New Philips Respironics' Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask

[ChicagoGranny]

I like it a lot so far although it still does irritate my nose columella slightly, but not near as bad as the nasal pillows.

Are you familiar with Lansinoh Lanolin? - http://www.target.com/p/lansinoh-hpa-la ... AlmP8P8HAQ

Some of us use it to treat and prevent irritation of the nares caused by nasal pillows rubbing.

If you do try it, don't overuse it because over the long run if too much would get in your lungs you could get lipoid pneumonia.

[squid13]

I tried the mask last night and had to give up and go back to my trusted Forma because it leaked to much around the nose. When you find your full face mask it's one that fits your face and is comfortable for you, I think this mask is going to come down to your nose. In a full face mask we all have different faces, that's why one mask works for one person and will not work for someone else. In this mask it's the nose cause we all have different sizes and shapes so one nose may work perfectly where another may not. I had no problem with the mouth part but I guess I'm in the category of the wrong size or shape nose.

[Steve F]

Haven't tried the lanolin. Will pick some up if the irritation becomes more annoying. On the nose seal, there are three different sizes of mask. Using the template I barely touched the medium line so I went with that one. For me the seal is good around the nose. If I get a leak it is on the bottom below my mouth. But everyone's face is different.

[JoeWingrove]

Anyone have anymore information on this mask? I am looking to switch from my current mask to this one in the middle of next month when I am eligible to get a new mask through my insurance and from what I was able to tell in a fitting with this mask looks like it will be a good change.

[loveoverbooks]

I've had this mask for three weeks. When I printed out the sizing guide online, my nose was on the line between the small and medium sizes. The DME had already preordered me a medium, so I went with that. I used the medium for a week but had to overtighten to compensate for nose leaks, which was leaving marks in the morning. I swapped it out for a small two weeks ago. It took me a week to get the straps adjusted right (and then another week when I messed them up) but the last two nights have been great. I ran into a weird issue with both sized masks where they would push my lips and mouth open, causing me to wake up with really, really dry mouth, but I eventually found out I was wearing the mask too low on my face. When I wear it on the upper half of the chin, I don't have that problem. I can sleep on my side with minimal hassle. I don't have any problems with nose leaks now that I have the right cushion size. I do get a little bit of chin leaking if I drop my chin down while sleeping on my back. (This could be remedied by wearing a soft cervical collar, but I hate wearing one.) I told the DME today that I'm pretty sure this is a keeper!

[Sheriff Buford]

Let me get this straight. When you guys talk "nose" you are not referring to nose pillows, are you? Can't do nose pillows. Couldn't tell by the pictures.

Sheriff

[JoeWingrove]

Let me get this straight. When you guys talk "nose" you are not referring to nose pillows, are you? Can't do nose pillows. Couldn't tell by the pictures.

Sheriff

This is a full face mask but it does not cover your nose completely but rather has a part where your nose rests in so it covers less of your face and leaves a more open feeling for the mask. There was a good video posted of the new mask by hyperlexis earlier in this thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNfnPw8miL0

[hegel]

this isn't a 'nose pillow' mask at all. No pillows are inserted in your nostrils. Your nose rests on top of a 'bench" with openings for your nostrils. I actually really like this mask--it fits my face like a glove and is far smaller than any full face mask that I've tried. For me, it's really comfortable and doesn't leak. I'm a stomach sleeper and this works for me, with my face off the edge of the pillow, like I sleep with my Swift fx. If you need mouth and nose coverage I would look at this. I'm going to return it, but only because my swift nasal mask works so well for me I can't justify the cost (cpap.com is offering a full refund for a month's trial.) Although I'm tempted to splurge on the off chance that this mask will work for me if I have a cold. Does anyone have insight as to full masks working during colds--that is, you can open your mouth while sleeping. Or is this wishful thinking?

[Pugsy]

I'm tempted to splurge on the off chance that this mask will work for me if I have a cold. Does anyone have insight as to full masks working during colds--that is, you can open your mouth while sleeping. Or is this wishful thinking?

Actually a lot of cpap users keep a full face mask handy in case they get a cold and can't breathe well enough through their nose to use their nasal interface mask. I have never had a cold/congestion so bad that I couldn't get my nose opened enough to use the nasal pillows but lots of people prefer to use a full face mask when they have a cold. Also people who have a history of bad allergies will keep a full face mask on hand for allergy season.

[Sheriff Buford]

That did it! I'm going to try-out this mask.

As far as the mouth being open on a full face mask... to me, that's the primary reason most folks use a full face mask. To be able to open your mouth without losing proper therapy. Heck I keep my mouth open all night-long. I fill my mouth full of air (my cheeks puff out) and it helps in providing a seal below my mouth.

Sheriff

[BleepingBeauty]

I was due for a new mask on July 2nd, so I called the DME to order this one. The woman I dealt with there recently was a peach, and we had a good relationship (she was easy to deal with), but she has now retired. The new RT required a new prescription for this mask AND wanted me to come in for a fitting. I told him I've been using masks for seven+ years now and can fit it myself. I also told him that I went by the online sizing guide to determine that I need a Small size, and then I asked if they had all the sizes in stock. He told me he didn't have the mask at all. (Umm, so how, exactly, would he fit me if he doesn't even have the mask? *facedesk*)

LSS, I had my PCP write the script and fax it over (took a few days), and I called the DME to confirm their receipt (which also took a few days); the place is a mess again... Anyway, they finally get the script, and they tell me they have to order the mask (another few days). I called again, and they say that yes, they got the mask in, but they can't dispense it to me because it's not officially in their system yet, so they can't bill for it.

So I'm still waiting, more than two weeks after I initially asked for it. They said it may take a couple of more weeks before it's added to their system. Ugh, I hate DMEs. The only time I enjoyed mine was when the woman who retired was there, and that didn't last long enough. Now I'm having to deal with a typically shitty DME again...

I love my Hybrid and will stay with it if the Amara doesn't work out, but I really want to try it. If I could afford to buy it OOP, I would; but it's covered under my insurance, so I'll wait for my DME to get its shit together.

[hegel]

Pugsy wrote: "Actually a lot of cpap users keep a full face mask handy in case they get a cold and can't breathe well enough through their nose to use their nasal interface mask."

Thanks Pugsy...I think. You probably just cost me $120.00....I'm trying this mask again tonight just to be sure.

[Pugsy]

Thanks Pugsy...I think. You probably just cost me $120.00....I'm trying this mask again tonight just to be sure.

You couldn't have got it in the mail must faster today anyway. If you have to you can overnight it to cpap.com to sneak it in under the 30 day window. Even if it costs a little more that would still be better than the $120.
But you know if you want it for when you are ill with a cold or something, maybe it doesn't have to be "perfect" if it gets the job done decently. When we are ill we don't sleep so great or feel so great anyway and some therapy is still better than no therapy. I could...stress could...probably use a hybrid mask (can't stand anything over my nasal bridge area) if I just had absolutely no choice in the matter but it wouldn't be good sleep and if I was that ill..it wouldn't be the greatest sleep anyway.

I have thought about trying this new mask because it is a little different than the Innomed Hybrid but I know that it would take some rare thing for me to not be able to use my nasal pillows. I have had both the flu and a few colds in the last 6 years and I found that if I could get my nose open just a little...the humidifier usually did the rest for me and I would always wake up breathing better in the morning than I did when I went to bed.

So maybe I will wait as I don't want to fork out the $120. Maybe I will just wait and let insurance buy me one and it won't cost me so much because my DME will let me swap it out for another mask if I don't want to keep it. My copay will be a little over $30 and they will let me swap it out. They have had me try other masks in the past just because they wanted my input and they knew I would be swapping it out because I told them I would. They don't care.

[ChicagoGranny]

I love my Hybrid and will stay with it if the Amara doesn't work out

Maybe you can update this thread and let us know how it compares to the Hybrid?

I am reluctant to order an Amara since my Innomed Hybrid is close to leak proof.

[BleepingBeauty]

I love my Hybrid and will stay with it if the Amara doesn't work out

Maybe you can update this thread and let us know how it compares to the Hybrid?

I am reluctant to order an Amara since my Innomed Hybrid is close to leak proof.

I'll definitely update the thread when I can post my experience with the mask (if I ever actually get the damned thing ) and will do my best to offer a comparison to the Hybrid.