SleepWeaver Elan

[Tigers Fan]

Instant Lesson 4; They don't seal if you put them on upside-down. Don't ask because I don't know, but I did!

[Tigers Fan]

As first tests go, I guess that was successful! A bit annoying, but successful - I fell asleep and woke up grumpy - and I mean grumpy - as I always do after an afternoon kip.

Easy to put on, barely any adjustment required - a very light touch - sealed at 20cm no problem at all. I could feel the cold draft that is the vent - as opposed to the jet stream of the Q FX - but couldn't put my finger on the place on the mask. Watched the DVD later and could see why that was.. Silent as silent - only noise was the machine labouring away. Hose worked well. Was busy pondering all this and ....zzzzzzz!

Had a couple of false starts at falling asleep - seems my jaw goes slack the moment of dropping off so air escaped and everything wobbled and rattled in my throat. Memo - dig out a chin strap in case it is needed tonight.

All this is a complete revolution to me! Increased ramp start 10 to 12 as I felt I was sucking for air at 10. Put Flex back to zero. Have read what you guys say about needing less pressure - but don't tell Jane Wilkinson, who I believe is on the very brink of referring me to the polysomnography dept.

Early days but this thing looks all good! I have high hopes of a good sleep tonight. Can wear spectacles while wearing it; no tight straps; light as a feather. I think this just might be my new Rave! Rave! Rave! mask.

[symmit]

Like others, I only need a minimum pressure of 8 with a nasal mask and 12 min with a full face to get a low AHI - good luck TF!

[komadori]

First impressions good

Like Tigers Fan, I have a good first impression. Larger size seems to be "me"; on wide-awake tests gave no leaks, tonight (with finger pulse oximeter attached) will give more info.

It does seem to be higher up the nose than I expected, and more visible from the eyeline, but CPAP is for sleep so those small negatives will be irrelevant if the mask does the job.

For Tigers fan, I found needed pressure dropped from 14+ to circa 9 when I used Sleepweaver Advanced after several full faced masks. I suggest you "go back to basics" and see what 90% and 95% pressures you get with your APAP set on a wide-ish range: you never know, with luck, your days of 20 cm H2O may be history !!

[Barely Awake]

First impressions

Having had an interrupted night I was just going back to bed for a top up when the post arrived… an hour and a half later I am left with a smirk – this’ll do for me!
Easy to adjust, ease off rather than tighten up – it was a surprisingly loose fit without leaks. Didn’t use the tether (top) strap, so did find the elbow a bit heavy (a stubby straight pipe would be a welcome alternative), and whilst the lightweight short tube would be useful with a heavy tube I had a lightweight hose on last night anyway so didn’t need the additional link. Like the old mark one headgear on the Advance model the headgear chaffed a little under the ears and my cheeks were a tad itchy (first wash might sort that). The regular size cloth seems a bit snug, the large just too big, but I guess either would do for me as they both seem to work. If I had a moan at all it would be at the assembler that did the mask elbow up, I have possibly damaged the regular cloth attempting to undo it and in the end had to warm it up the nut to loosen it.
A few nights might tell a different story but so far so good based on that very short snooze.

[Tigers Fan]

This has all the hallmarks of fun!

Instant Lesson 1: Keep your mouth closed!

Instant Lesson 2: It's harder to exhale. I put C-Flex to 1 and that made it easier. I'm immediately wondering if I can use a lower pressure. The SleepWeaver seems to be 'more efficient' at getting the compressed air down my throat and into my lungs (which is crazy but that's my first impression).

Instant Lesson 3: Does anyone want to swap their large mask cloth for my blue regular mask cloth - the one already fitted when it arrives? My preference is for blue.

These things look nothing like I had imagined. The little tab at the bottom has a use yet to be discovered - maybe to assist seal achievement.

When peace returns after lunch I shall retire to my bedroom and conduct some horizontal experiments. I can see already that the extra hose is going to mess with my current arrangement.

Did anyone watch the DVD before trying the mask?

[symmit]

It's arrived, have fitted it and am looking forward to trying it tonight. Looks good!

[komadori]

Ready & waiting

Good news indeed Tom

After the rather premature demise of my "Advance" I am looking forward to receiving the "Elan" hoping for similar excellent performance, with the option to replace the main part only, comparatively inexpensively, without the high cost of a complete new mask every few months.

I await in hope that the recent dismal performance of Royal Mail in this area, will not run true to form tomorrow.

[Tom @ Intus]

Good news, we're expecting the Elans in today! So if you've ordered already you'll be getting yours sent out today. We've had a huge amount of pre-orders for the Elan (the most we've ever had for a new mask, in fact) so we'll be working double-time to get these out of the door for you guys!

Forum pre-orders will get priority, of course

You'll get a shipping confirmation once it has been despatched, and all being well they should be coming in the post tomorrow.

[Tom @ Intus]

I had never thought about there being a difference between women's and men's mask needs.

A lot of manufacturers now are tailoring masks to women. Examples of this would be the Philips Resprionics GoLife which has male and female versions, Fisher & Paykel will soon be launching a Lady Zest mask, and ResMed have a few women's masks including the Quattro FX for Her.

Up until recently virtually all masks have primarily been designed for men (OSA is roughly twice as common in men as in women) so it's good to see that masks designed for women are now becoming more common.

[Tom @ Intus]

Is the new Elan suitable for women I have an original sleepweaver but had trouble with some of the inner stitching around the nose area being a bit rough feeling after a time and rubbed my skin it would be nice to find something similar then maybe I could be more comfortable in bed. So if you want a female guinea pig to try one I am available.

While not specifically designed for women, the Elan should in theory fit a broader range of people generally. The smaller contact area and choice of two sizes reduces the number of variables, so it should fit more women (and men) than the Advance.

[MartinG]

I really don't relate to noise level with the Advance. I find it more or less silent when it is correctly fitted. Although I do use fairly low pressures - maximum 9 whatever they are.

I hadn't thought of that point - I am running at higher levels than that.

[dravidio]

The Sleepweaver is a great idea and I welcome the lower price and the promise of less leakage. Can you tell me,though, if the Elan is quieter than the Advance? It was mostly the noise level of the Advance that moved me back to the Profile Lite (which remains my 'best option' after more than 10 years - despite the pain associated with breaking in a new one).

I really don't relate to noise level with the Advance. I find it more or less silent when it is correctly fitted. Although I do use fairly low pressures - maximum 9 whatever they are.

[Fredxx]

I had never thought about there being a difference between women's and men's mask needs.

[jackieb]

Sleepweaver Elan

Is the new Elan suitable for women I have an original sleepweaver but had trouble with some of the inner stitching around the nose area being a bit rough feeling after a time and rubbed my skin it would be nice to find something similar then maybe I could be more comfortable in bed. So if you want a female guinea pig to try one I am available.