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[Equipment] Well that didn't work and neither did that one
#11
RE: Well that didn't work and neither did that one
(08-25-2013, 10:44 PM)djjwilly Wrote: I went through a zillion trials myself in the past six months. I always had to tighten the living daylights out of each mask to stop leaks to the point where the masks just down right hurt me so bad I could never sleep with a contraption clamped down that hard. I was about ready to give up until it dawned on me by looking at Medicare forms that the FF cushions are replaced every month! I was astonished when I realized the trials I was using all had old cushions that "looked ok" to my DME provider, but which were not new and new is the only way a person can obtain a fair trial. The cushion has to have a floating quality that it loses really quickly after only a few weeks. The Air has to be placed on the head according to directions, very critical. First the hose is removed. Then the upper strap is tightened firmly around the top of the head. Then the two sides are firmly closed down, but not killer tight. Then the hose is re attached, air goes through and as it does, loosen the top just to the point where it's not leaking so the top ends up out a bit and not clamped down. Very important. Now I use the Air and if that gets to me, I switch to the Swift FX for variety. I'm to the point now where I'm beginning to actually prefer having a mask on after seven months of total warfare. Please replace the cushion according to this schedule. It's not working right if it's much older than five weeks. Yes, I know this is unbelievable, but it's true. I've checked into it. I hope this helps someone else. Also, the Air is so much lighter than the others. It's the newest on the market and the best. Anyone who's getting sores is flat out tightening the mask way too tightly because the cushion is worn out and once it is it causes leaks!!

Do you have trouble at all with the Air sliding up on your face as I describe above?

I often feel like I could use an XL but of course they don't make one.

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#12
RE: Well that didn't work and neither did that one
Hi there, old dude. No, I can't say my mask slides up my face. I wonder why they don't make XL though. They should. I just got a brand new cushion yesterday per Medicare, which says replace once a month. It didn't seem much different from my old cushion. I wish they could mold masks to our individual faces and bone structures instead of assuming we are all made the same. It's just stupid. I do find if I follow the line of my jaw with the straps, sort of wrapping them around as best I can, that it seems to help keep the thing in place. I bet your face is just too big for L. What a pistol that is. Hang in there, my friend. Love, DJ
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#13
RE: Well that didn't work and neither did that one
(08-25-2013, 10:44 PM)djjwilly Wrote: I went through a zillion trials myself in the past six months. I always had to tighten the living daylights out of each mask to stop leaks to the point where the masks just down right hurt me so bad I could never sleep with a contraption clamped down that hard. I was about ready to give up until it dawned on me by looking at Medicare forms that the FF cushions are replaced every month! I was astonished when I realized the trials I was using all had old cushions that "looked ok" to my DME provider, but which were not new and new is the only way a person can obtain a fair trial. The cushion has to have a floating quality that it loses really quickly after only a few weeks. The Air has to be placed on the head according to directions, very critical. First the hose is removed. Then the upper strap is tightened firmly around the top of the head. Then the two sides are firmly closed down, but not killer tight. Then the hose is re attached, air goes through and as it does, loosen the top just to the point where it's not leaking so the top ends up out a bit and not clamped down. Very important. Now I use the Air and if that gets to me, I switch to the Swift FX for variety. I'm to the point now where I'm beginning to actually prefer having a mask on after seven months of total warfare. Please replace the cushion according to this schedule. It's not working right if it's much older than five weeks. Yes, I know this is unbelievable, but it's true. I've checked into it. I hope this helps someone else. Also, the Air is so much lighter than the others. It's the newest on the market and the best. Anyone who's getting sores is flat out tightening the mask way too tightly because the cushion is worn out and once it is it causes leaks!!

It's good to know that, I've been having some trouble with my loaner mask.
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#14
RE: Well that didn't work and neither did that one
Hi Old Dude,
I tried a bunch of masks too.
If you have a really big face you might want to try the total face mask they make one in XL size.
I hate it but it works best for me as long as I keep cleaning it every night before bed it keeps a good seal.
I was having a lot of dry throat/nose issues too before but I turned up the humidity so high the thing fogs up inside but
it's doing the job. AHI averages around 0.5 to 0.7 with an occasional 0.0 thrown in.
I just keep a roll of paper towels by the bed now to mop up moisture when I get up.

Best of luck!

Sleep-well
"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable." - Thomas Foxwell Buxton

Cool
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#15
RE: Well that didn't work and neither did that one
(08-30-2013, 01:54 PM)Shastzi Wrote: Hi Old Dude,
I tried a bunch of masks too.
If you have a really big face you might want to try the total face mask they make one in XL size.
I hate it but it works best for me as long as I keep cleaning it every night before bed it keeps a good seal.
I was having a lot of dry throat/nose issues too before but I turned up the humidity so high the thing fogs up inside but
it's doing the job. AHI averages around 0.5 to 0.7 with an occasional 0.0 thrown in.
I just keep a roll of paper towels by the bed now to mop up moisture when I get up.

Best of luck!

Sleep-well

Well, it must be great minds thinking alike!

I just got home 5 minutes ago from picking up a Fitlife total face mask in XL from my DME. The large was too small side to side, but OK top to bottom. I hope this one doesn't wind up going under my chin!

I hope it works; I'm kinda running out of options. I honestly believe I've run through the entire Resmed catalog of FF masks, not to mention some F-Ps and Philips. There's not much left for me to try.

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#16
RE: Well that didn't work and neither did that one
I feel like a lot of people's information here are very outdated. I feel like if you cannot tolerate Xpap you should just switch to Apnicure - Winx Therapy System for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

It works just as well as xpap and even better
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#17
RE: Well that didn't work and neither did that one
(08-31-2013, 01:14 AM)someboy Wrote: I feel like a lot of people's information here are very outdated. I feel like if you cannot tolerate Xpap you should just switch to Apnicure - Winx Therapy System for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

It works just as well as xpap and even better

someboy,

Ignoring for a second that you didn't qualify this sweeping statement with any data (studies?) to support the claim...

The winx website states that it is intended for nose breathers who can keep their mouth closed at night. That automatically disqualifies many FFM wearers.
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#18
RE: Well that didn't work and neither did that one
(08-31-2013, 01:14 AM)someboy Wrote: I feel like a lot of people's information here are very outdated. I feel like if you cannot tolerate Xpap you should just switch to Apnicure - Winx Therapy System for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

It works just as well as xpap and even better

Alternative treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424...S=apnicure

Looks like xPAP will continue to be "gold standard" of treatment for OSA, for those who persevere and learn to tolerate it. And for central or mixed central-plus-obstructive sleep apnea there is no alternative to bi-level xPAP or ASV.

Regarding the very new Winx Therapy System (~US$1000, available only in USA, and not yet available in most States, and not yet covered by most insurance companies): in an early trial of 63 patients having Mild, Moderate or Severe OSA, only about a third were successful both in lowering their AHI by at least half and in lowering their AHI to 10 or better. (Those who had only Mild OSA to start with had a fairly good chance of lowering their AHI to 5 or better, but not those with moderate or severe obstructive apnea before treatment.)

Comfort-wise, the Winx system looks like it would be much easier to tolerate than xPAP (at least if one does not need to mouth-breath because of nasal constriction) but the clinical results are not really all that impressive yet and certainly are not as good as PAP treatment for those who persevere and learn to tolerate it.

Link to Winx website:
http://apnicure.com/about-apnicure/newsroom/

The Advisory Member group provides advice and suggestions to Apnea Board administrators and staff on matters concerning Apnea Board operation and administrative policies.  Membership in the Advisory Member group should not be understood as in any way implying medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
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#19
RE: Well that didn't work and neither did that one
Not everybody's obstruction is caused by the tongue or the soft tissues around the uvula area and winx only address those two areas, which explains why 2/3 of the patients are not responding well to it.

From my experience, it always better to:
1. get the cpap
2. ( If having trouble with Cpap ) do a Drug induced endoscopy to locate where the obstructions are
3. consider an alternative to address the problem, surgery or switching out to oral appliance and etc.

because if you have an obstruction lets say below your tongue, for example your epiglottis. You will have to consider surgery for that as Cpap and most other alternatives are not going to be helpful
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#20
RE: Well that didn't work and neither did that one
(08-31-2013, 02:39 AM)Paptillian Wrote:
(08-31-2013, 01:14 AM)someboy Wrote: I feel like a lot of people's information here are very outdated. I feel like if you cannot tolerate Xpap you should just switch to Apnicure - Winx Therapy System for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

It works just as well as xpap and even better

someboy,

Ignoring for a second that you didn't qualify this sweeping statement with any data (studies?) to support the claim...

The winx website states that it is intended for nose breathers who can keep their mouth closed at night. That automatically disqualifies many FFM wearers.

Hello ! sorry I wasn't being more specific. I used to be a mouth breather, ever since i was a kid and now i am 23. I have not breathed with my nose in my sleep for as long as 22 years, until i have gotten surgeries for it. Now, i cannot even force myself to mouth breath, as i will just switch back to using my nose.

So, i would recommend mouth breathers to consider nasal surgery to clear out their nose. the success rates for nasal surgeries are very high, there should not be much problems. Most of them are covered by insurance compared to OSA surgeries, which many are not.

I don't know if you guys have seen some studies about mouth breathing will actually cause structural abnormalities to around the throat and face area.

Also, Many people might have problems getting insurance for their OSA. When i was seeing doctors for it, many of the doctors and nurses were surprised that i was actually able to get approved by insurance.

Well, I told them it's determination and my relentless search to "cure" my OSA. I was able to find Cigna and get approved for pre-existing condition. As, i am not qualified for any insurance from the government.

I guess what i am trying to say is, I want everybody here to never give up on searching. Never give up on fighting OSA and never give up on trying to improve the quality of your life.

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