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+--- Thread: new hybrid mask--should I lower pressures? (/Thread-new-hybrid-mask-should-I-lower-pressures)
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RE: new hybrid mask--should I lower pressures? - martyedb - 01-16-2021
Night two with new hybrid Innomed mask. I used it the first 3 1/2 hours, approx. (I woke up with face feeling squeezed/ and had welts on cheeks.) I still consider this a SUCCESS. So, I will try loosening straps of headgear some.
I tried to change headgear to ResMed yesterday, but the Resmed straps were not long enough. I may be able to modify those later.
The straps with the Innomed are awkward to adjust, due to the end of the straps with the velcro, is thin, difficult to find with fingernails of just one hand. The velcro strip is the same color --black--as the headgear that it attaches to, so does not show up very well, either, when I try to see it in the mirror. All of this will get easier with practice. And I could use shorter straps. I use small headgear with my Res Med F 20 medium Air Touch. (That seems to mean that I have more size small Res Med F 20 Air Touch cushions than I need, since I only needed one to try. It seems that I can only get replacement frame and headgear with the size cushion that they think I should use. ? Maybe I could order separately just what I want, from another source.)
The Innomed headgear has an adjustment on top of the head. Those strap pieces are long, too. A top-of-head adjustment is a good feature.
I thought I had a large head, but the size small headgear works better for me.
Another of the good things about this Innomed hybrid mask (nasal pillows/ mouth cover combination) is that we could get it as a "fit-pack". Three sizes of nasal pillows and three sizes of mouth cover, plus the headgear which they think fits everyone. It does fit, it works.
Thank you for letting me share my opinion on this. I hope it will help someone else.
RE: new hybrid mask--should I lower pressures? - SarcasticDave94 - 01-16-2021
Not trying to spend your money and help you collect a whole DME shelf of masks, but had you tried the Fisher & Paykel masks? You need full face or does nasal or pillows work? Full face, try the Vitera or Simplus is similar. But my personal usage I find the Vitera is better, more comfortable, virtually leak free. They do have nasal and pillows that are very minimal if they fit well.
RE: new hybrid mask--should I lower pressures? - martyedb - 01-16-2021
I have a few various masks. It is so easy to say, no, this does not work. So I am trying to practice saying, "I can try this again."
The simplus seemed to direct vented air directly to my eyes. I tried to improvise a directional thing to send the air toward ears or something. My eyes are already dry enough. Did you find the air vented
to your eyes? I prefer not to wear swim goggles or sleep mask to bed with all my other acccessories. (I have not tried those two options.)
I guess that when there is a forehead support, that eliminates the need for a top of the head strap? Or--usually?
I thought maybe I could use a nasal mask a few weeks ago...but still was unable to keep mouth from opening. I don't remember for sure--I think I had put on the SCC and Knightsbridge chin strap-- and I was getting tired, taking off that nasal mask, changing to my usual F20. My sweetie was coming to bed and I said, "Well, I didn't TAPE my mouth closed." He laughed so hard, nearly was rolling on the floor laughing. I guess he hadn't heard of mouth taping. But now I know that I can decrease EPAP a little while I re-try my nasal mask. I can see that having less contact with face could help to decrease leaks.
Do the Simplus and Vitera have less contact with bridge of nose? (Fit lower on the nose?) That could be an advantage. I seem to be getting ...varicose veins?? ...on nose/next to nose? It may mean that I have been making straps too tight, all this time, trying to eliminate leaks as much as possible. I have had this PAP machine about three years. I have learned the most, about the last six months.
I like your idea of having discussions during our coffee times. Our dog likes our coffee breaks, too, she knows she gets to snuggle closer while we drink our coffee. I tell people, "We laugh more , with a dog."
RE: new hybrid mask--should I lower pressures? - SarcasticDave94 - 01-16-2021
Vitera got more use than Simplus for me, liked feel of cushion shape better and the headgear seemed more comfortable to me. The nasal bridge was my weak area for sealing with small leaks up toward eyes but mine seemed to be when I moved. I do extra adjustment bit of pulling mask away from face after strapping and while holding it out I'm pushing it down the nose a bit more then letting it settle on.
Hopefully you'd not need to resort to swimming goggles. Got this entire kit of stuff, 20 different bits to wear to sleep... probably weight you down so much you'd have issue trying to get out of bed.
If you give Simplus another try or Vitera, either one really, try adjusting strap very loose then very little tightening. try holding mask to face no straps under treatment pressure, note how light you need to hold it to have a no leak status, mimic that feel with strap. maybe lower strap very slightly more than bridge one and overhead strap allowing mask to sit lower down towards chin a bit.
RE: new hybrid mask--should I lower pressures? - martyedb - 01-16-2021
Thank you, Dave, for specific coaching instructions. I think we don't get enough instruction to begin with...and it was so overwhelming. I was unprepared for the PRESSURE. When someone receives oxygen, for example, it might be by nasal canula, or a mask, but the oxygen just comes out and the person breathes it in.
And I had no idea that it would be so complicated. But it is so worth it to learn more about these complicated things.
I don't remember what my pressures were when I started, but I started out with this res med 10 V auto, so that is a clue that I started with rather high pressures.
Then, I had too high AHI s so my pressures would get increased. I am so thankful to be doing better, and pressures are decreased some. Losing 20 pounds probably helped some, too.
Thank you again.
RE: new hybrid mask--should I lower pressures? - SarcasticDave94 - 01-16-2021
Great that things are headed the right way. Best wishes it will continue to improve. And if you have other questions or comments feel free. We'll do our best to keep a light on and the coffee hot. Neither of which helps sleep, but such is life.
RE: new hybrid mask--should I lower pressures? - martyedb - 01-17-2021
Night three with new Innomed HYBRID mask:
I used this mask all night. I was doing very well the first half of the night. Score-wise and event-wise the rest of the night was less good -- many leaks --about 25 % since 2:45 AM.
I consider this all night use with this mask a success.
However, since I see my sleep doc in four days, I will go back to my usual mask for now, and try to have some good recent nights for him to see.
Happy Sunday to all of you!
RE: new hybrid mask--should I lower pressures? - SarcasticDave94 - 01-17-2021
congrats on the victory