Amara View Mask - darn DME!

[sleepychar]

I started out with the P10 pillow mask. I loved it for comfort on my face but couldn't stand the dry mouth issues even after trying chin strap, taping, etc. Next I tried the Quattro Air mask - which actually has worked out pretty well but it does press a bit on either side of the bridge of my nose right under my eyes, not on the bridge of my nose though. I have got the leaks under control and my AHI has decreased from when I was using the P10. It's working out ok. But I wanted to try something a little less bulky so finally when my insurance would pay for a new mask, I made an appointment with my DME for a mask fitting for the Amara View mask. The Quattro Air mask which has been working so well thus far is a size small. I had watched a video of an Amara View mask being sized for a patient using a card with lines marked on it. You put the card under your nose and wherever your nose lands on the card, in the section for small, medium, or large, that is the size they recommend. So the woman who helped me at the DME supplier gave me a size small, based on the fact that the Quattro Air I have been using is a small. I asked if she didn't have to do the size measurement and she confidently told me "no", a small is my size. So, of course, I got through part of the first night and had to remove the mask because there was a lot of pressure on the tip of my nose and my nose was hurting in that spot as if there were a bruise there. If I had left the mask on all night, I know I would have ended up with a pressure sore at the end of my nose from it. I went online and found you can print out the sizing chart that you put under your nose, printed it out, and, of course, it looks like I need a medium size, not small. I'm sure they will take it back. They do honor the 30 day guarantee at this DME but it is just so annoying that they have people helping clients and the helpers don't really seem to know what they're doing. I don't know how this mask will end up working out for me once I do get the right size. It was a bit difficult getting it fitted so it didn't leak but I did finally get there, just that it caused that pressure at the tip of my nose. I'm just venting a bit here. It just shows the value of this forum because the person who needs CPAP therapy is so often left on his or her own trying to select the right equipment and maneuvering around the system.

[Pugsy]

They only need to give you the medium cushion thingy....the plastic frame is universal size...so it will accommodate all the available sizes. Hopefully they will have just a replacement cushion available.

That's one of the nice things about that mask...the frame is universal so it makes trying a different size not quite so pricey especially if insurance isn't involved.

[cands]

I love my Amara View, and I hate it too!!!

Too loose and I leak like crazy, mask fart all night and my bottom lip drops out. Too tight and I get two red spots on the tip of my nose.
The posters who say to adjust the straps by a small (1/8th inch) at a time are spot on. I find the position of the crown strap is very important; for me it needs to be way back on the crown (go figure!). The top side straps need to be just above the ears.

On those sweet nights where everything is adjusted perfectly I hardly know I'm wearing it and I sleep like a baby...

When I first started using it I often had to put it on and take it off several times at the beginning of each sleep session to get it to seal. Now with the right adjustments (and good luck), I can do it once and it will stay put for the night.

[sleepychar]

My experience with getting the mask fitting right to prevent leaks was the same, cands... it's a bit tricky. I can see why you might have a love/hate relationship with that mask. I did finally get the leak part handled though and I'm really hoping that the medium size cushion will resolve the nose pressure thing. I'll post an update when I get it.

[Okie bipap]

The sizing of the Amara View mask is nothing like the sizing of other full face masks. With other full face masks, I wear a small. With the Amara View, I wear a large. I've been using one for over 10 months and really like it.

[Peaceful sleeper]

Hi. About 3 weeks ago I started using the Amara View and love it! The first night I awoke about half way through feeling like the tip of my nose was being ripped off. Loosening the straps just a bit helped that and I fell back asleep with no more issues after that. A couple times I have adjusted the straps a bit. I do use a mask liner. One can be bought specifically made for this mask but I had some Remzzz on hand for the F10 and stretched the opening to make it work for the View and it does the job.

The mask has solved my very major "large leak" problem totally and I am feeling great again. Very few nights have I had any awareness that the mask was even on. That's how soundly I have slept. I was minding the mask most nights with my previous model. Hope you find the right size and fit soon.

[sleepychar]

I tried a mask liner from Pad-A-Cheek for the Quattro Air mask and I couldn't get it to work. It caused big mask leaks when I used it, not less leaks. I must have done something wrong because so many people here comment how helpful mask liners are. I threw it out because I was so frustrated with it. I have been reluctant to try a mask liner again since then. I'm still anxious to try the Amara View mask in the proper size to see how it will work out. I think the sizing should be something the DME person should have been aware of. I did ask about it but she sounded so sure of herself when she told me the size small would be right for me that I didn't press the issue. Now I wish I had. I'm sure I will be able to get it straightened out but it is just a pain to have to arrange an appointment and go back there. Plus, I could be trying it out by now...

[Jay Aitchsee]

I tried a mask liner from Pad-A-Cheek for the Quattro Air mask and I couldn't get it to work. It caused big mask leaks when I used it, not less leaks. I must have done something wrong because so many people here comment how helpful mask liners are.

It is my (and some others) opinion that mask liners do not stop leaks. They just make them more tolerable by quieting the noise and diffusing the airflow. Think about it. Mask liners are cloth. They are air permeable. How could they possibly stop leaks? My opinion.

[sleepychar]

So the DME exchanged the Amara View cushion for the correct size, no problem. It just entailed another trip to their office but they were fine about providing a mask of the correct size. I appreciated that there was no unpleasantness about that and they readily provided the new cushion.

I have been trying out the Amara View for about 2 weeks now. So far, I agree with cands re "I love it/I hate it". I have found it difficult to fit it so that it doesn't leak but in the last few days I have had a couple of nights with minimal leakage. After about the 3rd night I almost gave up. Mask on and off numerous times to make it looser, then tighter, etc. and I just couldn't seem to get it right. But I persisted because I really do like not having my entire face just about covered up with a mask. At first I had the cushion pressed up too tight against the bottom of my nose and my nose was getting a little sore but I found that is not necessary, but it does help to slide the top strap just slightly toward the back of the top of my head as that seems to help the cushions seal better on either side of my nose to prevent leaks. I find I need to have the mask fit a bit on the tight side to prevent leaks. There are two little pressure points where the plastic frame sits against my cheeks and I guess it is when I sleep on my side, which is most of the time, that part of the plastic frame presses into my cheek, whichever side I am lying on, and those spots are starting to become a little sensitive. I am going to switch off with my Quattro Air mask for a day or two now because of that. The other thing I have noticed is that there is something about the silicone where the mask seals against my face such that when the seal is really good and I pull the mask off, there is a little stinging sensation almost like when you pull off a bandaid from your skin. I have not experienced that with the Quattro Air mask. I still have a little while to make up my mind if I am going to keep this mask but so far I am leaning in the direction of keeping it. But I know for sure I am going to keep trying different masks, as my insurance allows, every so many months, in the hope of finding one I like better.

[Pugsy]

Maybe a really thin homemade mask liner to protect the areas tending to get a bit tender?

Yeah...it is a love/hate relationship...lots of masks are that way.
I kept the one I tried. Not because it was going to be my primary mask but just to have it in case I ever had a situation where my nose just wouldn't clear up and the Amara View was really the only FFM that I have ever had any measure of success with. So far in over 7 years I haven't had nasal congestion so bad that I simply couldn't get it open enough to breath just through the nose but you never know what the future will bring and I have a FFM "just in case".

[sleepychar]

Pugsy, I wanted to let you know... the awful dry mouth I was experiencing with the P10 is only occurring very occasionally now since I switched to a full face mask. Most nights I do not experience dry mouth nowadays. So, for that, I am very grateful... I still fantasize that eventually I may be able to switch back to the P10 at some point in the future once I am more used to the CPAP experience but at least I have a solution to the dry mouth situation for now.

[Pugsy]

You can always revisit the P10 later down the road. No rush. You will know when you are ready.
I am glad that going to a full face mask has worked for you...very pleased to find out that my dire prediction didn't materialize.