Sleepweaver masks

[symmit]

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!

Let me know when this becomes available! In the mean time the sleep-net IQ mask has a 3 point headgear - would that headgear fit? While I'm in the discovery phase I may buy one next payday to try a gel mask (unless you have a spare headgear lying around!)

Regarding the instructions, remember the US origins of this mask And yes, we've heard stories from clinics or our own warehouse where there were cigarette burn marks on rental equipment etc. We once got a finger pulse oximeter kit back from a sleep study and the protective box had been used to prepare cannabis in. You didn't need a microscope or sniffer dog to tell. So yes, you'd be surprised how uncareful some people are so those instructions unfortunately always have to bear in mind the lowest common denominator.

Heh - my oximiter came in a little tin that part of me thought would be handy for storing substances that needed to be airtight and discreet.

And if you have a high prescription pressure but a low starting ramp time, you may want to consider upping where the ramp pressure starts. This mask happens to improve its seal when the pressure goes up, courtesy of that grey bit which pushes towards the skin. With traditional masks, the higher the pressure the more leaks. Not so with the SleepWeaver. Whilst the vast majority also get a great seal at 4, it may be worth playing with a higher starting pressure if you can tolerate that.

I have my ramp start at 5 at the moment, APAP set for 10-20, which stats wise aren't looking much better than 9-20 but a lot better than 8-20. I'll up to 6 on the ramp tonight but although I can breathe fine at 10 when I wake up it's oddly disturbing to go to sleep to!

[James @ Intus]

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!

Regarding the instructions, remember the US origins of this mask And yes, we've heard stories from clinics or our own warehouse where there were cigarette burn marks on rental equipment etc. We once got a finger pulse oximeter kit back from a sleep study and the protective box had been used to prepare cannabis in. You didn't need a microscope or sniffer dog to tell. So yes, you'd be surprised how uncareful some people are so those instructions unfortunately always have to bear in mind the lowest common denominator.

If you get leaks initially, play with the forehead strap, lowering the mask a bit or hoisting it up a little. That often sorts it out.

And if you have a high prescription pressure but a low starting ramp time, you may want to consider upping where the ramp pressure starts. This mask happens to improve its seal when the pressure goes up, courtesy of that grey bit which pushes towards the skin. With traditional masks, the higher the pressure the more leaks. Not so with the SleepWeaver. Whilst the vast majority also get a great seal at 4, it may be worth playing with a higher starting pressure if you can tolerate that.

[symmit]

Boring Beige

Arrived today, will admit to opening the packet and thinking...

"ONE HUNDRED QUID"

but quickly popped upstairs to try and get a fit while I'm awake...

Seems to need quite tight straps to stop leaking but your really don't know it's there after 15 mins. And thats lay down awake.

And you can put your glasses on and watch telly!

Instruction leaflet made me smile a few times - "Please refrain from smoking while using this product" - is it possible to smoke while your CPAP is blowing into your nose????

Quick compare of it running at 10hPa into my hand compared to my silicone mask and there's no more or less noise but it's a deeper rushing rather than a hissing sound.

Looking forward to tonight! (although I look forward to every night these days!)

First night update

Slept fine, not downloaded data yet but fell asleep quicker than normal once I'd finished fiddling to stop the leak at the top of the nose into the eyes (seems to be a common thing). Seemed to fall asleep very quickly, no awakenings during the night and woke up lying on my side, mask leaking a little but pressure still felt right. My other mask has to be very tight also if sleeping on side, which has been giving me a headache from the forehead strap, no headache this morning.

Not sure about the headgear, it's adequate and effective but the straps are only just long enough for my head, and it's hard to get the lower straps low enough for comfort. If Circadiance ever make a better headgear for it I'll be first in line to give it a shot.

The hose was touching my lips and chin this morning which felt cold and odd, so I've moved my hose huggie right up to the swivel for tonight to see if that's better.

[James @ Intus]

The stories keep getting better

Most conventional masks have two 360 degree swivels, which makes the hose-over-headboard route a little bit more easy. But indeed with the affordable addition of a Hose Lift, that issue often disappears.

A few clinics start to stock this great mask now so keep hammering your clinic. They may already have them, or thinking of ordering some. Your persistence will help everybody.

Scotland may be problematic though as they have very strange hospital buying cycles which span years. Nothing we can do about that but do keep asking them. They can't ignore all the great feedback.

Can you all please post your review on EU-PAP.co.uk too? That way other fence-sitters will be able to easily find your thoughts there too.

[sleepynana]

I totally agree!... the sleepweaver has totally changed mine and my partner's lives! I love it!

[Fredxx]

The hose was a problem I had too...I prefer the hose coming down to the mask from the headboard end of teh bed, not having to come up my chest, tangled under the armpit...

Solved it pretty easily in the end...I would definitely recommend a hose lift to go with the sleepweaver.

[meldrew]

OK... last night was my first go with the SleepWeaver.

At first, I couldn't stop a little leak by my eyes, but it stopped of its own accord after a couple of minutes.

I LOVE - the light weight, the gentle fit, the fact that my mouth is no longer dry, the comfort.

I had an issue with the hose, which runs over my headboard, pulling the mask away, but that was solved by pulling more hose toward me and making a kind of "U" shape by my chest.

It's really tiny and doesn't look as though it justifies the price by what you get for your money in terms of materials. However, what you are really paying for is the research and development that led to a unique mask being available.

Hell, it's worth the money for the comfort... it's no dearer than most other masks, why should it be cheaper just because it's smaller!

(Of course, with volume sales the price might come down a bit anyway)

It seems to work fine with my Respironics machine on the same settings as the machine had for the original Respironics face mask.

All in all, I'd give it 12 out of 10.

[Tom @ Intus]

I am now 4 nights in using the Sleepweaver and seem to be settling in ok but I must confess I have not cleaned it yet (yuk! I know) as I have read the instructions and am still a little confused. Firstly, they don't say how often to clean it (daily? every couple of days?), secondly, do you just turn it inside out and lightly wash it with a non antibac washing up liquid (as recommended with my other masks by the nurse) and finally, how long does it take for this tape to break down (is it easy to get? do I ask the sleep lab or is it for sale in my local pharmacy?).

I guess because it feels quite delicate, I don't want to be too heavy handed with it.

Hi JayBee,

Sorry for the late reply. Ideally you should wash your SleepWeaver every day. I would probably recommend hand soap for use with the sleep weaver, preferably that is antibacterial. This is very gentle and will prolong its life. Washing up liquid is also fine but slightly more abrasive as far as I am aware.

How long the tape last depends on how frequently and rigorously you clean your mask, but we would expect it to last at least a month at a time. The tape is very easy to replace and is cheap to buy - you can get it from most Boots or Superdrug stores, as well as supermarkets. From Boots a 5m roll (over a year's supply) is £1.59 - Boots Pharmaceuticals Microporous Surgical Tape 1.25cm x 5m.

I hope this helps

[meldrew]

Yes, we just got them in and online.

As with all masks, the SleepWeaver won't suit 100% of the population. But I'm confident it suits a bigger percentage than the average mask till now.

Well, James, I've just ordered one and will happily share my experiences when I get it.....

I like the "hovercraft" analogy and, as a "side-sleeper" the SW should suit me well.

Here's hoping

STOP PRESS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>

My wife just phoned - the mask has arrived. That's less than 24 hours from ordering to delivery. I'll try it tonight - but if the mask is half as good as James' service it'll be fine!

.

[JayBee]

Cleaning the Sleepweaver

I am now 4 nights in using the Sleepweaver and seem to be settling in ok but I must confess I have not cleaned it yet (yuk! I know) as I have read the instructions and am still a little confused. Firstly, they don't say how often to clean it (daily? every couple of days?), secondly, do you just turn it inside out and lightly wash it with a non antibac washing up liquid (as recommended with my other masks by the nurse) and finally, how long does it take for this tape to break down (is it easy to get? do I ask the sleep lab or is it for sale in my local pharmacy?).

I guess because it feels quite delicate, I don't want to be too heavy handed with it.

[JayBee]

Well tried the Sleepweaver for the first time last night and early indications seem really positive. I slept through almost continuously apart from only briefly waking up at one point. Initially the pressure when breathing out felt a little high but it seemed to settle down as I got used to it i think. I also think I may have had it on a little tight as I woke up with tramlines on my face this morning.

From a comfort point of view it is amazing and felt so much better lying on my side and certainly didn't feel like it was going to dislodge so easily.

I was also a little worried that it might not work out if I couldn't keep my mouth closed but once I had stopped worrying about it and drifted off to sleep it doesn't appear to have been a problem. I can only think that if I had resorted to breathing through my mouth, it would have almost certainly woken me.

Impressed so far...

[Pedallass]

For James

I have been trying to get my clinic (Edinburgh) to ask for a trial sleep weaver for me. I know they attended the event in Scotland and I printed out the information etc with your e mail saying to get the clinics to ask for trials.But I am not getting anywhere. I could just go and buy one but I kind of feel that they will have a lot of people asking for them and there is the question of long term replacements if I start buying them. Any tips about how to proceed?

[JayBee]

Hi Jill, thanks for sharing that as we've had a fair few now who thought they were pure mouth breathers but when trying the SleepWeaver, they found they could nose-breathe just fine.

Sleeping with your mouth open doesn't necessarily mean you breathe through it.

I'm wondering myself, quite unscientifically, whether an uncomfortable, intrusive full face mask causes you subconsciously to open your mouth. Then, when swapping to a comfy, minimalist nasal mask like the SleepWeaver, your brain thinks "this is comfy, this is safe, let's close that big gate" and closes the mouth. Pure speculation, don't quote me on it. But a number have now successfully swapped a full face mask for the SleepWeaver.

PS we are slowly getting them into hospitals. Hopefully soon I can share a few names. Until then, keep telling them about this mask. The more you nag them, the bigger the chance they'll get them from us so you can get them for free.

Have just been onto my sleep lab and the nurse thought that one of the consultants might recently have picked up a couple of trial masks at an event. She is going to enquire for me, so fingers crossed I might soon be able to try one out. *EDIT* - don't think I will suit pink though but anything for a good night's sleep!

[James @ Intus]

Hit and miss to be honest with the Sleepweaver. As some have said already the straps aren't too clever and they do seem to be noisy.
I'm currently trying a ResMed Quattro FX. Had two nights good sleep so far.

FX is also a good mask!

We found that the SleepWeaver only makes noise if it leaks. So I'd guess you didn't have it fit 100% just yet. As above, make sure you play with the middle forehead strap and see if lowering the mask a bit gets you a better seal. That seems to be the most common issue, hoisting it up too much.

[James @ Intus]

Hi, I was a mouth breather too and have tried many different masks over the years.. I was considering buying a chin strap but managed to get a sleepweaver first... I have found that with the sleepweaver I do not seem to mouth breathe anymore!... I don't wake up with a dry mouth as I used to. It is also much more comfortable and I am able to sleep on my side again. I think they are brilliant. Good luck. ... Jill

Hi Jill, thanks for sharing that as we've had a fair few now who thought they were pure mouth breathers but when trying the SleepWeaver, they found they could nose-breathe just fine.

Sleeping with your mouth open doesn't necessarily mean you breathe through it.

I'm wondering myself, quite unscientifically, whether an uncomfortable, intrusive full face mask causes you subconsciously to open your mouth. Then, when swapping to a comfy, minimalist nasal mask like the SleepWeaver, your brain thinks "this is comfy, this is safe, let's close that big gate" and closes the mouth. Pure speculation, don't quote me on it. But a number have now successfully swapped a full face mask for the SleepWeaver.

PS we are slowly getting them into hospitals. Hopefully soon I can share a few names. Until then, keep telling them about this mask. The more you nag them, the bigger the chance they'll get them from us so you can get them for free.