Help! Long time user in need of a new mask.

[cpapjack]

So I just recently discovered that the Breeze Mask/Pillow have been discontinued. (I normally buy 2 or 3 masks a year to have them when it's time to replace)

I've been using the Breeze exclusively for the past 8-9 years with an AHI of less than 1 every night. The reason I've been using this is because the Lavender XL Pillows were available for it and apparently I have large nostrils that required them.

I've tried at least 10-15 other masks/mask combinations over the years, but none of them worked for me as good as the Breeze for various reasons. (nose marks, not getting a good seal on full face or nasal masks, etc)

So my question is, what am I going to do???? I've searched and searched, but have not found any mask that offers XL Pillows.

[Pugsy]

Have you looked at the Respironics DreamWear Gel Pillows mask?
While it doesn't have the XLarge size...the large size is quite substantial. I think it tends to run on the larger side of things.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... -pack.html

Here's a list of some of the nasal pillow masks that are available now. There's probably a few you haven't seen or tried.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-p ... p-mask.php

[cpapjack]

Have you looked at the Respironics DreamWear Gel Pillows mask?
While it doesn't have the XLarge size...the large size is quite substantial. I think it tends to run on the larger side of things.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... -pack.html

Here's a list of some of the nasal pillow masks that are available now. There's probably a few you haven't seen or tried.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-p ... p-mask.php

Thanks Pugsy. I was actually thinking about trying the DreamWear, as I have read that before about them being on the large side. With cpap.com's free returns, it's kind of a no brainer that I do so.

I have seen these and tried some, but again, I have the need for the XL pillows, none of which these have. And the ones I did try with the Large Pillows, well, they were just too small and leaked alot.

[Pugsy]

I think I have tried pretty much all the nasal pillow masks that came on the market in the last 5 years.
The P10 most likely won't work...it tends to run on the small side I think.

The DreamWear gel pillows is the only one that I can think of at the moment that might stand a chance of being large enough for you plus with the way it is constructed there is extra support there that might help and be a bit more forgiving should it be slightly small for you.

You are right...it's a no brainer with the free return insurance available as long as you are in the United States.

[cpapjack]

So I ordered the DreamWear with the pillows and cushions. Should be here tomorrow. We shall see what happens.

[cpapjack]

I think I have tried pretty much all the nasal pillow masks that came on the market in the last 5 years.
The P10 most likely won't work...it tends to run on the small side I think.

The DreamWear gel pillows is the only one that I can think of at the moment that might stand a chance of being large enough for you plus with the way it is constructed there is extra support there that might help and be a bit more forgiving should it be slightly small for you.

You are right...it's a no brainer with the free return insurance available as long as you are in the United States.

So I've been using the DreamWear for a few days now, and it works perfectly. Fit and comfort is outstanding. My only issue is, it's noisy as all heck!! It's not leaking, it's just very noisy when I'm breathing.

Do you think this is normal because of the way the mask is designed or could it be something else?

[Pugsy]

Are you talking about hearing your own breathing? What I call the Darth Vadar sounds or is it something else?
It's something I have noticed from time to time and at other times I don't notice it at all. Not sure why unless it is always there and the brain has learned to tune it out.

If you are sure that the sounds aren't from the vented air bouncing off something it might be more of a conductive noise type of thing and the DreamWear with the way it is made seems to "conduct" more of those breathing sounds than some of the other masks.
Try something....put your fingers in your ears and see if you still hear the noise at the same level or even louder. If you do then it's a good chance there is some conductive noise going on and about all you can do it try to limit whatever is conducting the noise.

Adding the fleece wraps around the side of the frame might help and is worth trying. Adding a hose cozy might help.
Routing the hose upwards so it doesn't lay on the mattress might help.

For me it's more conductive noise. The breathing Darth Vadar sounds are greatly increased when I plug my ears with my finger tips.
When I first started therapy this noise really bugged me but with time it bugged me less and it's probably why I don't hear it sometimes now and sometimes I do. I get it even with the P10 sometimes. How I got past it bugging me was I didn't fight it and worry about it but instead of focusing on how loud it was I tried to focus on just how soothing it was. Used it more like a meditation thing. I guess that's why I don't notice it so much now unless I am thinking about it and when I do think about it I find it quickly goes away. I know it really hasn't changed but my brain changes how it perceives it.

[cpapjack]

Are you talking about hearing your own breathing? What I call the Darth Vadar sounds or is it something else?
It's something I have noticed from time to time and at other times I don't notice it at all. Not sure why unless it is always there and the brain has learned to tune it out.

If you are sure that the sounds aren't from the vented air bouncing off something it might be more of a conductive noise type of thing and the DreamWear with the way it is made seems to "conduct" more of those breathing sounds than some of the other masks.
Try something....put your fingers in your ears and see if you still hear the noise at the same level or even louder. If you do then it's a good chance there is some conductive noise going on and about all you can do it try to limit whatever is conducting the noise.

Adding the fleece wraps around the side of the frame might help and is worth trying. Adding a hose cozy might help.
Routing the hose upwards so it doesn't lay on the mattress might help.

For me it's more conductive noise. The breathing Darth Vadar sounds are greatly increased when I plug my ears with my finger tips.
When I first started therapy this noise really bugged me but with time it bugged me less and it's probably why I don't hear it sometimes now and sometimes I do. I get it even with the P10 sometimes. How I got past it bugging me was I didn't fight it and worry about it but instead of focusing on how loud it was I tried to focus on just how soothing it was. Used it more like a meditation thing. I guess that's why I don't notice it so much now unless I am thinking about it and when I do think about it I find it quickly goes away. I know it really hasn't changed but my brain changes how it perceives it.

Thanks Pugsy. It’s definitely conductive noise. I’m sure it’s because of how the mask is made. I tried to overcome the noise, but it was just a bit much for both me and my wife. In addition to the noise, when I would turn to my side, the mask would move enough that it would leak.

With that said, I ordered 4 more masks, and I think I found one that is quiet, fits, comfortable and no leaks! It’s the Swift FX. It only has Large Pillows, but they appear to be bigger than what Large Pillows used to be, and they are more comfortable.

I may try the Nuance Pro that I got, but I’m really thinking there’s no need to as the Swift is performing flawlessly so far!

I also purchased the Airfit P10 and Pilairo, and while they are comfortable, they are too noisy.

[Pugsy]

I do think that the P10 nasal pillows seem to run ever so slightly smaller than the Swift FX pillows.
I can use the XSmall in the Swift FX but just can't do the XSmall in the P10...I need a Small.

It's been so long since I used the Nuance pillows that I can't remember much about them...sorry.
I liked the pillows in general though..it was the headgear that annoyed me with it. Just more stuff on my face and head than with the other masks and I prefer as little as possible.
I will give up a little stability with the headgear to get minimal stuff on my face and head.
For me the Swift FX was probably a little more stable and while the headgear isn't really that much...the P10 has even less headgear and lighter so I deal with the occasional instability (which is usually that back strap sliding up on occasion).

For me and my husband the P10 is silent and he really likes not getting the cold air blowing on him that the Swift FX would send his way sometimes.