Aura Comment

Since all I have done since owning my Aura is post positive comments on it, I thought it only fair to let everyone know about an experience last night that was a bit of a pain just to give both sides of the coin here.

For the first time in almost two weeks since owning the Aura, I decided to see how it would handle straight 10 CPAP. I had been using it with auto 8-12 with no problem. Although my pressure rarely goes over 8, but just up to 9 if it does, I have never hit 10 yet on auto with the Aura.

When I reset the machine to CPAP, I tried to use the Aura with the medium pillows first and it leaked pretty badly. So I switched to the larges and it was even worse. I went back to the mediums and thought I had it leakless enough, but last night was not a good one as far as leaks. Both sides kept springing leaks all night, as evidenced this morning by my leak rate. My AHI was still great so it didn't affect that at all, but every time I turned over, I had to either press my nose into the pillow to stop a leak or literally hold my hand on the other side to keep it from leaking.

After being up for awhile this morning, it really bothered me that one cm of pressure should make that much of a difference. So I went back to the mask, took the medium pillows off and cleaned them thoroughly and replaced them on the mask. Then I spent a few more minutes reconfiguring the wire and the placement of the pillows in my nose and I think I have fixed the leaks. Now, I thought when I went to bed last night that it was fine, too, but it wasn't. So I guess tonight will be a true test if it was just a matter of tweaking a few things here and there and all would be well again. So far, it seems like it's fixed.

The real reason I posted this is perhaps to get some feedback from other Aura users on the higher pressure situation. I know Derek said, I believe on 12, his was non-stop leaking and he couldn't fix it. But I would be interested in hearing from the other users what pressure they're on and if they ever had this same thing happen to them.

I am going to try this again tonight and see how it goes. Hopefully it is a fixed situation and I will have the option of using my 10 cms. when necessary in the future without having to change masks.

Hi Lori,
Thanks so much for posting your comments today. I have really been struggling with whether or not I want to try the Aura. I had alot of leaks last night with my Swift but in general, it's a pretty good interface for me. I also have the Activa as a back-up. If I wanted to try the Aura, I would have to give up one of the masks I currently have and I didn't want to do that. I have my pressure set at 12 so I will be very interested to see what other Aura users say about pressure and leaks.

Sorry you had a bad night with yours. I hope tonight will be better for you.

Amy

LORI:

Thanks for the above post ref. the AURA. All your posts so far were positive so i was going to try one (buy) next week, so i'm glad you made us aware of the pressure issue. I also will be glad to get some more feedback on this pressure issue as my auto is set for a range of 16 to 20 cm H2O and my titrated pressure is 18cm!
But in your opinion having used the AURA, do you think the AURA can take my pressure range or do you think it will not be able to handle it (leak-blow-out)?
Just another comment for YOU: You have become one of the most helpful posters on the site (always there to help or give a kind word) and i'm sure i speak for everyone that YOU are greatly appreciated!!!

My best to you,

steve,
ufo13

Steve,

I have to say (one kind word deserves another) you always have the nicest things to say to not only me, but to others, too. You have no qualms about stating a positive comment or a compliment to the members of the forum and it's a breath of fresh air each time you post. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for those beautiful words and your being sweet enough to say them. I really appreciate the sentiment.

That being said, I would not want to see you go ahead and order something that may not end up being a good thing after you spend the money. I would hope that someone who uses a higher pressure than myself comments on this post. If not, I would suggest writing your own thread about the pressure issue before you order. I have nothing but good things to say about the Aura except for one night so far. Hopefully I have that fixed, too. And it may apply to higher pressures as well. Maybe when the pressure gets higher, you might have to tweak the position of the pillows to accept it without leaks. I don't know but I will find out tonight.

I never thought 10 was a very high number, so I don't know if it was a question of just needing to really clean the pillows so they are more likely to stay put, and reposition them, or if that one extra cm. of pressure was all it needed to create a problem. I wish I had the answer for you, Steve, but as of right this moment, I don't. I will post again tomorrow under this thread when I see if I was able to have a better night tonight with the different pillow adjustment. I hope to have a positive comment again.

In the meanwhile, I hope to read some feedback from others who use the Aura. It is Sunday and it might not be a great day to get that feedback. But let's wait and see. Worst comes to worst, maybe tomorrow we'll have some answers.

Again, thanks for being your kind and pleasant self and for sharing your kind words with me.

Lori:

Thanks for the quick reply! Yes let us know how it goes tonght, and as i said your info is greatly appreciated. I also hope we get some more posts about the aura with higher pressures. It will help many of us decide who indeed have the higher pressures, but i am glad all is going pretty well for you with this interface!
YOU will always be a "DOLL" in my book!


Best to you,

steve,
ufo13

AW!!! And right back at you, Steve!

every time I turned over, I had to either press my nose into the pillow to stop a leak or literally hold my hand on the other side to keep it from leaking.

Lori, what you described having to do to stop leaks at higher pressure was what caused me to add....(ta da...) the infamous leg off a pair of pantyhose tights, as a nice soft, stretchy "strap" around my head to steady the nasal pillows part at the nostrils.

Actually, a strap over the front of the nasal part, tied at the back of the neck, can help stabilize most any mask that leaks - nasal pillows, nasal mask, full face mask.

A homemade strap gives just that leeetle bit of extra stabilizing there, exactly as if you were holding the nasal pillows in place lightly with your hand all night.

Works like a charm and doesn't have to be tight at all.

Any soft material will do for the strap ...doesn't have to be the leg of pantyhose tights. Could be a strip of jersey or cotton. Could be a long piece cut from an old t-shirt. Could be a long stretchy headband or sweatband, or even two of them sewed together if a person's head is large. I use a leg cut off a pair of panty hose tights because the material is ideal - soft, stretchy... thin, yet will stay wide enough to not become a rolled cord against the cheeks.

A person could get fancy and add a velcro closure at the back for the homemade strap. But I find what works best is to simply tie it behind the neck at base of skull each night, using a "double start knot":
How to tie a "double start knot"

The many advantages to using a double start knot for securing a soft homemade strap:

1. The easy loosen/tighten adjustability makes it more customizable to head size and comfortable than, say, a stretchy headband which might feel too tight at times.

2. Lays absolutely flat...a "double start knot" is not like a bulging knot at all.

3. Is easy to loosen with a little tug at the sides.

4. Is easy to tighten by pulling both ends.

5. Quick removal in the morning without having to untie a "real" knot. Pulling both sides outward from the cheeks (both sides at the same time) loosens it completely.

6. Isn't attached to anything on the mask, so is easy to wash - dries quickly, ready for the next night.

7. Since the material is soft and doesn't have to be cinched tight, the addition doesn't leave strap marks.

I tested both the Aura nasal pillows and the Breeze nasal pillows at very high pressures - straight pressures of 17, 18, 19, and even 20. With the addition of a stablilizing strap at the nasal pillows area, both sealed perfectly against the hurricane force.

I couldn't take it long up there, but the interfaces sure could handle it. I used them that way for at least five minutes at each straight high pressure...long enough to test the seal thoroughly by tossing and turning, sides, back, moving my head every which way... trying anything to dislodge them. They held.

That very simple addition -- a soft "strap" around the nasal pillows part, not tight at all -- kept the Aura and the Breeze sealed and in place beautifully against high pressure.

Worked just like placing your fingers lightly against the nasal part to stop a leak.

RG,

I tried it last night when I was having problems before I went to bed, after I had turned the machine onto 10 cpap. Here is what happened. I cut one leg off of an old pair of pantyhose, but was wondering how to affix it to the nasal pillow part. So I cut that in half, tied it onto the corner of each side and then it was too short to connect in the back without plastering the nasal pillow part against my face. Are you supposed to actually tie it to each side that way? And why would my pantyhose leg not be long enough. I'm almost 5'6".

Then I tried taking an old stretchy headband from the old Breeze days and put it over the front of the gear by my bridge of my nose and that hurt. So I gave up and just tried to adjust the pillows, which didn't work.

I guess I'll see what happens tonight now that I've readjusted them again. Hopefully it will work. If not, any suggestions on how to get your solution to work? I must have done something wrong last night. I mean, I can always go back to auto, but it would be nice to know it will work for both auto and cpap.

Thanks for your input, RG.

I am using my "de-constructed" Aura for the last month or more and enjoy amazing results. My AHI is always under 1 and sleep through the night. Very comfortable and secure with RG's pantyhose fix. I have tried almost all of the interfaces discussed here and my Aura is far superior to any.

I used the Aura at 19cm and had zero problems with it. To pull the canula closer I used a $1 sweatband from kmart.

I do believe that if you are using a an auto and you are getting larger leak value, you may also be mouth breathing during REM.

Ted

My apap typically runs from 12-15 through the night, with occasional few minutes at 16 and 17. I've never had any leak problems with my out of the box non deconstructed aura.

I cut one leg off of an old pair of pantyhose, but was wondering how to affix it to the nasal pillow part. So I cut that in half, tied it onto the corner of each side and then it was too short to connect in the back without plastering the nasal pillow part against my face. Are you supposed to actually tie it to each side that way?

A leg from pantyhose tights work better, imho, than a leg from regular pantyhose. Tights are slightly thicker material, but still nice and thin; stretchy, soft.

I used to cut a leg in half and tie it to each corner, but that tended to pull the assembly in opposite directions, separating the pillows a bit.

Now I use just a single leg (as described in my post above) without tying it to anything in front. I just lay it across the pillows assembly in front and tie it behind my neck with the good old double start knot.

Since I wanted a nice long "leg" strap, I bought "Queen" size tights to use just for that purpose.

Titrator,

Hi! Haven't spoken with you since you fixed my signing-out problem. Thanks again for that, by the way. You were my hero.

I am having absolutely no problems with my numbers using the Aura. My leak rates stay between 21 and 23 most of the time. I read it's normal to be around 24 in the booklet (if my memory on the exact number is correct). I just never tried the Aura with 10 cpap, always used auto, which never goes over 9. I didn't really need to do this. Just experimented to see what would happen if.

Seamaiden,

Good to hear from you. I always mention you when I talk about people who love their Auras. So you have no problem with high pressures, either. You don't even use a sweatband or pantyhose or anything? That's a great sign. Thank you on behalf of everyone who was waiting for some news like this. I have my two new pantyhose legs cut for tonight if need be (found longer ones than the ones I had cut up last night). So if I have to, I will use those tonight.

By the way, guys, what size pillows are you using at these high pressures? Just curious...I can't get my larges to seal no matter what I do, and those were what I was using originally. Maybe I bent them too out of shape and I can't find my way back now.

RG,

I went and cut the greatest, softest pair of hose I had in two pieces again and tied them . If I don't pull too hard, though, maybe it will work. Ah, never mind. Back to the pantyhose drawer to look for some real tights this time...good way to clear out the old hose drawer, in any event. Thanks for the tip.

Lori, before you go cutting off more legs, just take two already cut off ones and sew them together with a few quick stitches to make a single long one.