Question regarding DME's

I began treatment about 2 months ago. The first month I used nasal pillows, but my doctor wanted me to try a full face mask to see if we got better results. My DME only had three to offer me. I immediately ruled out the first two due to immediate discomfort and ended up with the Mirage Quatro. I love using a full face mask. I definately sleep better. My problem is, my nose feels like it's broken it hurts so badly and the bridge is swolen and red. Very attractive. Before I go back to my DME, I wanted to understand exactly what it is they are supposed to be doing for me. For exampe, how are they supposed to "fit" you? She didn't take any measurements or anything....she just handed me a mask and asked if it was comfy. Also, should they be offering me more of a selection????? Is it normal they only carry one line?? I find it hard to believe I only have three choices for a face mask! If they're unable/unwilling to offer me more choices, what are my options? Will she give me my prescription back so I can go elsewhere or do I need to go back to my doctor? And when you buy online, is it hit or miss??

I really want to make this work so I can begin to feel better and start driving again, but it's not easy. Any advice?

Did you get the DVD on how to adjust the mask for best fit? The knob is intended to just lift the mask off the bridge of your nose and still not leak into your eyes. My forehead sticks out too much and there is not enough adjustment, so I have to use a piece of moleskin approx 2 x 3 cm with the edges chamfered (cut off at 45 degree angle) on the 3 cm side and stuck to my nose at the bridge. This completely eliminates the hurt place on my nose and has become an essential ingredient for my mask. Cleaning the mask sealing surface nightly with a wash rag, cleaning your face well where the mask touches your face, and shaving each nightly for men is essential to getting a really good seal on any full face mask. The Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask is also a good choice, but there are 6 sizes and you may have to get ResMed to send you the set of fitting templates for that mask. You want a full face mask to be the smallest size that will fit your face. Look on MyResMed.com and they have a template you can print on card stock and cut out to see if the DME fitted you with the correct mask size. ResMed seems to make the best full face masks. IMHO.

Cpap.com sells mask insurance and you can look at the price of the insurance and see which masks people have less trouble with. But it is a hassle to have to exchange anything through the delivery services. I have ordered most of my masks through cpap.com and they are a great outfit in addition to providing us this wonderful forum.

I suppose many DME's actually stock a limited selection of masks in each style. However, I found they can and are willing to order a specific mask for your trial, just not a lot of different ones.

So, how do you decide which mask to try without having placed it up to your face? My recommendation is to first determine why the Quattro's bridge isn't working for you. A couple ideas might be to make sure the cushion is full seated into the shell. The clips must be fully engaged and snapped into place and the bottom tab into the slot. I found the bottom tab can be difficult but it does seat with effort.

Another idea is try what "ww" said about adjustment and make shift bridge cushion. Even if you don't like the notion of having to pad the bridge, it will help identify the underlying cause. If that still doesn't work, try adding a spacer under the forehead pads. Between the adjustment knob and spacers, you can figure out what's going on.

Then let us know what you find and I'm sure some suggestions will follow. It seems that everybody's facial structure requires just the right mask to be comfortable while not leaking. That's why mask selection is the most cursed element of this dance.

mjg wrote:I began treatment about 2 months ago. The first month I used nasal pillows, but my doctor wanted me to try a full face mask to see if we got better results. My DME only had three to offer me. I immediately ruled out the first two due to immediate discomfort and ended up with the Mirage Quatro. I love using a full face mask. I definately sleep better. My problem is, my nose feels like it's broken it hurts so badly and the bridge is swolen and red. Very attractive. Before I go back to my DME, I wanted to understand exactly what it is they are supposed to be doing for me. For exampe, how are they supposed to "fit" you? She didn't take any measurements or anything....she just handed me a mask and asked if it was comfy. Also, should they be offering me more of a selection????? Is it normal they only carry one line?? I find it hard to believe I only have three choices for a face mask! If they're unable/unwilling to offer me more choices, what are my options? Will she give me my prescription back so I can go elsewhere or do I need to go back to my doctor? And when you buy online, is it hit or miss??

I really want to make this work so I can begin to feel better and start driving again, but it's not easy. Any advice?

I've never purchased anything from a local DME. With the exception of a few items from forum members, everything else I've purchased from CPAP.COM.

For full face mask sizing, if you go to this link and use #5, you should be able to pick the size.

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-mask-sizing.php

The only exception is that when I measured for my Ultra Mirage Full Face, my measurements fell halfway between the Medium and Large. I picked the Large (Standard) and was glad I did. I also wear a Large in the Quattro.

You should NEVER have any pain, swelling or redness with either of those two masks (or any mask for that matter).....if you get the right size and adjust it properly. If it's the right size and still hurting, then it's too tight. The masks' flaps (seals) have to inflate from the inside with air to fit the face.

Loosen it up for a better fit and seal.

Den