New TAP PAP mask review

bryansong wrote:Pugsy, or anyone

I was reading reviews for Tap Pap on cpap.com and one person said they would have to get use to sleeping on their back because you couldn't sleep on you stomach with this mask,

is this the case?

Bryansong

I sleep on my stomach with this mask. It's the best mask I've found for stomach sleeping because no part of the bed or pillow comes into contact with any part of the mask. I don't use the mask straps. It's also fairly quiet when it vents against a pillow or my arm. I sometimes notice the noise, but it doesn't sound like a jet engine and it doesn't seem to wake me up. I route the hose over my head and from above. I'm using a slimline tube to help minimize the weight and resistance as well.

Finally got to try TP with both the head gear and the mouth piece and it didn't take long to decide there wasn't any benefit to using both at the same time. For me, my preference would be to use the head gear provided or another one of my making that didn't try to slide off my head all night.

For me, the mouth piece pushed my upper lip out enough where the pillows ride that it caused discomfort that I didn't like, plus the saliva kept flowing with it in. As soon as I took the TP off and slipped on the Aloha, it dried up. No idea what causes extra saliva with mouth piece.

All said, I will continue with the Aloha and keep the TP, with head gear for backup. It is a good mask with good options for use.

my opinion, for what's it's worth....

You might try attaching a couple inches of Velcro (hooks side) to the rear strap. That's what I've been doing with my FX pillows mask and it stopped the strap from sliding up.

I slept last night using the new settings of APAP 9-10.5 95% of the time was equal to or less than 10.5. I am wondering if I should up the max to 11?

here is the SleepyHead readout:






What is flow Limit?

Here also is my ZEO recording but they are crazy. Where everyone else says it turns awake into
REM I get awake when I know I am asleep! Does any one see any correlation? Am I really awake all that time?




Any Ideas (should I be putting this in a new Topic?)?

jagzoo wrote:What is flow Limit?

Reductions in air flow that don't meet criteria for one of the categories of apnea events.

jagzoo wrote:Any Ideas (should I be putting this in a new Topic?)?

Probably would get more ideas and thoughts if you had your own thread. I don't mind on my end of things but there are people who aren't interested in the Tap Pap mask and probably not bothering to read this thread.

Especially the Zeo thing. About all I know about the Zeo is I tried one for 3 days (loaned to me) and it showed me what I would have expected to see..and that satisfied my curiosity itch about it.
No, I don't think you were awake all that time. I think the Zeo is known to have some issues with Awake recording...

Your report from last night really just shows what we might expect to see as a normal night to night variable.
You can increase the maximum if you wish. The reason I said a tight range was to limit the chance of variations in pressure disturbing your sleep. Is that the cause of the Zeo stuff??? I doubt it but I can't be certain. Maybe the Zeo was just off.

How did you feel you slept last night? How is today going?

IT'S OFFICIAL

My TAP PAP is now my number one mask! My Mirage Quattro is now my backup mask.

Why? You ask.

1.) It replaces my brux guard and I don't get mouth sores from it rubbing on my mask.
2.) NO CHINSTRAP! Yes, you heard it correctly, I have learned to sleep with my mouth closed.
3.) I can sleep on my side with comfort!
4.) Fewer leaks at higher pressures (>16.0)
5.) AHI averages LT 4.0 (2 weeks of data only some nights < 1.0)
6.) It's like wearing nothing at all!

But, as in all "good" things YMMV.

Cheers,

Dave

park_ridge_dave wrote:IT'S OFFICIAL

My TAP PAP is now my number one mask! My Mirage Quattro is now my backup mask.

Don't forget to change your mask in your equipment profile.

Glad the new mask worked out well for you. It's so nice when a plan works out.

I'm two nights in and liking it a lot so far. I don't have a lot to add to what others have said except to comment that it's surprisingly stable. The hose attaches in such a way that it pulls on the mouthpiece and not the pillows, and since the mouthpiece is firmly held in my mouth, it doesn't move. No matter how much I move around, the nasal pillows stay where they belong. I worried about the drag from my relatively heavy Aussie hose, but it disrupts the Tap Pap less than any other mask I've used it with. If you have never slept with a mouthpiece of any kind (for TMJ, bruxism, e.g..), I think it might be quite an adjustment, but perhaps no more so than getting used to a CPAP mask to begin with. For me, it's an easy trade for getting to ditch the headgear!

Thank you everyone for your honest helpful reviews and input re the Tap Pap - I have really appreciated the feedback. A special big thank you goes to Pugsy for such informative feedback and further help, and as a result of this I am hoping that soon I will be able to add my opinions/comments of the Tap Pap. I just hope it will work as well for me as it has for so many of you.

Haven't been able to be on much. I have read through this thread and I am thankful for all of the great reviews. I am just now ready for a new mask through insurance so thanks to the reviews on this thread. I had my DME order my own tap pap. Hoping to have as much success as some of you. The major problem I have with the nasal pillows is when I sleep on my side my pillow pushes on the head gear and makes the mask leak at times. Looks like that wont be a problem with this mask. So can't wait to see.

She did say that they wouldn't be keeping the mask or any parts in stock. So I guess if I like it I will have to have it ordered every time but at least she was willing to order it for me so it would go through the insurance

park_ridge_dave wrote:IT'S OFFICIAL

My TAP PAP is now my number one mask! My Mirage Quattro is now my backup mask.

Why? You ask.

1.) It replaces my brux guard and I don't get mouth sores from it rubbing on my mask.
2.) NO CHINSTRAP! Yes, you heard it correctly, I have learned to sleep with my mouth closed.
3.) I can sleep on my side with comfort!
4.) Fewer leaks at higher pressures (>16.0)
5.) AHI averages LT 4.0 (2 weeks of data only some nights < 1.0)
6.) It's like wearing nothing at all!

Hey Dave,

Did the mask help you learn how not to mouth breathe?

Thanks

You talked me into it--just ordered mine.
I can not argue with free insurance.
I don't see my dentist until the 9th, but if I love it, I'll still have it, and I can show it to him.
(my dentist has OSA, but hates the mask)

New forum member, first post!

I've been using a Respironics REMstar Pro C-Flex plus, System 1, 460P since November of 2012. Whew, that was a mouthful just by itself! I've had the Swift FX from day one, and have been mostly pleased with both the machine and the mask. I would go days with no issues, and then suddenly have to make adjustments to the straps--I guess they stretch over time. And I hated the marks on my face from the straps! Fate has stepped in and is demanding some changes.

In January, I got a new puppy (a Catahoula hound) and she ate the straps to my nasal pillow mask! Bad Doggy! I ordered the Bella straps (pupppy's name is Bella, BTW) since they were cheap, and my insurance isn't going to pay for anything face mask related until May. I HATE the Bella straps! They hurt my ears, and I am waking up dozens of times each night to readjust things due to big leaks. My DME (Apria) isn't helpful at all, and I've decided just to handle my C-Pap needs myself.

So, today, I ordered the TAP PAP, on my own dime. I have used a mouthpiece for years, due to grinding my teeth, so I don't think I'll have mouthpiece issues. I am really excited and hope this mask proves to be "the one."

The order is waiting for my doctor to fax a copy of my prescription before shipping. Hopefully that will be quick! I still can't believe I've been using a machine and mask for over four months and I've never even SEEN my prescription!

Just wanted to thank everyone who participated on this topic. You've all been so helpful.

Why not also call the doc's nurse and ask her to mail you your prescription for your records? You are legally entitled to it, you know.

babytalk wrote:. . . I am really excited and hope this mask proves to be "the one."

The order is waiting for my doctor to fax a copy of my prescription before shipping. Hopefully that will be quick! I still can't believe I've been using a machine and mask for over four months and I've never even SEEN my prescription! . . .

Why not call the doc's nurse in the morning and ask her to mail you your prescription and a copy of your lab test and titration reports for your records? You are legally entitled to all of that, you know.

babytalk wrote:. . . I am really excited and hope this mask proves to be "the one."

The order is waiting for my doctor to fax a copy of my prescription before shipping. Hopefully that will be quick! I still can't believe I've been using a machine and mask for over four months and I've never even SEEN my prescription! . . .