Advice for me as I try Amara View?

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

When I was using the Amara View, I either used it without a liner (winter time) or with a home-made liner (summer time). I made my liners out of an old, well-used tee shirt. I am not a side sleeper, so I can't help with issues caused by that. When I first started, I had to fiddle with it quite a bit until I got the straps adjusted so it wouldn't leak. When I first started, my nose got a little sensitive, but that quit after a couple nights. If you haven't done so, download the sizing guide and see what size cushion you need.

I almost gave up on the Amara view using the medium cushion - which was what the sizing guide said I should use - because of leaks. Switching to the small cushion solved the problem. I have less leaks using the padacheek liner, but everyone is different.

I currently use the F10 full face. Next month, tho, I'm switching to the View. I also hate having the piece over the bridge of my nose.

I'm also a side-sleeper. I borrowed a View from my DME and tried it for a week. What helped me was spending 20-30 minutes adjusting the straps with my machine set to Mask Fit (blows air without a sleep cycle). I started with the straps loose, laid down, and made the strap adjustments in small increments.

Ed

I recently got the Amara View and was hoping it was going to be the one to work for me. I tried it for about a week. I found it took a little getting used to as it is so different than other masks with the nose having its own place to rest. I found the mask quite comfortable and it was great for side sleeping which I mostly do. I had two complaints about this mask. First the air vents constantly blew air into my eyes giving me puffy eyes in the morning. Secondly it caused me strong sinus pressure so I had a headache all day. I have seen other people on various forums complain about the air vents. But only one other person mentioned the sinus pressure issue. I might give it one more shot in the event that my allergies were causing my sinus pressure. If it is no better I will just sell the mask. I even bought extra boxes of the RemZzz liners as I had such hopes for this mask. I hope it works out for you Roger. Keep us posted.

NadiaK wrote: First the air vents constantly blew air into my eyes giving me puffy eyes in the morning. Roger. Keep us posted.

that is not from the vent, but from leak at the side of the nose , try a different size.

As for vent air , cut a resmed filter in half and fit it between the frame and mask.
And I know I will get a lot of people telling me I will die from CO2 poisoning, but I have been using this since the mask came out without any trouble.

First the air vents constantly blew air into my eyes giving me puffy eyes in the morning.

Would an eye mask help with that? Cheaper than a new CPAP mask.

Secondly it caused me strong sinus pressure so I had a headache all day.

Is this particular mask *causing* the sinus pressure? Or might you have an existing condition this mask exposes and exacerbates? Is there anything an ENT could help with?

Not trying to dissuade you from getting a different mask. But from some of the posts I've read, it seems like people blame the mask for all kinds of stuff that isn't the mask. I can see getting a mask that doesn't make an existing problem worse, but I can also see a mask exposing or irritating a problem that wasn't "this bad before".

Ed

EdNerd wrote:

First the air vents constantly blew air into my eyes giving me puffy eyes in the morning.

Would an eye mask help with that? Cheaper than a new CPAP mask.

Secondly it caused me strong sinus pressure so I had a headache all day.

Is this particular mask *causing* the sinus pressure? Or might you have an existing condition this mask exposes and exacerbates? Is there anything an ENT could help with?

Not trying to dissuade you from getting a different mask. But from some of the posts I've read, it seems like people blame the mask for all kinds of stuff that isn't the mask. I can see getting a mask that doesn't make an existing problem worse, but I can also see a mask exposing or irritating a problem that wasn't "this bad before".

Ed

After a week of using the Amara I gave up and went back to my Quattro F X. Woke up the next morning with no issues. No puffy eyes and no sinus headache. I am going to give the Amara another shot before giving up on it. The pressure marks on my face are horrible which is why I really wanted the Amara to work for me.

Thanks everyone for all the feedback - I really appreciate it! My size small cushion arrived today so tonight I'm going for my second try - I'll update with my results soon

For those following along - the size small cushion made a HUGE difference for me - I'm feeling very encouraged at this point that this View mask is going to work out now! Last night wasn't perfect - I got woken up twice by leaks around the nose - but both times I was able to adjust the mask and go back to sleep (it really helped when I realized I needed to shift the mask in the opposite direction than seemed intuitive to me to get a good seal). So, more adjustment nights ahead I'm sure, but even last night I got enough good therapy to wake up feeling ready for my day and rested - who could ask for more than that - and no pressure lines on my face when I looked in the mirror this morning - woo hoo!

When using the Amara View, I used to push up slightly on the head gear so the mask was snug against my nose.

Roger,
According to the Amara View sizing guide did you measure a medium? With now using the small are there any issues with the tip of your nose hitting the cushion? I measured a medium with the sizing guide but thinking maybe I should try the small just in case it helps with the leaking.

EdNerd wrote:

First the air vents constantly blew air into my eyes giving me puffy eyes in the morning.

Would an eye mask help with that? Cheaper than a new CPAP mask.

Secondly it caused me strong sinus pressure so I had a headache all day.

Is this particular mask *causing* the sinus pressure? Or might you have an existing condition this mask exposes and exacerbates? Is there anything an ENT could help with?

Not trying to dissuade you from getting a different mask. But from some of the posts I've read, it seems like people blame the mask for all kinds of stuff that isn't the mask. I can see getting a mask that doesn't make an existing problem worse, but I can also see a mask exposing or irritating a problem that wasn't "this bad before".

Ed

Ed,
I think you are on to something with your assessment. Through almost the entire month of April I suffered with allergy issues and sinus pressure even though I take daily allergy meds. It is during this time that I decided to try the Amara View which seemed to make the sinus issue worse for me. Maybe it has something to do with the way the mask sits against the nose. I really don't know for sure. I ended up going back to my Quattro FX all of last week.
Last night I decided to give the Amara another try since my allergies have finally calmed down. I put the mask on carefully in front of a mirror using my RemZzz liner and made sure everything lined up correctly with the nose opening. However, as soon as I turned the machine on it was leaking like crazy. I remembered watching a youtube video where the technician said always pull the mask straight away from the face and then reset it. I did that and like magic the seal was perfect.
I slept through the night never waking a single time due to mask leaks. I woke up this morning feeling so rested and no issues with my sinuses. The only thing I noticed was a little soreness on the right side of my neck so maybe I need to loosen the bottom straps a little tonight. I had totally given up on using this mask but now am feeling very optimistic.

One other item: adjust the mask while laying down. Your face and neck muscles, etc, take on completely different contours from standing to laying.

Ed

EdNerd wrote:One other item: adjust the mask while laying down. Your face and neck muscles, etc, take on completely different contours from standing to laying.

Ed

Good advice Ed. I'll do that tonight.