.5mm to 1 cm too large.
Even the Pap-cap is too large for my head, and I never though I had a small head

kteague - i had the same problem with the Breeze - when i tried the pantyhose fix I just ended up suffocating myself because it kept covering the vent holes .. never did try it with the velcro straps (once i found them back). But i DID "desconstruct" my breeze - can I vote??

Sorry O....

Did ya'll see the thread on the new Swift LT "for her" model? I'm intrigued. CPAP.com is pursuing stocking it.

Cheers,
B.

ozij wrote:As I'm bumping this, there are still no males choosing to deconstruct the Headrest....

Well, I'm not a male, but I am curious as to if there are threads showing what women have done to deconstruct the Headrest. I'm still perusing the threads on the ComfortLite 2....