Sleepweaver masks

[James @ Intus]

James, as I take the largest of hat sizes should I wait for the new headgear to be available before ordering a Sleepweaver, and if so how will we know when it is available in the UK?

No exact ETA, just "2011".

I have not found any mask that works for me since Respironics stopped making the ComfortCurve and am rather desperate as my ageing mask is falling apart.

Did you look at the SleepNet Phantom? It's the closest to the ComfortCurve there is.

[symmit]

I don't know about any official trials, and my original silicone mask was a great fit but could be very uncomfortable on warm nights, and meant shaving before bed every night too - was horrible on stubble.

For me the sleepweaver works really well, just don't be too fussy over slight leaks - many others report they are better than my experience but I'm happy to live with a little leakage for the comfort it offers in exchange.

[Barely Awake]

I have a large head, not sure what my hat size would be and I've made my sleepweaver fit - it stays in place and reasonably sealed all night, any leakage is well within what the machine can compensate for anyway.

At risk of sounding like a sleepweaver evangelist just buy one and see if you can make it work - if mask to face comfort is what you're aiming for I really can't see how anything else can come close at the moment,

Thanks for that Symmit, if you have got it to fit I will give it a go as I just wanted to lessen the chance of getting a 'wrong-un' if the straps were going to be far too short. Didn't make the Sleep Ap Society 'Sataday' in November because of the weather so haven't had the chance to try the Sleepweaver for fit, and having bought and tried three other masks inside six months in addition to two I was given by the sleep clinic, none of which work for me for one reason or another, I remain desperate and recognise it could prove an expensive hunt without result.

BTW has the Sleepweaver been officially trialled in the UK?

[symmit]

James, as I take the largest of hat sizes should I wait for the new headgear to be available before ordering a Sleepweaver, and if so how will we know when it is available in the UK?

I have a large head, not sure what my hat size would be and I've made my sleepweaver fit - it stays in place and reasonably sealed all night, any leakage is well within what the machine can compensate for anyway.

At risk of sounding like a sleepweaver evangelist just buy one and see if you can make it work - if mask to face comfort is what you're aiming for I really can't see how anything else can come close at the moment,

[Barely Awake]

Thanks for the detailed feedback.

Different size headgear apparently is on the menu for 2011, which should help out some of you who accommodate a lot of brain tissue!

James, as I take the largest of hat sizes should I wait for the new headgear to be available before ordering a Sleepweaver, and if so how will we know when it is available in the UK?

I have not found any mask that works for me since Respironics stopped making the ComfortCurve and am rather desperate as my ageing mask is falling apart.

[acebass]

This might seem a bit crazy to some but I like my full face mask

I have got used to my nasal mask and it does a good job, but like it, no, like it i do not and will never...just have to have it!

[Sparticus]

Yes, Full Face Cloth Mask on the menu for 2011, though probably towards the end of it. Don't hold your breath (bad pun intended). A mask revolution it is indeed. "Why didn't they/I think of that years ago" often springs to mind.

Note that some full face mask users have been able to successfully switch to the SleepWeaver nasal mask. Both with and without a chin strap. If nasal breathing is an issue for you, consider the SinuPulse which is discussed in detail elsewhere on this forum. SinuPulse + SleepWeaver could mean no more Full Face mask for some of you.

This might seem a bit crazy to some but I like my full face mask, it took me quite a while to get use to it but now like some I wouldnt change it unless I found something that could beat it. I still have no leaks no matter how much I move around.

[James @ Intus]

Yes, Full Face Cloth Mask on the menu for 2011, though probably towards the end of it. Don't hold your breath (bad pun intended). A mask revolution it is indeed. "Why didn't they/I think of that years ago" often springs to mind.

Note that some full face mask users have been able to successfully switch to the SleepWeaver nasal mask. Both with and without a chin strap. If nasal breathing is an issue for you, consider the SinuPulse which is discussed in detail elsewhere on this forum. SinuPulse + SleepWeaver could mean no more Full Face mask for some of you.

[Sparticus]

I see you Pictures and I raise you video:

http://www.eu-pap.co.uk/sleepweaver-...cpap-mask.html

Wow, finally we have a technological breakthrough in masks any news if the same idea is going to be put forward for a full face mask.

[James @ Intus]

I see you Pictures and I raise you video:

http://www.eu-pap.co.uk/sleepweaver-advance-cpap-mask.html

[Sparticus]

Could we have some pictures please James, I have never seen any of these or even heard of them, thanks

[Sparticus]

Great post Symmit and it didnt go over my head so I guess Im starting to learn a thing or two. One thing I would have like to have seen is a picture of this mask and the differences between these and the Mirage Quattro. Since day 1 I have never had a problem with leaks even when I wake up with the hose wrapped round my neck, my mask always seems to stay put. I was told when trying my mask to lay on the bed and move around and the medium mask I was wearing seemed a bit small although I had be measured and a medium was my size. I ask for the large size to try and was told it may leak alot. I tried this and it fitted like a glove yet after being measured it was classed as too big? Im not sure if the measurements need adjusting but my advise is try all sizes not just what you have been told. Im glad to say I have remained leak free since day 1

[James @ Intus]

Hi Symmit,

Now that's a review, stats and all, thank you very very much for confirming the SleepWeaver's great benefits once more. It's especially great you back it up with both the machine's AHI and the pulse oximeter's SpO2 data. That really sums it up nicely, with proof and all.

And you are right, sleep apnoea generally is much less severe when on your side. Avoiding back-sleeping is crucial for some people to keep the disorder at bay.

We do 10ft hoses but not with the pressure tube. Some sacrifice the assurances that pressure tube gives but that's up to you. You can also try and extend your tube with a coupler and an extra one or three foot hose. That way you don't lose the pressure tube but it'll be less accurate (that's if the pressure tube doesn't connect straight to the mask like some used to do).

The leakage is more difficult, it'll be trial and error with the straps etc. More slack on the hose will help of course as there will be less mask pull. You will have to think of a hose length and hose routing path that will works best for you. I'm interested to hear what the machine reports in terms of leakage volume. Perhaps it's a perceived increase or a bit of both. But let's work on that, indeed starting with the hose setup.

Thanks for the recommendation and please post your story on EU-PAP as well as a review.

[symmit]

Three nights with the sleepweaver now, on the second night I noticed from my data two things. AHI 0.1 (!) and max pressure only hit 11 twice. I'd found the required pressure (10) for my machine had been effective but less than comfortable, and we'd determined that 8-10 was about right for the lower setting on the APAP so before going to bed last night I pulled it back to 9 and changed my ramp from 45 to 30 mins.

I slept.Perfectly. AHI 0.7, max pressure 11.

Soooo... here's my theory.

The comfort of the sleepweaver helps you relax more (I'm dropping off in 10-20 minutes last night and night before, instead of fidgeting for 30 mins and taking an hour to get to sleep). Also being able to sleep on my side (which I'm told helps ease OSA anyway) is another bonus. The extra leaking is minimal (in fact the mask vents less than my old one, flow is reduced on the machine) and I can cope with the gentle leak onto my face (it hasn't woken me up yet but it's there in the morning) which I'll fix with some experimentation with the headgear.

As of the stats: last night I achieved the highest SpO2 average and lowest ODI yet, and that's with a reduced pressure of 9! I'm still not happy that they're high enough but the trend is upwards and my therapist is happy with them (and happy that I'm compliant and treated!) so on we go!

Other positives? It's really quiet for my wife, and there's no jet of air just a gentle flow. In fact with a hose cover as well the whole setup makes less noise than the heating in the house. And my main gripe with the silicone mask was the headpiece, if I wedged myself in so I slept on my back it could be nice and loose, but for side sleeping I had to tighten the top strap to keep it on all night and every night I did that I'd wake in the morning feeling fine from the therapy but with a odd headache.

Negatives? I'm going to want to get a longer hose (James - can you get hoses for the Hoffrichter - it has a pressure measurement tube) as the new found mobility means it could be a stretch if I roll right too much (my machine isn't quite next to the bed). And there's the leakage, I have a "flat" nose and quite a flat face (think Malay / Chinese) and it doesn't have to move much to begin what feels like (but isn't) a big leak.

Summary - first night with sleepweaver felt odd, didn't like the leaks or tight lower strap but liked not waking up until morning. Second night - brilliant. Third night - best ever since starting therapy.

If you use a nasal mask I seriously think you owe it to yourself to try one of these - after all if you don't like it you can throw it in your drawer / cpap bag as a spare, but for me I think my silicone mask is going to go there!

[James @ Intus]

With a little DIY to connect the between-the-eye elastic band, pretty much every alternative headgear fits.