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Pugsy wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 27, 2018 6:36 pm

Mouth breathing won't be a cause of any large leaks with the DreamWear Full face mask.
It's mask seal or mask movement that is the culprit and part of why I had larger leaks and tried so hard to snug the frame up....

It sounds like Pugsy's face might not be the right shape for the Dreamwear frame.
I have used my Dreamwear full face mask for two nights now. I spent a good deal of time adjusting it before I connected my hose the first night and,
as with all masks, I focused on getting the mask comfortable on my face first without over tightening it but ensuring that the headgear tension was even everywhere.

One reason that the Amara View did not work for me was that I would get a leak around my mouth with the slightest jaw movement.
The Dreamwear FFM has allowed me to have a more relaxed mouth. It’s too soon to give a full review, but I can say that my machine shows 0 leaks for the past two nights.

I noticed strap marks on my cheeks after the first night, so I loosened the straps slightly before my second night. This did not negatively effect the seal for me.
I had tried the Dreamwear nasal mask and the Dreamwear gel pillows in the past and could not keep a good seal all night long with either of those;
however, my experience with the Dreamwear FFM headgear has been that it keeps the cushion securely in place all night long.

One of the biggest flaws that many people had with the Amara View was its propensity to leak around the nose, but I haven’t had the slightest leak toward my eyes in the two nights that I’ve used the Dreamwear FFM.

Another thing that I think is an improvement over other full face masks, but only time will tell, is the placement of the anti-asphyxiation valves. The Dreamwear FFM has two of them (one next to each clip), and I feel like I get more fresh air when my machine is off than I did with the Amara View. However, the valves on the Dreamwear FFM are incorporated into the cushion, which must be rinsed daily, so I do not know how regular cleaning will affect their wear for the long term.

All in all, the Dreamwear full face mask has been comfortable for me, and I like the fact that even if my mouth is wide open, I do not have air blowing straight down my throat. The airflow and diffusion works well with my breathing patterns.

Pugsy , not that i may have a day for myself, i will see if i can get this fiqured out. And I will start a new thread. Thank you

I’m new to the fun and exciting world of sleep apnea. Just got back from my [miserable night of] titration study with ASV + DreamWear Nasal Cushion (which I love) and the AmaraView (great for people into S&M - I believe the CIA uses the AV at rendition black sites to break detainee’s will). I had practiced at home with the Nasal Cushion and my wife’s ResMed AirSense 10 - easy peasy: my AHI went from 28 to 5 when I checked it on SleepyHead. Then I got to the sleep clinic and discovered the subtle difference between CPAP-Auto and ASV (I know you’re all laughing at this point). My wife’s machine is set for 4-to-10. I discovered that the wonderful DW Nasal cushion leaked, my mouth leaked, and for all I know air was coming out of my ears when the ASV hit some 15’s and 20+. I also discovered the joy of ASV being either faster or slower than my normal breathing - it exhaled while I was trying to inhale - and vice versa (the machine was a tweeked Philips System One that was remotely controlled from the sleep tech’s operation center)

The AmaraView left strap marks, the face mask felt like I was in a bad steam bath every time I exhaled, and I think I began to lose consciousness when the sleep tech cinched down the straps just tight enough (he says) to stop the leaking. After a fitful hour (no sleep) we both decided that the AV wasn’t the right mask for me.

So....I’m hoping that the new DW Full Face might work, because I didn’t enjoy the Nasal Cushion with a tight chin strap and my mouth duct taped shut.

From what I’ve read in this thread I’m hopeful that this new mask might solve some problems for me.

BTW, this is my first cpaptalk post — and I only exaggerated a tiny bit.

I've never liked to disparage a mask model. I may return to it someday and learn to use and love it.

BTW, the Amara View gets very good reviews - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... eviews-tab

SanFranSnorer wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 02, 2018 8:07 am

The AmaraView left strap marks, the face mask felt like I was in a bad steam bath every time I exhaled, and I think I began to lose consciousness when the sleep tech cinched down the straps just tight enough (he says) to stop the leaking.

The Dreamwear FFM does not have to be very tight to work if it is fitted correctly.

I've used the Dreamwear FFM for about a week, and it definitely left strap marks the first few nights. On the fourth night, I tried the fabric wraps, but I woke up in the middle of the night with my mask fluttering both under my nose and below my mouth. I removed the fabric wraps, went back to sleep, and slept soundly the rest of the night. I haven't used the wraps since.

My strap marks were not due to overtightening; they only occurred on the side of my face that was laying on the Dreamwear frame. After the fifth night, I had no marks at all. I guess my face got used to it.

As for the steam bath feeling, the Dreamwear FFM does an incredible job of retaining humidity. I use my Airsense 10 and ClimateLine Air to maintain optimal temperatures and humidity. I have had no issues with excess moisture after lowering the humidity level with my machine. I just have to remember to turn it back up if I use a different mask.

Has the mask been released yet on a broad scale? I'm going to want to deal with a local store.
How does it compare to the comfort gel blue or the Air touch F20.?
Doe it allow a mouth breather get away without wearing a chin strap?

So far, I am finding that I am not mouth breathing with the new FFM (Dreamwear). With the Touch, I was. I know this because I am not waking up with cotton mouth like I was before. I am a very active sleeper and also sleep on my stomach. The Dreamwear FFM is the first one that I can get comfortable with. I liked the Touch but I would wake up several times a night with an itchy nose.

so I swapped out the Med sized cushion for the small sized..on the large frame....big difference for me in regards to leaks....hardly any, and my AHI went down to 2.3 with a min pressure of 10cm. My only issue with that mask is that I tend to drool just a lil bit and that makes it leak just a lil bit. When using a nasal cushion mask, my AHI went up over 3.

AirMech74 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 17, 2018 5:56 am

so I swapped out the Med sized cushion for the small sized..on the large frame....big difference for me in regards to leaks....hardly any, and my AHI went down to 2.3 with a min pressure of 10cm. My only issue with that mask is that I tend to drool just a lil bit and that makes it leak just a lil bit. When using a nasal cushion mask, my AHI went up over 3.

Don't assume that the change in AHI had anything to do with mask...it could simply be normal night to night variation.
I get more of a change than that and never change anything.
We have a saying around here....one night does not a trend make. We just don't get excited about one night...good or bad until we see which one we have more of.
Expect nightly variations and sometimes significant variations...comes with the territory even if you don't change one thing.

The drool...annoying and if it continues and you wish to use the FFM..teeny tiny bit of something placed inside the mask to absorb the drool might be an option or even a mask liner.

AirMech74 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 17, 2018 5:56 am

my AHI went down to 2.3

AirMech74 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 17, 2018 5:56 am

my AHI went up over 3

Statistically insignificant.

ok..I got ya gals

Thank you everyone who posted your review. Your reviews are very helpful. I am excited to try this one. I was sent home from my DME with an Amara View for my first mask ever. It hurt my nose. It felt like I had a bruise. I think maybe I had a wrong size and may have done better with a medium. I switched the Amara for my Dreamwear nasal and have been really happy with it. After having a cold and a nasal mask, I need a back up FFM. I hadn't thought about adjusting the humidity with a new mask. I have my humidity up to the highest setting on my nasal mask.

If you like the Dreamwear nasal you should like the Dreamwear FFM. I have both and the Dreamwear Nasal is better but if you need a FFM then Dreamwear FFM is the way to go. If you want to save some money you can use the frame for both and just switch the FFM insert/cushion for the nasal cushion and switch the headgear, using the existing frame. Frame is identical and cushion/insert fit the same as the nasal cushion.

I’m not sure what size ffm I’ll need. My DME has the fit pack. I have to wait until the 26th to order for insurance. With the nasal mask I wear a small, but am right at the boarder of small/medium. The medium feels better, but I have fewer leaks with the small.

The fit pack arrived in the mail for me today, so I will be trying it out tonight. Excited to try a new mask even though I have to admit, this one looks kind of freaky.