Need recommendation on a mask

OK... I got my ResMed S9 machine which I really like but I'm having some problems finding the right mask and I'm looking for some suggestions. I tried the ResMed Mirage FX in the office but when I would lay on my side it would leak badly so I tried the Mirage Micro instead. I really like the adjustable forehead bridge and quck disconnect clips on the bottom straps but the construction of the hard plastic on the mask caused it to make heavy impressions on my nose that hurt all day. I tried a larger size Fisher Paykel Zest and the hard plastic of the mask pressed so hard on my cheekbones I couldn't wear that one at all. The medical supply place put me in a smaller Zest and perhaps I have some adjusting to do but that mask left a red mark on the bridge of the nose all day. so here's my question......

Is there another mask that has an adustable forehead bridge, quick disconects but has a differnt hard plastic design that perhaps will not press so hard on my nose or cheekbones? My main concern is comfort and getting a good seal to prevent air leaks when I sleep on my side. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently switched from those style masks to the Mirage Liberty hybrid mask. It isn't as easy to put on, but it is so much more comfortable for me than the others.

A lot depends on brand and style of mask; even more depends on your face.
All faces are different--unless you have an identical twin (or clone ).
Fortunately different brands fit differently, and you may just have to try several masks until you find your best fit.
Mask liners help a lot of people. See Pad-a-cheek or remzzz's, for example.
Good luck.; and welcome to our happy, friendly band of rebels.

Do you have to have a nasal mask. Have you tried nasal pillows? No forehead thingee needed. I use a resmed swift fx (for her). I think the only real difference between for her and for him is the collar strap collars provided. I get claustophobic with a ffm or nasal so pillows are excellent. Very light weight, hardly know they are there. They don't have to be tightened so much as nasal and ffm's do either. If you are using a nasal mask then mouth opening isn't a problem.

moondoggy wrote:OK... I got my ResMed S9 machine which I really like but I'm having some problems finding the right mask and I'm looking for some suggestions. I tried the ResMed Mirage FX in the office but when I would lay on my side it would leak badly so I tried the Mirage Micro instead. I really like the adjustable forehead bridge and quck disconnect clips on the bottom straps but the construction of the hard plastic on the mask caused it to make heavy impressions on my nose that hurt all day. I tried a larger size Fisher Paykel Zest and the hard plastic of the mask pressed so hard on my cheekbones I couldn't wear that one at all. The medical supply place put me in a smaller Zest and perhaps I have some adjusting to do but that mask left a red mark on the bridge of the nose all day. so here's my question......

Is there another mask that has an adustable forehead bridge, quick disconects but has a differnt hard plastic design that perhaps will not press so hard on my nose or cheekbones? My main concern is comfort and getting a good seal to prevent air leaks when I sleep on my side. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

chunkyfrog wrote:Mask liners help a lot of people. See Pad-a-cheek or remzzz's, for example.

Have never heard of mask liners until today. Can you explain how they work and do you know where I can get them?

Kairosgrammy wrote:Do you have to have a nasal mask. Have you tried nasal pillows? No forehead thingee needed. I use a resmed swift fx (for her). I think the only real difference between for her and for him is the collar strap collars provided. I get claustophobic with a ffm or nasal so pillows are excellent. Very light weight, hardly know they are there. They don't have to be tightened so much as nasal and ffm's do either. If you are using a nasal mask then mouth opening isn't a problem.

At this point I've been told that my pressure is high enough that nasal pillows would not work well for me. I was put in to FFM's duing my sleep study and both leaked badly so I'm using a nasal mask with a chin strap. Perhaps I should try a FFM again before my eval period is over. I was hoping that there was some other nasal mask that people might recommend that might work better than the ones I have tried so far.

[quote="moondoggy] At this point I've been told that my pressure is high enough that nasal pillows would not work well for me. I was put in to FFM's duing my sleep study and both leaked badly so I'm using a nasal mask with a chin strap. Perhaps I should try a FFM again before my eval period is over. I was hoping that there was some other nasal mask that people might recommend that might work better than the ones I have tried so far.[/quote]

I use a Fisher-Paykel Oral 2 mask that fits into my mouth. Doesn't have any head strap ( but comes with an optional strap that goes around the back of my neck.) It's kind of like the mouth piece from a scuba air supply. Here's an image from CPAP.COM.



It does require the use of a humidifier and cannot be used with a chin strap. Not all folks like it but it was the only mask I can use because of extreme claustropobia that kept me from even trying any of the face masks.

moondoggy wrote:
At this point I've been told that my pressure is high enough that nasal pillows would not work well for me. I was put in to FFM's duing my sleep study and both leaked badly so I'm using a nasal mask with a chin strap. Perhaps I should try a FFM again before my eval period is over. I was hoping that there was some other nasal mask that people might recommend that might work better than the ones I have tried so far.

Can I ask what pressure you are at? I only ask because I am using the Nasal Pillows and am up to 11 pressure so far.. They are trying to get me up to 15. I only have 30 days to exchange so if it wont work for 15.. I wanted to find out now, before my 30 days is over lol.

wittymomma wrote:Can I ask what pressure you are at? I only ask because I am using the Nasal Pillows and am up to 11 pressure so far.. They are trying to get me up to 15. I only have 30 days to exchange so if it wont work for 15.. I wanted to find out now, before my 30 days is over lol.

There seems to be a misconception in the world of DME knowledge that nasal pillows can't be used with higher pressures. They most certainly can. They are rated up to 20 cm. Many forum members use the nasal pillows at pressures nearing 20. I myself have seen 18 cm with the nasal pillows and I have had zero issues with them at higher pressures. Using an APAP I saw it often and never even knew I hit 18 cm until I saw the report the next day. There is no reason to not use the nasal pillow type of mask if someone uses higher pressures. It might be a little harder to keep a seal at those pressures but a person would have the same problem, if not worse, with a full face or nasal mask simply because of the greater surface area that needs to seal.

There is no reason to give up your nasal mask if you end up needing 15 cm pressure. No reason at all.

Pugsy wrote:

wittymomma wrote:Can I ask what pressure you are at? I only ask because I am using the Nasal Pillows and am up to 11 pressure so far.. They are trying to get me up to 15. I only have 30 days to exchange so if it wont work for 15.. I wanted to find out now, before my 30 days is over lol.

There seems to be a misconception in the world of DME knowledge that nasal pillows can't be used with higher pressures. The most certainly can. They are rated up to 20 cm. Many forum members use the nasal pillows at pressures nearing 20. I myself have seen 18 cm with the nasal pillows and I have had zero issues with them at higher pressures. Using an APAP I saw it often and never even knew I hit 18 cm until I saw the report the next day. There is no reason to not use the nasal pillow type of mask if someone uses higher pressures. It might be a little harder to keep a seal at those pressures but a person would have the same problem, if not worse, with a full face or nasal mask simply because of the greater surface area that needs to seal.

There is no reason to give up your nasal mask if you end up needing 15 cm pressure. No reason at all.

Your awesome Pugsy! TY again! I am thinking of trying the Hybrid mask.. Doing my research on it now lol. (I also posted my last 2 logs on my "journal" lol I am not sure if something was wrong with my machine or not but my AHI reading is odd.. )

Pugsy wrote:There seems to be a misconception in the world of DME knowledge that nasal pillows can't be used with higher pressures.

There may also be some bias towards FFM at high pressures due to mouth leaks.

Archangel:

I read your last reply and noted that your mask is a ComfortGel Blue mask. Can you tell me how you like this mask? What do you know about the ResMed Mirage SoftGel model which is supposed be similar to the ComfortGel? Last night I think that I was able to get my Resmed Mirage Micro adjusted so it doesn't leave a red mark on the side of my nose but I'm wondering if either one of these would be more confortable?

moondoggy wrote:Archangel:

I read your last reply and noted that your mask is a ComfortGel Blue mask. Can you tell me how you like this mask? What do you know about the ResMed Mirage SoftGel model which is supposed be similar to the ComfortGel? Last night I think that I was able to get my Resmed Mirage Micro adjusted so it doesn't leave a red mark on the side of my nose but I'm wondering if either one of these would be more confortable?

My DME gave me a ComfortGel back in 2004. I didn't look at any other masks or know what to ask at the time. It's always worked well enough for me that I never spent much effort looking at others masks. It does work well while I'm wearing my glasses. I've "accidentally" acquired other masks over time, but no other nasal masks of the same type.

Older CG masks had a problem where the frame would break where the clips attach, but since Respironics redesigned this a few years ago, I've had no real problems. The cushions on the CG eventually get yucky, and I replace them after about a year of use.

The CG Blue cushions work well enough for me. They look like they'll be more durable than the CG cushions.

Everything but the headgear holds up well to washing in the dishwasher. Some masks have foam parts that probably shouldn't be cleaned that way.

I'm not particularly singing the praises of CG or CGB, but it works for me. I would not claim any advantage or disadvantage over similar masks from other manufacturers.

From the pictures I see, the Mirage looks like the clips and the cushion attachment are better. ResMed makes it harder to order their stuff online, especially at a discount.

By the way, what's the correct generic term for an "over the nose" nasal mask like the ComfortGel?