How big a gap is there between mask sizes?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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cathyf
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How big a gap is there between mask sizes?

Post by cathyf » Wed Oct 29, 2014 10:08 am

I have a full-face mask in a size small. It is pretty much perfect in width, but it is just a shade too tall. If I have my mouth open it fits great with a reasonable tolerance for small movements, but if I close my mouth the mask has to be perfectly positioned -- if it's a tad high I get leaking out one of the bottom corners, a tad low and it leaks out the top. Of course if I move around in my sleep and my mouth is closed it's going to move far enough off the sweet spot to leak.

Is this the sort of thing where an xs might be just right? Or if the small is this close, is the xs going to be way too small?

stage0
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Re: How big a gap is there between mask sizes?

Post by stage0 » Wed Oct 29, 2014 2:36 pm

Finding the "right" mask , along with adding the "right" attacements is a matter of time.

Look into the Pada-Cheek line of mask inserts to keep your mask in that sweet spot. I know CPAP pillows are sold at Penneys that accomodate side sleepers. The dreaded chin strap is an option, There is always your innovation as the mother of invention. Just off the top of my head, you could steam your mask to that it fits to your features better

Hope this helped.

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cathyf
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Re: How big a gap is there between mask sizes?

Post by cathyf » Wed Oct 29, 2014 2:58 pm

stage0 wrote:Finding the "right" mask , along with adding the "right" attacements is a matter of time.

Look into the Pada-Cheek line of mask inserts to keep your mask in that sweet spot. I know CPAP pillows are sold at Penneys that accomodate side sleepers. The dreaded chin strap is an option, There is always your innovation as the mother of invention. Just off the top of my head, you could steam your mask to that it fits to your features better

Hope this helped.
Yeah, in my case I can't use the dreaded chin strap because if I shut my mouth the mask leaks!

I'll check out the Pada-Cheek...

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Sir NoddinOff
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Re: How big a gap is there between mask sizes?

Post by Sir NoddinOff » Wed Oct 29, 2014 5:48 pm

I'm no expert on FFMs but with the half a dozen (a dozen if considering size upgrades) that I've tried, the bottom or mouth width is usually the variable that seems to stay basically the same. IOW, the height seems to be the predominate changing factor.

Several times I've gone up a size and my mouth is still cramped while the top of the mask cushion is riding at the very top of my nose bridge ... that's not a good feeling for me. Everybody's face is different so that must be taken into account. It can be frustrating to find your correct size.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: How big a gap is there between mask sizes?

Post by chunkyfrog » Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:01 pm

Unable to find more than one (lousy) full face mask to fit me,
I abandoned all efforts to find a full face mask for me.
I pretty much tried them all, and "almost a fit" did NOT work.

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Last edited by chunkyfrog on Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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englandsf
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Re: How big a gap is there between mask sizes?

Post by englandsf » Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:09 pm

FFM masks are so tough to get right, so many places to slip and leak.

Nasal pillows are so much easier if you can use them, and work at staying with them even when quite congested. I find it took a while to do that bo very worthwhile.

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Wulfman...
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Re: How big a gap is there between mask sizes?

Post by Wulfman... » Wed Oct 29, 2014 11:20 pm

cathyf wrote:I have a full-face mask in a size small. It is pretty much perfect in width, but it is just a shade too tall. If I have my mouth open it fits great with a reasonable tolerance for small movements, but if I close my mouth the mask has to be perfectly positioned -- if it's a tad high I get leaking out one of the bottom corners, a tad low and it leaks out the top. Of course if I move around in my sleep and my mouth is closed it's going to move far enough off the sweet spot to leak.

Is this the sort of thing where an xs might be just right? Or if the small is this close, is the xs going to be way too small?
CPAP.COM has the sizing guide for the mask in your profile in this link (which is a ResMed sizing guide).

https://5faacd0c97cf0d23c6dc-064f3cd61b ... -guide.pdf

Or, these links may help, too.

http://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/su ... -mask.html

http://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/pr ... t-f10.html


Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
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Denial Dave
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Re: How big a gap is there between mask sizes?

Post by Denial Dave » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:52 am

The only in frame size between the medium & large Quattro AIR FFM is the length of the section between the main body and the forehead piece. The main body is exactly the same size on the medium and large. You can use a large cushion in a medium frame & vice-versa.

it all came down to trial and error for me... I made liberal use of my DME's exchange policy along with cpap.com's insurance policy to finally find the right mask for me. I still try out the "newest and greatest" FFM's when they hit the market.

Good luck!

Sir NoddinOff wrote:I'm no expert on FFMs but with the half a dozen (a dozen if considering size upgrades) that I've tried, the bottom or mouth width is usually the variable that seems to stay basically the same. IOW, the height seems to be the predominate changing factor.

Several times I've gone up a size and my mouth is still cramped while the top of the mask cushion is riding at the very top of my nose bridge ... that's not a good feeling for me. Everybody's face is different so that must be taken into account. It can be frustrating to find your correct size.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: How big a gap is there between mask sizes?

Post by chunkyfrog » Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:31 pm

Thank goodness for return insurance!

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Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her