DreamWear is a dream for me

I just wanted to throw out a recommendation for the Phillips Respironics DreamWear mask. I've been a CPAP user for 5 years now and previously the only mask that I could get to work for me was a Resmed Mirage Softgel mask and even with that mask I needed use a mask pad from PadACheek to minimize my leakage. Earlier this year I tried the Resmed N20 thinking that a newer technology mask would be better but it leaked like crazy as I'm an active sleeper that moves all night long. Before Christmas I was able to get a new mask for free so my provider suggested the Dreamwear mask. Looking at the mask at first glance I thought that there wasn't a prayer that this mask would be better but I was amazed at how well it is working for me. The mask is made out of soft, flexible tubing with a removable nose piece and the connector for the air tube on top of your head. This may sound weird but with the air connector on top you can lay your air hose behind your pillow so it's totally out of the way. When you have your machine on, air flows from the top down the flexible, flat tubing on either side of your face and the air pressure inflated the thin flexible materials of the nose piece to the point where it creates a tight seal right under your nostrils. For an active sleeper like myself If I roll onto either side the flexible tubing on that side does collapse but the air is still flowing down the tube on the other side so you never lose pressure. My worst fear is that the mask would not be tight enough or slip when I roll from my back to my side but for me this has not been the case as the seal of the nose piece to my skin has very tight. In addition to the fit of the mask in general I REALLY like how light this mask is on my face, the open face design as I can now read a book or watch TV with the mask on since there's no interfering nose bridge that blocks my view. No mask lines in the morning either. Besides the fit and design I can report that my AHI is about 3.1 which is slightly lower than with my softgel and my pressure readings and mask leak rated are all down in comparison to my Softgel.

All of the above being said I understand that fitting a mask is not an easy task and no one mask can work for everyone but for me this mask is great. In addition the only difference between the Dreamwear nasal mask and the Dreamwear nasal pillow mask is the interchangeable nose piece and my provider said that if I want to switch to pillows all I need to get is the pillow nose piece instead of the nasal piece. In addition, Respironics also makes a Dreamwear full face mask for mouth breathers. So, if you're having trouble with your mask leaking and/or you just want to try something different, I highly recommend the DreamWear nasal mask.

It is great when you find a mask that works for you. I have been using the Dreamwear Nasal Pillow mask. I tried the Dreamwear Nasal for a few nights and could not get a good seal, but the pillows seem to work for me.

Since I have been doing pretty good with my xPAP therapy, I have not been paying much attention to the Sleepyhead Data. I started feeling more anxious and having crying spills. I could not figure out what in the world was my problem. People were saying it was just being overwhelmed with the holidays, but that is not like me. Anyway, I finally decided that even though I didn't feel any leaks that I should look at my data. Holy Cow! There were many nights that I was spending 40% of the time in major leak territory. I have only been on xPAP for 6 months and still learning a lot and the learning curve is steep. I think I will need to change my nasal pillow about every 4 weeks or so. I ordered 4 so that I always have plenty.

Dreamware FFM works well for me, as part of a rotation every two to three nights. Rosacea flares up from the contact, so use F20 air touch, and finally dreamware nasal changing every 2-3 nights. Haven't tried the pillows, the large size nose piece would not work without leaks until I tried
the medium size. (Measure gauge was large.) Large on the F20, and FFM dreamware, but medium on the nasal.
Really liking the dreamware nasal now that it is working well.

Going to buy the dreamwear ffm soon, hopefully. I also struggle with my current mask (ffm) due to leaks, I suspect because of my bulging nose ridge. I'm happy you found a set up that works for you!

The DW is a great mask for 'active' sleepers and worked very well for me with one caveat - the air did seem to leak up towards my eyes. Changing to the nasal pillow version solved this but created other problems - mainly irritation on the inside of my left nostril. So up until recently I've been rotating between the two.

That all changed when I decided to try out Resmed's new N30i nasal mask. Like the DW it has removable cushions and the hose sits at the top of the head. It is remarkably similar to the Dreamwear except for three important alterations. The first is a slightly different strap system, along with a spring loaded frame which seems to hold the mask more firmly in place (well for me anyway). The third is that the nasal cushion is quite different in that it has separate holes for each nostril, a solid plastic base under the cushion and it it is more curved. This has solved the air in the eyes issue for me.

Over Christmas I stayed with friends and took my travel machine with me which had the Dreamwear in the carry bag. I realised after using it again that I much prefer the N30i.

Sissy63 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 02, 2019 2:39 pm

It is great when you find a mask that works for you. I have been using the Dreamwear Nasal Pillow mask. I tried the Dreamwear Nasal for a few nights and could not get a good seal, but the pillows seem to work for me.

My original thought was to get a nasal pillow mask and was talked into the Nasal mask as I had heard people complaining about irritation in the nose. The nice thing about this mask is that you can interchange the Nasal piece with the Nasal Pillow Piece without having to buy a whole new mask. Perhaps I'll order a pillow insert and try this out just to see if the pillows would provide any better results.

This is the mask that I use too. I agree, its really comfortable. I didn't have much luck with the pillows. I tried and didn't like that feel of something going in my nostrils. Maybe I didn't have the correct size?

dreamingofdreaming wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:29 pm

I didn't have much luck with the pillows. I tried and didn't like that feel of something going in my nostrils. Maybe I didn't have the correct size?

The pillows don't/shouldn't touch ANYTHING inside your nostrils...if you feel anything touching the inside of the nostril then you either have it too tight or the wrong size.
The pillows rest against the outside of the nostril and the only thing that is actually inside the nostril is the tiny tip of the inner cone and if it is touching inside on anything...it's not fitted or sized correctly. It's suppose to just sit inside (and just barely inside) and not touch anything anywhere inside the nostril.

You should be able to take a nasal pillow all by itself and place it gently against the nostril...and that's the way it should feel with the headgear attached. Gently supported by the headgear and that's all that is needed to get and maintain the seal once the pressure inflates the cushion part. The most common error people make with nasal pillows....too small or the headgear is way too tight. They shouldn't move the nose upwards (piggy nose syndrome) and they shouldn't crawl up inside the nostril (that happens when the pillow is too small).

[/quote]

The pillows don't/shouldn't touch ANYTHING inside your nostrils...if you feel anything touching the inside of the nostril then you either have it too tight or the wrong size.
The pillows rest against the outside of the nostril and the only thing that is actually inside the nostril is the tiny tip of the inner cone and if it is touching inside on anything...it's not fitted or sized correctly. It's suppose to just sit inside (and just barely inside) and not touch anything anywhere inside the nostril.

You should be able to take a nasal pillow all by itself and place it gently against the nostril...and that's the way it should feel with the headgear attached. Gently supported by the headgear and that's all that is needed to get and maintain the seal once the pressure inflates the cushion part. The most common error people make with nasal pillows....too small or the headgear is way too tight. They shouldn't move the nose upwards (piggy nose syndrome) and they shouldn't crawl up inside the nostril (that happens when the pillow is too small).
[/quote]

I've suspected that it's not the right size. I didn't get the fit pack, I just ordered the same size that I use in the cushion. Maybe at some point I'll try a size bigger. Thank you.

I started with a Dreamwear nasal that leaked badly. The "hole" was too large for my nostrils even though I was using a small cushion. Then I switched to the nasal pillow version. I Loved it, but found I am a mouth breather so switched to the Full Face mask. It leaked badly. The problem as it turns out, is the medium size frame was too large & it shifted too much during the night. I tried the small frame , but it was too small. I have spent several months trying Resmed products with better success, but not perfect. I loved the Dreamwear full face mask. I love the comfort & design & love the hose on top of my head instead of on my face. I am going to try the Resmed F30 that just came out this fall. It is similar in design as the Dreamwear , but has adjustable headgear. I hope it works, but if not... my search for my "perfect" mask continues. I have been on Apap Therapy since April 2018. What I wish Phillips would do is design a new mask line geared toward women like Resmed does. For the dreamwear to work for me, I need a frame size that is larger than a small, but smaller than the medium. An "in between" small & medium size. If Phillips designed a "for Her" line, I will go back to the Dreamwear in a heartbeat. Until that happens, here's to hoping the Resmed F30 is my final mask. I am tired of the search.

I can't get the leaks under control with the F30. I am now using the N20 but tonight I have a zit on the side of my nose that's rubbing so I will have to choose between my F30 and my Dreamwear ff mask also leaky. Wish I had the dreamwear nasal to try tonight. it is the same frame ? Maybe I will just order the cushion off of Amazon.

Forum gurus a question:

With the dreamwear ff I have a medium cushion with the small frame would I also order the medium nasal cushion or pillow ?

Cynmatthes wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 05, 2019 8:21 pm

With the dreamwear ff I have a medium cushion with the small frame would I also order the medium nasal cushion or pillow ?

Most likely medium cushion but don't forget the headgear.
The headgear isn't the same for the gel pillow or the under the nose cushion as the headgear for the FFM DreamWear.
Frame...is interchangeable...but the headgear is not.

Well dang nab it. the cushion is only $16 but they want $33 for the headgear. Don't know if I want to try it that bad.

Check eBay. I just saw a headgear for $20.07 with free shipping. I buy quite a few things there, especially when I want to try something different. It is always cheaper than the DME.

Becca59 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 05, 2019 7:05 pm

I loved the Dreamwear full face mask. I love the comfort & design & love the hose on top of my head instead of on my face. I am going to try the Resmed F30 that just came out this fall. It is similar in design as the Dreamwear , but has adjustable headgear. I hope it works, but if not... my search for my "perfect" mask continues.
< snip / edited post. I hope you do not mind Becca59 >

If Phillips designed a "for Her" line, I will go back to the Dreamwear in a heartbeat. Until that happens, here's to hoping the Resmed F30 is my final mask. I am tired of the search.

Hi Becca59 ~~~

Many nights (and some days) I find myself tracing lines on my face where I DREAM my dreamwear would sit.

I make the mask work by wearing the wrong size and with the help of a large grapefruit size wad of hair in a topknot.

...but it's worth it to me because that is where I want to connect. Right at the top of my head. So I can focus on the breath and NOT the hose.

I wonder about shaping pipecleaners and sending them fedex to someone with a plastic factory that can shape my perfect curve.

...right now though I think that's just a dream. It's weird that I never think to continue to search?
( Like not wanting to look for a new/different man but just want to change (a little) the one you have )

I'm in awe of Pugsy's overflowing BOX of masks.

~~~I would love to see a video of how those dreamwear masks are made! I will have to google / youtube and see if one is easy to find for wank level computer searchers.