New 431 Full Face mask

[JKH83]

Have used my new FlexiFit™ 431 Full Face Mask for 2 nights now and I love it, I might have waken up twice in the last 2 nights. I was using the swift LT nasal pillows and it did pretty good as long as I greased my nostrils up, but if I moved very much they would leak, I hope I continue having good luck.

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

HI JKH,
I just got one as well, to use as a back-up for my nasal pillows. Is it supposed to vent air around the side openings of the elbow piece, where the anti-asphyxiation valve is? Mine is venting some air there as well as where it is supposed to, at the mask.

[LSAT]

I checked out the 431 FF ....I liked the idea of being able to rest my chin on a platform rather that have the cushion press into my chin, but, I tried this mask on two different times at my DME and there were far too many leaks for me at my 11 psi pressure.

[JKH83]

I am not getting any air from around the elbow sides, just where it is supose to vent and I do not seem to have any leaks even when I move to my side.

[Kickthefog]

I too use a 431 and love it. after trying literally about 10 different masks, the 431 is the mask for me.

As far as the leaks around the elbow area go. I have A 431, a 432, and a forma (all by fisher paykel) and 2 of the 3 masks had a leaky valve. None of them leaked where the valve connects to the mask but rather, they would leak out of the relief holes (2 on either side). Ya know those little round holes that are supposed to be plugged by that little flap when the pressure is applied by turning on your blower? when pressure is OFF, the flap remains open so you can breathe but when pressure is applied, the flap is supposed to close off the hole but 2 of the 3 valves i had leaked. i guess the valves are cheap. i went to the DME and moaned a bit and they exchanged my 2 leaky valves for 2 new ones that did not leak. HOWEVER, one of the 2 valves she gave me as a replacement leaked also so we had to try a 3rd before we found 2 good ones.

I think they are just cheap valves. Of course, at least they error on the open side, so there are no issues with a power outage (no pressure). And, the leaking was TINY but enough that i could hear it and feel it on my face. It drove me nuts because i wasn't sure if i was leaking around the seal and went crazy trying to find a leak that wasn't really there (on my face).

Pat

[roster]

Have used my new FlexiFit™ 431 Full Face Mask for 2 nights now and I love it, I might have waken up twice in the last 2 nights. I was using the swift LT nasal pillows and it did pretty good as long as I greased my nostrils up, but if I moved very much they would leak, I hope I continue having good luck.

I also like that mask. Note also that you are switching from a nasal pillow mask to a full face mask and that eliminated having to worry about loosing your pressure by mouthbreathing. Good move.

[sleepycarol]

I had good luck with the 431 and still use it as a backup mask when needed.

[LaCansada]

I just bought this mask. It is about mask #5. It is sooo confortable but it leaks around the bottom of my mouth when my head starts to fall into my chin a bit as I fall asleep. So I have it all perfectly adjusted and after 10 minutes, the leak. I can hear the air blowing out. I tried not tightening the top strap so much b/c I read here that that can cause leaking. No success. Had leaking out of the top of the mask. Even when I pull the bottom straps as far back as they will go I still get this leaking apecific to one place. I really want to try and make a FFM work due to nasal congestion issues. I may buy those REMZzzz that folks are talking about. Or coffee filters! LOL.

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

....As far as the leaks around the elbow area go. I have A 431, a 432, and a forma (all by fisher paykel) and 2 of the 3 masks had a leaky valve. None of them leaked where the valve connects to the mask but rather, they would leak out of the relief holes (2 on either side).
Pat

Yes that is exactly where they seem to be leaking. I can hear and feel some air coming out of the relief holes. I just got my mask from cpap.com. I guess I will phone and see what happens. I will try it tonight and see if the leak rate is still acceptable or not. Thanks Pat!

[Kickthefog]

Glad I could be of help. I bet you'll find that the leak isn't enough to effect therapy much if at all, but it may drive you crazy. It sure did me.
Lemme know how it goes please. i also wondered what cpap.com would do if i had bought the masks from them. Only reason i didn't was becuase i could try all the masks on at my local DME.
Best of luck.
Pat

....As far as the leaks around the elbow area go. I have A 431, a 432, and a forma (all by fisher paykel) and 2 of the 3 masks had a leaky valve. None of them leaked where the valve connects to the mask but rather, they would leak out of the relief holes (2 on either side).
Pat

Yes that is exactly where they seem to be leaking. I can hear and feel some air coming out of the relief holes. I just got my mask from cpap.com. I guess I will phone and see what happens. I will try it tonight and see if the leak rate is still acceptable or not. Thanks Pat!

[roster]

I really want to try and make a FFM work due to nasal congestion issues.

A FFM is a great way to go and I hope you are successful with one.

Have you read Dr. Falcon's posts on controlling congestion? -> viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36483&st=0&sk=t&sd=a