Sleepweaver masks

[James @ Intus]

I'd go for a Medium Nasal liner, should fit better than a Full Face one.

As far as the headgear not drying goes, how humid is your house? What if you hang it (well) above a heater? Do you squeeze it dry after cleaning?

[Barely Awake]

I'd go for a Medium Nasal liner, should fit better than a Full Face one.

As far as the headgear not drying goes, how humid is your house? What if you hang it (well) above a heater? Do you squeeze it dry after cleaning?

I shall try the medium liner - thanks!
I can solve the headgear not drying fully by detaching the mask for washing, then just wash it once a week swapping back to an alternative mask for that night, but I am going to buy a second mask and rotate so it does fully dry. I don't like relying on one operational mask anyhow as I have been caught out before.

Thanks for your reply James, yours too Lorraine!

[Berneta]

Headgear

Hi Barely Awake--I have the same problem with the headgear not drying in one day. Mostly because I hang it where the cats can't get it, bath or laundry area, and its naturally humid there. So I have two sets, and rotate them when cleaning. ONE thing I have noticed is that they change each time they are washed--either shrink a bit, or stretch a bit. Every time I put a clean one on-- I have to take the time to perfectly adjust it all over again, or I have trouble with leaks, or it being too tight. So you might try making good adjustments each time you put one on. Even if it takes awhile to get it just right. That works for me---otherwise I am up and down all night and get throughly frustrated. Berneta

[Barely Awake]

Hi Barely Awake--I have the same problem with the headgear not drying in one day. Mostly because I hang it where the cats can't get it, bath or laundry area, and its naturally humid there. So I have two sets, and rotate them when cleaning. ONE thing I have noticed is that they change each time they are washed--either shrink a bit, or stretch a bit. Every time I put a clean one on-- I have to take the time to perfectly adjust it all over again, or I have trouble with leaks, or it being too tight. So you might try making good adjustments each time you put one on. Even if it takes awhile to get it just right. That works for me---otherwise I am up and down all night and get throughly frustrated. Berneta

Thanks Berneta. Two masks appears to be the answer. I also hope they bring out new headgear with sympathetic and longer side straps very soon.

[Barely Awake]

Anyone using a CPAP with a Sleepweaver, rather than an auto, find the mask slightly deflating and inflating with breathing rhythms in the morning?

Is this cause for concern and need a response such as turning the pressure up a tad?

[symmit]

So you might try making good adjustments each time you put one on. Even if it takes awhile to get it just right. That works for me---otherwise I am up and down all night and get throughly frustrated. Berneta

I'm at the point now with the sleepweaver where I can tell the right adjustment from the tension on the straps!

Nice and easy.

[Barely Awake]

It is a bit radical perhaps using a Remzzz liner with a Sleepweaver but the experiment demonstrated that the liner by coincidence or not sees the mask sit & seal immediately without further adjustment. I tried it half-a-dozen times consecutively yesterday afternoon (removing mask and liner each time) and for whatever reason the Sleepweaver immediately inflates and seals without further adjustment that whilst not irritating or onerous could be a tad fiddly when tired.

The use of a liner might also prolong the life of a Sleepweaver perhaps - any comment on this James?

My remaining question is whether the CPAP output pressure needs to be adjusted up or the flex turned off or reduced whilst using a Sleepweaver? I say this because awaking one is aware of the mask itself inflating and deflating with the breathing cycle.

[DumfriesDik]

Going to try one of these - see if it kills the cat!

[James @ Intus]

It is a bit radical perhaps using a Remzzz liner with a Sleepweaver but the experiment demonstrated that the liner by coincidence or not sees the mask sit & seal immediately without further adjustment. I tried it half-a-dozen times consecutively yesterday afternoon (removing mask and liner each time) and for whatever reason the Sleepweaver immediately inflates and seals without further adjustment that whilst not irritating or onerous could be a tad fiddly when tired.

Thanks, again, for sharing your findings. So far, the vast majority get a good seal without aids, but these tips and tricks are always welcome! Which liners did you end up ordering exactly?

The use of a liner might also prolong the life of a Sleepweaver perhaps - any comment on this James?

Probably, yes. Though at this point it would be hard to say whether that strategy would pay itself off. But by all means, try it out and compare with others.

My remaining question is whether the CPAP output pressure needs to be adjusted up or the flex turned off or reduced whilst using a Sleepweaver? I say this because awaking one is aware of the mask itself inflating and deflating with the breathing cycle.

As long as it doesn't deflate to the point where the airflow may be obstructed, no. This, by the way, we have not ever yet heard happening. If it 'deflates' from say 100% to 85%, or in other words, just loses a bit of tension, then it's nothing to worry about. But again, you can try different exhalation relief settings and judge for yourself. Back that up with a close look at your stats to see you remain excessive-leak-free and AHI around 4, then you're golden.

[Barely Awake]

Thanks for that James. The liners I used were S8-NM (Medium Nasal) that also fits the Respironics :Comfortgel, Comfort Classic etc. As it wasn't a problem getting the mask to seal without a liner I don't think I need to use liners with the Sleepweaver, but it was an instant seal and possibly more comfy, not least at the short straps saw the mask ride up and slightly irritate if not rub under my nose. This did not happen with the liner in place.

As regards the defllation it was probably no more than 100% down to 65% and this was at the lowest of the three flex settings on my machine. I might turn the flex off and report back.

Thanks again James.

[martin]

I don't understand why you are not using it all the time if it is easier on your bridge of your nose Martin, is there some other reason you have not switched full time to this mask?
For my part I have noticed that even when stored all day in the airing cupboard I can't get the headgear of the Sleepweaver dry if it is washed with the mask each day. Either I need two to rotate or I have to wash the mask and not the headgear.

i find the gel one makes a bit less noise, sort of a wind whoosh in the sleepweaver so i prefer my gel one. Not alot of difference but enough. The sleepweaver also has to be adjusted more often during the night. I would take the straps off when washing either mask. They dont seem to need cleaning as often, though being follicly challenged might be helping there. Been using a radio for white noise or world service recently to help ignore the wind (my machine aint christened gail/gale for nuttin'!!) I've been using liners for the gel one recently , seems to make a difference on the nose squishing. Not sure if its totally correct but have found if i put 'em in a sock they go in the washing machine and get more use from them.

[symmit]

As long as it doesn't deflate to the point where the airflow may be obstructed, no. This, by the way, we have not ever yet heard happening. If it 'deflates' from say 100% to 85%, or in other words, just loses a bit of tension, then it's nothing to worry about. But again, you can try different exhalation relief settings and judge for yourself. Back that up with a close look at your stats to see you remain excessive-leak-free and AHI around 4, then you're golden.

If I have my machine at minimum (which is 4hPa, I believe some go down to 3) then although it feels soft it's still fully inflated.

I've turned off the flex (epr) mode as the movement of the mask with the lower pressure disturbed me.

[deplume]

Postage Con

Yes, we just got them in and online.

I've put it on and believe you me, it's light. On our postal scales, it's just 30 grams. It weighs 'nothing'. .

And yet cpap.com will charge 71 dollars to send it to France from the US and eu-pap.co.uk charge 10 pounds, (about 9 pounds too much) and charge well above the 99 dollars US which cpap.com charge. There's the con! The mask, reputedly, works well for most people.

[Barely Awake]

i find the gel one makes a bit less noise, sort of a wind whoosh in the sleepweaver so i prefer my gel one. Not alot of difference but enough. The sleepweaver also has to be adjusted more often during the night. I would take the straps off when washing either mask. They dont seem to need cleaning as often, though being follicly challenged might be helping there. Been using a radio for white noise or world service recently to help ignore the wind (my machine aint christened gail/gale for nuttin'!!) I've been using liners for the gel one recently , seems to make a difference on the nose squishing. Not sure if its totally correct but have found if i put 'em in a sock they go in the washing machine and get more use from them.

It may then be worth trying the Sleepweaver with a liner to see if it reduces the noise to the same level and the mask requires less adjustment during the night.

[symmit]

It may then be worth trying the Sleepweaver with a liner to see if it reduces the noise to the same level and the mask requires less adjustment during the night.

Or try tightening the lower straps more - that stops it moving around and for me feels snug yet not uncomfortable. Unlike hard masks I find it better the more snug it is fitting.