Sleepweaver masks

[Sparticus]

Why does the swivel attachment have to be in that position ie pointing at the mouth? Why hasnt there been any development in masks with side attaching hoses or attaching at the nose they all seem to attach at the mouth level. Also I would love to own a kind of bubble mask, one that I can put my head into and dont have to worry about leaks or sore skin a kind of head in a bag with obvious safety features. Maybe too far fetched for some?

[Fredxx]

It sounds to me like you are either having leak problems, or have a faulty mask.

My sleepweaver is slightly noisier than my comfort gel one, but it is marginal. I find the sleepweaver does have to be a lot tighter than the gel one to get a seal, and that it is a lot more prone to getting leaks in the night if it is knocked, and with the hose heading down to the chest instead of up, it is a lot more prone to knocks! (James is looking into something to allow the hose to go the other way)

It is worth persevering with trying to get it to work, but some of the tricks for using it are pretty different to a traditional solid mask.

[awaller]

Hello everyone. I've was diagnosed with OSA in about 2002 and have used a CPAP every night for about over 7 years.

Originally I couldn't use a CPAP because my tonsils were obstructing my airway but once I'd had them removed everything was fine.
I use the machine all night, every night and get on well with it, mainly.
My wife complains about leaks sometimes and I get a callous on the bridge of my nose from time to time - as many of us do.

Yesterday I was due to go to to Lincoln for my annual check up and to have my machine swapped. I spent a while on the Net looking yesterday morning looking for any new developments that I might want to ask the hospital about and came across the SleepWeaver and the thread about it on here.

It looked like a fantastic bit of kit so when I saw the technician at Lincoln hospital I asked her if she'd heard of them and if she had any views.
I wasn't expecting the NHS to have them but I thought if she recommeneded them I would buy myself one.
To my surprise she said "sure, would you like one?"

I tried it last night and did not get on at all well with it.
It's comfortable enough and light as a feather but although I'm used to a CPAP it was too noisy for me to get to sleep.
We went to bed before 10pm - it took me ages to fall asleep (normally it takes minutes). I woke at at 11.45 to find my wife had gone into the spare room. I decided to leave her to sleep and swapped back to my old hard mask and slept soundy for the rest of the night.

The problem for both of us was the noise. Like I said I'm used to having 13 cm H2O pressure all night but it felt and sounded like a gale.

Not sure what the answer is at this stage. I might try reducing the pressure if I can remember how.

[Sparticus]

I may have to try one of these one day, although it seems strange that its made of cloth. Do you get a matching man pouch if you go for the leapard skin one

[Barely Awake]

....... if the hose disappears vertically upward from the new 90-double-swivel, would that upset the 'balance 'of the SleepWeaver? Leakage seems to be the bugbear of this mask and I wonder what effect even the slightest tug sideways would have, when it is clearly designed to resist 'downward' tension by the hose.

Nobody knows because we don't have the swivel yet, but what do you experts reckon - would it resist or be easily dislodged sideways?

TF

I am trying to obtain a sleepweaver through my sleep nurse and if this happens I will report how it works with the elbow.

[Tigers Fan]

Yes - but ....

....... if the hose disappears vertically upward from the new 90-double-swivel, would that upset the 'balance 'of the SleepWeaver? Leakage seems to be the bugbear of this mask and I wonder what effect even the slightest tug sideways would have, when it is clearly designed to resist 'downward' tension by the hose.

Nobody knows because we don't have the swivel yet, but what do you experts reckon - would it resist or be easily dislodged sideways?

TF

[James @ Intus]

Barely Awake mailed me the image and indeed it appears to be what I was looking for, a 90 degree elbow, with 360 degree swivels on both ends. Usually meant to attach to the machine, but if you attach it to the SleepWeaver, you'd have an instant, rotating, flexible 90 degree angle allowing your tube to go anywhere you like.

Just need to find the source...

[symmit]

Lightweight hose and velcro hose clip would sort the angle/drag of the hose surely?

I'd thought that, but the exit is angled down on an inflated sleepweaver so the bend radius would be huge to get it to go upwards.

As the mask is such a big comfort and compliance thing then I'd say rearrange the room and machine to make it work - the long tube is about the best suggestion I have at the moment (when mine arrives I'll report back)

[Barely Awake]

Any chance you can take a picture and post it?

Have mailed you the images James, there are no markings on it as far as I can see to indicate the maker. My mistake - it does have 360 degree swivels on both ends not on one as previously stated.

[Barely Awake]

I have been using the sleepweaver for a while now. Like all the other masks I tried it took a bit of adjusting but has been well worth it because I am not left with agonizing nose bridge or sore nostrils (both of these lasted for months after very short use- ) . I have found that the level of the CPAP machine really matters because of the issue of the downward angle of the hose. So I have found a stool that is just the right height and have it beside the bed. Nothing else works- higher or lower- it has to be equal height and right beside the bed. Makes a huge difference as every time the hose falls down it pulls the mask and causes those leaks. As many others have said - dont have the straps too tight. Loosening them can have a surprising effect even when it all feels too loose. And keep pulling up and away from the nose in a kind of pinching movement and re sealing can work. Lastly when I think I am all ready, I flatten it all out slightly and that seems to work. There is a deathly hush when the seal is working that is a great pleasure! (how we get our kicks eh?) Having said all that I have nights when I seem to wake a lot with it. I give myself one night off a week- doesn't seem to make much difference over all...and i need the break! I would say keep persevering for a while longer. Good luck.

Lightweight hose and velcro hose clip would sort the angle/drag of the hose surely?

[symmit]

Not sure how you would extend the pressure line to 8 or 10ft!

I managed to find a German web based company that sells them with the pressure line in 6, 8 and 10 ft for a much better price than in the UK - also got a shedload of filters from there.

[James @ Intus]

Great technical discussion on the effects of longer hoses.

Indeed, often the drop in effective pressure isn't a big deal, especially with APAPs. Some machines have a 10ft hose setting, like the SleepCube. Other machines like the Sandman have an auto-calibrate function. Indeed yet others have an additional pressure line though they seem to be going out of fashion. Not sure how you would extend the pressure line to 8 or 10ft!

@ Debbie - 10 is a very workable pressure so it *should* be OK. Do you sleep on your back or side? Or do you get those leaks when you lie on your back or side at the start of the night?

As a test, you could perhaps stick a band-aid over the cloth and bridge of your nose to at least prove the concept and see if you get a good seal if you were indeed holding down the fabric at the bridge. I appreciate that's not a long-term solution one should have to adopt but it may help answer a few things in your specific situation.

Thanks Pedallass for the additional tips and tricks, that type of feedback is of great help.

[James @ Intus]

I'm sure you know they exist already James, but I have a universal 90 degree elbow with a 360 degree swivel on one end. I don't use it but I can have a look to see if it has a manufacturing mark or name if you wish.

Any chance you can take a picture and post it?

[Pedallass]

I have been using the sleepweaver for a while now. Like all the other masks I tried it took a bit of adjusting but has been well worth it because I am not left with agonizing nose bridge or sore nostrils (both of these lasted for months after very short use- ) . I have found that the level of the CPAP machine really matters because of the issue of the downward angle of the hose. So I have found a stool that is just the right height and have it beside the bed. Nothing else works- higher or lower- it has to be equal height and right beside the bed. Makes a huge difference as every time the hose falls down it pulls the mask and causes those leaks. As many others have said - dont have the straps too tight. Loosening them can have a surprising effect even when it all feels too loose. And keep pulling up and away from the nose in a kind of pinching movement and re sealing can work. Lastly when I think I am all ready, I flatten it all out slightly and that seems to work. There is a deathly hush when the seal is working that is a great pleasure! (how we get our kicks eh?) Having said all that I have nights when I seem to wake a lot with it. I give myself one night off a week- doesn't seem to make much difference over all...and i need the break! I would say keep persevering for a while longer. Good luck.

[symmit]

Thanks for all your advice. my pressure is at 10 and i don't use a the ramp. I tried again last night but still couldn't get a seal, i even tried 3 different types of headgear to see if that helps but it didn't. I will have another go at the weekend when i may be more relaxed. The only way I can get a seal is if I hold it down over the bridge of my nose which obviously i cant sleep doing that all night.

I am not giving up yet

To stop the bridge leaking move the mask as low as you can on your face, and lift it away and back to reseal. It is a very different feeling but if you're machine isn't blowing hard to keep the pressure up then the seal may be good enough.