Help choosing the right mask

[Seattleboy49]

Hi everyone,

I was given my first CPAP machine last week and am currently in the 90 day insurance trial run. I was given the option of the pillow mask, which I ended up choosing, and a mask that looks like this one...

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/comfor ... igodigital

The specialist who was helping me choose said that although the pillow mask was far and away the most popular, he preferred the other mask. I ended up going with the pillow though because ultimately it felt like it fit my face a little better and he agreed with me. However, he also told me that I could switch if I end up not liking the pillow, which is a common occurrence according to him.

Last night was only my 3rd night so it's still early, but I can't say I am loving it so far. I liked the fact initially that there is no "mask," but the two nasal pillows don't always feel stable, especially since I sleep on my side and stomach a lot.

I would love to hear anyone's opinion on this if willing to share. I assume this is a matter of personal comfort so with that being said I am going to stick with the pillow for a few more days and see if I get used to it. I wish they would give you two masks during the trial run so you could more easily get a feel as to which one is right for you. Oh well

[Pugsy]

In each model type.....nasal (covers the nose like the Comfort Classic in the link you mentioned) or nasal pillow (those little things that barely go into the nostrils...like the Opus does).

Sometimes it isn't so much the general model type as it is the particular brand model.
There are several "newer, improved" nasal masks in the over the nose category. The Comfort Classic has been around for quite some time.
Here's the newest and I recently tried it and I am a nasal pillow girl from the very beginning.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html
or even this one
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/wisp-n ... ck-pr.html

In the nasal pillow masks...Several good ones to choose from. The Tap Pap that I use..the Swift FX nasal pillow mask (also will work with the FX Nano cushion), the Aloha, the Swift LT, the Pilairo and the Opus 360. I have tried all those. They all have a few pros and cons (all masks will have pros and cons). Oh...there's a brand new Respironics nasal pillow mask..the Nuance with gel in the nasal pillows. I just completed a week trial with it. It's a keeper.

Mask preferences are highly individualized...there's always going to be a "one man's treasure is another man's trash" thing with any mask out there. Just because I love something doesn't mean everyone else will and just because everyone else might love something doesn't mean that I will.

The nasal pillow masks generally have the least footprint on the face and that's why we like them. Sometimes the less of a footprint means they aren't quite as stable...less stuff to hold onto.
I have used the Opus 360..it's a very nice mask but I had issues with the headgear wanting to move around a lot. Very similar to your issues.
If you generally like the nasal pillow itself...try a different brand/model nasal pillow mask.

[Seattleboy49]

Thanks! I think the first nasal mask you provided a link for is actually the other mask that I tried. What did you think of it when you tried it on? I found both masks fairly comfortable so it was almost a coin toss. Now I am thinking though that I might prefer a slightly more stable feeling mask so maybe a nasal mask would suit me better then a pillow mask. Maybe I will get used to it, but I am always concerned that the pillows are going to come out of my nose when I roll over onto my side and I think that feeling of anxiety is negatively affecting my sleep. then again, maybe I would get used to it. The little voice inside my head though is telling me I might prefer the nasal mask.

[Seattleboy49]

I watched a few youtube videos of the Opus mask online and after watching them I think it might be just a question of adjusting the straps so the mask fits a little tighter. I just put the mask on, adjusted the straps a little more tightly, and the pillows stayed in my nostrils a lot more firmly. so maybe that will do the trick

[hyperlexis]

Hi everyone,

I was given my first CPAP machine last week and am currently in the 90 day insurance trial run. I was given the option of the pillow mask, which I ended up choosing, and a mask that looks like this one...

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/comfor ... igodigital

The specialist who was helping me choose said that although the pillow mask was far and away the most popular, he preferred the other mask. I ended up going with the pillow though because ultimately it felt like it fit my face a little better and he agreed with me. However, he also told me that I could switch if I end up not liking the pillow, which is a common occurrence according to him.

Last night was only my 3rd night so it's still early, but I can't say I am loving it so far. I liked the fact initially that there is no "mask," but the two nasal pillows don't always feel stable, especially since I sleep on my side and stomach a lot.

I would love to hear anyone's opinion on this if willing to share. I assume this is a matter of personal comfort so with that being said I am going to stick with the pillow for a few more days and see if I get used to it. I wish they would give you two masks during the trial run so you could more easily get a feel as to which one is right for you. Oh well

If your nose can cope with the pressure from the pillows then that's great. As posted above its all individual. But definitely try multiple masks for as long as allowed before deciding. Some masks take a week or two just to 'break in' and seal right.

The nasal mask you posted seems to be an extremely old version, one that doesn't even have quick release style headgear. There are far, far better, more modern, quiet options out there. If you really want to test your options, you should try a good quality nasal pillows mask like the Swift FX, the new Respironics Nuance, and a good full nasal mask like the Mirage FX nasal mask, the Swift FX Nano, the Mirage Activa, or the Respironics Comfort Gel Blue. In ADDITION, you should also try a good full face mask like the new Quattro Air, the new Amara Gel, or the plain old Quattro to keep for times you may have problems with nasal congestion/colds, etc. Be prepared....

You will get the hang of it eventually. Good luck!

[Seattleboy49]

Thanks Hyperlexis!

When I met with the specialist for this company he only presented me with two mask choices so I am not sure if they offer more than those two though I could call and ask next week.

Since I am in the evaluation period and have a follow up with the sleep clinic on Dec 2 I am thinking that maybe I should keep wearing the Opus 360 and then wait to see what my doctor thinks of the overall results. Then depending on those results I can discuss maybe going with a new mask. I am just concerned that if I keep switching masks during the evaluation period then I won't be truly giving any one mask enough time to take hold. does that make sense? and since the mask seems to fit a lot more comfortably after adjusting the straps today I am thinking I might get a better overall result.

[Foggy1]

I like the Zest nasal mask. I've tried quite a few, and find the Zest to be very comfy.

[Pugsy]

I think people should try any mask that interests them while they can do it on the DME dime. Use whatever mask swapping trial period is available while they can. If it's 30 days...don't waste 21 days on one mask. You can always go back to a prior choice if you want to.
Mask manufacturers offer 30 days for each mask but often DMEs come up with their own in house rules (and yes, they can do that if they want to) and won't let you swap anything after 30 days.

[ddk]

I think people should try any mask that interests them while they can do it on the DME dime. Use whatever mask swapping trial period is available while they can. If it's 30 days...don't waste 21 days on one mask. You can always go back to a prior choice if you want to.
Mask manufacturers offer 30 days for each mask but often DMEs come up with their own in house rules (and yes, they can do that if they want to) and won't let you swap anything after 30 days.

This. This, this, and more this.

Masks are so damned personal that you should take every opportunity to try as many as you can to find the right one for you.

[caffeinatedcfo]

I went from ffm to swift fx nasal pillows ... love them.

My wife went from Opus, to Swift Fx pillows, to the Wisp ... loves the wisp.

Well ... as much as one can love wearing these to bed.

[Seattleboy49]

Ha! Ok. Sounds like the Swift FX pillows are extremely popular. has anyone worn the Swift and the Opus 360 as well? and is the Swift really that much more comfortable? Just curious because I watched a few youtube videos of the Swift and it looks very similar to the Opus 360.

but I will call on Monday and find out what the mask exchange policy is.

[Pugsy]

has anyone worn the Swift and the Opus 360 as well?

Raising my hand here. There's a real reason why the Swift FX was my main mask until the Tap Pap.
I used the Opus for a short time just to try it. It's a nice mask but you need to give the Swift FX nasal pillows at least a try.
More people have success with it than fail with it.

[Seattleboy49]

Ok, that's all I needed to hear then. I will call on Monday and see if I can exchange the Opus for a Swift!

[Seattleboy49]

Just wanted to say that I tightened the straps last night and the nose pillows fit perfectly for the first time. No leaks or anything and I was finally able to sleep comfortably on my side and back. So although I got off to a rough start with it, mostly due to my own incompetence, I am now impressed with the Opus 360.

[Seattleboy49]

Is this the Swift FX mask on amazon? If so, for anyone looking, it seems fairly cheap at $39. I assume there must be something I am missing..

http://www.amazon.com/Swift-Headgear-Be ... s=swift+fx