Nuance Pro Question

[KentuckyHoser]

Okay, so I'm really new at all of this. It hasn't even been a week since my first night. I'm not having any particular problems and the Nuance Pro mask is really, really comfortable. But I do have one concern. The headgear is BIG and I'm a guy. I don't know how you ladies could possibly wear this thing. It fits me right now, but the velcro tabs are nearly at their ends. My worry is that this thing is going to stretch out and not fit long before I'm eligible for a replacement. Should I stick with it or maybe try the Airfit while I can still swap? I hate to swap for something when the one I have is so comfortable, but at the same time I don't want to have something that doesn't fit in a few weeks.

[ubnoxus]

I use the same one and I'm on the other end of the spectrum, almost have it open as wide as it will go. I love the fit and comfort as well.

[KentuckyHoser]

It is ridiculously comfortable in every position, even when I'm doing the half side/half stomach thing with my face buried in the pillow. But I can't sew a stitch and I really hate to have this thing stretch out completely on me.

[ubnoxus]

I believe the fabric headgear is a little smaller on the non pro model

[KentuckyHoser]

Maybe I'll try that route then. Thanks! I'll give the DME a yell tomorrow.

[chunkyfrog]

The headgear is not interchangeable between the Pro and the regular--kind of a dirty trick IMHO.
I have the Pro, and the back strap is quite long, meaning I have to push it way down.
Sadly, my hair is not yet long or heavy enough to keep it there, so it rests on its little hook,
while my Wisp gets all the love.

[ubnoxus]

I was thinking more he could try that one on the next upgrade

[KentuckyHoser]

Oh, I'm still in my first month and have two mask swaps left with my DME at no charge. So I'll see if I can just swap out the whole deal.

[chunkyfrog]

That back strap has the neatest material on the inside surface--kind of a soft, grippy foam.
It seems it would be comfy even if you had no hair at all.

[ubnoxus]

I have my hair super short and it's very cool and comfortable

[HoseCrusher]

To expand on chunkyfrog's comments...

While the pieces of the head gear are not interchangeable between the normal and pro versions, the whole headgear is. It attaches to the plastic piece that holds the pillows and attaches to the short hose. You can peel the whole headgear off and change it out with either the Pro or normal version of headgear.

When you get the part that is called the frame, it is specific to the headgear that attaches to it. You can't mix Pro headgear with a normal frame and visa versa. In that way they are not interchangeable.

They are interchangeable in that either will attach to the elbow adapter.

At any rate I ended up with both types of headgear and swap them out regularly. I think I like the normal headgear better but the Pro has some advantages. I wear my mask on the loose side so there isn't much stretching at all. After a few weeks of use I haven't made any adjustments at all.

[jaybeem]

My Nuance Pro headgear has stretched out a little. I don't sleep on my back, so I just gave the back strap a roll over, and it is snug again.

[sleeplessinaz]

I have the Nuance Pro and I hate it. I am using the small size pillows so the medium and large have NEVER been used. Also I bought two Small size nasal pillows that go with it if anyone wants this mask please send me a PM. USA only please.

That back strap is huge and stretches out so badly. If only they would have stuck an adjustable back strap on the thing I could have made it work. Using my Wisp and my Aloha. This headgear is made for the hulk!

[zorki1c]

I switched from the Swift FX to the Nuance (not the pro) a week ago and so far love it. I get almost no leaks and my AHI averages about .2. In addition, the nuance side straps don't leave indentations in my face that last all day. Haven't had it long enough to learns anything about straps stretching.

When I switched I told the DME I wanted to try the Nuance Pro. He said they only carried the Nuance and he thought the Pro was primarily used by sleep labs because the silicone straps were easy to clean for use by many patients. The Pro straps are similar to the straps on the Swift FX and they were what caused indentations in my face--even when I used the cloth wraps.

[KentuckyHoser]

I went today to swap the Pro head gear and frame for the regular and it makes a huge difference but not because the head gear is any smaller. It's the way you adjust the side straps that makes a difference. On the Pro you pull up and on the regular you pull down. Pulling down seems to put more tension on that big back strap or something. Not having the gel pads on the cheeks also means that you have more room to adjust before you run out of space for the Velcro to grab. Now nothing slips and slides around on my head and I still have those awesome gel pillows. I don't even feel those things in my nose.