Is this the Dreamwear mask people have mentioned here?
I’m due for a new mask. I’ve been using the Resmed F30i mask, which seems similar to the Dreamwear. The F30i has a top-of-head input, and I have been okay with it. Sometimes it leaks a little, and I’m never sure whether I have it on too tight or too loose. I sometimes get annoyed having the thing on my head, but that’s true of most CPAP masks, I guess. Here’s a link to it.
Is the Dreamwear a better choice? I’ve read it can irritate the bottom of one’s nose. That can happen with the F30i too; in fact the nose piece just severed on mine. On the other hand, I’ve read that the Dreamwear’s headgear is more comfortable, and that’s one of my main complaints about the F30i.
I have used the Dreamware full face mask, the Dreamware nasal mask (sits under the nose, not in the nose) and the F30i.
The Dreamwear nasal mask is my normal everyday mask. I usually don’t get much leakage and I find it comfortable. With the Dreamware full face mask, I have a hard time getting it not to leak. It likes to leak in the corner and shoot up into my eye. I feel like I get less leaks with the F30i than the Dreamware full face mask.
If you look at the picture of the 2 full face masks, the Dreamware is a little flatter and the F30i a little more curved. I have a relatively narrow face, so that is why I think the F30i works better for me. If someone had a wider or rounder face, I think the Dreamware may work better.
But overall, I prefer the Dreamware nasal mask. If you haven’t tried it, I’d recommend giving that one a go.
Thanks for your very helpful reply! I’ve been unable to use nasal masks in the past. Those are the ones that don’t include your mouth, right? I tried using nasal pillows with a jaw strap, but I hated it.
But my face isn’t that narrow, so maybe I’d like the Dreamware full mask. It’s a hybrid mask, isn’t it? It doesn’t cover the entire nose, from what I can see.
The Dreamware headgear is definitely more comfortable to wear but the nasal mask does leak (for me). I would say that it also irritates my nose if I wear it more than two days in a row. I alternate this mask with my Wisp or Dreamwisp mask.
I would recommend getting the fitting pack that sends you all the sizes:
CPAP.com has a thirty day return policy so you could try the fit pack and if it doesnt work for you return it.
Yep, it just sits under your nose and makes a seal to it. Nothing goes inside your nose. I thought I wouldn’t be able to keep my mouth closed, but I do almost all night. Occasionally I get a high leak number and wake up with a dry mouth, but it is the exception.
Correct, it covers your mouth and sits under your nose, The part that goes against your nose works the same way as the Dreamwear nasal mask. Nothing goes inside, it just makes a seal.
Thanks for this recommendation. I have indeed ordered that. I see CPAP.com is a bit cheaper than the site I use, Lofta’s store. Should I be switching? Lofta makes it easy, and it does give me discounts, but still. I got my Px through them, so I assumed I should stick with them so I wouldn’t have to prove my diagnosis to other sites. But now I’m having second thoughts.
I use Amazon or CPAP.com. Amazon was good to use during Covid but not so much anymore. I like that CPAP lets you try different masks with the 30 day return policy.
I believe CPAP also helps with insurance papers too somehow (I think you can download the paperwork automatically et)c. Other sites will send in the paperwork to your insurance company. I used to have an administrator that did all the ordering for me but I realized they were just ordering it on CPAP.com and they ordered what the insurance company allowed (but it was always more stuff than I needed).
Now I simply put an order in whenever I feel lie it which is prob twice a year. Covid taught me to have my backup supply on hand
Re: buying masks, headgear, hoses, nasal pillows etc. have I been a chump all these 10 years buying them through my insurance (Kaiser)? Is that cpap.com place a better deal after all the dust settles?
I think it depends on your health insurance and where you can purchase (and if there is a third party ordering your supplies).
At the very least CPAP is a good way to try out a new mask. I like to throw them some business since they do allow you to try items out without going broke.
They used to have a small return fee it wasn’t much when you ordered but it looks like they stopped that and just let you return the stuff (at least on the fit packs) YMMV
So, I was diagnosed with moderate Apnea about 6 years ago. At the time we had no money to pay for the machine and mask…insurance paid some but not enough so I put it off. Now, I have high cortisol issues from stress and possibly the Apnea. My wife is not working now so again we barely have enough to pay our bills.
My sleep doc had insurance Ok my machine but I think it’s through a 3rd party that you lease to own and who fits the masks and helps you learn how it works, etc.
I was on CPAP website and the machines they sell, are those the same types of machines you get through the 3rd party companies that the insurance uses? I was quoted $800 up front and like $250 per month for 6 months. But If I can buy a machine through CPAP and use affirm, I can afford that right now along with a mask and whatever else i need. I guess I need to see my doc again to find out if I can do that…I assume so but I need to do something as it’s been years of waking up too many times and I aint getting any better ignoring it.
I bought my Resmed 11 for about 1300 dollars when it first came out on CPAP.com (so the p[rice has come down a bit). I wouldn’t get any other CPAP personally.
They last about 5-6 years (My Resmed 10 had a light go off but it was still working - so I think it comes on based on time rather than it was faulting (I bought a pressure gauge so I could check it and that confirmed it was fin. It now acts as a backup to my Resmed 11)
Petey, there is a /r/CPAP subreddit and I’ve seen a few folks reply with places you can buy refurbished CPAP units from, at pretty nice discounts. It might be worth searching there for a comment or post about refurbs if you are going to shell out any part of that on your own.
Right there with ya, man. I’m being treated for high BP but my doc keeps telling me approx 3 months or so into CPAP therapy his patients usually get reduced blood pressure and he has to adjust the BP meds accordingly. Here’s hoping …
