Some musings on masks...

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Ryands
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Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:23 am

Some musings on masks...

Post by Ryands » Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:37 am

After 6 months of using a Quattro FX FFM since I started CPAP I have had quite a few minor issues, nothing major, but enough to want to tweak things:

Notably:
Leaks are a pain on FFM, I find liners help somewhat, but are annoying for vision.
Itchy noses are a nightmare!
I mouth breathe a lot, I have a deviated septum and continuous blocked nose.
My AHI has been between 2.5 and 5 pretty much since I started using.

At my 6 month check up I asked if I could try a nasal mask as well as get a new FFM. I was told that it was not possible, the NHS gave one mask every 6 months, and if I took nasal I was stuck with it. I was told better to take a FFM to be safe. Which is fair enough, it is all free and my issues are minor. As I was leaving though the nurse accidentally dropped a nasal mask next to me and left the room saying he hoped no one would pick it up which I thought was fantastic of them.

So I tried the nasal mask and it really is a revelation.
-Despite me being 90% a mouth breather somehow the pressure on my nose only means I only breathe through my nose. In fact I find it rather hard to even deliberately mouth breathe when it is on.
-Although I am still congested I am somehow getting enough air through my nose to be comfortable, I think it is forcing the airways open.
-I can scratch itchy places on my face!
-Leaks are pretty much non existant and so easy to get rid of.
-AHI has been between 0.8 and 1.6 in the week I have had it.
-Vision is so much better, not having the mask in your field of view so much makes reading etc better.
The only downside it I do worry about the pressure on my top teeth as it does push in a bit in just the place to feel slightly uncomfortable.

So I will be taking back the unopened FFM and sticking with this. Suffice to say, my advice is even if you are a terrible mouth breather and have nasal issues, still give a nasal mask a try. I never thought I would be able to use one, but I am really impressed and surprised.

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Sheriff Buford
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Re: Some musings on masks...

Post by Sheriff Buford » Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:42 am

Do what you want, but after 6 months it is not enough time to "settle in". You may want the full face when you have a cold, sinuses or other issues. Just sayin'

Sheriff

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Hawthorne
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Re: Some musings on masks...

Post by Hawthorne » Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:50 am

And you may not need a full face mask when you have a cold. I have had sleep apnea for 12+ years - at least I have been on cpap that long. I fretted about having a full face mask for times when I had a cold and tried many of them. I could not wear any of them. I had used a nasal mask or nasal pillows through a cold and it has been fine. Sometimes I need a little more humidity when I have a cold but that's easy. Usually, with a cold, I use the nasal mask and not the pillows.

I am not saying no one needs a full face mask. I am simply sharing my experience.

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Ryands
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Re: Some musings on masks...

Post by Ryands » Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:58 am

Sheriff Buford wrote:Do what you want, but after 6 months it is not enough time to "settle in". You may want the full face when you have a cold, sinuses or other issues. Just sayin'

Sheriff
I still have my FFM that is fine that I have used for the past 6 months for when I need it.

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englandsf
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Re: Some musings on masks...

Post by englandsf » Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:24 am

I breathed through my first cold on my P10 pillows. Adjusted humidity a lot. FFMs freak me out. Sounds like your Pillows are sitting too low or are too tight - what type are you using?

PS I'm an Englishman living in TX. Your NHS helper must be a rare breed. I had one here gave me 2 demo masks.

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Ryands
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Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:23 am

Re: Some musings on masks...

Post by Ryands » Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:33 am

It is a Mirage FX nasal.

I will try putting it higher and see how it goes.

The one unfortunate side effect of the nurse "dropping" the mask is that I didn't get fitting instructions in the hospital.

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squid13
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Re: Some musings on masks...

Post by squid13 » Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:50 am

To help with the itchy nose, trim your nasal hairs, the wind blowing up your nose causes them to move around a lot which makes your nose itch.

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Pugsy
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Re: Some musings on masks...

Post by Pugsy » Wed Dec 17, 2014 8:15 am

See if this video helps with fitting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYBimkhhpTE

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