How can I try masks?

[SleepingUgly]

How do people get to try various masks to find the "right" one? My DME stocks 1 or 2 full face masks, and that's it. Every place that I have access to stocks 1 or 2, and one of them is always the Quattro, so that basically I have no avenue for trying much more than that in a full face mask. Also, even if I could read about one online that was of interest to me (and besides others' reviews, I wouldn't know how to know which would interest me), would a DME typically order one I choose that they don't normally stock and then just let me try it and possibly not take it? (Even if they would do that, because I've gotten a mask in the past 3 months, my insurance wouldn't cover it, so I'm not sure that my DME would order one for me to try.) I would like to try more on, so any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[LinkC]

Many of us just bit the bullet and bought a number to try. Probably not the answer you wanted to hear, but that seems to be about the only choice.

Several people have "donated" masks to be passed around among members here for trials. That's an option, but the types are limited and I think the waiting lists are long.

Cpapauction.com (one of the sponsors of this board) is another option to cut costs. I've bought a couple of "trial" masks there. And was able to sell them again. The price of a "used" mask is dramatically low compared with new.

[lusoman]

How do people get to try various masks to find the "right" one? My DME stocks 1 or 2 full face masks, and that's it. Every place that I have access to stocks 1 or 2, and one of them is always the Quattro, so that basically I have no avenue for trying much more than that in a full face mask. Also, even if I could read about one online that was of interest to me (and besides others' reviews, I wouldn't know how to know which would interest me), would a DME typically order one I choose that they don't normally stock and then just let me try it and possibly not take it? (Even if they would do that, because I've gotten a mask in the past 3 months, my insurance wouldn't cover it, so I'm not sure that my DME would order one for me to try.) I would like to try more on, so any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks!

cpap.com allows you to buy "mask insurance," which means that if you don't like the mask you can return it for a refund.

Details here: https://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-p ... rance.html

[Babette]

The original "Mask Roulette" thread is one way many of us found other masks to try. Some of the masks there are trades, some are for sale. You should also check that thread:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19546

I acquired several masks through that, in the early days. It took me 8 masks before I found one I could sleep with all night, every night. Since finding that mask, I have since started the Nasal Aire II Test Drive, to help people who want to try this mask before buying it. You can find out more info here:

viewtopic/t30639/The-Return-of-the-Grea ... Drive.html

and here: viewtopic/t35991/Mask-Test-Drives--Try- ... uy-it.html

and here: viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

Good luck!
Barbara