Breeze nasal pillows vs nasal mask - opinions please!

I am motivated to wean myself away from my Quattro FX ffm after listening to Dr. Gold talk about ffm's. The Quattro FX has really worked well in terms of leaks, but it leaves pretty big dents in my skin that last most of the day.

I have Swift LT and FX and am suffering consumer fatigue by trying to figure out the deal with pillow failures - boil them, invert them, bake them, swap them, check the # on the pillow... oh my! They both end up being leaky and noisy, but I do love the simplicity of the systems.

I don't like the idea of having something low on my forehead which most of the nasal masks have. It's just my thing - it gives me the creeps.

The Breeze systems look interesting - I am trying to decide re: the pillow system vs the mask.

Can the mask and pillow systems be used interchangeably with the headgear?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

I was lucky enough to get both the pillow system and the nasal mask system. The head gear can change from one to another without issue.

As for which one I like best, they are both too new to decide. I like not having anything coming off to the side, so I like the system. The nasal mask is playing havoc with my mustache, but I sleep better with the breeze mask (flow charts are better) than with any of the pillow systems I've tried. I can't explain why and I'm still in "testing" phase trying to figure it out why I get higher AHI with pillow systems vs a nasal mask. That just doesn't make sense to me.

Bandnuts wrote:II sleep better with the breeze mask (flow charts are better) than with any of the pillow systems I've tried. I can't explain why and I'm still in "testing" phase trying to figure it out why I get higher AHI with pillow systems vs a nasal mask. That just doesn't make sense to me.

How interesting. I'd like to know if you come to any conclusion re: ahi.

Thanks for your input!

Or does anyone have a set to sell?

Can't comment on the Breeze Nasal Mask, but I have been using the Breeze nasal pillows for about 10 years. I love the freedom and ability to sleep on my side with no headgear to lay on. I am a mouth breather and do tape my mouth. But I haven't been able to find a better solution with any other mask that has come out since including full face and hybrid masks.

I've been using the Breeze for more than 10 years and am very satisfied with it. The pillows last long and there is no headgear on my face though I wrap the velco straps together over the plenum hose and adjust it up and down as needed...releasing it upward after the pillows are set firmly. I'm using the second mask and keep the third one in reserve (unused and as yet un-needed).
I hear that if your needs are greater than 16 pressure the pillows may not sit well ? My AHI runs between 1.0 - 2.5 pressure set at 9.7-12.7
The Breeze has a few areas of adjustments and directional pillow. Once you get it fit right there's no more adjusting to do afterwards. Put it on front first and take it off rear first. I am also a mouth taper.

Bandnuts wrote:I was lucky enough to get both the pillow system and the nasal mask system. The head gear can change from one to another without issue.

Bandnuts, cpap.com just told me that the head gear is not interchangeable between pillow and mask systems as there is a "slight difference" between the two. Do you see any difference or do you have only one head gear system? I thought maybe I could save some $ if they are indeed interchangeable. I would like to have both pillow and mask. Thanks.

Bright Choice wrote:Bandnuts, cpap.com just told me that the head gear is not interchangeable between pillow and mask systems as there is a "slight difference" between the two. Do you see any difference or do you have only one head gear system? I thought maybe I could save some $ if they are indeed interchangeable. I would like to have both pillow and mask. Thanks.

See the note on this link about 1/3rd of the way down called "Breeze SleepGear Mask Parts - Nasal & DreamSeal Assemblies". This talks about the fact that you can exchange the mask:

http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-masks-b ... parts.html

The problem could be on my end. Maybe my idea of the headgear is different. I am thinking that you are talking about the metal frame that wraps on your head, shown in the link below about 2/3rds of the way down on the same page. The front part, the Nasal & DreamSeal Assemblies (where the hose attaches) comes off and can move from one "Spine, Cradle & Outrigger Assembly" to the other:

http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-masks-b ... parts.html

Bandnuts wrote:
See the note on this link about 1/3rd of the way down called "Breeze SleepGear Mask Parts - Nasal & DreamSeal Assemblies". This talks about the fact that you can exchange the mask:

http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-masks-b ... parts.html

The problem could be on my end. Maybe my idea of the headgear is different. I am thinking that you are talking about the metal frame that wraps on your head, shown in the link below about 2/3rds of the way down on the same page. The front part, the Nasal & DreamSeal Assemblies (where the hose attaches) comes off and can move from one "Spine, Cradle & Outrigger Assembly" to the other:

http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-masks-b ... parts.html

Thanks Bandnuts. That really clarifies it. Thanks for the link. Oh my, talk about good prices! I have been such a fan of cpap.com but at cpapxchange I can buy both sets (the full gear for mask and full gear for pillows) at the same price as the pillow gear alone at cpap.com. Have you bought from cpapxchange?

Bright Choice wrote:Thanks Bandnuts. That really clarifies it. Thanks for the link. Oh my, talk about good prices! I have been such a fan of cpap.com but at cpapxchange I can buy both sets (the full gear for mask and full gear for pillows) at the same price as the pillow gear alone at cpap.com. Have you bought from cpapxchange?

No, never tried them and can't recommend them. They were just the only place I could find the parts listed separate.

Bright Choice wrote:Oh my, talk about good prices! I have been such a fan of cpap.com but at cpapxchange I can buy both sets (the full gear for mask and full gear for pillows) at the same price as the pillow gear alone at cpap.com. Have you bought from cpapxchange?

I think cpap.com will price match when you find something priced lower at another site. Something to consider if you like rewarding the business that provides this great free forum...and if the reward won't cost any more (with price matching) than what you'd pay elsewhere.

I used a Breeze with nasal pillows for about a year and a half. Liked it very much. I had to tape my mouth to prevent mouth breathing during sleep. I never did try the DreamSeal nasal cushion with the Breeze. But, I also liked another mask Puritan Bennett made...a nasal mask called the DreamFit which uses the DreamSeal cushion.

The DreamFit has a completely different type of headgear, so don't confuse the DreamFit with Dreamseal cushion mask with the Breeze with DreamSeal attachment.

If you get a Breeze and have any problems, check out the Lab Rat Awards fixes for the Breeze:

LINKS to LAB RAT AWARD Winners
viewtopic.php?p=127492

and... many old discussions about the Breeze:

LINKS to Breeze nasal pillows / nasal mask topics
viewtopic.php?p=31202

I'd strongly suggest that if a woman is getting a Breeze with nasal pillows, and is going to buy just one size of nasal pillows for it, she might want to order the Large nasal pillows. Or if getting two sizes of pillows, get the Med and the Large.

The medium are a clear silicone that is slightly stiffer than the colored silicone used for all the other sizes, even the "small." The softer light green silicone used in the "Large" pillows smushes up nicely and comfortably against the outside of the nares (outer rims of the nostril openings) for a softer, more comfortable seal.

At least that's the way it was for me, and I don't have "large" nares. I tried the Medium, too, and while the size was right, the stiffer clear silicone of the Medium was not as comfy for me as what's used in the Large pillows. The Large sealed beautifully, thanks to the smushiness of the silicone they use.

rested gal wrote:
I think cpap.com will price match when you find something priced lower at another site. .

cpap.com did say that they would match prices. I am go thankful for that because they have really treated me well. The $ amount is always a consideration when paying oop but I do believe that the companies who make the effort should be rewarded.

Your comments on the Breeze were very helpful as were your comments on the other masks and workarounds.

rested gal, thanks so much for your thoughtful post. I am so amazed with all of the effort you, and other posters put into your replies. It is so appreciated - thank you for your time!

I have loved my nasal pillows, however, they make my nose burn which in turn makes my nose run, When I get these episodes I am miserable. Does anyone else have this problem? Thank you, Dar.