New baby: Fisher & Paykel Oracle HC452a Oral Mask

It was time for a new mask from my DME and since I had backups of my Quattro and Quattro FX I decided to get something different. So I'm now the proud owner of the HC452a. I had fun plotting my next move (like a chess player) and when I got there and tried it out I wanted to take it home. I found much of the documentation online, but never could determine what specifically would be in the box. I knew the mask and a carrying case were there with headgear. The question was the diffusers. Turns out there is a little Baggie with one extra diffuser cover and 5 extra diffusers included. There was also nose plugs that most reviews say are uncomfortable. (If you use this mask and want the nose plugs they are unused and not something I will ever use.) The thing comes with a small and large cushion. I'm really not sure which one i like better. Sure not much of a cushion for the $45 retail price per each. I believe the large could be made into a small with a pair of scissors, so I may see if small works first since I will have a backup of sorts.

I think I may drop by sporting goods store and pickup a swimmers type nose clips. I've read that some don't even need it after some practice. So for all of you that tape your mouth for nasal masks I now have to seal my nose. I doubt they make a chin strap for that.

If anyone has questions about the mask feel free to ask. I will report more on my success after I spend an overnight with it. I'm going to try it without headgear. My first thought, I bet there is not another mask made that can be worn in normal position or by turning the mask upside down. Changing my equipment profile now...

I use the Oracle 452, and I must say if you can control Nose Leaks and can live with a little bit of drool, I get almost no leaks. It is the only mask that would work for me, I tried ff mask and a nasal hybrid. I must also say it performs well with my high pressure settings. Hope you have good luck with the Mask.

PS: I would suggest giving the nose plugs provided a chance before you buy something else, as (I might be the odd one out) but they work fine for me (The medium and Large ones).

Great to hear from someone else in the "15 and over club". I was wondering if it would work ok at my pressures once I got to sleep. Do you use the headgear? I will try the nose plugs tonight then it just seemed odd. I know with the pillow type nasal masks my nose inflates and I look like a circus clown. We will see what happens. Didn't know if the clip would help with that problem. I turned my machine to 18 CPAP mode (my titration pressure) to test the mask and it felt like I could easily spit the thing across the room and hurt someone. I may also try it with my PadACheek anti leak strap as the headgear.

STL Mark wrote:Great to hear from someone else in the "15 and over club". I was wondering if it would work ok at my pressures once I got to sleep. Do you use the headgear? I will try the nose plugs tonight then it just seemed odd. I know with the pillow type nasal masks my nose inflates and I look like a circus clown. We will see what happens. Didn't know if the clip would help with that problem. I turned my machine to 18 CPAP mode (my titration pressure) to test the mask and it felt like I could easily spit the thing across the room and hurt someone. I may also try it with my PadACheek anti leak strap as the headgear.

I do use the headgear, and feel it is needed at high pressures. Also I would suggest using the mask without PadACheek for a night first, since the mask actually does a good job of sealing. Also keep a napkin close-by in case you get drooling. Let us know how it goes!!

Well I used the normal headgear, and the provided nose plugs. As I got more tired and was about to go to sleep I began to hear a squeaking sound. I could pinch my nose and it would stop. Went up to the large plugs and it still persisted. I think I need a binder clip or something like that on my beak (I mean nose) to prevent air from escaping.

I switched back to Quattro FX after about 2 hours of playing with the plugs in different positions. I really like the mask as far as leaks around the mask being non existent. I just need an effective method of dealing with the reverse leaks as my muscles relax and I go to sleep. I am afraid the neighbors may call the police about my loud squawking sound.

May try again tonight if I make it to sporting goods store.

Were you able to try again?

sleepapnea123 wrote:Were you able to try again?

I went to sporting goods store and didn't like what I saw. While lurking in another apnea forum I read a thread about another victim (I mean 452 user) that contacted the company to get advise since their nose plugs didn't work and they told him to try Smiley's Nose Plugs. It should arrive at my home today from Amazon so we will see what tonight brings.

I really like the concept hoping there is a solution to my schnozzola issues other than surgical amputation.

Since you are trying a 'oral' mask, aren't you worried about a dry mouth?

I've been using it some to test and play with. I switched climate control to manual used 82 degrees and 5.5 humidity. And it seemed acceptable. It is worse than with traditional FFM. Right now my snout is the biggest issue I need to resolve.

I'm not quite sure if they will help, but Mack's ear plugs come to mind. They are made of a pliable silicone material and can be shaped to fit.

I'm thinking that using those plugs to seal the nose with a gentle exterior clip to keep them in place might be worth a try.

I'm looking forward to how this works out for you. My epap pressure is 6 but the other pressure is 5-15 (sometimes went as high as 19 per DME). I'm thinking that this type of therapy may be good for me since my nasal and/or nasals will stuff up at various times.

jdm2857 wrote:I'm not quite sure if they will help, but Mack's ear plugs come to mind. They are made of a pliable silicone material and can be shaped to fit.

I'm thinking that using those plugs to seal the nose with a gentle exterior clip to keep them in place might be worth a try.

Interesting thought, that may be my next move.

Seems more logical than the alternative of using silicone caulk with a caulking gun. I guess hydraulic cement is another option. (Probably does not even have a warning not to use inside your nose).

Next chapter...

My machine tells me I used the mask 6.8 hours last night. It was the only mask I used. I did end up turning my manual setting on climate control to 84 degrees and 6.0 humidity before I was comfortable. I also modified my pressures last night at one point because I felt it was better to stick with it than have low AHI numbers. So Max IPAP became 17 and Min EPAP became 10 all other numbers remained the same as in my signature line. My leak was 13L which may sound high for some, but I will never admit where mine sometimes goes to with the Quattro series at my pressures. So I was very impressed. AHI for the night was 1.4

I will admit that I got a bit frustrated with the short hose that is part of the mask as the night went on. But I knew I needed to fight through it. Something about finding the location where I wanted that hose and where my climate line hose would be attached. Currently I use the CozyHose Boss over my head at night to manage the climate line hose.

I loved the Smiley's nose plug/clip thing. So much so that I ordered another one today for when I loose mine. I made the decision to slice off the nylon cord like thing that is attached to it and use it bare. For several attempts if felt as if I had a small alligator that had latched onto my proboscis. But once I got it in the right position it was very comfortable and didn't move unless I moved it. It is a tiny thing, but exactly what I needed. I'm sure it will disappear maybe I should have ordered 3 more.

I have decided that my mask should have a name, but I have not picked one yet. Probably a female name since it shuts me up and never allows me to talk.

Hey Mark,

How 'bout an update of the Oracle?

Still enjoying the mask to some extent. The exterior of my nose went through a stage of peeling where the nose clip thing had abraded on it. So I went back to Mirage Quattro Small for awhile. About ready to try Oracle again. Not sure it will be my full time mask but I'm glad to have it in my arsenal of CPAP weapons. It serves a great purpose when my nose is really stopped up. In my usage I do have to max out the humidifier settings to remain comfortable.

Trying to plug my nose or clip it to the extent that my pressure does not back leak is very difficult (averages 18). You may think your nose is stopped up completely but try to exhale with some force and air will sneak through at a slow pace sometimes whistling. This does get the interest of neighborhood dogs.

Summary: For those that have insurance to pay for their toys or those that can't keep a successful seal around their nose with a FFM I think it is a nice item. I would bet at pressure levels around 12 or below my problems with back leaks would be non extant. When I get sinus headaches this works great as the forehead pad feels like it weighs 100 lbs on the Mirage Quattro. If I were paying out of pocket for the item and had limited financial resources, I don't think I would explore this as an option unless other conditions existed forcing me to.