Custom masks for narrow face

[mitchellbaum@me.com]

My sister has apnea, and has had very little sleep for years. She has tried numerous masks but they leak excessively because of her narrow face and nose. The sleep tech tightened the mask to stop the
leaks, but then the strap gave her bad headaches and pain on the bridge of her nose.
Does someone make custom masks molded to individual faces, or are there masks aimed at narrow faces?
If she could find a mask that fit I think it would change her life.
Cpap works well for me.

Thanks for any help.

Mitchell

[Dog Slobber]

Have your sister try a Nasal Pillow or Nasal Cushion, like the ResMed P10/P30i/N30i, they are not as sensitive to narrow faces and don't contact the bridge of the nose.

I'm not aware of any masks specifically modeled for to fit ones face, but I'm guessing it would be cost prohibitive.

[Okie bipap]

What kind of mask does she use? It sounds like she is trying to use a full face mask or possibly a nasal mask if they are pulling it down tight and causing discomfort on the nose. If she can use a nasal mask, take a look at the Bleep. This mask uses adhesive pads. When I first started treatment, I had a hard time finding a mask that would seal comfortably across the bridge of my nose. I ended up using small cushion which sat a little lower on my nose and I kept it in place by placing two pieces of surgical tape from the mask from to under my chin. I did this for several months until I tried the Amara View mask which sits under the nose. I ended up using that mask for about a year before I found the mask I am currently using. The Dream Wear full face mask and ResMed F30i mask also fit under the nose and go over the nose.

[ChicagoGranny]

because of her narrow face and nose

That sounds like she is using a full face mask (FFM). FFMs cover the nose and mouth. Nasal interfaces cover only the nose. Please confirm which type of mask and the model name.

We can recommend masks that might suit her better. We can also provide advice on fitting and adjusting. Just give us information on what she is using now.

[mitchellbaum@me.com]

Thanks everyone for your replies!
My sister needs a full face mask (like I do).
I’m getting the info on which masks she has tried from her but maybe not until tomorrow.
I will post it as soon as I have it.

What a great group this is! Thanks again.

Mitchell

[Wulfman...]

My sister has apnea, and has had very little sleep for years. She has tried numerous masks but they leak excessively because of her narrow face and nose. The sleep tech tightened the mask to stop the
leaks, but then the strap gave her bad headaches and pain on the bridge of her nose.
Does someone make custom masks molded to individual faces, or are there masks aimed at narrow faces?
If she could find a mask that fit I think it would change her life.
Cpap works well for me.

Thanks for any help.

Mitchell

You could try reading some of the past questions. Some makers did exist at various times, but I don't know if they still do.

search.php?keywords=%22custom+masks%22


Den

.

[ChicagoGranny]

I’m getting the info on which masks she has tried from her but maybe not until tomorrow.

More replies will come after this. In the meantime, she could find her model of mask on youtube and watch three or four videos on fitting and adjusting. Some of the videos are excellent.

You sound like a loving brother.

[mitchellbaum@me.com]

I’m a loving brother. !:^)
I’ll have more info tomorrow.

[ChicagoGranny]

So noted. My skimming had seen you as Michelle Tree.

[mitchellbaum@me.com]

You know the German.

[chunkyfrog]

Die elderfrau surprises us all.

[ChicagoGranny]

elderfrau

Oma is easier.

[Janknitz]

The sleep tech tightened the mask to stop the
leaks, but then the strap gave her bad headaches and pain on the bridge of her nose.

The sleep tech doesn't understand how air cushions work on a mask. They must be fully inflated to seal. If the cushion is smashed against the face so it can't fully inflate, it leaks MORE (and causes pressure sores on the nose!). See my fitting tips in Taming the Mirage Quattro.

The other thing to be aware of is that if her pressure increases during the night, the mask should be fit at her MAXIMUM pressure, not the ramp pressure or starting pressure. That way it won't blow out when the pressure increases.

I have a very narrow face too, but there are many different full face masks to try. She should keep looking if she can't get it adjusted correctly.

People with apnea mouth-breathe due to air hunger. Once the apnea is adequately treated so oxygen levels are in a good range, a lot of us CAN use nasal pillows. I was surprised to find out I don't mouth breathe when I'm not starved for oxygen! I find it much easier to use nasal pillows because the surface area for sealing is so much smaller and easier to manage on a nasal pillow vs. a FF mask.

[mitchellbaum@me.com]

Thanks for all the replies!

It turns out that among others she used a Res Med Air Fit 10 which hurt her nose.
Then a Respironics Amara View which didn't hurt her nose, but the straps adjusted by the tech were so tight it gave her bad headaches.
She had been trying for a long time and at this point gave up.
I've suggested and she's going to try loosening the straps.
I've seen some user reviews of the Amara View that say the straps don't need to be very tight.

I myself use an Air Fit F20. It works well, but i wonder if I'd find an Amara View more comfortable?

Thanks again,

Mitchell

[Pugsy]

Has she tried any of the ResMed masks that use the memory foam cushion? They are called AirTouch

https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apne ... touch-f20/

and now there is even a nasal version

https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apne ... touch-n20/

Consider adding strap pads to help with any discomfort the straps might be causing
https://www.padacheek.com/

These masks don't have to be extremely tight though and in fact too tight doesn't allow them to work optimally but sometimes the straps can cause headaches just because of the area where they lay and they aren't too tight. I had this problem with full face masks myself because the lower strap rested on the area at the top of my cervical spine that has some arthritis in it. I didn't really need to use a FFM so I didn't investigate if adding strap pads eliminated the headaches or not but it might be worth trying. If someone were handy it would be easy to make their own strap pads out of some old fleece or something.