will be meeting with F&P representative

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:59 am

I just called my DME about the new F&P 432. He said that the F&P rep was coming to their lab on 10/24 to show him this new mask. Anyway, he asked me if I would want to come in and be the "test fit dummy" for the F&P rep to demonstrate on. If anyone has any specific questions they want me to ask the rep, let me know and I'll see if I can't get them answered.

The rep is going to get a chuckle when he sees my headgear. I've got the straps stapled down to fit my head right. I needed the straps to secure beyond where they would velcro, so with no sewing skills, they got stapled.

Archoliva · Post by **Archoliva** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:14 am

I have the F&P 431 FF mask which after 3+ years of trying masked seems to be the best fit for me.
The only questions that I have are:
1. Have they ever considered an EXTRA large size for the mask. I'm 6'8" and the large just about fits with a lot of adjustment every night.
2. Will there be a change to the "head rest" portion of the mask in the future - if it had some type of joint where it could be used to push the mask slightly away from the top of my nose similar to the ultra mirage this in my opinion would be a perfect mask.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:20 am

Cool, Nomad!

Be sure to take your pillow and blankie with you. Test drive that puppy every which way -- lying down -- on the floor, if need be!

Oh, and take your cpap too!!

frapilu · Post by **frapilu** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:27 am

Nomad,

I'm presently doing a trial of the HC432 (I normally use an HC405 but want a FF because of frequent nasal congestion) and I'm having trouble. It's only been since Friday but I'm waking up constantly all night. Ever time I turn onto my back, the bottom on both sides of my mouth start "farting" and fluttering so I wake up. I also occasionally get leaking from the bottom. I'll be calling my DME to see if she has any suggestions but tonight I'll be sleeping with my HC405 so I can get some sleep (no nasal congestion these days).

Thanks. Have fun!

France

Archoliva · Post by **Archoliva** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:55 am

Another thing that I was wondering is if the AI & HI #'s shown on the resmed elite 8 cpap machine are correct when using the F&P 401 are correct due to the closing of the swivel valve while exhaling. Would the machine be able to accurately reflect such episodes with the valve opening & closing???

Alisha · Post by **Alisha** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:41 pm

Nomad, my questions are:

(1) Since the new foam cushion underneath the silicone provides the 432 with an excellent seal, why can't they add something to the silicone seal to keep it from irritating/damaging delicate, sensitive skin tissue?

If I can put Moleskin Plus over the silicone and still keep the great seal, why couldn't they fit the silicone with something soft at the factory? That would be so much better than trying to cut the moleskin to fit the silicone, trying to get it on just right, then having to redo the whole process every time the mask is washed.

I believe it is well past the time for manufacturers to address the issue of protecting the user's facial skin as well as helping us breathe.

(2) Ask them to please put the Glider strap under plastic for the 432 as was done on the 431. The 432 Glider strap is easily bent or disengaged from the mask. If they made this change so that the user can remove the Glider strap from the mask, I can't imagine why the user would want to remove it from the mask.

Nomad, if you can copy this. give the copy to the F&P rep, and ask him to pass it on to the powers that be, I will greatly appreciate it.

Thanks and regards,

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:56 pm

Tell the F&P Rep they need to put a downloadable sizing template on their website in PDF format so one can size it before ordering.

frapilu · Post by **frapilu** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:21 pm

I agree with Alisha (I think - I've never seen the HC431 but I have an HC405 so I'm hoping it's the same as what she means). I'd rather they put the same glider on the HC432 as the HC405 has. In my troubles with the HC432, almost every time I go grab the mask to readjust it when it wakes me up in the night, I accidentally touch that stupid little button that opens the headgear so the mask pops off.

France

IORHHI · Post by **IORHHI** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:34 pm

Is there a way for me to test drive either of the F&P FF masks? I live near Portland Oregon, and I'd consider buying one if I could find out how they feel.
Thanks,
Barbara

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:43 am

Well, I took the list of questions and comments when I went to meet the F&P rep. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to make the meeting. So, my DME told me that he'll give me a call when he can get it rescheduled. I just wanted all of you to know I didn't forget about you.

cwsanfor · Post by **cwsanfor** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:16 am

When you reschedule, ask if their are reports of this mask causing comedones, papules, macules, cysts, pustules, nodules or "bumps" on the line where the mask touches the face. If they say no, tell them there are now. The HC431 did not do this, nor does the UMFF or CF2.

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:29 am

cwsanfor wrote:When you reschedule, ask if their are reports of this mask causing comedones, papules, macules, cysts, pustules, nodules or "bumps" on the line where the mask touches the face. If they say no, tell them there are now. The HC431 did not do this, nor does the UMFF or CF2.

My ComfortFull 2 mask also does this. When I was using it, I also was making sure to wash the mask every morning. I still have the zit-like thing right now. The previous one finally erupted, settled down and then erupted again. There's still a scar from it too. Right along the crease from the side my mouth to my chin.

Kimberly

hoyle · Post by **hoyle** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:48 pm

Has F&P used the same plastic flap which is inside the elbow which is the section between the CPAP hose and the main frame on the HD431, if so have they made improvements?

The flap on my HC 431 has either closed, not opening or is wide open not closing.(i haven't figured out which) causing lose of CPAP pressure.

When i disconnect the hose from the mask the pressure immediately increases.

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:06 am

I finally received my F&P Flexifit 432 a couple of days ago and have used it for 1 1/2 nights. I continue to search for some way to get around the mouth taping that's necessary to make my ComfortCurve work.

The mask leaks even worse than the ComfortFull 2 for me, "farting" air out the lower left as I drop off to sleep. I've gone back over the fitting and wearing instructions and still haven't been able to get a good fit. In the process, I've had to ratchet it down so tightly that it's purely painful to wear. In fairness to the F&P folks, I have an oddly shaped jaw which may be causing or exacerbating the problem.

The second night I took it off after a couple of hours, taped up my yapper and put on my ComfortCurve for some restful sleep.

But hope springs eternal and I'll continue to try getting the 432 to work, though I'll probably use it for afternoon naps for a while. If I'm ever able to get it working properly, I'll provide an update.

OCO

Archoliva · Post by **Archoliva** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:59 am

I've had the same problem as owlcreekobserver where I would have air leakage out of the lower left or right sides. I was able to resolve this by tightening the bottom strap & tucking the chin flap further below my chin. I also slightly loosened the top strap so that the head rest is no longer against my forehead & the top seal is just tight enough against my nose to make a seal. The mask at this point is not parallel to the face but slightly angled towards my feet. It actually works better this way for me - maybe it's my face structure.
It would be a perfect mask for me if F&P would make an adjustable headrest similar to ultra mirage that would allow the mask to be set at different angles without strictly using the straps.

will be meeting with F&P representative

will be meeting with F&P representative

will be meeting with the F&P reprentative