Switch from Full Face to Nasal--Mask Suggestion?

I've had very bad luck trying to find a full face mask to fit. I have just quit using the CPAP because of that. Last night I noticed a few times when I woke up and was breathing just through my nose with my mouth closed. I am beginning to wonder if I shouldn't give a nasal mask a try.

I move around a whole lot while sleeping but sleep mainly on my side. I would like to hear suggestions and comments on various nasal masks that I might try.

I use a Nasal Pillow Fisher Paykel Pilarno and I really like it. I am a mouth breather with bad sinus issues but for some reason when I wear this mask I am able to breathe through my nose. I have used this since I started with my Bipap June 5 2013. Good Luck

Mask preferences are highly individual...no matter if they be full face, nasal, or nasal pillow.
What works for one person doesn't always work so great for the next person.
There are minor pros and cons with any mask out there and my pros might be someone else's cons.

Which type of mask interests you more....the over the nose nasal mask or the nasal pillow mask?
Where was the main trouble spot that you had with the full face mask you tried? If it was at the bridge of the nose area then you might want to look at masks that don't put anything up over the bridge of the nose.

In the nasal pillow type of masks...some top contenders...the Swift FX, the Aloha, the Pilairo, the Swift LT, the Opus 360 and heck, up and coming the Tap Pap which is what I am using now.

In the over the nose type of mask...The Wisp, the Eson, are newer and becoming popular with a lot of people.

Decide which type you want to try..then check out which looks interesting to you and then decide what to try.
There are lovers and haters for every mask out there. We have no idea how you will be with it...we can only offer how we feel about it.

if you want a nasal mask, i suggest you try the Wisp. Its a really nice mask, comfortable, great design, doesn't obstruct vision, etc. i did have problems with leaks when sleeping on my sides, but not terrible leaks. my AHI's were still under 5. i still use it occasionally and rotate that with my swift fx for her pillow mask.

Everyone will recommend something that works for them that may or may not work for you. Your best bet will be to go to a DME and look at and try on various masks.

I fully understand that what works for one person may not work for me but it is helpful to have suggestions and check them out. The biggest problem I had with the FFM was leaking around the mouth area.

As far as a DME, I am completely fed up with them. The first DME I worked with only supplies a limited selection of masks...and they push the ones that have the most profit for them...now what is best for the patient. The second DME said they would order a Quattro mask for me in June...and it still isn't here. Last Thursday they said they would get back with me before the end of the day...that did not happen. I don't know how many DMEs are in the northwest Metro Atlanta area, but the two I have dealt with are very lacking.

I plan to try various masks that I purchase online until I find one that works. I see that some of the online retailers have insurance that you can purchase to make the process a little easier. I have very limited time that I can take away from my job and don't want to waste it fooling around with DMEs that are not knowledgeable.

I have one nasal mask that works great for me in all facets: AHI, comfort, and leak rate. Unfortunately, all the masks that I have worn give me Stage I pressure ulcers on the bottom of my nose.

Therefore, I switch masks about every three or for nights so the aren't bothering the same part of my nose.

Furthermore, because CPAP.com has a 15% of sale of everything (at least they did last week) I purchased a nasal pillow mask that started under $100 and I got 15% off that price. I may end up loving it, who knows.

Anyway, you are asking a question that every single one of us is looking for: What is the perfect mask? Unfortunately, you will just have to try a few out until you find the one you like.

As previous posters stated, no mask fits everyone the same. Some have thin faces, some have rounder faces, some have high cheek bones, some have low....I think you get the point.

I would like to answer part of your message though. I really, really got tired of wearing the full face masks and a poster here suggested I try a hybrid type mask. I used this type mask until I was used to it and the felt it was time to change to the nasal pillows. I'm real glad I did as these are my number one, go to, type mask now. I can wear glasses and read for a few minutes to get tired. The nasal pillows are my favorite!

Best of Luck!

TheWino

I have tried a lot of different masks over the last few weeks, since I have just gotten started on CPAP. FWIW, the one I like best is the Mirage FX. Like you, I sleep on my side and move around a lot.

richart wrote:I've had very bad luck trying to find a full face mask to fit. I have just quit using the CPAP because of that. Last night I noticed a few times when I woke up and was breathing just through my nose with my mouth closed. I am beginning to wonder if I shouldn't give a nasal mask a try.

I move around a whole lot while sleeping but sleep mainly on my side. I would like to hear suggestions and comments on various nasal masks that I might try.

Hi Richart,

I am in the same position and am seriously considering looking at nasal masks. One strategy you might try although it is time consuming is to look at the ones that get the best ratings on cpap.com. If one seems like a possibility, go through the motions of ordering it even if you don't intend to to see what how much the return insurance fee is. The higher the fee, the more likely the mask is being returned quite a bit. Obviously, that isn't the whole story but at least it is a start.

Best of luck.

49er

richart wrote:I fully understand that what works for one person may not work for me but it is helpful to have suggestions and check them out. The biggest problem I had with the FFM was leaking around the mouth area.

As far as a DME, I am completely fed up with them. The first DME I worked with only supplies a limited selection of masks...and they push the ones that have the most profit for them...now what is best for the patient. The second DME said they would order a Quattro mask for me in June...and it still isn't here. Last Thursday they said they would get back with me before the end of the day...that did not happen. I don't know how many DMEs are in the northwest Metro Atlanta area, but the two I have dealt with are very lacking.

I plan to try various masks that I purchase online until I find one that works. I see that some of the online retailers have insurance that you can purchase to make the process a little easier. I have very limited time that I can take away from my job and don't want to waste it fooling around with DMEs that are not knowledgeable.

If your DME cant get you a regular old Quattro, then I don't know what in the world they would be selling. The Quattro is pretty much the gold standard FFM and is very easily adjustable to fit a wide variety of faces. It's bulky and ugly, but very comfortable and relatively good with leaks. The New Quattro Air FFM is lighter, easier to clean, and many on here have had good results. The Quattro FX is a smaller FFM, has no forehead support, and is very comfortable, but some have issues with it riding up with movement at night and losing a seal. You should also look at Hans Rudolph V2 which is a hospital grade, all silicone mask, has no forehead bar, and I have found, once broken in, is excellent with leaks, very easy to clean, and very long lasting. It has a chin cup which helps keep the mouth closed. As does the Fisher Paykel Forma which some have reported good, comfortable results with.

With patience, you should be able to adjust and fit most any properly sized FFM without leaks. It just takes patience and letting a mask (and your face?) first break-in. And you really should attempt to do so -- because there will come nights where you will not be able to use a nasal mask. So get a good FFM and either use it as a daily driver as your MD recommended, or keep it in the drawer for nights you must use it. Don't give up.

Re a nasal mask I have used the Resmed Activa -- very comfortable and flexible and almost silent. I have also used the Ultra Mirage II which is likewise very comfortable but a bit less quiet. It is also cheaper too. I have also occasionally used the Swift FX when traveling but they have a tendency to hurt my nose/nares. I don't recommend the ResMed Mirage SoftGel. There is a bizarre design defect with that cushion that leaves the lower edge open -- causing air leaks, unless tightened severely. An amazing omission from such a company.

Basic recommendation -- keep trying masks. Use them for at least two weeks so they can break in -- then return them. Then make your ultimate big decisions on which nasal and/or FFMs to go with.

I ordered a Respironics ComfortGel Original nasal mask and received it last Friday. Wow, I can use a nasal mask after all. My mouth doesn't have trouble staying closed when I can breathe through my nose. This opens up a world of new possibilities... but the BAD news so far is that I have not been able to fall asleep with the nasal mask on...or with the Quattro full face mask. Seems like the noise of the vent holes and the sound of the air from breathing is keeping me awake. I try for a couple of hours then have to take the mask off so I can go to sleep. Very discouraging. Seems like Mr. CPAP and I are having a lot of trouble getting to know one another...

OK, now we help you with the noise:
Sometimes the white noise of a fan will help.
Putting the machine on a bit of shelf liner (careful not to block vents) will quiet it down some.
If the vented air hits bedding, that can be noisy--punch down that duvet.
Others will have more suggestions. Keep trying; it gets easier.
A few times, I just listened to the sound, imagining what it would be, were I on a starship.

+1 for LSAT's suggestion

LSAT wrote:Everyone will recommend something that works for them that may or may not work for you. Your best bet will be to go to a DME and look at and try on various masks.