F&P 432 Love it or hate it!!!!!

[curtcurt46]

Curtcurt, you might want to try Kreesti's remedy before you give up and sell the 432.

viewtopic.php?p=136445&highlight=gauze+sponges#136445

Thanks.
A good read. It's obvious you have to be diligent to get a mask to perform.

[jasper]

I liked the original title of this thread by CurtCurt "Love it or hate it". I started out the first couple of nights, and was very impressed. The mask was comfortable, and the leaks I got halfway through the night I could resolve by tightening the lower straps. Also, had no problems with moisture. Started to look like I had a good alternative to the Activa for nights I was congested.

The upper straps are quite loose, and in fact the forehead rest, if that's what it's supposed to be, doesn't even touch my forehead. In other words, the mask seal sits directly on my face and over the bridge of my nose.

Now the problem (like everyone else ) SORE NOSE! after the 3rd and 4th nights, I was a little red, and after last night (the 5th) it had actually broken the skin.

I thought about kreesti's solution with putting gauze under the forehead rest, but if I pull the mask up even a little, I get air leaking into my eyes.

So, next step, I covered the vent holes with a piece of tape, and put a small wad of Play-Doh inside the mask to see what came into contact with my nose. Then put it on and tightened it to where I would have it while asleep. What I found was that the piece of the silicone seal above the nose actually does touch at the bridge. (Made a complete indentation into the Play-Doh). This is soft silicone, but the way it's molded at that point there is a hard edge, right across the bridge. Hate to do it but I may see if I can carefully shave that edge back without compromising the integrity of the seal. It's kind of a no lose situation I guess, if I can't wear it the way it is. Anybody else tried this solution yet? Before I get out the razor knife I'm open to suggestions.

Oh yes, I mentioned good news: I slept great with the mask, and even the irritation didn't wake me up. I got it to where it had no leaks, and felt quite comfortable at least prior to falling asleep. Now, if I can just solve the big red mark... How do you explain that to everyone who I'm sure will ask?

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, news, seal

[jacko]

Jasper
I will be very interested to know how you get on with the mod to the 432
The red nose thing is a big problem for me and a lot of others so it seems
Regards Jacko

[Guest]

I to had the F & P Flexi fit 432 full face mask and thought it was great for a few days. I use a heated humidifier with a heated hose and I have the humidity turned all the way up due to living in a rather dry climate. The humidity effected the inner blue lining, it seemed to swell with the moisture. It seemed to get really tight on my face. After letting it dry out for a day and use it again it seemed to do the same thing. I went back to my provider and tried a size large but it did the same. I liked the mask and the air vent did not hit my eyes.I am back to the Flexi fit 431 and fairly satisfied with it accept for the air vents blow into my eyes. Does anyone have any ideas to fix that other than eye masks. I feel if I can't see and can't hear because of the cpap machine it could be kind of dangerous.

PS new to the board, have only posted once.


Suz

[jrfoster]

I am back to the Flexi fit 431 and fairly satisfied with it accept for the air vents blow into my eyes. Does anyone have any ideas to fix that other than eye masks.

What I do is fold up a hankerchief into about four small lengthtways folds, and then stick it above the nose part of the mask and underneath the forehead support. It allows me to pull the sides of the hankerchief down over my eyes and blocks the air from getting into my eyes. At least it works for me!

Jeff