Fisher & Paykel Forma FF Mask?

Has anyone used the Fisher & Paykel Forma FF Mask? I'm really curious about the "under-chin" design and the "FlexiFoam" cushion . I really think I'd do better with a FF mask, but the Quattro hurts the bridge of my nose and I can't control the leaks.

I don't have the F & P Forma but I have the F & P Flexfit 431. It does have the under the chin setup though.

I really like the under the chin setup. It does not go very far under the chin but just a bit. This under the chin feels just righ to me.

With the 431, my nose bridge is a little red in the morning but I have no soreness. I have tried the Quattro and find the F & P that I have a lot lighter.

I don't know how much difference there is between the Flexfit 431 and the Forma. They look quite similar and, if they are as similar in design as they appear to be, my comments would apply to the Forma as well.

I had the Quattro, which I loved...just got the CPAP PRO no mask...FANTASTIC! VERY unrestrictive.
http://www.nomask.com/

I tried the ff forma mask for two nites. I did not keep it due to it needing to be so tight in order not to leak around my nose and eyes. This in turn caused it tho feel as if it were to tight ion my nose pinching it. This mask also has a very strong plastic type smell to it . I guess its the foam under the seal causing the smell. The smell also gave me a dizzy feeling with in minutes of putting it on. The design idea is good i think but they need to use some kind of other materials than the foam.

I ended up takeing it back the my dme only to trade it in for the ultra mirage ff that i asked for two days earlier and was told by the dme lady they didn't have any at the time they asked me to try the forma ff mask. I think they had it but wanted me to try the forma mask.

Hi,

First off, I'm no expert or have any connection to the medical profession or any OEM for XPAP equipment or supplies.

That said, here is my 2 cents worth.

Masks are always a personal preference and everyones experiences and expectations are unique.

Haven't tried the Forma but have used both the Fisher & Paykel full face mask FlexiFit 431 and FlexiFit 432 (along with various RedMed full face masks). I have settled on the Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit 432. I love it (as much as one can for a hosehead). After a couple of nights I had it adjusted very well with little or no leaks (laying on left, back or right sides.). I routinely have no red marks or sore areas on my nose, fore head or face. For me, I was between a medium and a large cushion on a 431 so, I went with a 432 in large. I've used it every night for over month--no regrets (yet).

(My stats: Auto Bi-level 20 cm H2O max/10 cm H2O min, 90% reading hovering around 13.5 cm H2O/10.0 cm H2O, AHI 0.7, leak rate around 36 lph)

As I understand it (remember I haven't actually tried the Forma) the physical part that touches your face on the Forma and FlexiFit 432 fix similarly and run about 0.5 to 1 size smaller then the equivalent cushion size on the 431 (at least in "on face feel".) The foam inserts are different between the Forma and 432 and both of the "rubbery cushions" appear to be what causes the different and tighter feel-as reported by many (in the 432 and Forma). My experience is that the 432 is a stiffer feal then the 431. As the silicone cushions themselves are the same for all three models (just a guess, on my part, for the Forma.) There are also some subtle differences in the plastic shell of all three masks. The FlexiFit 432 and Forma only come with one size silicone cushion and corresponding foam cushion in the box--so sizing yourself with the 431 makes alot of sense to me. The 432 can even be ordered in "Extra Large"--I think to accommodate the "Large size" cushion 431 users. The "big" difference between the 431, 432 and the Forma is a "T" shaped bridge for the temple on the Forma where as the 432 (and 431) has a single center contact bridge. At this point, users on CPAP.com report mixed reviews on the Forma (typically as compared to the 431 or 432.) The 432 is a little less expensive then the Forma. Check out the pricing and feedback on https://www.cpap.com about the different masks.

I would suggest that you consider starting out with the 431 as comes with three different sizes (small, medium and large) of silicone cushions in the box (make sure you get all three--as some "people" strip out the "extra" sizes to sell to others ). The 431 and 432 both have pretty good customer feedback (again see CPAP.com). Try the different sizes and then decide if an in-between size that is likely going to feel a little firmer then the 431 is what you are looking for. If so, consider the 432 or Forma.

So, I suggest that you try a 431 and work several nights with the various size cushions.

This is worth noting: Some people complain that the silicone cushion can separate from the plastic mask under "high" pressure (mostly reported on 431 and 432 models.) I have personally experienced this only twice (granted mask/cushion is only a few month old) and that is when I cleaned the mask mating surfaces with a well known citrus wipe. The wipes work ok and I continue to use them without problem but I am very careful to stay away from the part of the cushion that fits into the mask and the mask grove where the silicone cushion is inserted. Clean those surfaces only with warm "pure soap" soapy water and rinse. Both failures were when I cleaned those indicated surfaces with the wipes. Cleaned the mask with soapy water, in the middle of the night, towel dried and--no more separation! So, take that to mean I only use the wipes to "quick clean" where my face touches the silicone cushion and forehead pad. When I "really" clean the mask I wash it all in warm soapy water, rinse and let them dry all day. Never had a problem with cushion release using those procedures (and I can briefly get up to 18 cm H2O--results at prolonged high pressure may be different.)

Hope you sleep well --AND DREAM!

I have the FP FORMA FFM and had to take some time off due to serious nose bridge sore. I found that there was no way to adjust straps to loosen that section of mask around the nose bridge. Was thanking of putting padding under the forehead section to raise nose bridge section off face, but have not tried it yet, and it probably would leak anyway. Macks silicone on nose bridge section of mask only cause an increase in nose sore.

Also found that putting that macks silicone on the chin section that there were no leaks at all.

Mask smells very bad.

I've been using the Quattro again for the last two nights, trying to wrestle it into submission.... grrrrrr. I think I will take builta's advice and try the 431 first, since it comes with the different size cushions. Thanks for all the input and good wishes!

fitchypoo wrote:Has anyone used the Fisher & Paykel Forma FF Mask? I'm really curious about the "under-chin" design and the "FlexiFoam" cushion . I really think I'd do better with a FF mask, but the Quattro hurts the bridge of my nose and I can't control the leaks.

I have the fisher & paykel forma FF mask. I had the Respironics full face comfort mask. The respironics one really pinched my nose and pressed my jaw back which made it so sore. Mind you i did try different ways to make more comfortable before looking for another mask. The leaks around the mouth were an issue too. To solve most issues i just slept on my back.

Now, the fisher paykel forma mask is excellent for me. I virtually feel nothing. No pinching of my bridge(nose). Also the leaks stopped. In addition, the over the chin line feature is really great. i can yawn or cough without readjusting my mask. It's a great mask, but the drawbacks i see are some of the plastic design of the parts like the elbow and plastic tether.

overall a great mask.

I had trouble with bridge of nose soreness untill I got a bigger size cushion for my Forma. Now it works great. Fitting takes a while with help and trying to do it yourself takes even longer.

Sleep on my stomach and use the Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit 432. When my head is towards the left, I actually have my hand on the plastic hose joint on the mask out of habit now. When towards the right, I don't but my hand is close to the mask. I can't sleep on my back and can on my side only for a very short period of time.

I really have no leaks at all but end up with a square patch on my forehead in the morning, kind of a Teal'c look. I should paint it gold some time just for kicks.

I liked the F&P 432 better than the Forma. Originally I started with a ComfortFull which is what I used in my original sleep study.