Now Hating the Airfit F20

[Goofproof]

I try not to "hate" anything about my cpap stuff; but some things surely hate me.
I wore the Comfortgel full face for many months, but was forced to reduce the size of the headgear,
because those nincompoops at Respironics seem to think everyone has the SAME SIZE HEAD.
You would think that as long as they have been in business . . .

Or shape! With all their masks I have to roll the bottom strap 3 thins on it's self to keep the whole mask from riding up into my eyes. Too cheap to add 1/2 in of length to the "T" Bar...

The good it stays rolled up all night without sewing or clips. Jim

[EdNerd]

What about a hybrid mask like this one:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html
It combines nasal pillows with an over-the-mouth mask.
Could that give you the best of both?

Ed

[Grouch]

What about a hybrid mask like this one:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html
It combines nasal pillows with an over-the-mouth mask.
Could that give you the best of both?

Ed

Great idea! Thanks, Ed. I wasn't aware of that one.

[rosacer]

Hi Grouch,

I tried different FF masks and the only one I was able to use without leaks was the Ultra Mirage. Seen the F20 I wonder how somebody can be able to use it without leaks.

I heated the indentations on the sides of the face made by the straps and the marks around the face made by the cushion even using the cushion protector.

My solution: taping. I have been taping since 3 years now because all the sudden after a surgery I started mouth brething at night no matter if I use a mouthpiece. My problem with taping was the sking been ripped off with the surgery paper tape. Solution: I apply a smal amount of silicon diapers cream around the area where I will put the tape so in the morning I can take it out without a layer of skin. If you put the cream there is no danger of having problems to take the tape off, all the contrary, you will need to be careful to keep it in place.

All the best, and yes me too I HATE FF masks . My Ultra Mirage is in the bag for hospital need, hoping I never will need it

Rosie

[Grouch]

Rosacer - Thanks so much for the tip on mouth taping. That makes me a little more comfortable with the idea. I've started a file with all the helpful tips the folks on this forum have given me and I will add yours to it.

For now the FF mask thing has become a personal challenge. I will master it! And once I do, I'll go back and see if the lip leaking suggestions work for me.

All these years I had the unused FF mask as a backup for colds. I never realized I woudln't be able to just pop it on and go to sleep. So it does make sense for me to figure this out.

[Okie bipap]

My wife and I both found the climate line hose would pull the mask and cause leaks. We route our hoses over the headboard and hold it in place with a command hook. We both use the SleepWeaver feather weight hose (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/circad ... -tube.html between the climate line hose and the mask. This allows enough extra length the the climate line hose does not pull on the mask.

[Grouch]

My wife and I both found the climate line hose would pull the mask and cause leaks. We route our hoses over the headboard and hold it in place with a command hook. We both use the SleepWeaver feather weight hose (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/circad ... -tube.html between the climate line hose and the mask. This allows enough extra length the the climate line hose does not pull on the mask.

Great idea on the light hose. Thanks. It would save me having to hold the climate tubing in a death grip as I read. When I go to sleep, I trap it under my pillow. I looked at your link and one end seemed like the normal fitting. Does the other end fit into the mask properly?

I used a tubing lift that has a base that fits under my mattress. It's folds up, so I can take it on trips.

[Grouch]

Another night with the dreaded F20. I had a good night before last, so I didn't touch the straps or make any adjustments.

I may have hit upon the adjustment solution I had watched a bunch of videos on how to put the mask on - settle it on the bridge of your nose, etc. The night before last I moved my starting point down a bit from the actual bridge of my nose. Not a lot lower, but lower. It was much easier to adjust the straps. And that strap setting worked last night without me adjusting anything.

Here's my progress from the original post.


I hate the deep gauges it leaves on my face. I can't yet use strap pads yet, as I'm constantly adjusting the straps.
I think I've hit the sweet spot on strap adjustment. Leaks pretty much under control and my cheek gouges are not nearly as deep, as I'm not having to tighten teh straps as much.

I hate that the back strap irritates my neck. Note to self: add pad back there.
I added a check pad there last night and it really helps with the irritation.

I hate that I can't easily adjust the straps. When I stop one leak, I end up playing whack a mole with new leaks. My pressure minimum of 13 isn't all that high, is it?
I may be getting this under control. I don't want to jinx it and say that I have for sure. But I start very loose and then tighten as I need to. I don't keep going tighter and tighter. I go back to loose and start over to get the minimum I can possibly get. I didn't have to play with the straps at all last night.

I hate that I have to spend so much time getting things just right, only to have the heavy Climate tube pull it down and start a new leak. I wish there were a short light weight tube like on nasal pillow mask.
I'm getting used to holding the Climate tubing up, while I watch TV. Another forum user suggesting adding a light weight short mask tube, which the F20 doesn't have. I ordered one and will try it out.

I hate that I can't read with it on, even though the info said I'd be able to, as my glasses don't fit. Even if I enlarge the font size on my Kindle to read without glasses, the bump over the nose on the mask makes focusing impossible.
Still working on this one. I still can't read as I need glasses for that, but am now able to watch TV.

I hate the feel of the air blowing on my face inside the mask.
I'm starting to get used to this and it doesn't bother me as much as it did at first

I hate the closed in feeling I get from the mask. Maybe an Amara View next time?
Not much I can do about this. But maybe I'll get used to it. I did order a used Amara View to try out. Others have suggested hybrid masks, so have put them on my list to try later, too.

I hate the feeling that a spot on the mask is getting ready to leak and I find myself freezing in place, so as to not start the leak. And then the leak starts anyway.
I haven't seen that for two, count 'em - two! - nights now. Of course this goes back to strap adjustment and I'm starting to get a grip on that.

I've moved from hating this mask to disliking it. That's progress. I think the more I use it, the more the annoyances will go away. And my gripes aren't about this particular FF mask so much as the entire category as opposed to nasal pillow masks. There just is so much more face contact and so much more mask in general. Larger pillow, larger straps.

That said, I'm getting much better actual sleep results. My AHI's are great and I'm beginning to feel better int he mornings. This mask is doing its job better than my P10, even though I love that mask.

[NadiaK]

Grouch,
I am glad to read that you have made some progress and are acclimation to the mask.

[Grouch]

Grouch,
I am glad to read that you have made some progress and are acclimation to the mask.

Baby steps!