Nasal masks - AirFit

[tisket]

I have been having a lot of discomfort lately from my nasal pillows. This has happened before as well. I thought I had a pimple just inside my nose but now I think it's a little bump of cartilage right near the edge of the nare which the pillows irritate. I think lanolin may be making it worse because it increases the grip and seal, which is good for preventing leaks but I think increases friction/grip of the pillows on this little bump. Often I feel pain within minutes of putting the mask on.

I am thinking of trying a nasal mask instead. Having the tube go over my head is a must, can't sleep with a hose in the bed.

I see the AirFit is highly rated. I tried the Airfit nasal pillows models (both frame sizes) and could not get a decent seal, frame seemed too loose and no real way to tighten it, and I ended up with a lot of leaks, so I went back to my Aloha. I know others had this problem with the AirFit. I am wondering if the nasal mask version is any better in this respect. If not, any other models of nasal mask I should look at? I have never used one and am not sure how difficult they are to get a good seal. Never had any luck with getting a seal from full or hybrid face masks.

Thanks.

[babydinosnoreless]

I can not use nasal pillows, I really like my N20 nasal mask. However the hose does come off the front. I think the N-30 comes off the top of the head.

[Deborah K.]

You might want to read up on the bleep maskless mask. It is extremely comfortable and has no headgear or straps at all. I love it.

[lynninnj]

If you click link below of the N30 I use you can see pictures.

Its a cushion not a poke your nose pillow. I love it- so comfy!

From that website you can search for the N30i which has similar cushion but instead of an elephant hose nose you get a teletubby over the head attachment. (sorry I can’t resist those goofy comparisons).

I had the n30i first. It’s easy to unhook and hook at your head but it hurt my tmj/sides of my head so I switched.

Love the n30. ymmv

[clownbell]

I've had great results with Fisher & Paykel masks; their sealing technology seems really great. I used the F&P Eson nasal mask and liked it. The newest F&P nasal mask is the Eson II.

I also liked the ResMed N20 but it has the strong exhaust that blasts your spouse with a jet of cold air. The ResMed N30 fixed that problem but it has the hose in front, which you dislike. The RssMed N30i has the hose over head. Be aware that some users are disturbed by the sound of air passing through the headgear of the N30i but others don't mind it.

[Iamstumped]

There is a small frame for the N30i masks.
Personally, I use either the N30i, or the P30i, and my wife uses the N30i, with the small frame, as my wife and I have found out that the standard frame is too large for us.

[Bob313]

I used to use an airtouch f20 just too much on the face plus my teeth bothered me.. I move around a lot and I just cannot find a mask that doesn't leak I've tried the P10 p30i . The odd thing to me is with the P10 the p30i I get the best sleep of the last 2 years but the system says that I have large leaks over 50% of the time. I don't sense the leaks I don't feel the leaks I even add extra tape around my nose to try to reduce it but nothing changes. I then go back to n20 and I get 99% fit but have multiple episodes and I can't sleep well. What is an acceptable level of leakage where you know the system is giving you accurate information.

[Iamstumped]

I have been having a lot of discomfort lately from my nasal pillows. This has happened before as well. I thought I had a pimple just inside my nose but now I think it's a little bump of cartilage right near the edge of the nare which the pillows irritate. I think lanolin may be making it worse because it increases the grip and seal, which is good for preventing leaks but I think increases friction/grip of the pillows on this little bump. Often I feel pain within minutes of putting the mask on.

I am thinking of trying a nasal mask instead. Having the tube go over my head is a must, can't sleep with a hose in the bed.

I see the AirFit is highly rated. I tried the Airfit nasal pillows models (both frame sizes) and could not get a decent seal, frame seemed too loose and no real way to tighten it, and I ended up with a lot of leaks, so I went back to my Aloha. I know others had this problem with the AirFit. I am wondering if the nasal mask version is any better in this respect. If not, any other models of nasal mask I should look at? I have never used one and am not sure how difficult they are to get a good seal. Never had any luck with getting a seal from full or hybrid face masks.

Thanks.

You probably have the standard frame. That frame does come in a small size.

[tisket]

I tried the Airfit nasal pillows models (both frame sizes)

You probably have the standard frame. That frame does come in a small size.

I tried both, as I said above. I don't remember if the small one was too small to fit, or whether it leaked too, but in the end I had to move back to my Aloha mask.

[Iamstumped]

The frame is the part that goes from the cushions up over your head and connects to the hose.

[RogerSC]

I'd suggest also considering the Dreamwear Nasal mask. I've tried most of the Resmed nasal masks, but find that the flexibility of the Dreamwear nasal cradle mask really turns the trick for me. I'm a side sleeper, and find that the ResMed nasal masks that I've tried all end up leaking too much. Seems that they have more structure, and that either pushes on my nose when I'm on my side, and/or prevents them from sealing well for me. The Dreamwear conforms to my nose much better, just due to the flexibility of it. One of the lowest leakage masks I've used. Also has the tube coming off the top...ResMed pretty much copied the Dreamwear design with their AirFit N30i mask, which is another one that leaks too much for me. Same thing when ResMed modified the AirFit N30i nasal cradle, the lower noise venting is nice, but still leaks too much.

On the other hand, CPAP masks are personal, so whatever works for you is best, of course *smile*.

[tisket]

The frame is the part that goes from the cushions up over your head and connects to the hose.

Yes. I tried both frame sizes as I wrote above. I had to order the small one separately after the large one led to massive leaks.

[tisket]

I'd suggest also considering the Dreamwear Nasal mask. I've tried most of the Resmed nasal masks, but find that the flexibility of the Dreamwear nasal cradle mask really turns the trick for me. I'm a side sleeper, and find that the ResMed nasal masks that I've tried all end up leaking too much. Seems that they have more structure, and that either pushes on my nose when I'm on my side, and/or prevents them from sealing well for me. The Dreamwear conforms to my nose much better, just due to the flexibility of it. One of the lowest leakage masks I've used. Also has the tube coming off the top...ResMed pretty much copied the Dreamwear design with their AirFit N30i mask, which is another one that leaks too much for me. Same thing when ResMed modified the AirFit N30i nasal cradle, the lower noise venting is nice, but still leaks too much.

On the other hand, CPAP masks are personal, so whatever works for you is best, of course *smile*.

Thanks I might just do that. Wasn't sure how different they were. I know ResMed changed their AirFit pillows to get rid of the hard plastic part (Lanky Lefty did some YouTube's on the old and new AirFit pillows) but I think the frame itself stretches as it warms up during the night from you wearing it, and also stretches over time, and is a much more expensive part to replace than just the pillows. It would quadruple my costs if I had to keep replacing the frame. The Aloha frame can last a long time.