Mask sizing and accessories when your DME has 2 options

[DOstrugglebus]

So I'm 1 night into this whole CPAP life and it's not horrible but I feel it could be better. I want to try different mask options but my HMO approved DME only has two options. The local sleep center that has mask doesn't sell to patients that don't use there sleep center.

I'm willing to pay for the mask out of pocket but how do I know the size to get and I would like to try them on first to make sure I don't have a full on panic attack.

One of the docs I'm rotating with just told me that's the problem being in a rural setting hours away from a metro area- no options.

Has anybody ran into this issue? Should I just be willing to buy mask and if they don't work eat the cost because I can't return them?


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[LSAT]

The host of this board is cpap.com...they offer return insurance for a nominal fee.

[Pugsy]

Part of the down side when you use an HMO and your choices of DMEs are extremely limited and they top it all off with the DME not inventorying a wide selection of masks.

There are sizing guides available online that you can print off to help you decide on size.

Check out cpap.com masks...some have free return insurance so you can return the mask and get a refund (they even give you a prepaid shipping label to print) if you end up hating a mask.
The ones that don't have free return insurance will have insurance you can purchase....it's still cheaper than eating the entire cost of a mask that doesn't work out.

Finally....watch the forum because sometimes forum members just give away stuff that didn't work for them.
And just because it didn't work for them doesn't mean it won't work for you.

What type of mask are you wanting to look at and try?

[chunkyfrog]

Once you have settled on a mask, you may then be able to get your HMO to take care of replacement parts.
If they refuse to carry or special order cushions or pillows to fit the mask YOU have chosen,
a letter of medical necessity should help. HMO's suck, and they deserve to be pushed around.

[DOstrugglebus]

The host of this board is cpap.com...they offer return insurance for a nominal fee.

I didn't know this existed/thanks that's the route I will go!


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[DOstrugglebus]

Part of the down side when you use an HMO and your choices of DMEs are extremely limited and they top it all off with the DME not inventorying a wide selection of masks.

There are sizing guides available online that you can print off to help you decide on size.

Check out cpap.com masks...some have free return insurance so you can return the mask and get a refund (they even give you a prepaid shipping label to print) if you end up hating a mask.
The ones that don't have free return insurance will have insurance you can purchase....it's still cheaper than eating the entire cost of a mask that doesn't work out.

Finally....watch the forum because sometimes forum members just give away stuff that didn't work for them.
And just because it didn't work for them doesn't mean it won't work for you.

What type of mask are you wanting to look at and try?

Thanks for the reply- I am looking to try either a full face or hybrid mask. I have the wisp and found that sometimes my mouth opens and wakes me up. I tried the chin strap last night but my mouth still came open no matter how tight I made the strap. I didn't know about the insurance but I will definitely check them out. Thanks for the quick response/help!


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[BlackSpinner]

The Innomed respcare hybrid comes with all possible sizes and combinations.

It is a bitch to fit because of all the permutations and combinations possible but once you have it dialed in it is a good long lasting mask. The chin flap adds just enough support to keep your jaw closed and encourage nasal breathing.

A lot of us add an extra strap of lingerie elastic across the nasal pillows so we don't have to pull the others too tight.

[DOstrugglebus]

A lot of us add an extra strap of lingerie elastic across the nasal pillows so we don't have to pull the others too tight.

Any pictures of what your taking about I'm having trouble understanding this part?


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[Pugsy]

You might also look at the sort of Hybrid the Respironics Amara View full face mask.
While you still have to select a size it does come with free return insurance plus the mask frame is universal size which means if you want to try a different size you don't have to buy the whole mask again.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -mask.html

The Innomed Hybrid does include all 3 sized of everything which saves some money there but the return insurance is a bit pricey at just under $46.00

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

I have tried both of the above but really haven't tried other full face masks so can't say much about the others.
I have some issues with stuff across the bridge of my nose and other issues with a lower strap that comes near the base of my skull and neck area that prevent me from using those types of masks and since I don't just have to have a full face mask I haven't bothered experimenting with the others.


Of the 2 hybrid types though...I probably liked the Amara View the best. I found it much easier to get and keep a good seal. It's the newer of the 2. The Innomed Hybrid has been around a long time though and while it is a bitch initially to get it all fixed up where it seals good...once you get it there it's a good solid mask that will last a long time.

How the return insurance works at cpap.com.
Cpap.com will send you an email with a return label you can print off. The shipping is included prepaid on that label.
You have 30 days from the time the mask was shipped to you to get it back to cpap.com.
You don't have a full 30 days to actually use the mask and then ship it back.
It has to be back to cpap.com before 30 days passes from when they shipped it to you.
Not really that much of a big deal because you can usually get the mask within 2 or 3 days of their shipment date and returning transit time is about the same....and you will know within the first week or so if you are going to like it enough to keep it or not. I usually know by the end of night 1. Sometimes sooner than that.
I only lasted 90 minutes with the Wisp but that's a different story as to why it didn't work out. It was a DME supplied mask and not cpap.com so it just went back to the DME.

Sometimes I have masks that people send me that didn't work out for them...they don't want to have them hanging around their house so they send them to me and they hang around my house much to my husband's displeasure.
These are usually failed experiments but the mask itself still has a useful life ahead of it and was maybe only used a couple of nights. I don't sell them...I just give them away and all I ask is postage reimbursement if possible.
Right now the donations box inventory for masks is pretty slim...I don't know if I have even have any full face masks in the box but for sure I don't have either the Hybrid or the Amara View.

[Pugsy]

Hybrid mask modifications from Rooster
wiki/index.php/Hybrid_Mask_Modifications

Picture a small elastic strip in place of the red colored strips on the picture upper right.

[chunkyfrog]

If you are in Canada, Cpap.com is not allowed (by Resmed and Respironics) to ship those brands to Canada.
Shipping time can be a problem with timely returns.

[BlackSpinner]

This is the wiki page - the mask used is not the hybrid but the idea is the same. I have a small tilted nose and in order to keep the pillows in comfortably I need the extra strap the goes across the pillows and around the back of my head. I tuck the tail with the knot under the back head gear. The illustration and discussion used the leg of a woman's tights cut across into band. This allows you to tell people in the bar you sleep with women's tights on your head.

[Pugsy]

Cpap.com does have some masks with free return insurance or paid for insurance that they can ship internationally but when customs on either end is involved it really messes with that 30 day window and for that reason I don't usually promote the return insurance for buyers outside the US.

ResMed and Respironics both prohibit cpap.com from shipping any of their products outside the USA.
Now there are some ways to get around that little hurdle...like if you are in Canada and close to the border and opt to have a post office box over on the USA side and want to drive over and get it...or if they have a friend or family member who they can have cpap.com ship the product to them and the friend or family member in turn ships to Canada.
But anytime customs on either end is going to be involved....return insurance is is likely to be problematic.

[JimW159]

Hybrid masks offer a wide range of sizing options - that is one of their main areas of strength. Of the two true hybrids I am aware of: ResMed Liberty and the InnoMed (aka RespCare) Hybrid, the hybrid gets high marks for cost and completeness of sizing options - it comes as a "fit pack" with all sizes; the Liberty's strength is in its cushion design. There are many fans of the bi-wall design of ResMed's cushions and I am among them. Liberty's down-side is in cost and sizing; AFAIK one must be more certain of sizing when ordering the Liberty because it doesn't seem to come in a "fit-pack" configuration. Regarding the return insurance cost of the Hybrid: Fortunately, that becomes a one-time cost in that if you like that mask and keep using it, you will not be paying it again. Additionally, as you progress, you may find the need for the mouthpiece diminishing and you would find the transition to a very minimal nasal pillow much easier to accept; there are a wealth of choices there, from very minimal and noninvasive to ultra complex - whatever works for you. If you have the time, check out the reviews and comments for each mask at cpap.com; you will find them more complete and comprehensive than similar "reviews" from Amazon, for example.

[chunkyfrog]

Liberty has three sizes of frame, with no cushion choice beyond what fits your frame.
Pillows are switchable, but sold separately.