Expecting too much?

I'm another newbie but thanks to you all have been ramping up on my Cpap knowledge faster than my machine. FYI, I had a broken nose when I was younger that still gets sensitive and have a deviated septum that limits breathing through one nostril. I started out with the Mirage Quattro FFM small, but it was slightly too short and the bottom seal would pull up over my bottom lip if I moved my mouth at all. I had a sore nose the first night, and sores on my face, but had it way too tight. The next night I loosed it up but it would just blow out the bottom. I went back to the DME and was given a Quattro FFM medium that I tried for a couple of nights, but it seems to be slightly too long, had one great night sleep and several horrible ones. It "burps" from the bottom when I move. The bridge of my nose is sore (I have the mask cranked all the way out on top). I also ended up with a blister on the bottom of my mouth where the bottom rests under my bottom lip so I am reluctant to tighten it much more. I would like it to "float" the way some of you have described but so far haven't managed that. Today I went back to the DME and she gave me a Comfort Gel Full Large and a Fisher Paykel Flexfit 431 FFM medium. (I know, she was very kind, after I got frustrated...I'll skip the details but I hope to fire her on Monday!) Each of these seem to be narrower on each side of my face, putting more pressure on my sinuses and don't really seem to solve the pressure on the bridge problem. The FP mask also seems to be too long and leaks on the bottom. I have spent most of my day off fiddling with them.

Sorry for the long-winded intro but I have a couple of questions. First, this "trial and error" business seems really silly to me. My DME didn't do any measurement until I returned the small (first gave that one to me because it was used in the sleep study). She then used the measuring guides for the other masks and each seem to show that I am an "in between" size. Is this how the process is supposed to work, because it seems strange that they would be so sophisticated about diagnosis and so trial and error medieval about treatment! Should they be actually fitting the masks to me before they send me home with them? She says she cannot do that because they do not sterilize and recycle them.

Also, other than continuing to fiddle around, does anyone have any suggestions about masks given my comments. If the pain on the bridge of the nose goes away after a while I will live with it but not sure if it is from the former break. It is more bone than simply skin irritation.

Finally, I have the feeling that the Quattro medium might work if the headgear was a little smaller, so that the straps weren't so low. Has anyone tried using the small headgear (which by the way my DME said Resmed didn't make...thank you cpap.com for your information.)

Thanks for listening, and for any advice.

I can only comment on the Fisher & Paykel 431.

I have it as a backup mask and find that the cushion has to be checked to make sure it is completely in the little groove, especially at the bottom every time you put it on. It has a little chin flap which should be right under your chin if it is the right size mask for you.

I also use RemZzzs (http://www.RemZzzs.com)when I use that mask. It helps with marks on the face and also with the nose bridge part.

Thes suggestions may not work for you but I wanted to post --just in case.

Thanks for the information. I appreciate the response. I will give the remzzz's a try.

Hello & Welcome, NewYear! Glad you found this forum—SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help!

You're lucky to have found this forum as you begin CPAP—took me almost year before I found this place and, with the help of folks here, got my CPAP therapy working as it should. It does take time to get everything tweaked and working at its best, so patience is key as one begins CPAP. Re the remzzz's, consider the trial package--after you see what they look like, they are very simple to cut out from an old t-shirt (much cheapter that way!).

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

Just a quick update...I went to a new DME yesterday who wondered why I was ever given a full face mask. He gave me a Swift LT and I slept well last night, waking early and ready to go. I imagine that there may be some issues with this mask as well but so far so good. I am glad that I listened to my body, and to all of you wise people, and didn't settle for being uncomfortable. Thanks again for your comments and support.