Switching from Nasal Mask to Full Face Mask

[StuUnderPressure]

I started with my 1st CPAP (Resmed Sullivan V) on 12-11-1998

I currently use a Mirage Activa LT Large-Wide Nasal Mask (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... #specs-tab)
Over the numerous years, I have only used the Mirage Nasal Mask in its various versions.

I did experiment with the Swift FX Nano, the AirFit P10, and the AirFit N10 - but all of those had mask leak problems which I believe were caused by the design of each headgear.

Several years ago, I developed a mouth leak & begin using the white 3" wide Respironics Deluxe Chin Strap (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... #specs-tab)

That chinstrap along with the Mirage Nasal Mask allowed me to have leak free nights.

A couple of weeks ago, I started to have pain in my left jawbone near my ear.
That pain was caused by my use of the Respironics Deluxe Chin Strap - which I confirmed by discontinuing my use of the Chin Strap.

Instead of the Chin Strap I separately tried a 4" Cervical Collar, mouth taping, & 3 different mouth guards over a couple of weeks.

With each of those I had a high level of mouth leak.

Although most of the time the mouth leak was at a level that could be handled by my ResMed AirCurve 10 VAUTO, the mouth leak did get above that tolerable level many times.

My problem is not that the AirCurve 10 VAUTO cannot handle the leak.
My problem is that even a small mouth leak wakes me up.

Last night I tried my Chin Strap again & had Zero leaks, but the pain started to come back just before it was time to wake up.

Point of all of the above is that I am considering trying a Full Face Mask.

I have looked at the RedMed AirFit F30i (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -face-mask)

I like the fact that it does not cover as much of your face as some Full Face Masks.

I have never had a problem with the tubing of the Mirage Nasal Mask coming out of the middle front of the mask - so I really do not see a point of the tubing coming out at the top back of your head.

Also, I always sleep with my eyes closed, so I also do not have the need to be able to wear my glasses while having the mask on.
Seriously, I do not do anything in bed that requires me to wear my glasses - so that feature is useless to me.

Remembering that I have always used the very light & minimalist Mirage Nasal Mask, does anyone have a recommendation for a Full Face Mask for me?

Also for those of you who do regularly use that mask, does the Full Face Mask tend to make/allow you to breathe through your mouth to the point of causing dryness?

Any other relevant comments will also be appreciated.

[DreamDiver]

I like the ResMed AirFit F20.

It fits like it was molded for my face. Even when my face goes totally slack, the silicone seems to settle to fill the gaps where other masks would just large leak. The silicon bridges on either side of the nose area of the pillow seem to be responsible for that capability. It's also less likely to torque and large leak than previous generations of mask.

Its normal small leak is dissipated through a filtered cowl integrated into the elbow, which in itself is a masterpiece of current-generation mask design.

The mask's headgear is also an improvement on previous generations in that it is only minimally stretchy. After one month of previous generation of mask headgear, usually the headgear are so stretched out that they become frustrating to keep properly secured for a variety of reasons including fabric design and general format. This headgear resists stretching out of proportion because it is more rigid and durable. I also prefer the magnet release mechanisms on this mask's headgear.

I also use a papcap to reduce mask torque while sleeping and to keep my jaw in place. I put the papcap on first and then the mask over that. The papcap is not tight. I give myself enough room so that there's about a half inch up-and-down room between my teeth in open and closed positions. The papcap is mostly cotton, also generally not stretchy, so it does not get stretched out with wear. I look like the antagonist from a horror film with this gear on, but I'm getting much better sleep, and I don't have to tape. It also reduces chipmunk cheeks.

< obligatory full-face evangelism >
Full face masks are not necessarily for breathing through the mouth. For any given pressure your hose throws at your mask, your pressure is always equalized between the mouth and the nose in a full face mask. That means it's easier to keep your mouth lightly closed with your tongue against the roof of your mouth (not clenched). Air won't try to leak out your mouth because pressure is equalized. Since the nose is always open, it just goes through the nose. Your mouth doesn't dry out or leak because it's closed, just like you might without any mask. If you are incapable of keeping large leak from escaping out of your mouth with a nasal mask, there is no harm in trying a full face. Chances are, you'll actually benefit from the absence of dry mouth and mouth leak.
< / obligatory full-face evangelism >

I also cut mask liners out of old t-shirt material to reduce mask contact dermatitis.

I don't generally wear glasses with the mask, but if I wanted to, I could with the F20. It doesn't have a forehead brace.

Good luck with your full-face mask search.

Chris

[ChicagoGranny]

Also for those of you who do regularly use that mask, does the Full Face Mask tend to make/allow you to breathe through your mouth to the point of causing dryness?

I use the F30i from time to time. My mask is sized/adjusted so that the lower edge seals near my lower lip. This helps keep my lips from parting and my jaw from dropping. I also practice placing the tip of my tongue on the roof of my mouth. So, I don't breathe through my mouth much. Last night with the F30i, it seemed like I didn't breathe through my mouth any.

Now, any breathing through the mouth can easily cause dry mouth. Even five minutes of mouth-breathing will cause dry mouth. So, I apply a dry mouth gel just before masking up at night.

Last night, my leak level was zero, and my AHI was 0.1.

The F30i is a good mask. You might love it. You might not like it. It seems an individual cannot really tell without giving any mask a good try.

Did you open the Reviews tab and do some reading? https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... eviews-tab

[jimbud]

The F30i is a good mask. You might love it. You might not like it. It seems an individual cannot really tell without giving any mask a good try.

+1

JPB

Sizing is very important.
There is a slight learning curve with getting the nose adjusted in the cushion for an excellent seal.

[StuUnderPressure]

THANKS for the replies

[StuUnderPressure]

Anybody else like to join in this conversation?

[StuUnderPressure]

I like the ResMed AirFit F20.

Chris

Have you ever tried the Air Touch F20 with the memory foam cushion?

[DreamDiver]

Have you ever tried the Air Touch F20 with the memory foam cushion?

I haven't. I'm pretty happy with this mask for now. I don't want to have to replace the foam cushion once a month. The Airfit F20 came with three silcone cushions. With each cushion lasting at least six months, I should be able to use this setup for at least 18 months, possibly longer. We'll see how long the head gear lasts, although it's been pretty durable so far.

I think the next mask I might try would be either the Airfit F20, or the F30, or F30i. I'm really happy with this one though.

Chris

[StuUnderPressure]

I use the F30i from time to time.

What do you use besides the F30i?

[Okie bipap]

Have you ever tried the Air Touch F20 with the memory foam cushion?

My wife and I both have tried it. We could never get a good seal with it. We both run pretty high pressure (16 - 25 for her and 19 - 25 for me).

[ChicagoGranny]

I use the F30i from time to time.

What do you use besides the F30i?

Dreamwear Full Face
AirTouch F20
Hybrid Full Face

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/full-face-cpap-mask

[StuUnderPressure]

It is difficult enough to switch from a Nasal Mask to a Full Face Mask - but even more so now with the Pandemic.

Guess I will just have DME ship me the Air Fit F30i with the size headgear & cushion I think I need.
I do have the Frame & Cushion sizing guides, so hopefully that will help me choose correctly.

Good thing DME has the 30-day trial. Just not sure how many masks (or cushion sizes) they will let me try.
Maybe they will be more lenient under the circumstances.

[StuUnderPressure]

I ended up getting the ResMed AirFit F30i - Wide Cushion, Standard Frame, & Standard Headgear.

I experimented with it yesterday mid afternoon.

When I first put it on, there were leaks everywhere.

But, after playing with the placement for a while, I was able to lay down with it leak free for about 20 minutes. Thought this bodes well for a good experience tonight.

How wrong was I.

I am not an active sleeper. And, I never sleep on my stomach.
I have an adjustable bed & spend most of the night in the zero gravity position.
I may sleep on my left and / or right side for no more than a couple of hours each night.

Went to bed approx 11:20 P.M.
Awful leaks to begin with which I could not stop for about 1 Hour & then leaks again & I stop them over & over & over & over again every 40 minutes or so.

That continued until 4:00 A.M. when the leaks stopped altogether.

What did I do differently at that time you ask?

Although the Standard Frame does fit pretty well around my head, it has some play at the top center of my head where the hose connects to it. And no, I do not have a dent in my head there.

I can stick both thumbs (side by side) under the frame & lift it up about 1".

When I lifted the frame straight up that way, the leaks stopped. Seems like that upward pressure helped to seal the cushion much better.

Seems like the Headgear does not pull the mask up enough - mostly just straight back.

So, I folded up my 3" wide chin strap several times & stuck it under the frame.
That stopped the leaks for the rest of short time I had left before I had to get up.

But, even with the folded up chin strap under the frame, there was still some play.

Tonight, I will try to find something just as soft but a little thicker - dense memory foam perhaps.

If that works, I may try to have the DME substitute a small frame for the standard frame I now have.

Can someone who is currently using the ResMed AirFit F30i please tell me whether their frame fits pretty tight against the top center of your head?

Also, is there a Headgear from a different mask that would fit the ResMed AirFit F30i and would have a strap that is closer to the top of the back of the head than the Headgear of the Resmed AirFit F30i?