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Xney wrote:I'll do you better in embarrassment - 4th sleep study photo

I wish I had looked that good in my sleep study. I only shared those pix with my hubby!

2kittymom wrote:

Xney wrote:I'll do you better in embarrassment - 4th sleep study photo

I wish I had looked that good in my sleep study. I only shared those pix with my hubby!

When they get all the crap on you, you can't even see yourself anymore, so those are certainly safe!

Ignore my messy hair!

AbbyNormal wrote:Nap_ster, your mask looks really cool!!! Is it comfy?? How are leaks on that one?? I see you have the same CPAP machine that I do, and I'm having a little trouble adjusting to my Opus 360. PS- You're adorkable!!

Ha! Thanks! I think I look like a hose-head Mona Lisa in that pic!

That mask is the Pilairo, and there's a whole thread about it on the board right now. It just came out a few weeks ago. I love it. My leaks are non-existent, and it doesn't leave bad strap marks on my face. I think it's better for smaller-headed people (especially women).

You should also think about checking out the Bella (to use with the Swift FX). That's the mask that just goes over your ears instead of all over your face. And a LOT of people like the Aloha (me included!) because it doesn't leak, and it's VERY comfortable. I'd say the Swift FX/Bella and the Aloha are probably the two most popular nasal pillow masks, and some of us love the Pilairo. I highly recommend ordering the Pilairo or the Aloha on cpap.com and buying return insurance. They're pretty inexpensive masks, and if you like them, keep them. If you don't, you can return them. I tried over 15 masks before I found the ones that really work for me, and I wasn't getting good sleep until I got the mask sorted.

Also, the Pilairo covers a bit more of your face, but it's all soft, not hard silicone. Very comfy! But for sake of comparison, I took a pic w/o the mask, so you can see how much of my face it covers.

Are you using some type of mask cushion?

ems wrote:Are you using some type of mask cushion?

Are you asking me? If so, nope, no mask cushion. Everything there is all Pilairo.

the_nap_ster wrote:

ems wrote:Are you using some type of mask cushion?

Are you asking me? If so, nope, no mask cushion. Everything there is all Pilairo.

Thanks for the info. Amazing how comfortable it looks. Will definitely be the next mask I'll try.

AbbyNormal... I highly suggest you give the Swift FX with Bella Loops a try. I think you'll be much happier and will adjust to this therapy much faster. You might also want to purchase ear/cheek covers for the Bella Loops from PadaCheek. You can google to see both the loops and covers.

AbbyNormal wrote:There is just no comfy way to do this. Everything keeps shifting. I keep getting leaks with the Opus 360 so I'm frustrated. Also, I look like a Campbell's Soup Kid with all these straps. It bunches my cheeks up. Sort of amusing I guess. I think your loops behind the ears might be nice. My ears are sensitive even with my glasses after a while. It's worth trying out though. I'm loading another picture so you can see the evil chinstrap. It doesn't seem to do a whole lot. I mean, even as tight as I can make it, my mouth still easily opens. I don't see how it does much good when I'm crashed out. This is just my 2nd week on the CPAP, and the third night with the chinstrap. Hey, I finally watched all the videos on how to fix my own settings. The minimum was set at 4 and I kept feeling like I was going to suffocate. Thank you for all the advice on that one. <hugs>

That doesn't look comfortable!

Chin-straps did squat for me, unfortunately. Just not enough pressure from a closed jaw. I'm not real familiar with that mask, but it looks pretty tight. Might want to try a different one. With the pillow type masks you inflate them to seal, rather than tighten them to seal. The mask tightness should simply be to keep the pillows on the outside of the nostrils. The pillows themselves should inflate and seal along the nostril, if that makes sense. (I made that mistake when I started! ow...)

Does the bear get a mask, too?