Which full face mask to go with ASV machine?

[Vsylvestre]

Husband has the resmed ASV and as per my understanding its very important to not have leaks. He has a nasal mask and it's hard to seat. Not impossible, it's just hard to get it done well. It blasts air at certain points of the night. Plus he's still doing a little mouth exhalations.

He has a beard and mustache.

[zonker]

Husband has the resmed ASV and as per my understanding its very important to not have leaks. He has a nasal mask and it's hard to seat. Not impossible, it's just hard to get it done well. It blasts air at certain points of the night. Plus he's still doing a little mouth exhalations.

He has a beard and mustache.

the nasal pillows or nasal mask will work.

when you get the time, could you fill in the equipment he is using? it's going to make a difference on the replies you get.

also, please see the link below for "newbies". eventually, you are probably going to want to download the free software program called oscar. this will help track your husband's sleep.

good luck!

eta: please stick to one thread from this point onward. it will help people keep track of you.

thank you!

[Vsylvestre]

Sure. I will.
Oddly I have heard from lots of people recently that a full face mask is needed for the ASV as any leakage will mess with the algorithms. The one he is using now is a nasal mask and it is definitely NOT working.

Edit:
I have the info filled out for me, sorry. I had an account here already. I've been on cpap for 13 years.

I cannot find his machine in the list. It's ResMed AirCurve™ 10 ASV.

[Pugsy]

Just add the machine to the comments section of the equipment profile.
Right now the bilevel machines are absent from the machine choices menu.

[palerider]

Husband has the resmed ASV and as per my understanding its very important to not have leaks.

No more so than any other machine.

He has a beard and mustache.

Well that's going to make a FFM very challenging.

[palerider]

Sure. I will.
Oddly I have heard from lots of people recently that a full face mask is needed for the ASV as any leakage will mess with the algorithms.

You hear a lot of things... much of them wrong.

[zonker]

Sure. I will.
Oddly I have heard from lots of people recently that a full face mask is needed for the ASV as any leakage will mess with the algorithms. The one he is using now is a nasal mask and it is definitely NOT working.

Edit:
I have the info filled out for me, sorry. I had an account here already. I've been on cpap for 13 years.

I cannot find his machine in the list. It's ResMed AirCurve™ 10 ASV.

oh, okay. hope YOU are doing okay, too.

the good news is that his machine is supported by the oscar software. this will come in handy when you try to combat those leaks. the software gathers data that you can share here. then the experts can advise on adjustments.

**NOTE** i'm not one of the experts. but palerider and pugsy are. so i leave you in their capable hands.

[DreamDiver]

Husband has the resmed ASV and as per my understanding its very important to not have leaks.

No more so than any other machine.

He has a beard and mustache.

Well that's going to make a FFM very challenging.

I disagree about FFM masks with mustache and beard. I have a beard and mustache and I use a FFM. I can't use nasal masks because I leak too much through my mouth. Finding the right mask is unique to each person. The current mask I'm using is probably the best mask for me that I've ever used.

Personally, I think most people with unstoppable mouth leaking should start on a full face mask, regardless of facial hair.

[zonker]

Husband has the resmed ASV and as per my understanding its very important to not have leaks.

No more so than any other machine.

He has a beard and mustache.

Well that's going to make a FFM very challenging.

I disagree about FFM masks with mustache and beard. I have a beard and mustache and I use a FFM. I can't use nasal masks because I leak too much through my mouth. Finding the right mask is unique to each person. The current mask I'm using is probably the best mask for me that I've ever used.

Personally, I think most people with unstoppable mouth leaking should start on a full face mask, regardless of facial hair.

and i disagree with your disagreement!


while i realize we are all different, i tried ffm and nasal. could NOT get control of the leaks and i am full bearded and mustachioed. wasn't until i tried the p10 that i started to get control of leaks.

but i get what you are saying. we are all different and what works for me may not necessarily work for thee and so forth.

[palerider]

Husband has the resmed ASV and as per my understanding its very important to not have leaks.

No more so than any other machine.

He has a beard and mustache.

Well that's going to make a FFM

I disagree about FFM masks with mustache and beard.

You're welcome to disagree, but facts is facts, facial hair prevents the mask from coming in contact with the skin.

Whether you can get an *acceptable* level of leaks through that, is more often than not, "very challenging."

[chunkyfrog]

Full face masks are harder to fit, even under the best of circumstances.
Facial SHAPE is the chief factor.
Some beards can be smoothed down to form a natural mask liner--but only SOME.
If you LIKE the feel of a mask, go ahead and do what you can to make it work.
Of course, the best mask is the mask of the PATIENT'S CHOICE.
If his doctor disagrees, he needs a boot to the head.
(The doctor, not your husband)

[bombayone]

Full beard and mustache. Have worn a ResMed F20 full face mask with foam cushion for several years without leaks.

[Chapalauser]

I have found that the Fisher&Paykel Eson full face mask is excellent with my ASV, but I do not have a beard.

[DreamDiver]

DIfferent kinds of facial hair may play a role in how well the seal works. Depending on what kind of hair you inherited, it may make the difference. Some guys have facial hair that's almost round in cross-section. Others have hair that is oval, others almost flat. Some have hair that's sleek in a longitudinal-section (not itchy) while others have hair that's almost spikey (itchy). Top that off with whether the hair is straight, wavy, curly or kinky, dry, oily... How well does the hair lay against the skin? How many hairs per folicle? How smooth/rough/oily/dry is the skin under the facial hair? Does your face relax at sleep to the point where it no longer matches your facial contour when you're awake, so all the strap changes in the world won't make a difference because the mask can't adapt to changes in face contour during sleep? All of these factors probably add up to how well a seal will perform with facial hair.

Rather than post a bunch of charts, I'll post the myAir calendar of the last few nights for me. No leaks now for most nights with my current mask. For the first time in my life, I've got a mask that doesn't leak, regardless of position or movement, regardless of beard or mustache. You can imaging how happy I am about that.