Next new mask suggestions?

Colorado Jan · Post by **Colorado Jan** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:39 am

Okay, now I the Swift, which I think is my favorite, the Aura (I haven't tried the rubber-band trick yet), the Comfort Lite which is a small thing that goes OVER your nose instead of UP it, the Breeze which came in the mail yesterday, oh and the Activa which I absolutely hate, hate, hate. Did I mention I dislike it intensely?

So that's five masks minus the Activa makes 4 usable masks. Three of which stuff up your nose and one kind of marginal mask that goes OVER your nose and then leaks a lot.

Well, my poor nose is getting tired of me stuffing things up it. I need another over-the-nose option. I actually tried the Breeze last night and think it will be quite good...but right now my nose said reject, reject, reject! So I guess I'll have to listen to it and go back to the breeze when my nose is in a little more accepting mood....

Does anybody have a good suggestion for an over-the-nose mask? That doesn't clamp your face in a vise and suck the bejeesus out of it like the Activa does? I'm surprised that mask hadn't eaten me alive during the night....It was survival of the fittest, I tell you.

HELP! help me pick out my January mask (for my Mask of the Month Club entry, lol)

All joking aside, I really do need help. I've kind of hit a wall. I'm 100% compliant and will remain so. But I'm getting so tired of putting medieval torture devices on my face...I'm really losing my sense of humor about it all. I'm starting to do what I used to do pre-cpap and that is stay up longer and longer and longer at night...last night was 2 am...just because I don't WANT to go to bed because going to bed is a BATTLE. Used to be a battle to breathe, now it is a battle to wear the mask. I have to get myself over this hump or this is going to be a long, long miserable life....
Jan in Colo.

Tash · Post by **Tash** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:41 am

I am not a lot of help, here, as I haven't worn anything yet but the Comfortgel (NO, NO, NO!), but just wanted to say: You have been so supportive to me and just hang in there. Someone here will have a good idea that will work for you. Don't give up (not that I think you would anyhow) and know that I (along with several others, I am sure) am rooting for you

cybergoon · Post by **cybergoon** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:11 pm

What pressure or pressure range are you at? Do you have any problems with lips flapping in the wind? Also, does your DME allow you the luxury of renting or trying out masks?

I tried out the Comfort Curve and I loved it, but it seems every nasal mask I try makes my AHI skyrocket, as well as giving me Non-Responsive events, but I think those are because my mouth opens and I just breathe through my mouth for a while. A friend was using a comfort gel and so I let him try the CC and he really liked it.

This mask is so lightweight and comfortable, I really wish it would work for me. The only time I had problems with it leaking was when my pressure started running away on me. At 16 and 17 it was fine, but the machine kept upping the pressure because I was still having apneas, etc... and once the pressure got to about 18, it started leaking alot.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:46 pm

Hi Jan,

Have you ever tried any full face masks?.....or is that not an option?

Just wondering.......

Den

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:51 pm

Can I have your Activa ? I love it. Please , Please. I'll trade a HC431it for Activa. Only used 1 night.

:twis ted:

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:55 pm

I know what you mean, Jan - your collection sounds a lot like mine. I haven't found a nasal mask that worked for me yet so I succumbed to Severeena's accolades about the Hans Rudolph. Believe it or not, my mask for giving my nose a rest from the pillows and other intrusions is an HR full face. Severely claustrophobic, "no way I'll ever tolerate anything like that" me, I do find it more comfortable than a lot of the others I've tried. Which may not be saying much, but this is all relative, right? It's the only other one that has worked for me so far that isn't a pillow type device.

Snoozie · Post by **Snoozie** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:38 pm

I tried out the Comfort Curve and I loved it, but it seems every nasal mask I try makes my AHI skyrocket, as well as giving me Non-Responsive events, but I think those are because my mouth opens and I just breathe through my mouth for a while.

So the type of mask or nasal interface really does make a difference in breathing? Just wondering, because I seem to feel different when I wear my Aura vs my Swift and even when I switch nasal pillows in the Swift. Believe it or not, I feel better when I wear the medium pillows vs small. Don't know why, though! Maybe now that I have a reader, I will do a personal test between the different ones.

Jan, Just curious, why don't you like the Activa? That was my next choice since everyone seems to like it. Does it make marks on your face? If it does, I won't be able to even try it. I absolutely cannot go to work with my face looking like someone beat me up every day.

Is there any mask that doesn't make marks on your face?

Maggie

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:56 pm

Snoozie wrote:Is there any mask that doesn't make marks on your face?

Maggie

Yes, the Aura (nasal pillow interface). It doesn't touch anywhere on your face except where it enters your nose. Some people love it, others don't, just like everything else.

Snoozie · Post by **Snoozie** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:19 pm

Thanks, Lori, I have the Aura already and like it a lot, but was wanting to know about a traditional mask that covers the nose for an occasional tradeoff, but one that won't make marks. Any suggestions?

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:22 pm

I am going to sound like a broken record here, but the Hans Rudolph does have just an over the nose mask as well.

I only use the full face so I cannot say yea or nay on the nasal one.

Good Luck.

Lyn · Post by **Lyn** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:30 pm

Maggie,

I use the Activa mask & I NEVER have marks on my face. At least not from the mask. Sometimes from the straps, depending on how I sleep. But no more so than you get from a pillow case when you lay on it when it's all scrunched up.

I just don't get that feeling of "clamp your face in a vise and suck the bejeesus out of it" like Jan does. If I'm having a really bad night, it will feel kind of heavy. But overall I really like it. It's the only mask I use.

Lyn

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:34 pm

Snoozie,

If there's a chance you could have the same luck Sharon's (Severeena) had with her Hans Rudolph, I'd go for it. She obviously loves hers and suggests it all the time. You can feel how much she's trying to get someone to listen to her so they can feel the same way about it as she does. Maybe it's time someone take her up on the suggestion!!!

(I'm trying, Sharon).

Has anyone else on this site used the Hans Rudolph full face mask?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:38 pm

Thanks Lori.

I know of at least two that have tried the Hans Rudolph on my recommendation.

I am even getting my husband to try the full face Hans Rudolph.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:40 pm

I don't believe this. It says I am signed in when I posted my second message to Lori and then it came up GUEST I DISLIKE THIS!!!!!!

Sharon(Severeena)

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:44 pm

This is rediculous the last two guests were me.

I am ready to scream.