QFX v F10

I have been using a QFX for over a year and thought I'd like to try the Airfit F10, so 3 nights ago I got it anf tried it out for the first time. The first night I had the wrong size cushion--leaked like a sieve. 2nd night I switched sizes and was quite happy with the fit. It seems that the F10 fits narrower, especially at the bridge of the nose, which brings me to my question. Could the narrowness of the mask be causing me to mouth breathe more than usual? I know I mouth breathe some, but with the QFX, it made no difference. With the F10, I'm using up all the water in my humidifier tank ( even though it's very humid right now), and I wake up all night with dry mouth. Otherwise, all my numbers look fine.

The F10 compresses my nasal bridge unless I use the large pillow, causing me to mouth breathe. The QFX with the forehead strap seems to do less so I prefer it when I use and FFM, which is rare. I have learned to keep my mouth closed and now love my p10 pillows

The first night I used the medium cushion, which I know is actually the right size, but switched to the large so I could ride it higher on my nose. It's the same way with my QFX--actually a size medium, but use a size large.

The f10 set up still puts more pressure on my bridge - you?

Yes, and the results have surprised me to the point of asking about it. I like the visibility improvement with the F10, but wonder if I can get used to the pinching.

Thanks for the comparison of the QFX and F10. They look quite similar so I've been tempted to try the F10 since I like the QFX, but if it fits even tighter at the nose, then I think I'll just stick to my QFX, as the tight fit at the nose is one of the issues I have with the QFX. As far as the fit of the QFX: My tech fitted it lower on my nose, but I do better with it higher on the nose, in all areas (leaks, comfort, red marks, and stability).

It seems to slip less in the chin area that way too. I've noticed that after about a month its tough to get the oils out of the chin area of the cushion, so it'll slip a bit, especially at the end of the night. So I've been swapping them out after about 6 weeks. I might have to try rigging up a partial mask liner, just for that chin area (using a full lined, Padacheek or RemZzzs, made the mask fit too tight in the nose).

I think its definitely possible to mouth breathe more if the mask constricts the nasal passages. You may be able to determine this just by lying down with the mask & machine for awhile and seeing if you feel like you get enough air when breathing nasally. With or without CPAP I find I switch to mouth breathing soon after lying down, as I just don't get enough air. I'm fine breathing nasally most of the time when sitting or standing. Best wishes.

I'm using an ASV machine where the pressures get to 25 , so I have to snug up the chin area quite a bit. This also let's the nose bridge area move away from my nose slightly. Overall, I think I'm going to prefer the f10 over the QFX because it's much lighter on my face and I can see out of it better.

I really like the F10; was using Quattro Air before - they both use the same cushion. I've used mask liners with both and don't have trouble with leaks, sores or red marks. I never did have sores or red marks with the Air, the liners were for leaks. the F10 did give me a red mark, not from the cushion but from the rigid arms across the cheeks... a strap cover has taken care of that. All we can do is try a mask to find out if it's going to work as we are all different. Just sharing my experience here, FWIW.

I switched from the medium QFX to a medium F10 about ten days ago. I wasn't getting terrible leaks with the QFX because I use a Padacheek, but then my pressure rarely goes over 19cmH20. I started with the F10 medium but about three days ago purchased a large cushion with my own money because I got a pressure sore about one third of the way down the ridge of my nose (it is designed to ride lower, I think). The sore healed up okay but I decided to try the large size anyway, which BTW fits the same frame as the medium, therefore their width must be the same width at the bottom. Furthermore, holding the medium and the large cushions face to face confirms this. However as I suspected the large cushion is about a quarter of an inch taller. To me this space seems about the same real estate as what I had in the QFX, however I was hoping for a little more room in that lower area. It doesn't appear that's meant to be. My mouth tends to be on the small side so people with wider/larger mouths may have some difficulties using the F10 mask.

Anyway, I like the large F10 cushion and haven't had any large noisy leaks (I'm using a Padacheek mask liner) but my overall leaks are still higher than I got with my QFX... not in the large leak territory yet but getting close. I like that the upper nose slot now rides higher with the large cushion, it just feels more comfortable for me, however time will tell since there's a tiny bit of redness still showing up in that area. I agree with what some others have written: it is a lightweight and comfortable mask.

M'ohms wrote:I'm using an ASV machine where the pressures get to 25 , so I have to snug up the chin area quite a bit. This also let's the nose bridge area move away from my nose slightly.

Good point, M'ohms. Same for me tho my pressure doesn't get as high as yours.

Do you think that the mask volume and/or the vent rate would make a difference between the two masks as far as feeling like I am not getting enough air? If so, this might explain the increased mouth breathing. I also have to take deep breaths when I wake up. Nothing is different about my pressures.