I need to make decision on full face mask please help

sleepyjane · Post by **sleepyjane** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:31 pm

I just discovered I am a mouth breather which is diminishing my treatment and going to try a full face mask which I never knew they made till finding out on here last week.

I had problems finding a nasal mask as they were all too big. I used the respironics profile light small and for the sleep study a smaller one in a petite size that came out recently (forget name).

I am worried about finding a full face mask that fits my face and is comfortable as I do not want to tape mouth as I was retaining carbon dioxide and afraid this taping might cause more co2 retention maybe.

What are the main companies making full face masks so I can see what's out there?

My sister has told me she will buy me one and the provider will exchange the new one I just got (profile light) with a full face one, so I can get two masks.

The provider only has two full face masks but I forget what he said they were..one was some number in it and the other something like opti something or other (sorry..I will find out tomorrow). Does anyone know what these two might be?

The doctor's assistant said she was going to tell supplier to bring all the full face masks but since they only have two I am limited. I am kind of scared to waste all my sister's money buying one online with no knowledge or trying on but really want to use this full face if at all possible. Do anyo of them do online measurements to help one fit better?

I feel if I call another provider with more masks over, I am obligated to purchase one and 1. want to keep the provider I have and 2. my sister owns a medical supply company (but doesn't cpap equipment).

She said with number of item and so forth she may be able to get at a discount..so I really don;t think I will be able to try on before using except for the two the guys has that I will be exchanging it for (also can't purchase from othrer company as insurance only covers one a year and I am broke and sister kind of wants t order via her company to try to get at a discount..

Someone I just met said she could not use full face as they all seem to be made for males and leak on smaller faces.

Which ones might fit a female best and be comfortable with low leakage??

Please help as I will probably need to decide very soon. Thanks for everything.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, CPAP

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, CPAP

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:21 pm

probably the one with the number was either the Fischer and Paykel 431/432... the 432 came out in the past year.

Respironics, ResMed, Fischer&Paykel, and Teleflex/Innomed all have different full face masks. Probably from the sounds of it you'd need to see if one of these have a full face mask in a child's size. There might be one.

sleepyjane · Post by **sleepyjane** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:58 pm

good suggestion. I don't know why I am obese and yet everything is too small?

Maybe they do have a child's version.

Also I think that is what he said on the mask. Is that a good one or do you know. Thanks for the companies.

bethlori · Post by **bethlori** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:47 pm

I switched to a FF a few days ago and I lvoe it. I am a female with a relatively small face/head. I am using the Ultra Mirage FF

mecocosm · Post by **mecocosm** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:29 pm

Based on my personal experience, the Hybrid is the most comfortable.

sleepyjane · Post by **sleepyjane** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:49 am

[quote="bethlori"]I switched to a FF a few days ago and I lvoe it. I am a female with a relatively small face/head. I am using the Ultra Mirage FF

bethlori · Post by **bethlori** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:38 am

When I move I sometimes get little leaks but adjust the mask throughout the night. I in no way feel claustrophobic, in fact I felt more claustrophobic wearing the nasal mask and pillows because I can only breath out of one nostril so I always felt like I was gasping for air

hayeswildrick · Post by **hayeswildrick** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:06 am

Regarding the Hybrid...
I was surprised when I spoke to a representative from billmyinsurance.com. She told me that they can't provide the Hybrid because there is some issue with the manufacture and billing codes. Apparently Medicare has also been denying claims for the Hybrid. Hopefully they will get this cleared up soon.

sleepyjane · Post by **sleepyjane** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:49 am

bethlori wrote:When I move I sometimes get little leaks but adjust the mask throughout the night. I in no way feel claustrophobic, in fact I felt more claustrophobic wearing the nasal mask and pillows because I can only breath out of one nostril so I always felt like I was gasping for air

Oh..I am glad to hear the claustrophobia went away. I am glad that I didn't go with the nasal pillows then like I was considering before I realized the dryness was from mouth breathing and realized other things that showed I was a mouth breather. Just from the 20 seconds I tried it, it seemed hard having the air go directly up your nose like that.

When I try to imagine what the full face will feel like and pull it over my mouth it seems like the air going into mouth is difficult but since I haven't tried yet, I am not sure.

ExpatDave · Post by **ExpatDave** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:06 am

hayeswildrick wrote:Regarding the Hybrid...
I was surprised when I spoke to a representative from billmyinsurance.com. She told me that they can't provide the Hybrid because there is some issue with the manufacture and billing codes. Apparently Medicare has also been denying claims for the Hybrid. Hopefully they will get this cleared up soon.

There's more detail about what happened about half way down the page here http://tinyurl.com/2opbyp

Anyway, its a shame because if you can tollerate the nasal pillows the hybrid is a great mask and although it's not cheap, all the sizes are included in the box.

Lepeu63 · Post by **Lepeu63** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:16 pm

I use the F&P - mostly because I get claustrophobic if I DON'T have a FF mask. Starting out with only a nasal freaked me out everytime I opened my mouth. I've some leakage issues I'm trying to work through and would love to try a hybrid but my DME is just evaluating them now.

When I mouth-breathe it doesn't feel like the air is going directly into my mouth or anything, more like a breeze across my face. At least that's what I visualize when I'm trying to sleep

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME

sleepyjane · Post by **sleepyjane** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:16 pm

thanks for describing how the full face mask air feels and for the visualization.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:30 am

Have you had your mask fitting yet?

Make sure you get them fitted under pressure - even if you have to bring in your CPAP machine and hose.

My DME fit me sitting up or standing without any pressure and I never did get anything from them that worked.

The best is to be under pressure and lying on a bed to toss and turn a bit to check out for leaks. Beds are not always available, - so also brought a pillow and got down on the floor and moved around a bit.

Finally I found out that the Sleep Study Center did mask fittings - so I could test it out on a bed and under pressure. They could hooked me up to their machine, so they could also see how bad the leaks were. I was amazed at how much of a leak was still OK for the therapy to work. Those fittings provided much better results.

Also check how to get in and out of the straps quickly - each brand has different release mechanisms.

Hope this helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 3:05 pm

You really can't look for a mask that will fit a lady. I am a big boned lady of German heritage and always use a "medium" everything. The ResMed Ultra Mirage FF Mask has worked best for me.

Wearing a FF mask takes a bit of getting used to. I don't mind it now most of the time. Occasionally I wake up around 4 or 5 AM and have difficulty getting comfortable again and going back to sleep. But I suspect that is because I am "slept out" instead of the mask bothering me. It is difficult getting comfortable in bed anytime when your body is saying "get up" and your mind is saying "not yet"!!

God bless,
Louise

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:30 pm

The Hybrid is the least claustrophobic because it is a combination of nasal pillows and an oral mask. Nothing is around your eyes but you do have to get used to nasal pillows. One advantage over just nasal pillows, besides covering your mouth, is the air crosses your face first so it is a little warmer entering your nose. Like all mask it doesn't fit everyone, even though they give you multiple sizes.

Humidifier

Additional Comments: 11cm / 17cm