CPAP PRO mask

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
sleepy
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CPAP PRO mask

Post by sleepy » Tue Sep 28, 2004 6:14 am

Hi,
Has anyone tried the CPAP Pro mask. If so what is it like ?

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Titrator
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Location: Oak Ridge, TN

Reply

Post by Titrator » Thu Sep 30, 2004 3:27 pm

I haven't tried it, but I have heard from many people who have, that they didn't particularly care fo the cpappro mask.

The comments I have heard is that there is a problem sealing the pillows because there is no headgear, and the mouthpiece is hard to get used to.

Everyone has a favorite mask, so one man's negative experience can be anothers mask of choice.

Regards,


Titrator

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robertjoy
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Yes I've used it

Post by robertjoy » Wed Oct 06, 2004 9:40 am

It took a little getting used to and overall I like it but the non-service from the comany and in unavailability of getting replacements are making me to look for an alternative. If you are able to get the mouth bites and other nasal parts when they are needed I'd say try it. If on the other hand you are unable to get these parts, forget it. I was forced to get the BBB to get my order fulfilled after 3 months I eventually got the parts that I'd paid for, I was not impressed.

Robert

Guest

Post by Guest » Thu Oct 07, 2004 10:01 am

Hi,
Thanks for your replies. I live in England, so I think I may experience trouble getting this. I have tried several masks over the last year and I am using the simpicity at the moment, but I don't like the headgear.
Still at least I don't have to pay for any of it. Thank God for the NHS!

Guest

Post by Guest » Thu Oct 07, 2004 10:56 am

Hi,
That last post was not from guest but from sleepy

Robert

Breeze

Post by Robert » Sun Oct 17, 2004 11:16 am

I've just changed over to the Breeze Nasal Pillow system and so far I find it to be very good, although after 15 years of using CPAP I don't think that there is any one perfect system. The NHS, could be better, my son in the UK has been waiting now for 2 years just to get into a sleep clinic, so I think I'd rather pay and get on with life and living. I guess the problem is heridity.

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rested gal
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masks

Post by rested gal » Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:23 pm

As Titrator said, "one man's negative experience can be anothers mask of choice."

There are some particular masks that do become more widely popular than others - suiting a wider range of users.

Two that seem to elicit far more positive comments than most masks, because they are very comfortable and virtually leakproof even at high pressures, are:

Breeze with nasal pillows I'd suggest getting nasal pillows that are one size larger than you think you think you'd wear, so that the pillows will sit more "outside and against" your nostril openings rather than up inside the nose. Be sure you are getting the "new, improved" Breeze which is virtually unbreakable and has removable long side straps if you need them to keep the headgear from shifting.

ResMed's Activa This is a nasal mask that covers your nose. The "bellows" cushion is absolutely unique. It's unlike any other out there. A bit of experimenting with tilting the forehead piece is the key to obtaining a very leakproof seal. The straps can be worn much more loosely than with other nasal masks. All the adjusting is best done when laying down in sleeping position. The Activa works with (instead of trying to resist) the air flowing into the mask. Amazingly comfortable and leakproof for most people.

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JudyAnn
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Post by JudyAnn » Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:35 am

Hey Rested Gal,

What surprised me totally was when I first got the ResMed Activa Mask it drove me crazy, not so much the mask because it is so very comfortable, but the fact that "stuff" was on my face and I felt claustrophobic for quite a while. I was so anxious to get the Swift Nasal Pillows and now that I have both, I seem to be using the "Activa" more than the pillows. It is not as "air noisy" as the pillows and so comfortable. I have gotten over the "claustrophobic" feeling and have resigned my mind to it and as time goes on, it works itself out, doesn't it?

Thanks for all your knowledge and input on so many things. It really helps a lot.

Judy

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rested gal
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claustrophobic about masks

Post by rested gal » Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:05 pm

heheh, JudyAnn. It's amazing what we can get used to in the interests of being able to breathe at night and feel better the next day...if we really put our minds to it.

I wasn't all that enthused about the idea of having to sleep with a mask on my face every night when I started. But I knew it was going to be a "must" for me to adapt to it, if I really cared about my longterm health.

I've heard some good suggestions on how to get used to wearing a mask. Some people adjust better if they practice awhile during the day, sitting up in a recliner with mask and machine going. Just concentrating on relaxing and breathing while sitting up awake. Makes it a little less intimidating than laying down in bed and trying to go to sleep the very first time, cold turkey. I just went straight to bed with it, first time....with a poor excuse of a gel mask and no heated humidifier! But felt so much better the next morning, I knew there was no turning back.

A comfortable mask is almost everything where this kind of therapy is involved! The Activa is larger than most nasal masks, but is sooooooo comfortable and leakproof. It's definitely worth getting used to.

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rested gal
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15 years

Post by rested gal » Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:11 pm

Hi Robert,

Wow, 15 years on cpap! Can only imagine what you went through on the early machines and masks. I agree with you about OSA probably running in families - anatomical structure of the throat, tongue, etc. being such a factor.

Yes, I like the Breeze too. It's one of my favorite interfaces. The Breeze/nasal pillows and the Activa nasal mask. Two of the best, imho.

What machine are you using now, Robert?

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JudyAnn
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Post by JudyAnn » Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:19 pm

Rested Gal,

Another ? Is there any "air noise" or exhailing/inhailing noise with the Breeze? As I have said and others have too, that the Swift has that air noise.


Judy

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rested gal
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noise

Post by rested gal » Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:40 pm

JudyAnn, the only sound I ever hear with my Breeze is on each inhalation. I get a very low, soft "whoosh" sound on inhalation. Not objectionable at all. My Breeze is totally quiet on exhalation...no sound at all. There's no sound at all from the airhole vent - unless your cover or pillow, or your arm, get too close to it. That was true of both my old Breeze and the "new" Breeze I have now. When I tried to use "small" nasal pillows, I did get some sounds from the pillows area - they were leaking a bit when I'd turn or move. After I switched to the "large" pillows (so much nicer - they could sit against my nostril openings instead of being crammed up into my nose) there were no more leaks, so no "pillows" noise at all.

My usual pressure is 8 or 9 with the autopap briefly hitting 13 or 14 occasionally. Out of curiosity (I know, I know..it killed the cat... ) a few days ago I upped my top pressure on the autopap to a straight 19 - straight "cpap-style". I did that just to see if the Breeze would feel like it was streaming air into my nostrils. Didn't feel an "air stream" at all in my nose, and it didn't leak at all - even up in the stratosphere like that! Not a bit of increase in sound either. But, gee, I don't see how people on straight cpap above, say, 14 can breathe out against such pressure. I felt like I'd had a workout, after just a couple of minutes of experimenting up there.

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JudyAnn
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Post by JudyAnn » Mon Oct 18, 2004 2:49 pm

That's great. I can stand that inhale/exhale sound if I am sleepy but if I cannot sleep then that is all I hear so then I turn to the Activa. I guess the nasals must all be like that because they are so close or inside the nose.

Yes, curiosity could kill the cat Wow, 19 that's quite high but I know what you mean about the straight cpap. When I had mine it was set to 11 and even then I could not stand the constant air flow. I would wake up feeling like I was suffocating. I had it for a month and did not sleep through the night with it until I got the autopap. Now my auto is set at low 6 and the high is 13 but I cannot tell (until I eventually get the spirit w/software) how high I go. The sleep tech said I ranged from 9 to 12 or something like that. I would have to look at her report.

Thanks for the answer.

Judy