Mask Suggestions for petite/small faces...already tried 5!

Guest for now · Post by **Guest for now** » Wed May 16, 2007 7:30 pm

Hi All...

I have been reading and learning a lot from all of you in the past 6 weeks. I am only 6weeks and 50 hours in to this new lifestyle! I went in to it kicking and screaming. Thought I was just a snorer who was annoying my new husband! Wrong....turns out it's sleep apnea...so here I am. I hope all of you experts can lend an ear and some advice. I had an AHI of 15... I guess not too bad. I have a remstar cpap with ramp. ramp is at 4.0 and my max is 7.0. I have a heated humidifier set at 2-3. My big whoa is the DAMN mask! I have tried to FF...Ultra Mirage and F&P 431...neither fit well and I have Rosecea (skin condition) so heat, sweat irritates. Next they gave me a Swift Nasal Mask....blows like heck and not fit well to my face. Also, kills my nares!!!! Next was a Comfortlite....can't keep it on doen;t fit my face and blows in my eyes so i had to wear an eye mask too! Next and last was Comfort Classic size small....hit the inner corner of my eyes...if I pull it down it goes over my mouth. So my question is.....any mask suggestions for a petite face???? I am thinking Comfort Gel Petite but scared to spend the money. I would love any suggestions. I will deal with all the other discomforts in later posts once i get the mask handled. I have been extra tired and stressed since diagnosis and think it is from the treatment but again will quiz all of you wonderful people later on that battle! Thanks for any input you can give

Debbie....soon to log on as Atruvirgo!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:07 pm

Hi,

I have the same problem. I discovered the Comfort Gel petite and have found it to be the only mask that doesn't cover my mouth or leak into my eyes. So few companies make a petite size, so I was thrilled to find one that actually fit. I have used it since it came on the market, at least two years, probably more.

I have never been comfortable with anything other than a nasal mask. I have sensitive skin and my nares were not too happy with some of my other choices.

Best of luck!

Can't log in tonight for some reason. But I am....

LuckyLinda

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed May 16, 2007 11:32 pm

Were you given the simple nasal cushions along w/the nasal pillows when you got your ComfortLite 2? Did you try both the Small and the Medium simple nasal cushions? Altho I use a Petite Simplicity and needed the Petite ComfortGel because the Small ComfortGel was still too long between bridge of nose and bottom of nose, I found the CL2 Medium simple nasal cushion worked best for me, rather than the Small.

I've had the Fisher & Paykel HC 407 Flex-Fit and found it a shade too long for me, but think that the HC 406 will be the equivalent of a Petite and just might do the trick.

Are you working w/a local DME supplier? Are you aware that Respironics, Resmed and Fisher & Paykel all will replace to the DME FREE any of their masks that a patient has had fitted or has tried simply by the DME filling out a form and returning it to the manufacturer w/in 30 days? THAT bit of knowledge should give you some leverage w/your local DME regarding trial of yet another mask.

IF it doesn't: let them THINK you are going to buy another mask from them and try several more. Get a price on the one you think will work - and then get a price on the mask from cpap.com. If you are buying out of pocket, cpap.com is virtually guaranteed to be cheaper than your local DME UNLESS your DME is willing to work an exchange for you w/the new mask if it doesn't work out w/in a week to 10 days for you.

gknee · Post by **gknee** » Thu May 17, 2007 12:01 am

I’m only a week into my treatment. I have been a lifelong snorer and recently found out that I have an AHI of 40. My initial pressure is also 7.0. I have a very small nose and am using the Swift nasal pillow. At first it was really irritating my nares, but after just 3 days they’re fine. My main issue is the noise, but I hear the Swift II model is much quieter, so I’m going to try and swap my mask for that one. It should also improve the blowing air issue too.

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Thu May 17, 2007 8:34 am

Welcome, "Guest for Now" !

I too used the ComfortLite 2 SIMPLE CUSHION, and it worked pretty well.

Then I finally tried the Oracle mask, and have had NO problems for two weeks now. I need to tape my nostrils shut.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Thu May 17, 2007 8:57 am

Breeze.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=2050&PAID=231

It's working for me. The OptiLife didn't work at all. The CL2 sorta worked. The Breeze WORKS. It stays in place and I had my first GOOD NIGHT LAST NIGHT!!!!

Seriously, get your hands on one of these. You have to use lubrication on your upper lip and nostrils. I'm using Neosporin + Pain Relief, and really get a good layer all over your nose, upper lip, and inside your nostrils. This particular mask is made out of some sort of plastic that causes friction pain. I haven't had that pain with the silicone masks, but they don't seal as well. This plus the Neosporin is my current #1 choice.

Cheers,
Barbara

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:08 am

Babette wrote:Breeze.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=2050&PAID=231

It's working for me. The OptiLife didn't work at all. The CL2 sorta worked. The Breeze WORKS. It stays in place and I had my first GOOD NIGHT LAST NIGHT!!!!

Seriously, get your hands on one of these. You have to use lubrication on your upper lip and nostrils. I'm using Neosporin + Pain Relief, and really get a good layer all over your nose, upper lip, and inside your nostrils. This particular mask is made out of some sort of plastic that causes friction pain. I haven't had that pain with the silicone masks, but they don't seal as well. This plus the Neosporin is my current #1 choice.

Cheers,
Barbara

I had the same experience when I first tried the Breeze ... in fact, my nose hurt so bad I took it back and traded it out for the Swift after the 2nd day.

I later learned I had not given the Breeze a fair chance nor my nose time to toughen up. No, you won't develop calluses ... I guess your nares just get used to the idea and stop reacting to the plastic pillows. Ayrs saline gel w/ aloe helped my nose get adjusted fairly quick.

The Breeze pillows are indeed stiffer and are not as soft as other nasal pillow interfaces but they do seal much better in my opinion (having tried 5 other nasal pillow interfaces). Hang in there and hopefully it will all work out for you on a consistent basis as mine has.

One thing about the headgear is that for some (such as myself) it really sucks ... but one can easily modify the headgear to get rid of that over-engineered metal spine and back plate.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:12 am

DS, I'm actually doing just fine with the HG. I even labratted myself a clip so I could adjust the straps lower, since the Breeze that Snoredog shipped me didn't have the clips.

But my digital camera died, so I can't take pix, and I was waiting until I could borrow a camera and put up pix to brag on myself.

I'm feeling so good today, I actually got out of bed at 6:30 am - a miracle. I usually roll out about 7:05 and I have to be at work at 7:30 ....

So far it's a big love affair with me and the Breeze...
B.

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:51 pm

So, I just went to the SomnoTech website to see if they had any new masks (like a pillows mask). They didn't have one, but I noticed that they did have a new size in the SomnoPlus, an extra small. Here's their website:

http://somnotech.com/index.html

I used somnoPlus during my sleep study. Of the 3 nasal masks offered me, this one was by far the most comfortable and it was the quietest mask you can imagine.

I can't use a nasal mask because I can't take things pressing on my sinuses, but thought of this post when I saw this mask.

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 1:13 pm

Rosemary B:

Thanks so much for that update!
My CL2 Simple Cushion is slipping off during the night.

The reviews at CPAP.com talk about it losing its seal if you move around at night.
Have you noticed that as a problem with you? Or if you happen to be a "side sleeper"? THANKS!

RosemaryB-guested · Post by **RosemaryB-guested** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:05 pm

Hi Offerocker,

Just to clarify, I don't use the SomnoPlus, because it's a nasal mask and no nasal mask works for me due to my sinuses being very painful. I just thought to post it because SomnoTech masks are not very well known and I thought the one during my sleep study had some fine qualities. It fit my facial countours well and stayed on fine. Of course, that's only one night with the tech strapping it on. It wasn't the xsmall size though. It was very quiet and the few who use Somnotech products see them as very well made. But one night during the titration study is no basis for a good recommendation.

Just an update about a possible choice of people with the small face/nose problem. I may have the opposite. I take a large in the NAII prongs, a real blow to my pride .

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:40 pm

I have smaller facial features. I have a petite Comfort Gel mask if you are interested in trying it. I don't care for a nasal mask; it's too much stuff on my face. I tried all of the nasal pillow masks and found the Optilife has NEVER irritated my nares. I don't know why, but that's what I stuck with.

Getting the right mask for YOU is 99% of the battle with CPAP therapy.

PM me if you are intereseted in the mask.