Most Comfortable Hybrid Mask?

yamar2001 wrote:Who uses a hybrid and how do you like it? I'm tired of wearing the chin guard, and getting zits on my face etc. I also wake up with my mouth completely dry a fair amount which leads me to believe I'm not getting as good of therapy as I could from another mask. Any advice is appreciated.

Hi Yamar.

These are the masks I am currently using for different reasons:
Mirage SoftGel – When I have a runny/stuffy nose (random use)
Swift FX for Her – When I feel like switching from FFM
Aloha - When I feel like switching from FFM
Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows and Headgear – Main mask

Based on the masks I use, I think I can offer some thoughts on the latter part of your post.

Zits – With the Swift FX for Her and Aloha masks (I’m not including the Mirage SoftGel in my thoughts),
I also use a chinstrap for both nasal masks. In the years I’ve used both, I’ve never had pimple issues using my chinstrap for both nasal pillows. I’m just wondering if your skin has issues with the material used for a chinstrap that is if you’re using the one I’ve used (Respironics Deluxe Chinstrap: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... strap.html) which may be the reason for the zits. Meaning a skin reaction to this kind of material. Maybe you should check into using another chinstrap. *shrugs* I asked about recommendations for chinstraps and this is what folks suggested:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=77105&p=703004&hili ... te#p703004

Dry mouth – Based upon the four masks I’ve used. I’ve had dry mouth for each of them which is very unpleasant (even with the hybrid) in the morning. That is not a mask issue rather a humidity issue. Solution: Raise up your humidity up a notch, leave it there for a couple of days to check for dry mouth. If you continue to have dry mouth, raise the humidity up another notch for another couple of days. I usually keep my humidifier set at 3. However, when we went to New Orleans for our anniversary this past May, I had to reset it to 4 because of the dry mouth I experienced in the morning AND I was using the Swift FX for Her at the time. Another reason for dry mouth is due to mouth breathing, that would dry anyone’s mouth in the morning. Solution: Make the chinstrap a tad more snug.

Something you said, “…which leads me to believe I'm not getting as good of therapy as I could from another mask”. I don’t know if I’d agree with that. You’ll get great therapy from any mask. The big question is not so much “therapy” as it is “fitting/compatibility”. Example: My husband loves to play guitars. He owns 5+. I would never think of buying him a guitar, because it’s a compatibility issue. Do the notes sound right to him? Does he like the feel? Are the strings wide or close enough for him? For instance, he owns a electric guitar for when he feels like rock and roll; He has a guitar for slide playing; He recently bought a guitar for acoustic playing. As for the Hybrid (I’ve never tried the Liberty), it’s a great mask. It serves its purpose for me. I started off with a nasal mask when I started xpap, then joined the forum. Then I thought about pillows because there are nights where I feel less mask is better. However, the main issue for me was mouth breathing. Therefore, I got the Hybrid based upon the recommendation from NanWilson. The Hybrid offered the best of both worlds. I could still use pillows AND I could have my mouth covered for the sake of mouth breathing. It wasn’t a matter of getting better therapy for me, it was a matter of fitting (wasn’t too small or large) AND compatibility (Does my body feel comfortable with this mask?). Now, if you want to play the numbers game (I don’t do that anymore), I think the Swift FX for Her gave me the best numbers/therapy for all four. As long as my obstructions are at 4.00 or less that is “consistent” for like 3 weeks then all is good. I would consider my pressure not working of the obstructions were over 4.00 (the norm is 5.00). Then I might consider raising the pressure for better therapy in order to lower the obstructions. I copied and pasted part of my sleep journal:



Mirage SoftGel – Purple
Swift FX for Her – Pink
Aloha – Orange (When I was copying, I forgot to add more Aloha)
Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows and Headgear – Blue

From this sampling the main column I pay the most attention to is the column titled “O” meaning Obstructions = Hyponea + Obstructive Apnea.
Formula: AHI – Clear Airway (CA we don’t count) = Obstructions

Part of compliance is to have over 4 hours of therapy. So those were the only ones I chose in my table.
The data I’m using is from the SleepyHead program. Look at Pugsy’s information and you’ll find info on that when you’re ready. As for therapy, the “main” number I look at is the one highlighted in blue.
AHI – CA = Obstructions (Hyponea + Obstructive Apea)
As long as those numbers, for me, are under 4.00 (the norm is under 5.00), then I consider that “great therapy”. I say all this to show that no matter which mask I use, I’m getting great therapy.
AHI – CA = Events, those are the “events” I had during the obstructions. I know there are those that have stated that one mask over another will give them better data reading. For me, I look first for the compatibility of a mask (Is it comfortable for me to use?), then I concern myself with the data ensuring that the pressure is working and I have managed those pesty leaks.

Starlette

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm in Denver, CO.

I will reply at greater length after work but to touch on a few things you mentioned.

re: zips/chin guard tightness. I already put it on tighter than most folks do. In fact, I can't get thru more than two months without it stretchin to the point where I need to buy a new one. Essentially the velcro ends up going further than it did when I purchased the mask, because it's a bit stretched...and it has nothing to hold onto. Does that make sense? I put it on tight because I want to prevent my mouth from opening. Just figured a hybrid mask may be more comfortable in the long run.

I also suffer from constant irritated throats/sinus issues in the winter...and the throat problem has just now started up again. =( I probably do need to go with more humidity you are correct. I just figured when my mouth was open, I am not getting proper therapy because the air is just shooting thru my mouth (I would imagine anyway...maybe that's why my damn throat hurts so much!)

As for AHI... my 30 day average is a 3.3 so that isn't bad at all! I think I'll try a new mask with a 30 day money back guarantee (someone sent me a PM about a place taht offers this) and also download the Sleepyhead Software...and really try to start tracking this stuff. Sometimes we can give ourselves a psychological edge if we view the data ourselves, just to make sure that we are getting good sleep. Do any of you agree?

I will admit I'm a little hesitant to switch masks if my AHI is under control, but my compliance has been down lately. I used to be able to sleep for 8 hours with the mask, and lately it's been 6, and I sometimes wake up without it on. I figured something a little more comfortable may benefit me.