Mask more mask

[Elapid]

Quick history: Just started with with CPAP and to make things smooth bought my own equipment to keep insurance out of my business with this. After reading about everything here I bought the PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto with Bluetooth and humidifier with heated hose, thanks everyone for helping me with that. I got the Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP Mask, but my mouth gets too dry even with the humidifier set on 5 to only use that. I also bought the FullLife Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear, mostly to try one without spending much even though the reviews weren't that good, but I have used that most of the time. I want to get another hull face mask to try and increase the comfort nut not sure what to get. My question is does the extension to the forehead bother you? It looks like it would to me but I don't know, I see how it would help keep a seal on the mask. And suggestions on a good comfortable mask the you use all the time would be appreciated. I don't want to but 8 different mask before I set one that works comfortable. Also I have to take it off several times a night to go to the bathroom so ease and speed donning and doffing would be extra nice. The FullLife is pretty fast and easy with the straps the way they are. Again I want to thank those here who share their extensive experience on everything Apnea related, I hope you know how helpful you are.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I like the Resmed F10 line of masks... they'd be a good place to start. They have a quick click connector that works great for bathroom breaks.

If you are still getting dry mouth with an FFM and want to avoid dental problems try Orajel Dry Mouth Moisturizer Gel:

http://www.dentist.net/products/orajel- ... rizing-gel

I think Amazon sells it too. I like the mildly minty taste and a tube lasts me about a month. You'll have to train yourself not to swallow it but that's pretty easy. This will keep your mouth plenty moist. Also, be sure you don't buy the Orajel cold sore gel with similar packaging or you'll numb your whole mouth! I'd avoid the Biotene product... it doesn't seem very effective and wears off too soon.

[LSAT]

You are going to get may comments and many mask suggestions. Personally I use the Mirage Quattro with the forehead piece. The forehead piece can be adjusted, but it should be comfortable...not tight. Most FF masks have a silicone liner that must inflate with air to be comfortable and leak free. Too tight doesn't work.

[Hang Fire]

Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP Mask

Beginner's mistake - Picking a mask that is very unconventional, unpopular and has bad reviews.

FullLife Full Face CPAP Mask

This is a conventional mask whose sales are declining as better designs are now on the market.

For starters in FFMs, my recommendation is the ResMed AirFit F10, https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html.

I've never used this mask, but it has quickly become popular and gets many good reviews.

Always go with more popular masks with good reviews when you are starting out. Ask here if you don't know. Ignore those who recommend a less popular or unconventional mask that they use.

[Elapid]

I tried the Oracle because I'm a serious mouth breather and thought I would give it a try. I just can't take the dry mouth with not being able to close it at times. My first choice was the Quattro F10, looking like that might be the one to try. Generally are the newer designs the better mask?

[Wulfman...]

I tried the Oracle because I'm a serious mouth breather and thought I would give it a try. I just can't take the dry mouth with not being able to close it at times. My first choice was the Quattro F10, looking like that might be the one to try. Generally are the newer designs the better mask?

In my opinion........not necessarily. It seems to me that over the years, they've been designing masks with fewer parts to make them more profitable.
And, the forehead support ( you referred to it as "extension" ) doesn't bother me and in fact I prefer it.

I started with (2005) and still use the ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face mask. I've tried a few others, but have never found one I like better. I've had a Quattro since about 2007 that is "OK", but I couldn't stick with it and still prefer my UMFF.

Actually, it was those two masks that made me think that the manufacturers were trying to come up with simpler designs (fewer parts) that would maximize profits. For all intents and purposes, there's not alot of functional difference between the two......just fewer parts. But, I still like my UMFF better.


Den

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[Hang Fire]

Generally are the newer designs the better mask?

Let's not try to make a general rule out of that.

See -->

Always go with more popular masks with good reviews when you are starting out. Ask here if you don't know. Ignore those who recommend a less popular or unconventional mask that they use.

I tried the Oracle because I'm a serious mouth breather and thought I would give it a try.

FFMs are for mouthbreathers. The Oracle is an oral mask for a very specialized market. I have never figured out what that market is.

[Hang Fire]

the manufacturers were trying to come up with simpler designs (fewer parts) that would maximize profits.

That's BS.

All the market research shows users prefer masks with fewer parts. Don't you?

[tan]

FFMs are for mouthbreathers. The Oracle is an oral mask for a very specialized market. I have never figured out what that market is.

Or for people who can't use a nasal mask. I am nose breathing, but if I don't use FFM, air forces my mouth open

[Hang Fire]

air forces my mouth open

In other words, you are a mouth breather.

[library lady]

I started out with Quattro Air FF, which has forehead strap, and adjusted just fine.. then I switched to another FF, the F10, which does not have forehead strap, and I love the feeling of freedom I get without the forehead strap... these masks use the same cushion, but the frame is a little different. There's another, newer FF mask that I haven't tried, the Amara View, that doesn't have the forehead strap. Once there's a liner for it, I will probably try that one as it looks to be usable with my glasses. For now, I'm sticking with the F10. Everybody is different, so sometimes we have to try a bunch of them to find the ONE. I was fortunate to be able to use the first one I tried.

[chunkyfrog]

air forces my mouth open

In other words, you are a mouth breather.

I prefer to think "mouth LEAKER".

[Bill44133]

I use the Zzz-Mask Full Face CPAP Mask by Probasics.

I like that it does not have the forehead support, and more then anything else I like the price. Compared the price to Resmed masks this mask is half price, and the replacement cushions are about half also. The mask works well for me, but every one is different. I have high pressure settings of 23/19, and so far this mask serves me well.

I wish you well...

[Wulfman...]

the manufacturers were trying to come up with simpler designs (fewer parts) that would maximize profits.

That's BS.

All the market research shows users prefer masks with fewer parts. Don't you?

Nope! Like I said, the Quattro has fewer parts than the UMFF and I didn't particularly like the Q. I could wear it, but for me it wasn't nearly as good as the UMFF. The only other full face mask I've tried was the Resprionics Comfortfull 2 and it also had fewer parts......and was a piece of shit.......a horrible torture test. I managed three nights with it and gave up.

I've bought all of my masks out-of-pocket and have never relied on my insurance to fund my experimentation curiosities. I found my favorite mask right out of the gate, so I'm not that curious as to how other full face masks compare at this point. I've got other things to prioritize my spending on now. All of the masks are much more expensive now than when I acquired mine. To me, fewer parts means that if something breaks, the piece you have to replace is going to be more expensive. In 10 1/2 years, the only parts I actually had to (eventually) replace on my original mask was the forehead support and that was because I accidentally dropped and that's the part that hit the hard floor first, and more recently the anti-asphyxiation swivel assembly when one side clip broke off somehow. I've always had (identical) spare masks and spare parts to fix anything that has needed replacing.

Got a link to that "market research"? I think that may be "BS".
It only makes sense that if a seller can charge $176 for a mask that has fewer parts (Quattro) than one costing $167 with more parts (UMFF)........they can make more money. And, I'm guessing that the production costs for the fewer-parts masks are much lower.

I never paid over $139.99 for any of my UMFF masks and bought the (never used) Q from a forum member for $75.


Den

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[tan]

air forces my mouth open

In other words, you are a mouth breather.

Not really... I partially tape my mouth to pull chin up to keep mouth closed, so I can't really breath with my mouth, otherwise it dries out. This trick works with FFM only. If nasal is used, I either leak even if use much more taping layers or have a "blowfish" effect, if taping is good enough.