New member- what should full face mask feel like (suction?)

Hi. Nice to be here.

I have a simplus full face mask and a resmed cpap set at 15. I have been trying to use it for the past couple of months. I take it off because it gets uncomfortable and am not making the minimum 4 hours my insurance requires. But, when it works, it does help my moderate sleep apnea.

I was shown the device but I felt rushed when they went over the masks and I didn't get a good idea even of how to wear it. That took me awhile to figure out. Now, I am wearing it, I think, correctly, but it starts suctioning my face.

A friend with a cpap just told me to loosen the top straps or release some pressure when that happens, so I tried that last night and I felt the air streaming. I think that was more like how it is supposed to be.

Unfortunately, I could only sleep a couple of hours (I woke up and couldn't sleep) and it recorded 10 episodes/hr. They went down to 0 in the sleep lab at 14.

With a full face mask does it matter if my mouth is open or closed? I breathe through my nose and mouth. Does anyone get air blowing in your eyes?

lorib64 wrote:
With a full face mask does it matter if my mouth is open or closed? I breathe through my nose and mouth. Does anyone get air blowing in your eyes?

Doesn't matter as far as your therapy, but you might get a dry mouth. Maybe increase your humidity a bit. What model Resmed do you have?

LSAT wrote:

lorib64 wrote:
With a full face mask does it matter if my mouth is open or closed? I breathe through my nose and mouth. Does anyone get air blowing in your eyes?

Doesn't matter as far as your therapy, but you might get a dry mouth. Maybe increase your humidity a bit. What model Resmed do you have?

Thank you. I have an Airsense 10.

Use a liner (ex: PadaCheek.com) if the mask feels too invasive on your face.
Karen is a forum member and an apnea patient.

Using a liner helps make it both more comfortable and leak less. Having a soft piece of polar fleece on your skin is much preferable to the mask.


A full face mask should sit on your face like a hovercraft. Remember a hovercraft works by inflating its skirts to make the best connection with the water. If you over tighten it, it will leak more.

lorib64 wrote:I didn't get a good idea even of how to wear it.

Check out a few videos - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... +face+mask

Oh, look what I just read. Coincidence? Or just two independent events?

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=114934&view=unread#unread

The best mask I'v found to describe how it should fit is this old school nasal mask (and yes, i understand tat this thread is about a FFM, not a nasal nask
Mirage Activa™ Nasal CPAP Mask
This mask properly fitted is VERY loose without air.
The mask has 3 sections
1. The frame
2. The bellows (my term) This is the masks secret, you want this bellows to be at the 50% position, halfway between fully extended and fully compressed. This allows for movement and flexibility
3. the seal, the floppy bit that sits on your face

The bottom line is that your air pressure seals the mask, there is no undo pressure from having to tighten the straps.

All masks have this seal portion, and when you find a mask that conforms to YOUR facial structure (NOT conforming your facial structure to the mask) you have found your mask.

Cons, this thread is about a FFM, this is a nasal mask

Wow, thank you all for the responses. I will read through them more thoroughly

Read my blogpost Taming the Mirage Quattro. Different mask but same fitting principles.

bonjour wrote:Cons, this thread is about a FFM, this is a nasal mask

Despite the disclaimer, it was not nice to post this to a newbie who is probably using a FFM because it is required. Let's not sidetrack a newbie into a misadventure.

Thank you all, it seems like I've been putting it on too tight.