Advice for me as I try Amara View?

[rogerconnelly]

NadiaK - I wanted to let you know that I didn't use the sizing guide. When I bought the mask from someone on these boards it came with the medium sized cushion - which, since I've always used a medium sized cushion with my Quattro , I had hoped would fit. When it didn't I decided to try the small and so far for the last three nights it has worked GREAT for me - no more leaks around the nostril hole. I must admit that this morning I noticed a small red spot on the very tip of my nose that may be an irritation much as you described - had you seen others post about something similar, or did that happen to you? I'm wondering if you have seen or have any advice for me on how to minimize this irritation? If not I'll just have to see how it goes - and to me this seems like it would be a fair trade off for the good seal I'm getting now with the size small cushion - and so far I am loving the Amara View over my Quattro - so much lighter and less bulky and no gouge lines on my face or nose bridge!

I'll keep updating with my continued experience - thanks for all the good sharing here everybody.

[Grouch]

Interesting discussion. I've recently had to go to a full face mask after years on a nasal pillow. I've finally mastered the F20, but can't get my glasses on to read with it.

I got a View to try out and so have been following all the helpful hints. Last night was my first night with it. I used a medium cushion, which was what the sizing thing said I needed.

I ran into the air in my eyes thing. A few times it was a leak, but then I somehow was getting air from the vent until I readjusted everything - including my glasses. I think they'd caught a bit of the exhaust air and funneled it into my eye. Seems weird, but I coudln't feel any leaks from the top of the mask. Maybe I was just sensitive to *any* air movement around my eyes, since I haven't experienced that before.

The side part of the cushion has a fairly rigid piece to hold the shape. I could feel that when lying on my side, but it didn't really bother me.

No bad strap marks on my face, as I was able to keep the mask fairly loose. However, I had to keep adjusting it and doing mask tests. I tossed and turned all night. This morning my Sleepyhead graphs are great. So CPAP was excellent. Actual sleep - not so much.

I think I will try the small cushion tonight. Right now I'm thinking the perfect mask for me would be the F20 with a lower cushion top like the View.

I"m back. Got to thinking and maybe the small cushion on the F20 would work and give me enough room to shove my glasses in. Just ordered one, since my F20 only came with the medium cushion.

[rogerconnelly]

Just for the sake of argument - I just downloaded the Amara View sizing guide - and yeah, I'm a small, never should have been on the medium

[NadiaK]

Roger,
I did not have any irritation on my nose when using the Amara. But I also used the RemZzz liner with it. That made all the difference for me. I don't particularly like the feel of the silicone of any cushion against my face as my skin easily breaks out. The only problem I found with the liner is this. If you put it onto the cushion with the light on it is easy to make sure everything is lined up correctly. Most importantly being the opening over where your nose sits. However if you get a leak at night and you try to adjust it it can be tricky to get it just right as the liner can shift in the process.
I know pad a cheek makes a mask liner for the Amara that might be worth trying. I have one of their liners for my Quattro FX and it seals around the cushion with a velcro strip so it is quite snug on the cushion. This way you wouldn't have to worry about the liner moving as you adjusted it during the night. Personally I prefer the feel of the RemZzz liner as the material is very light. The pad a cheek liner material is a bit heavier. I also like the fact that with the RemZzz liner you are using a fresh liner each night. I guess it is a personal preference.

[rogerconnelly]

Thanks NadiaK - I'm a padacheek guy! I've had them for years with my Quattro and I didn't even bother ordering the Amara until I had a padacheek to fit it on the way in the mail - so I've had one on since day one.

I'll keep an eye on the sensitive spot on the tip of my nose and post back if it worsens - could just be coincidental and transitory

[NadiaK]

Yes please update us Roger. I just bought a small cushion on ebay to try. I am definitely a medium with the sizing guide but figured it was worth a try if the mask seals better for me.

[klm49]

All,
I've been very successful with my CPAP therapy for the last five years using my trusty Mirage Quattro full face mask, but this past year I have slowly become more and more irritated with the pressure lines the mask leaves on my face (I'm a side sleeper) and the somewhat permanent red band across the bridge of my nose (despite having always used a gel pad under the mask there). So, I've started my search for a new mask - and the first one I'm set to try out is the Amara View.

I've secured a mask and spare cushion to give it a try (thanks to the generous friends on this wonderful site - big thanks to @maninthemask) and did my first run two nights ago.

Just wearing this mask is such a marvelous difference - not having anything up the bridge of your nose or on your forehead is huge for me - not to mention it's lighter and more comfortable around the headgear too.

I should also mention that I am a padacheek fan, so I also got a new one to fit the Amara before I gave it a try.

So, my first run experience was this: when I first turned my machine on, I had to use the "ramp" feature (because full pressure caused leaks right away), which I haven't had to for many years with my Quattro - but I thought that's ok, it will just take me some time to adjust to this new and different fitting mask. However, at about 2 am I woke up to some serious leaks around the nose and wound up switching my Quattro back on so I could go back to sleep. I'm NOT discouraged by this experience and know it will take some time to adjust to this very different concept mask (particularly around where the nose meets the mask) - but I also thought this would be the perfect time to ask the group for advice

So, has anyone gone through a similar move - any advice you'd care to share with me as I start down this path? Do others use padacheek with Amara, or find it better without? I've also put in an order for a size small cushion on amazon thinking that perhaps the medium size I'm using now could have too large a nose hole, but I'm not sure (but it seemed an easy thing to try) - should get that this weekend.

Thanks up front as always - Roger

Interesting, I also am trying out an Amara View after 1+ yr. with an F&P Simplus. I was having problems with red mark on bridge of nose and frequent leaks blowing in my eyes. I tried a PadACheek but it seemed to make the leaks worse. I sized to a medium cushion with the Amara sizing guide but I am border line a large. After 1 night I had one of the worst dry mouth/lips yet. Guess I was doing a lot of mouth breathing which isn't unusual. I will be trying the large cushion tonight. It was nice not waking up with dry eyes.

[NadiaK]

Interesting, I also am trying out an Amara View after 1+ yr. with an F&P Simplus. I was having problems with red mark on bridge of nose and frequent leaks blowing in my eyes. I tried a PadACheek but it seemed to make the leaks worse. I sized to a medium cushion with the Amara sizing guide but I am border line a large. After 1 night I had one of the worst dry mouth/lips yet. Guess I was doing a lot of mouth breathing which isn't unusual. I will be trying the large cushion tonight. It was nice not waking up with dry eyes.

I tried the Simplus and couldn't stand the forehead bar. Please let us know how you make out with the larger cushion. I also had a very dry mouth using the Amara View.

[klm49]

Interesting, I also am trying out an Amara View after 1+ yr. with an F&P Simplus. I was having problems with red mark on bridge of nose and frequent leaks blowing in my eyes. I tried a PadACheek but it seemed to make the leaks worse. I sized to a medium cushion with the Amara sizing guide but I am border line a large. After 1 night I had one of the worst dry mouth/lips yet. Guess I was doing a lot of mouth breathing which isn't unusual. I will be trying the large cushion tonight. It was nice not waking up with dry eyes.

I tried the Simplus and couldn't stand the forehead bar. Please let us know how you make out with the larger cushion. I also had a very dry mouth using the Amara View.

The Simplus forehead bar didnt bother me so much, but the red impression on the bridge of the nose did.
The large Cushion on the Amara View seemed better. Tip of nose not as sore. I think I can get uised to it fine.Ill give it more time for sure.

[cands]

. I must admit that this morning I noticed a small red spot on the very tip of my nose that may be an irritation much as you described .

I quite often experience this irritation. In my case I get 2 small red spots. Mostly they are gone by the afternoon and so don't cause a problem.
On one occasion, one of these spots was quite sore and it was painful to fit the mask the next night. I cut a small piece of fabric band-aid (the sticky part) and placed it over the spot. I did this for two or three nights and it healed nicely.

[rogerconnelly]

Thanks cands - for me the small red spot on the tip of my nose disappeared two days later, so I think it was coincidental. Either way it's no longer an issue for me.

I can't say the past weekend was a perfect one for my new Amara View. Friday night I woke up in the middle of the night with a leak at the nose hole and couldn't get the mask resettled, so I wound up swapping my Quattro back in to finish the night out. Saturday I really needed some good sleep so I just stuck with the Quattro. However, last night (Sunday) I decided to give the Amara another chance and had a great night with it - got about 6.5 hours of sleep (that's plenty for me) with super low AHI recorded (Sleepyhead shows 0.31 and no leaks) so I'm feeling very encouraged today. I did put on a new padacheek pad last night, although the previous one had only seen a few nights work - but I thought that was one thing I could do to try and make things better.

I'll keep posting periodically - hopefully others will keep sharing their experiences with this mask here too

[klm49]

Thanks cands - for me the small red spot on the tip of my nose disappeared two days later, so I think it was coincidental. Either way it's no longer an issue for me.

I can't say the past weekend was a perfect one for my new Amara View. Friday night I woke up in the middle of the night with a leak at the nose hole and couldn't get the mask resettled, so I wound up swapping my Quattro back in to finish the night out. Saturday I really needed some good sleep so I just stuck with the Quattro. However, last night (Sunday) I decided to give the Amara another chance and had a great night with it - got about 6.5 hours of sleep (that's plenty for me) with super low AHI recorded (Sleepyhead shows 0.31 and no leaks) so I'm feeling very encouraged today. I did put on a new padacheek pad last night, although the previous one had only seen a few nights work - but I thought that was one thing I could do to try and make things better.

I'll keep posting periodically - hopefully others will keep sharing their experiences with this mask here too

I have been using my Amara View for about a week and I like it a lot. I do tend to get some minor small leaks but usually can get them to seal by wiggling the mask around. I have no red marks anywhere when I get up in the morning now. Tip of nose seems fine now I think I just had to get used to it.

[Comfortably Numb]

What an interesting discussion. Two days ago I was determined to stay with my Amara View. Even ordered a padacheek that's in the mail as we speak. Last night I officially gave up! It is simply too difficult for me to maintain any type of consistency with fit, air loss, noise, etc. I got up at 1:00 a.m. and hooked up the N10 nasal mask I used in my sleep study. On Friday, I'm taking the Amara View back to my DME and will be trading it for a Wisp with chin strap. The Amara View concept is outstanding--the least intrusive full face mask out there. I just happen to be one of several who can't seem to marry this thing.

[NadiaK]

What an interesting discussion. Two days ago I was determined to stay with my Amara View. Even ordered a padacheek that's in the mail as we speak. Last night I officially gave up! It is simply too difficult for me to maintain any type of consistency with fit, air loss, noise, etc. I got up at 1:00 a.m. and hooked up the N10 nasal mask I used in my sleep study. On Friday, I'm taking the Amara View back to my DME and will be trading it for a Wisp with chin strap. The Amara View concept is outstanding--the least intrusive full face mask out there. I just happen to be one of several who can't seem to marry this thing.

I am in the same position. Have tried everything to get the Amara View to work as I really wanted it to. I even tried a small cushion instead of the medium and for some reason the leaks are even worse with the small. I was just at my family doctor today and expressed my displeasure with my current DME. Seems that the office has been using a different one for some time as many people complained. So glad I voiced my displeasure with the current one. My doctor will be setting me up with the new DME so hopefully they will have some better options for me. I would love to try just a nasal mask with a chin strap instead of the full face mask.

[Ursego]

It's my loved full face mask, but it can be leaky and painful it treated incorrectly. I noticed in forums, that many people have problems with it, so I want to share some useful tips:

1. Wash Amara View with soap every day. Yes, we should wash any mask every day to remove bacteria, but in the case of Amara View, it's also important for better sealing.
2. Use CPAP mask leak sealer gel. You will forget how Amara View leaks, and it will become your favorite mask! I didn't use liners with A.V., so I don't say that the gel is better. But I used liners with another FFM (F10), and now use only gel with it. If I would be the owner of this forum, I would write in the its header with large red letters: USE LEAK SEALER GEL WITH ANY MASK!!!
3. Don't tighten too much!!! Release the straps maximally, and then tighten them slightly - only to keep the mask not falling. If you tighten A.V. in the same degree as any regular full face mask, it will also be painful!