Need advice about Dreamwear mask

Last night was my third night with the Dreamwear mask. There is so much to love about it - especially that it is lightweight! Have three comments/questions.

1) How can you keep the mask headgear from creeping up the back of your head? Although my hair is not long, this AM I woke up and the headgear was nearly off and the nasal part of the mask was not up against my nose.

2) The number of 'events' is still too high IMO and would be considered to be in the mild apnea range (I was diagnosed with moderate apnea) The RT suggests I may need a chin strap but WTF? No way. Talk about claustrophia.

3) I do not want to go back to a full face mask. Although I had some good success with the AmaraView, too many nights I could not tolerate the weight on my face.

Thanks for any thoughts about how to improve the usage and outcome using the Dreamwear mask. (Like many others, I have eight other masks at home, all of which were horrible, dating back to 1995 when the RT at the time did not offer any other masks but ONE. Sleep therapy has come a LONG way since then.

Wow, you are a lot like me. I'm having trouble keeping Dreamwear where it belongs, but I do put my hair through the loop in the cloth strap. That helps a little. I also used Amara view. Good luck!

Re: 1) How can you keep the mask headgear from creeping up the back of your head? Although my hair is not long, this AM I woke up and the headgear was nearly off and the nasal part of the mask was not up against my nose.

I removed the fabric wraps, lowered the headgear strap about an inch or so on the back of my head, tightened the headgear strap just a tad, and then made a small short pony tail above both straps. Works for me. It took a couple of adjustings before I got it right.

I really like this mask. I used the Airfit P10 for about a year and liked it a lot but I had a problem with leaks. With the Dreamwear mask I don't have this problem any more. Also, once I got the fit right the Dreamwear Mask is unbelievably quiet.

The headgear slipping was a deal breaker for me. That's all I'm going to say about that.

I attached two pieces of Velcro to the inside of the back strap (side with little hooks, not the fluffy side). I sewed them in as the stick on type came loose and stuck to my hair.
I also pull the back strap down and put it under my hair. I haven't had any problems since I sewed in the Velcro and put my hair on top of the strap.
I also use cozies on both parts of the strap hoses so that might help a bit too.

Good Luck!

UMTerp

I usually put my hair in a pony tail, so I strategically place it just above the top strap. Not a fashion statement, but it is high enough it doesn't interfere with sleeping either. I also noticed that the problem stopped when I went up one size with the face frame. I had been using a small and it shifted up several times a night. With the medium face frame, that stopped almost completely.

My hair is shortish so I have to work around it no ponytails or such for me.

Grrrr. I think this is going to be MY mask for a long time but this problem needs to be solved otherwise I am back to square one.

On the mouthbreathing situation, has anyone tried using a narrow cervical foam collar to help keep your mouth closed? Chin straps are out of the question.

Iamagolfer:

See the post called "Tips for Swift users" that I bumped----It may help you and others with the strap problem!

Steve,
ufo13

I posted this in the bumped post....

OMG My ability to concentrate as well as to make heads or tails out of concepts/descriptions just does not exist. Up, up up goes my anxiety level trying to picture this.

Having been a visual person all my life, I sure wish there were photos.

Appreciate your bringing this post to my attention tho. #feelingstupid

I'm very visual as well. I did see a picture (I believe on page 7), though for me I'm going to have to figure out how to attach it by doing. I'd suggest you get some velcro (rough side vs furry side) and see how it could attach. I believe visual people often need a bit of hands on approach. Keep in mind you aren't going to be able to "stick it on", so you need another sort of solution.
(I'm getting a Dreamwear mask so I imagine I'll be using this idea.)

I don't have any velcro but I do have an unused roll of this rug gripper tape. Since I already have it and don't have to spend any money, gonna try that tonight to see if it helps the headgear from riding up the back of my head.

Will let you know it it works.

Well that did not work.

Darn.

I emailed Respironics today to give them feedback about the straps riding up and ask for advice. Let's see if I hear back. The longer I use the mask, the worse it seems to get.

Interesting thatgirl
I was wondering if the company was getting any feedback on this issue. It seems to be pretty common.
Maybe the next version will have an upgrade to reduce the slipping.
We can hope!

UMTerp

I contacted Respironics via their website last week and received an email today from them requesting info, followed up by two phone calls to clarify my situation. (Still waiting for my medical device company to return my call.)

IMO it is CRITICAL that anyone having this same issue with the headgear 'not staying put' or any other issue contact them. As a medical device supplier, they have to keep document and records of all complaints....not to mention if they don't know there is a problem, it will never get corrected in future revised models.

Going back to my AmaraView tonight.

Respironics
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