It looks like I may have to get a full face mask as I have mouth leaks and can't wear a head strap and sleep at the same time!
This is my first mask, so I don't know what I am getting myself in for. I didn't use a full face mask for my titration, so I'm not sure how I will fare with it. It seems like it would be a problem if I wake up at night and want a drink of water. Are there other problems I need to think about?
Full face mask pros and cons?
7 posts
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Re: Full face mask pros and cons?
Hi,
There are a whole bunch of issues that folks run into. About the best you can do is give it a try, and then solve them one by one. Eliminating the leaks is critical to your treatment, so it is worth the effort. Here are some items that I ran into:
- getting a good fit
- face not being totally symmetrical
- getting a good fit around the nose (I have a thin nose)
- having to get it too tight because of the high pressure I am at
- face marks
- leaks near the eyes
- air movement around the eyes due to the exhaust ports
- not having it get in the way when sleeping on my side
- the seal wearing out after a few weeks
Getting a drink of water wasn't an issue for me. Just hit the off button and pop the clips on the mask to remove it. After doing it a time or two, I could do it in the dark.
I tried a few full face masks, and eventually gave up on it. I simply couldn't get a leak free fit without making it so tight that it left red marks. I used a hybrid for a while until I discovered the Swift LT.
-john-
There are a whole bunch of issues that folks run into. About the best you can do is give it a try, and then solve them one by one. Eliminating the leaks is critical to your treatment, so it is worth the effort. Here are some items that I ran into:
- getting a good fit
- face not being totally symmetrical
- getting a good fit around the nose (I have a thin nose)
- having to get it too tight because of the high pressure I am at
- face marks
- leaks near the eyes
- air movement around the eyes due to the exhaust ports
- not having it get in the way when sleeping on my side
- the seal wearing out after a few weeks
Getting a drink of water wasn't an issue for me. Just hit the off button and pop the clips on the mask to remove it. After doing it a time or two, I could do it in the dark.
I tried a few full face masks, and eventually gave up on it. I simply couldn't get a leak free fit without making it so tight that it left red marks. I used a hybrid for a while until I discovered the Swift LT.
-john-
Re: Full face mask pros and cons?
Hi jshu43
I started off on a Swift Lt, but still leaked from my mouth no matter how much superglue I used, so for me it had to be FF.
The first FF mask I tried is possibly the most popular - the Mirage Quattro - and I have had no problems with it, using both the medium and large sizes. I also use the F & P FlexiFit 432, which works well when my beard is a 1 or a 2. I now use a folded handkerchief over my neck, where the velcro straps down, and this saves me some irritation.
The only FF that did not work for me was the Resmed S2, and that was a headgear problem, not the mask.
They are very easy to take off. I have cut off all the quick release pulls on mine, as I found the regular release was quicker. So no problems taking it off for a drink etc.
They are cheap enough on cpapauction, (I got mine from Maskman2), so you may be able to check out the most popular, and they may well all work for you. I will still explore new masks as money permits, seeing it as an ongoing part of my self-management.
From my reading of the posts one of the cons seems to be attitude. ie - I cannot stand having the mask on my face - I feel I am suffocating etc. These kind of self-talk cons can often be got rid of with a little effort. So if you can adopt the attitude that you can stand it, that it will not be a problem for just being what it is (a FF mask) , that you can quickly take it off if you need to, then it is likely you will be able to make the right FF mask work for you.
I don't worry about the occasional face marks and minor stuff like that, just a comfortable fit that I can sleep with, and minimise leaks.
Enjoy the process.
cheers
Mars
I started off on a Swift Lt, but still leaked from my mouth no matter how much superglue I used, so for me it had to be FF.
The first FF mask I tried is possibly the most popular - the Mirage Quattro - and I have had no problems with it, using both the medium and large sizes. I also use the F & P FlexiFit 432, which works well when my beard is a 1 or a 2. I now use a folded handkerchief over my neck, where the velcro straps down, and this saves me some irritation.
The only FF that did not work for me was the Resmed S2, and that was a headgear problem, not the mask.
They are very easy to take off. I have cut off all the quick release pulls on mine, as I found the regular release was quicker. So no problems taking it off for a drink etc.
They are cheap enough on cpapauction, (I got mine from Maskman2), so you may be able to check out the most popular, and they may well all work for you. I will still explore new masks as money permits, seeing it as an ongoing part of my self-management.
From my reading of the posts one of the cons seems to be attitude. ie - I cannot stand having the mask on my face - I feel I am suffocating etc. These kind of self-talk cons can often be got rid of with a little effort. So if you can adopt the attitude that you can stand it, that it will not be a problem for just being what it is (a FF mask) , that you can quickly take it off if you need to, then it is likely you will be able to make the right FF mask work for you.
I don't worry about the occasional face marks and minor stuff like that, just a comfortable fit that I can sleep with, and minimise leaks.
Enjoy the process.
cheers
Mars
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Re: Full face mask pros and cons?
jweeks wrote:Hi,
There are a whole bunch of issues that folks run into. About the best you can do is give it a try, and then solve them one by one. Eliminating the leaks is critical to your treatment, so it is worth the effort. Here are some items that I ran into:
- getting a good fit
- face not being totally symmetrical
- getting a good fit around the nose (I have a thin nose)
- having to get it too tight because of the high pressure I am at
- face marks
- leaks near the eyes
- air movement around the eyes due to the exhaust ports
- not having it get in the way when sleeping on my side
- the seal wearing out after a few weeks
Well, I just put on a full face mask for about 10 minutes, not enough to really know - but I didn't feel any leaks around the eyes, which was of course very important. I have a very tiny face, so it's hard to find something that will fit as well. I tried the Respironics Comfort Gel Small. The tech told me to get Band Aid brand for blisters on fingers and toes and put that on the bridge of my nose to help with the pressure. She said it would take about a week for my skin to toughen up and then I wouldn't have to wear it. Interesting.
I am concerned about sleeping on my side. I actually kind of sleep halfway on my side and halfway on my stomach, so this will be an interesting transition.
-john-
Re: Full face mask pros and cons?
Thanks Mars for the encouragement and advice. I did have a negative reaction to a full face mask, but it will be the easiest to use I think if I can adjust to it.mars wrote:Hi jshu43
I
They are very easy to take off. I have cut off all the quick release pulls on mine, as I found the regular release was quicker. So no problems taking it off for a drink etc.
From my reading of the posts one of the cons seems to be attitude. ie - I cannot stand having the mask on my face - I feel I am suffocating etc. These kind of self-talk cons can often be got rid of with a little effort. So if you can adopt the attitude that you can stand it, that it will not be a problem for just being what it is (a FF mask) , that you can quickly take it off if you need to, then it is likely you will be able to make the right FF mask work for you.
I don't worry about the occasional face marks and minor stuff like that, just a comfortable fit that I can sleep with, and minimize leaks.
Mars
Re: Full face mask pros and cons?
Never thought I could wear a full face, but I love my Quattro !! I started off with the Swift LT, worked really well, but I had to tape my mouth, and that wasn't alway's a gaurentee cause I had bad nasal congestion, and ripped the tape or mask off my face, when I started suffocating, so I try the hybrid, which worked really well too, but I had to wear pantyhose, or chinstrap across the pillows, so they wouldn't pop out. Both mask pillows made my nose sore daily, felt like I was punched in the nose, during the night.
Then I try the Quattro, best I've slept in weeks. The only disadvantage, I have found is, I can't watch tv, falling asleep, cause of the nose bridge, so I just listen to the tv. With the Quattro, I've achieved 0.0 leak rates consistently.
Think too many people underestimate the FF, I was one of them, but now I am happy, I gave the mask a chance. The Quattro is very comfortable, most times I forget I even have it on.
Try not to be discouraged by the FF, till you have tried the mask. Good luck, sleep well !
Then I try the Quattro, best I've slept in weeks. The only disadvantage, I have found is, I can't watch tv, falling asleep, cause of the nose bridge, so I just listen to the tv. With the Quattro, I've achieved 0.0 leak rates consistently.
Think too many people underestimate the FF, I was one of them, but now I am happy, I gave the mask a chance. The Quattro is very comfortable, most times I forget I even have it on.
Try not to be discouraged by the FF, till you have tried the mask. Good luck, sleep well !
Re: Full face mask pros and cons?
SUPERGLUE???? Yikes!mars wrote:I started off on a Swift Lt, but still leaked from my mouth no matter how much superglue I used
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The OSA patient died quietly in his sleep.
Unlike his passengers who died screaming as the car went over the cliff...
Unlike his passengers who died screaming as the car went over the cliff...
7 posts
• Page 1 of 1