** New here and really need some advice **

Hello everyone,
I came across this forum while doing a google search and hope some of you will have some good advice for me. I have been using a cpap machine now for about 4 years. I use the Quattro FX full face mask. I looked through the paperwork of when I first got the equipment but can't seem to find what the air pressure setting is that I am using. It took me a while to adjust to having the mask on as I am quite claustrophobic. When I first started using the mask I would wake in the morning with indentations on my face from the mask and straps. Usually after a hot morning shower these marks would disappear.
However I have noticed over the past year or so that the marks are not fading like they used to. I went to the pad a cheek site and ordered covers for the straps as well as a cloth liner for the mask. But even with these I am still getting strong marks that do not go away after I shower. I am sure that part of the problem is that I am a side sleeper which is causing some of these issues. I have the mask as loose as I can get it without losing air flow. I have also tried the Remzzz liners which did absolutely nothing.
I seem to get the strongest indentations going down both sides of my nose from the upper part of the mask. Yet I do not get any marks on the bridge of my nose. So I am also wondering if part of this may be age related (58) where my skin is just not as elastic as it used to be. Could these be tear troughs on my face that have developed due to age and could the mask just be making them worse?
I called the company last week that sends out my supplies to discuss getting a different mask. I must say I was quite disappointed after the person on the phone asked me what other mask I was interested in. I thought they were the experts in this area which is why I called them. How am I supposed to know which mask would be better? I had mentioned that I had read that there were cloth masks out and maybe that would be an option. She responded that they do not stock those and she would have to ask her boss if one could be ordered and would let me know. Of course here it is a week later and I never got a call back.
So my question is, can anyone recommend a full face mask that they are happy with? I am pretty sure the mask could not have a separate opening for the nose and mouth with fabric in between. Due to being claustrophobic the material in between would probably freak me out and make me feel like I was choking. After looking at pictures of the cloth mask it most likely would not work for me for this reason either. I would appreciate any suggestions you could offer. Thank you.
Nadia

You might take a look at the Respironics Amara View full face mask.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-ama ... -pack.html

My face/cheeks are easy to get marks on also. Heck, I get a line from a wrinkle in the pillow case if I lay on it too long.
The side straps on this mask didn't seem to cause any problems with dents but if they had I would probably just add a strap cover from Padacheek.

It also doesn't need to be tight to get and keep the seal. I sleep primarily on my side...the Amara View did quite nicely in my experiment with it. It's the only full face mask I have really been able to sleep all night with and sleep comfortably.
I am mainly a nasal pillow mask user but I have the Amara View in my stash of supplies in case for some reason I can't use my nasal pillow mask.

If you can tell us the exact model of your machine we can point you to the manual that will explain how to get to the menu where all your settings are if you want to go there.

Pugsy,
Thank you for your response. The Amara view is one of the masks that caught my attention when I was looking at masks. I am concerned though that since there is a separate opening for the mouth and nose as opposed to just one large opening that it might make me feel more claustrophobic but maybe it would be ok. Your post reminded me that there is a readout on my machine and it says the pressure is at 8.0 I wish there was a store one could go to where you could just try on the different masks to see which one feels best.

The separation between the nasal portion and the mouth portion is very small and the silicone is so soft you really can't feel it.

When ordering the one size instead of the fit pack here
https://www.cpap.com/customize.php?list ... &PAID=1903
If money permits cpap.com sells this mask with free return insurance. You have 30 days from the time they ship it to get it back to them if you hate it and you can get your money back. They even will email a prepaid shipping label.

The fit pact with the 3 sizes of cushions doesn't have the free insurance....but you can buy it for around $27.

Here are a couple of pictures I took of mine for someone wondering about the nasal opening.

Maybe this would help...............
viewtopic/t115799/Excess-masks-for-sale.html

i've tried quite a few maks thus far, and so far the two that work best for me are the airfit F20 and the amara view.

as far as full face masks go, those two feel the least obstructive and most comfortable to me. neither require a piece going up between your eyes, nor a piece resting on your forehead.

the amara view is really small, and it just sits over your mouth and sort of under your nose. after a few weeks of going back and forth with the amara view and the f20, i am finding the amara view just works the best for me.

i use the padacheek liner for both masks and they have helped a lot.

when i was first using the amara view, the top part of the mask was digging into the side of the bottom of my nose, but with the padacheek liner i find i do not have to have it so tight, and it still seals very well, and is comfortable to wear all night.

i tried one of the cloth masks, and while it was comfortable, i just could never get it to seal properly. i also did not like how the material felt on my upper lip, that did feel somewhat claustrophobic.

most full face masks gave me that feeling, except for the amara view and the F20.

the amara view in particular, feels the least constrictive of any full face mask i've tried.

Thank you so much for posting those large pictures. They are very helpful and you are right it doesn't look like it would be too bad. Fortunately my insurance will cover all my cpap supplies so I don't have to buy any outright. Crestifier glad to hear that you also speak favorable of the Amara view.

Another vote for the Amara View. I currently use the AirFit F10 with a Pad A Cheek cover, but I've test-flied the View and will get one to switch out when my insurance allows in about 2 months.

The nose cup on the View is meant to sit under your nose, not inside that little hole. When the air pressure inflates the mask seal, the silicone around the nose cup seals itself to your nose. Nothing goes over or into your nose. Yeah, it's still a mask on your face, but it's less than the F10 or similar.

Ed

Thanks for your response Ed. I think I will definitely give this one a try. Just waiting for the gal from the supply company to return my call.

Before you order, download the sizing guide for the Amara View mask. The size of the mask cushion you use id determined by how far your nose extends from your face. I use either a medium or small with regular full face masks, but take a large in the Amara View. I have been using this mask for around fifteen months, now.

Please check out the Mask Primer (see my Signature)
It will give you a good amount of information about masks in general.

I'm really tempted to buy this mask too, I have just been trying my Quattro FX mask to see how it compares with using my nasal mask. The leak rate has gone right down and I am feeling so much better, problem is that it is not too comfortable and pretty noisy when venting at higher pressures. This disturbs both me and my partner, especially when I sleep on my side and she gets a blast of cold air! I modified the mask last night to deflect the vented air upwards, this helped but I was still woken by the noise 3 times and had to restart the machine.

How does the Amara View perform with regard to noise and direction of venting?

I finally got a hold of the company that provides my cpap supplies. They have ordered an Amara View mask for me. Once I receive it and try it out for a week I will update how it worked for me. Hoping this mask will be the one for me.

NadiaK wrote:I finally got a hold of the company that provides my cpap supplies. They have ordered an Amara View mask for me. Once I receive it and try it out for a week I will update how it worked for me. Hoping this mask will be the one for me.

Excellent! Yes please let us know how you get on, I may well be getting one of these too.