Recommendations for ditching the full face mask

[napagirl]

Hello,

I have been using the same brand of FF mask since I started CPAP therapy around 2007. The reason I went with a FF mask is because I have sensitive nasal/sinuses and when I had a nasal mask on during my very first sleep study, the pressure felt very irritating, and my nose plugged up. I do have allergies, but also something called Vasomotor Rhinitis, where my nose will clog up with various irritations. Anyway, the FF mask (along with proper humidity) has worked great for me all these years until recently. I began having cluster headaches and migraines, neck pain, shoulder pain, facial pain, etc, etc, all on one side of my head. Thousands of dollars, two brain MRIs, and two neurologists later, it is determined that I do indeed have migraines/clusters, made worse by a nasty case of TMJ. All the muscles on that side are clenched up. Besides muscle relaxants and a proper bite guard, I have been told that a FF mask is HORRIBLE for my condition, as it pushes the lower jaw down, and I push back and clench against that force all night long. I definitely feel worse when I wake up, so I tend to believe this is the case.

So, I have been told to ditch the FF mask. But I am utterly lost as to how to pick a nasal mask, and if some are more comfortable than others. I have to pay for this myself out of pocket, so I don't have the luxury of buying several to try. I am female, and wear the size small of my FF mask. I have a small nose, without any prominent bridge. Any recommendations of ones that tend not to irritate the nasal linings?

To complicate things further, the dentist I see who specializes in TMJ has said he could make me a sleep apnea device to hold my jaw in the proper position to avoid apnea (I do not have extra tissue in my pharynx/throat, it seems to be that my jaw drops back when sleeping, or so I've been told). He wants to do a CT of my airway to learn more and make this device. This is all out of pocket money as well, so I am hesitant to jump into that. If anyone has any experience with any of this I'd love to hear it.

[Cardsfan]

HI, I am just saying this based on the small size you use. The Resmed Swift FX Nano For Her nasal mask is made for a woman's size head. And the nose piece is a size small. I find it very comfortable. It is also soft. The entire thing has no hard plastic parts and is very bendable and comfortable to wear when sleeping on my side.

cpap.com sells masks with insurance so you can try it and return it if you want. I've never done this but it is a way to try different masks.

[Julie]

I would NOT let that dentist do anything for now, not with the problems you're having! I believe others have tried that type of device and ended up with TMJ and/or related problems. His reading of a mandibular MRI will not take into acct what you've already heard from neuros, etc. and while I won't get into your mask issues otherwise, I certainly don't think you should go with dental answers until you've cleared details very carefully with your other MDs.

[Pugsy]

What kind of nasal mask interests you?
The nasal cushion type that covers the nose or the nasal pillow type that has the tiny little cones that fit into the nostrils?

In keeping headgear to a minimum to avoid aggravating the TMJ... I would suggest looking at the ResMed Swift FX Nano cushion (plus you could use the nasal pillows with that headgear too) or the ResMed AirFit P10 nasal pillow mask.
This is the P10
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... r-her.html

and this is the Nano
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html
and if you choose this one I have a couple of spare unused sealed in package nasal pillows that will fit this headgear that you can have for cost of postage.

If buying online..both the above come with free return insurance from cpap.com and if you hate it you can send it back (within 30 days of cpap.com shipping) and get a full refund and they even send you a prepaid shipping label.

[napagirl]

Oh wow, thank you all so much for the quick replies! For some reason, although I've ordered through cpap.com, I didn't know about the insurance if you don't like a mask. This is very good indeed!

Yes, I have the same feelings about aan oral appliance... both the question of will it actually work AND the large sum of money scare me. But I hadn't even thought about it making things worse! Good suggestion. My neuro did warn me off of TMJ treatments such as surgery, but agrees that the ff mask may be making things worse.

I have no idea if I prefer the nasal pillows or mask that goes over the nose. I am thinking the latter because of my nasal irritation issues. Anyone with nasal/sinus issues have better luck with one vs the other?

Thanks for the specific recommendations. I am off to check them out.

[Cardsfan]

If you get the Swift FX Nano for her, that is a nasal cushion. (over the nose).
The Swift FX for her is the nasal pillows. (in the nose).
Both use the exact same headgear. So you can order just the one headgear, and try the nasal cushion and the nasal pillows.

If you are in need, I have a gently used Swift FX Nano For Her with a small nasal cushion I will ship you for the cost of shipping. And I believe someone has the nasal pillows and offered to send them. If interested you can PM me. (non smoking, non pet home)

[Pugsy]

And I believe someone has the nasal pillows and offered to send them.

Yep, I have the nasal pillows new/unused for the Swift FX that fits the Nano headgear.
Just let me know.