I absolutely love my Hybrid. I got the new shell this week to use with my Resmed S8 and now the S8 has been recalled! so.. Now I have 2 hybrids I can use. This new headgear is the best headgear i have used on any mask!

farfeldad wrote:

Has anyone with a mustache had any experience using a hybrid mask? I'm using a Ultra Mirage FF now but it hurts my nose and leaks. The RT that fitted it said all face masks have some leakage, (nothing better than trying to get a good nights sleep with a hurricane blowing in your eyes) I was,  and still do,  to some degree using a Swift nasal pillow which is great except I'm a mouth leaker. My insurance won't pay for a hybrid so I'm thinking about purchasing one but I have a mustache and need to know if that will create more problems. Thanks for any info.

I have a mustache which is not affected by the nasal tubes or mouth piece. Of all the masks I've tried this is by far the best

hhopper wrote:

I did cut the chin support off and the Hybrid is much more comfortable that way.

I'm new at this and trying to wade through equipment choices. How can you cut the chin support off of a hybrid and still get the same benefits? Guess I don't have the image in my head right. Thanks for explaining. I use the Swift Nasal Pillows but am considering a hybrid. Never have even tried one on however.

Skin reaction to plastics in not uncommon--the softer plastics such as the Hybrid (that's why they are more comfortable) are more "pourous" that stiffer plastics.  If not aired out enough the microscopic gaps in the softer plastic can retain toxic chemicals that tend to react with folks skin-- ie... the blisters and burning.   If you really like the mask try running your CPAP through it for several hours (without you attached) or put under a fan for a day or two or use a hair dryer on low setting (DO NOT walk away from this one).  This should chase out some/most of the "nasties"  OR you might just be reactive to the material and can't use that mask.

ETEX wrote:

Skin reaction to plastics in not uncommon--the softer plastics such as the Hybrid (that's why they are more comfortable) are more "pourous" that stiffer plastics.  If not aired out enough the microscopic gaps in the softer plastic can retain toxic chemicals that tend to react with folks skin-- ie... the blisters and burning.   If you really like the mask try running your CPAP through it for several hours (without you attached) or put under a fan for a day or two or use a hair dryer on low setting (DO NOT walk away from this one).  This should chase out some/most of the "nasties"  OR you might just be reactive to the material and can't use that mask.

ETEX,

I actually talked with my RT today about this while I was getting set up with my CPAP and Swift Nasal Pillows. I guess they are made out of the same sort of stuff. She said to daily take a Q-tip and wet it in alcohol and clean off the surfaces of the pillows and dry them good. She said you could also use dish detergent and then rinse it really good of course. She was saying that it is the oil in our faces that accumulate on the pillows and cause the irritations like the blisters and burning. That's just from the For-What-Its-Worth department.

"She said to daily take a Q-tip and wet it in alcohol and clean off the surfaces of the pillows and dry them good"

I'm pretty wide open on what to do to make your mask work for you -- Trimn' stuff off the mask, (or your face?), etc... , but the cleaning instructions that come with the Hybrid state "Do not use alcohol, petroleum products or strong cleaners"
I'm not sure how your skin can have a bad reaction to your own oils, unless they set on the mask long enough to go rancid (YUK!) or react with the mask material.  Dirty masks are always going to have a big potiential for bad reactions - IMHO

ETEX wrote:

"She said to daily take a Q-tip and wet it in alcohol and clean off the surfaces of the pillows and dry them good"

I'm pretty wide open on what to do to make your mask work for you -- Trimn' stuff off the mask, (or your face?), etc... , but the cleaning instructions that come with the Hybrid state "Do not use alcohol, petroleum products or strong cleaners"
I'm not sure how your skin can have a bad reaction to your own oils, unless they set on the mask long enough to go rancid (YUK!) or react with the mask material.  Dirty masks are always going to have a big potiential for bad reactions - IMHO

ETEX,

I hear that. I have one rhetorical question. We get so much conflicting information from our Drs, RTs, DMEs and whatevers, how the heck are we supposed to know which stuff to actually follow? I'm willing to "do it" if I can just figure out what it is I'm supposed to be doing. Right now, I'm becoming afraid to move. sheesh.  

AHHHHH !  The Burning Question (sorta like tha burning bush, 'cept it don't talk to ya) - What to Believe from a Heathcare Practioner -

Answer - EveryThing AND NoThing !   Fact of the matter is these folks are trained in what they do and can be a great resource -- Fact of the matter is they are all Human Beings and subject to thinking things up and getting it wrong-- like using alcohol on the Hybrid -- NO! NO - Bad Therapist !.  (& yes, this even goes for your Doctor)

So, the best thing is to ask ??, listen carefully and then check things out or even trust your own judgement -- does it pass the ole "Smell Test"???  Get 2nd opinions, be a smart consumer.  Go back a tell your source if they get it wrong - in a constructive manner -- so as to help the next guy that has the same question.  Like the Salt Grain in the Glass of Water Said -- "I feel much better now that I'm part of the Solution"  

-- read your instruction manual (DUH!), get on the internet (here ya are), and see what is you best deal.  Nuthins Easy -- All of It's Fun!

I'm a new CPAP user (a couple weeks), and the mask that I found most comfortable has a gel-filled little pillow above the nose on the forehead to keep the mask raised up a bit.  The mask is very comfortable and works great.

However, my problem is that the gel-filled pillow thing on my forehead causes irritation and tiny white "pimples" on my forehead between my eyes.  They hurt like the dickens and look horrible!

I tried wiping the area witih alcohol before bed, and I also tried lotions and Vaseline.  I'm not too thrilled with using a bandaid.  

Did anyone else have this problem?  How did you solve it?     Maybe it will go away on its own, but right now it's making me sore at this dang machine!  :)

I don't know what mask you are using or about the "gel-filled pillow thing" but many masks cause a sore on the bridge of the nose and the solution is to adjust the mask so there is less pressure at that point.  Usually that means loosening the top a bit and tightening the bottom a bit.

My husband uses a ComfortFull ff mask and had the problem of a sore nose when he first started using a CPAP machine until we discovered how to change the tilt of the mask.  

Why don't you look on the website for the maker of your mask to see if there are any tips on avoiding the problem.  Without knowing what you mask is, I can't make any further suggestions.

Frances wrote:

Why don't you look on the website for the maker of your mask to see if there are any tips on avoiding the problem.  Without knowing what you mask is, I can't make any further suggestions.

It is a Respironics ComfortClassic.  I'll look on their web site now.  Thank you for responding.

I have been using the Hybrid for about 5  or 6 weeks now and I think its pretty good I have a mustache and beard but I did have to shave the beard off around the sides and bottom of  my mouth, The mustache doesn't seem to be a problem, I rigged up a simple modification using rubber band and hair elastics  and a couple of plastic twisty things to keep the nasal pillows snuggly in place, sound funny but it works great especially using pressure of 12/16 on BiPAP pro 2. Anyway it isn't a perfect mask but it is the best I have used to date. White Beard

White Beard, Did you cut your pillows apart?
I cut mine apart and I found that I can use a rubberband to do the same thing the link I cut use to do to keep the pillows together.
Is that what your doing? I use two different size pillows, small and med.

My husband is a new CPAP user and uses the Hybrid.  We did a big readjustment with the straps last night and seemed to have the leaks under control.  Then this morning, I wake to hearing leaks and snoring.  He's managed to get his chin out of the chin cup thus creating leaks at the corners.  He has a full mustache and beard.  Any suggestions?

Thanks

Hello everyone...I am thinking about using the Hybrid mask, but have a few questions.  I am currently using a HC-431 FF mask that fits under my chin.  I have a mustache and a short trimmed beard and it causes no problems.  My pressure settings on my Bi-pap is 7/12 so I am hopeing that pressure is not too high for the nasal pillows.  I like the hybrid's design because it appears that you can move from side to side without problems because the swivel is in the front just like the 431.  Am I on the right track.  Another question, when I move from side to side, one side of my nostril or the other blocks up, will this cause problems with nasal pillows.  I like the idea of having the ability to breath through my mouth (if needed).  Any info would be helpful.  Thanks