Hello Res med Air fit/ Air touch 20

On the 8th mask now. This one has memory foam around the nose instead of silicone and is suppose to work better with leaks. That of course remains to be seen. Only problem is memory foam nose has to be replaced every month. IF I keep this mask--ins. will pay for new nose once a month. Comes with 2 nose pieces to start. Report tomorrow.

I'm pretty sure someone mentioned this to you before... but, it sometimes takes a few weeks to tweak and get used to a mask. You can't really tell in one night. Even people who have used a machine for years have to get used to using a brand new mask, especially if they used their present one for a few years. It takes time to adjust it (adjust to it) and get it right, and sometimes you just have to persevere. Has anyone mentioned mask liners to you? They really help. You might want to contact Karen at PadaCheek. She is a member here and has helped lots of us.

TY Lucy--yes have been though trials and error. New mask may take awhile so I'll wait before reporting.

Medicare will pay for one replacement cushion per month. I think you said you had Medicare and a supplement. So you should be in good shape in that regard.
I believe the HCPCS code is A7028
I have seen the AirTouch 20 and felt it but only briefly as it was going to someone else and I didn't want to use it.
Feels interesting and IMHO a bit nicer against the skin than the silicone.

All masks come with a big YMMV sticker. We all have different preferences and needs and facial structure.
One man's treasure is just as easily another man's trash when it comes to masks. There are people just loving a mask that I wouldn't even put on my face.

Here's the Medicare replacement schedule for cpap stuff.

TY Pugsy--appreciate it. My question is why did the res. person suggest this mask if they knew it was no good at a high pressure?

All therapists are not created equal.

AMESS wrote:My question is why did the res. person suggest this mask if they knew it was no good at a high pressure?

You would have to ask that person that question. I have no way of knowing what was going on in their mind.

I will tell you this though. I take what DME supplier personnel tell people with a grain of salt. I don't put much stock in it because often they really don't understand these masks.

They tend to "push" the mask that they think "most" people like and that really doesn't help anyone because mask needs, preferences and success or not is high individualized among users.
Just because a mask is known to leak for some people (even a lot of people) doesn't mean that there's no one out there that can use it without leaks.
I have used the Amara View..and at pressures substantially higher than yours...and it didn't leak enough to be a problem at all.
There are people using pressures over 20 cm using the Amara View quite successfully...it doesn't leak for everyone...it does leak for some people though but you know what...all masks fall in to that category.

Is the Amara View a crap mask because you can't use it successfully....of course not.
It isn't a perfect mask either for everyone just because I can use it successfully.

The best mask is the one that works best for you...not me or anyone else.
Just because I might love something doesn't mean that you will...and conversely just because you might love something doesn't mean that I will. A couple of the nasal pillow masks you tried and hated...I love and still use.
What someone else thinks of a mask really has no meaning because everyone is different.

Sometimes to have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince. It's the same with masks.

Amazon has a slae on wart remover, by the case! Jim

Goofproof wrote:Amazon has a slae on wart remover, by the case! Jim

Jim, I resemble that remark!

Lucyhere wrote:I'm pretty sure someone mentioned this to you before... but, it sometimes takes a few weeks to tweak and get used to a mask. You can't really tell in one night. Even people who have used a machine for years have to get used to using a brand new mask, especially if they used their present one for a few years. It takes time to adjust it (adjust to it) and get it right, and sometimes you just have to persevere. Has anyone mentioned mask liners to you? They really help. You might want to contact Karen at PadaCheek. She is a member here and has helped lots of us.

My mask took me 6 weeks to master.

Why did I try so long? Well, it was the same model as the mask used at the sleep study, and I slept 5 hours straight without a single leak. I knew the mask was the perfect mask...when fitted by an expert. So, I knew it was just a matter of getting it right. Part of that was requesting smaller headgear which was the major improvement.

Most nights, I can out it on once, and it is fine for at least 3-4 hours. Sometimes, I need a second try. Every now and then, I have a night where I have to reset it several times before I get it right. But I know this before I lay down. I set it, turn it on, and know within seconds if it is right or not. Sometimes, later in the night, I will have leaks, and that usually due to drooling that causes the mask to move around a little. If it doesn't clear up with a kleenex fix, then I will get up and redo the mask. If I start having issues more frequently, then it is time to use a new cushion.

Unless the mask is hurting, or you really can't stop big leaks, I would give a mask a few weeks before giving up. You could have the perfect mask and not know it because it just wasn't in the sweet spot yet.

Hi Amess,

CPAP.Com has your mask o. Their website. There you can find a fitting video. It might provide some tips to help you get it just right.

Also, what size is your headgear? I have found the smalller headgear fits me better. But the DME may not think to offer it.

The straps along the bottom are 1 1/2" longer on the regular size headgear and about an inch for the top strap. CPAP. com has the measurement for both sizes.

A homemade mask liner could also help. Just cut out a shape an inch bigger than your mask and cut a hole for breathing (maybe an inch diameter). Any old tee shirt will do. It's surprising how this can help.

I did pretty good last night. Slept with Air fit 20 on for just 4 hrs and--NO leaks. Cant believe that one. AHI 1.9. Got restless and hot and could not get back to sleep. Bulky mask and hard to get used to. Got 81 on res med score for just 4 hrs. Think I will do good with this mask. Just need to get comfy.

Did not enjoy getting trapsing around changing masks. They all had problems. Either pinching skin--leaking excessively, or falling off the nose. Should have had full face mask from the beginning. Unfortunately, they did not stress this.

Air fit- size small. Its bulky but fits. Have been used to nasal pillows.Big difference in full face. . Thanx for all the comments to help.