Full Face mask Decision

bulldog · Post by **bulldog** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:47 pm

The machine I have is the Remstar Pro2 c-flex with a heated humidifier. The machine is set at 12/8 and the humidifier is at 2. I use the UMFF and I do not have any leaks or rainout.

I also used the fitting guide on CPAP.COM but I descovered the expensive way that the guide was one size too big for me. That could have been my fault for entering the wrong measurements but now I order one size smaller than the guide calls for and don't have any problems. I have never had the mouth breathing problems although there are some people that say I don't know when to keep it shut.

Artwood · Post by **Artwood** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:27 am

I'm being fitted for a full face mask Tuesday. I don't know whether to get an Ultra Mirage or a Comfort Full2. I just basically want the one that leaks the least.

I have a respronics auto with pressure of 5-15. Will it compensate any for leaks--during my sleep study my pressure was detrmined to be 9 but i wanted an auto so they gave me a range of 5-15 on it.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:55 am

Your auto will takecare of any normal leaks, but you might get the pressure range closer to your 90% pressure, you are a little wide. I use two cm over and under my 90% rate. I will try the Comfortfull 2 the next time I get one, I would like to try the other but I don't doo Resmed. Jim

bulldog · Post by **bulldog** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:38 pm

Artwood,
The main thing is to get a good fit no matter which mask you use and most if not all of your problems will be solved. Unfortunally this usually requires trial and error and a few dollars. I bought 6 mask before I got it right.

chdurie2 · Post by **chdurie2** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 5:00 pm

I second the person who said the F&p 431 is too sweaty. plus, i ended up drooling a lot because it certainly doesn't stop your mouthbreathing, but the drool doesn't evaporate, as perhaps it does on the umff. sometimes i have woken up in a panic because i am hot and sweaty and you have to push hard on the stupid reease thingee, which is disconcerting.

umff is my old standby. it works pretty well. it has bitten me in the nose a few times, and i have scars from that, it seems to happen when the top part of my face presses hard against the pillow, so i'm not aware of it. but i'd rather run that risk than F&P 431 sweat and drool.

comfortfull is okay. i have a comfortfull 2 also, but a size larger, which is still okay, but it's big and bulky and heavy, maybe because i really need a smaller size that the sleep lab didn't have.

some sleep labs are great sources for free masks to try. does the hospital where you work have a sleep lab? the masks may just be for their apnea patients, but it wouldn't hurt to try -- maybe they could give you some good advice, based on your face shape, etc.

i'm ordering a hybrid sight unseen, but i figure if it doesn't work, i'll just use my umff. i've bought other masks sight unseen, too. but it helps to at least have a theory of why it may work.

what works for you in a nasal mask? that might be a good first step, to build on that knowledge.

good luck.

Artwood · Post by **Artwood** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 8:16 pm

I got a Fisher and Paykel Full Face Mask today and it was very comfortable--tonight I'll sleep with it for the first time--if it doesn't work out over a few months I'll guess I'll try the Ultra Mirage next.

What I wish there was was somewhere that gave the LEAKAGE rates for all masks given an Average face"--whatever that means--and a cwertain standard maximum tension for the straps.

That wouldn't be a perfect system because everyone's faces are different but it would be a start towards being able to compare different masks.

Is that what the leakage thread is all about?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:58 am

Artwood wrote:I got a Fisher and Paykel Full Face Mask today and it was very comfortable--tonight I'll sleep with it for the first time--if it doesn't work out over a few months I'll guess I'll try the Ultra Mirage next.

Enjoy the F&P HC431. I like mine. Never had any "sweat" or "drool" problems. Once the six velcro-fastened straps are adjusted properly (NOT trivial... it can take a week to get a good set of adjustments by trial and error, so don't give up!) it's pretty solid, whether on your back or your side, or even with the mask's side pressed snugly against a pillow.

Artwood wrote:What I wish there was was somewhere that gave the LEAKAGE rates for all masks given an Average face"--whatever that means--and a cwertain standard maximum tension for the straps.

Probably far too difficult to make standardized scales like this... too much variation in face sizes/shapes, sleeping position habits, movement habits, etc.

Artwood wrote:That wouldn't be a perfect system because everyone's faces are different but it would be a start towards being able to compare different masks.

It'd be nice, but I suspect the numbers wouldn't be very helpful. Too many variables, even to arrive at a rough starting value.

Oh, one more thing... that extra, thinner strap on the right-hand side of the mask, hanging below the main strap, is supposed to be a "panic pull release" strap. You're supposed to be able to just yank it downward, and the mask will open. I've tried it on two of these masks so far, and it's useless. Doesn't work. Ignore it, and press inward on the gray clasp to release the mask, instead.

Enjoy your 431! It may be annoying at first (leaks, etc.). Keep playing with the straps (don't over-tighten!) and eventually your headgear will be permanently set at a good collection of settings, and you can just use the gray clasp to get in/out of the mask at will... without changing any of those velcro settings. Very convenient.

Be patient and give it a good chance... can take two weeks to really get it going well. Enjoy! Post back here with any problems if you'd like.

Mask

Additional Comments: Large mask collection