Having trouble with FF mask, looking for recommendations

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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49er
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Re: Having trouble with FF mask, looking for recommendations

Post by 49er » Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:34 pm

englandsf wrote:49er - how much humidity/heat do you use?
It depends. Sometimes, I put it in passover mode and other times, I don't use more than a 3 setting which is near minimum. I seem to do better with a cooler vs. a warmer setting although I think I may try a higher one night just for comparison's sake.

library lady
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Re: Having trouble with FF mask, looking for recommendations

Post by library lady » Mon Jul 21, 2014 6:26 pm

ShelaghDB wrote:
The full face mask is intended to let people breathe through the mouth rather than their nose, without losing therapy. I don't breathe through my nose when lying down. So, without a full face mask or oral mask, I can't use cpap. I tried to breathe through my nose once while wearing the mask. I did not like the feeling at all.

I just spent 2 months after having read on a different forum that FF masks should never be prescribed for mouth breathers because they make your mouth dry.
Unfortunatley it made plenty of sense to a new CPAP user but after 2 very frustrating months, I just went back to a FF mask and my AHI numbers shot right down and I am FINALLY compliant.
I read that on another forum too, but I didn't believe it because after my sleep study with a FF mask my mouth was so dry that I told my sleep doc I didn't want to use cpap because it made my mouth so dry... he said "well, you breathe through your mouth and that's what makes your mouth dry." I took his words to heart, and I've learned to live with it. What's funny is, now, nearly 6 months out from my first night on cpap, I hardly ever notice the dry mouth. I do keep my trusty water mug with straw handy if I need a sip in the night, but that is happening much less often than it did in the beinning. It makes sense to me that if you breathe with your mouth you will experience dry mouth, whether you have FF, nasal, or pillow masks.

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Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  Sleepyhead
Now using AirFit F10 mask; Quattro Air is backup mask. RemZzzz mask liners with both.

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Sheriff Buford
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Re: Having trouble with FF mask, looking for recommendations

Post by Sheriff Buford » Mon Jul 21, 2014 7:07 pm

I was using the Mirage Quattro until I was recommended the Airfit F10. When I went to cpap.com to purchase the mask, the lady said the F10 was very quickly becoming the most popular mask they sell. I don't know why this mask works for me, but I suspect the angle the upper straps help eliminate a forehead piece, while maintaining enough pressure to support the nose-bridge area.

Keep in mind that the mask search can be the most frustrating issue you have with trying to comply with proper cpap therapy. At the same time, when you finally find a mask that is comfortable and doesn't leak, it can be most rewarding. This is why everyone thinks their mask is the greatest... but the mask may not fit anyone else.

Sheriff

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Denial Dave
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Re: Having trouble with FF mask, looking for recommendations

Post by Denial Dave » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:10 am

Interesting Sheriff!!

I've been using the Quattro for almost 2 years.... tried the Quattro AIR and the Simplus FFM... neither of them worked for me,s o I went back to old reliable he Quattro.

I've avoided trying the F10 because it looks a lot like the Quattro FX... I had major issues with the FX moving all over my face during the night after tossing and turning.

at the risk of hijacking the thread---- How stable is the F10?

Sheriff Buford wrote:I was using the Mirage Quattro until I was recommended the Airfit F10. When I went to cpap.com to purchase the mask, the lady said the F10 was very quickly becoming the most popular mask they sell. I don't know why this mask works for me, but I suspect the angle the upper straps help eliminate a forehead piece, while maintaining enough pressure to support the nose-bridge area.

Keep in mind that the mask search can be the most frustrating issue you have with trying to comply with proper cpap therapy. At the same time, when you finally find a mask that is comfortable and doesn't leak, it can be most rewarding. This is why everyone thinks their mask is the greatest... but the mask may not fit anyone else.

Sheriff

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Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Started at VPAP pressure setting of 20/14.4. I've survived Stage 1 cancer and lost 80+ lbs. Pressure is now 14.5 / 11
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Sheriff Buford
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Re: Having trouble with FF mask, looking for recommendations

Post by Sheriff Buford » Tue Jul 22, 2014 2:50 pm

Denial Dave wrote:---- How stable is the F10?
I don't have any problems with either the Quatrro or the F10 moving around... so I cannot advise you on that. Sorry.

Sheriff

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Sclark08
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Re: Having trouble with FF mask, looking for recommendations

Post by Sclark08 » Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:04 pm

I have the Mirage Ultra FF mask. It is about the 100th mask I have had and it had worked the best for me.
Last week I started using mask liners Remzees and they really help.
Eventually you will get used to it. If you are not a mouth breather like me you could possibly try a nasal pillow mask. Just play around with it check your software daily for issues and remember cpap is a life saving treatment.

HealthyandHopeful
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Re: Having trouble with FF mask, looking for recommendations

Post by HealthyandHopeful » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:27 am

Thanks for all of these replies. I read them all and appreciate them. I have been on a trip and not able to respond. I went to the DME last week and got the Mirage Quattro FFM. I haven't slept with it yet but I was glad to give the Sunset back! This mask is only for when I am stuffy and can't breathe through my nose. Hopefully that won't be often but I do need a back up for when it happens! I guess I should try it out tonight!

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Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments:  Trying out a new full face mask: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sunset-hcs-full-face-cpap-mask.html?tab=reviews#tab

MINItron
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Re: Having trouble with FF mask, looking for recommendations

Post by MINItron » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:46 am

I am normally a mouth breather, and I was hesitant to try anything other than a FFM. I started with one that seemed to fit at first, but left me with red marks on the bridge of my nose, and forehead. I tried the Nuance nasal pillows second, but had issues with the pillows collapsing, and coming out in the middle of the night so i switched again to the Quattro FX. The QFX was very comfortable, but I had a devil of a time maintaining a seal all night. The last week I have gone back to the Nuance, and lo and behold my seal problems are gone, and I am having no mouth leaks even without a chinstrap. Once I turn on the machine the air blowing in my nose is enough to keep me from opening my mouth even in my sleep. The only problem is now my mouth is so wet that that I end up drooling in the night. I guess there are worse problems.

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englandsf
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Re: Having trouble with FF mask, looking for recommendations

Post by englandsf » Mon Jul 28, 2014 11:45 am

I found it tough to seal the F10 to the bridge of my skinny nose compared to Quattro Air with forehead strap

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Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead SW. NeilMed and Alkalol Nasal rinses. Veramyst. AutoPAP 11-20 cms. Started June '14, untreated AHI 31-38, with PAP around 1.