List ONE all time favorite mask, and why....

[lummusc]

I've been reading posts until I'm blue in the face about all the different masks. It is so confusing. I am wanting to try another mask, but I'll have to pay for it (insurance won't get another one for 2 months) and I'm not sure which one to try.
Maybe everyone could list just one mask that is their all time favorite and why? Then I can get an updated idea of what everyone likes right now.
I appreciate all of you so much!

[JeffH]

Adams Circuit. Second one I used and it's worked over the years just fine, so I try not to fix what ain't broke.

JeffH

[Snoredog]

It is only fair if I list the ones I've tried before finding it, so they are shown first:

1. Comfort Classic
2. Profile Lite
3. Comfort Gel
4. Comfort Select
5. Comfort Full 2
5. UltraMirage nasal
6. UltraMirage II nasal
7. UltraMirage FF
8. Nasalaire
9. Breeze
10. Swift
11. Hybrid
12. Comfort Full
13. Activa
14. Vista
15. Quattro
16. Soyala Full Face
17. Soyala Nasal

and a few other duds I know I'm missing in there somewhere, but my all-time FAVORITE and very best mask without a doubt is:

SOYALA NASAL mask!!!

why?

Because it is:

1. Quietest mask I have ever used.
2. Has the best swivel assembly of any mask ever tried.
3. Has the best quick-release clips that are plain and simple and very easy to reconnect even in the dark.
4. Seals very good with very little strap pressure, only thing close by comparison is the Activa.
5. Has the best pivot support and adjustment, even better than Quattro in my opinion (oh yeah, I got to add Quattro to the list above, forgot that one). Once you find your setting you NEVER have to adjust it again.
6. Very good quality, looks like any conventional nasal mask but the best characteristics off ALL those tried above. Headgear is streatchy so that tells you how tight you have to wear the straps.
7. Durability: Been using the very same nasal mask for nearly a year now and no real signs of wear. I bet I can easily get 2 years out of this mask, I have another brand new one sitting in the drawer should this one fail. If it fails any day, I know I've gotten my $100 worth from it. Oh yeah it is a bit more expensive than other nasal masks but well worth it.
8. And it seals pretty darn good too, I have gotten the lowest leak rate with that mask than any other mask I've ever used.

9. Lastly, best Customer Care service from any US distributor/manufacturer of any CPAP related device I've ever had to deal with (Thank You Patrick and your support team).

Soyala rocks in my book. I'll use it until something comes out better. The Full Face is pretty darn good too, it is my 2nd choice, I'll choose it over UMFF (have 3 of those) and Quattro any day.

It is CRITICAL that you size any mask interface correctly. If you don't, it will leak, it will be uncomfortable, it will leave a gouge across the bridge of your nose. Out of all those masks I listed above, the only mask I got that was incorrectly sized was the Soyala Full Face mask. I contacted Somnotech and gave them a piece of my mind and they still took care of me.

When I need another mask, it will be from Somnotech. Now I only wished CPAP.COM carried their autopap, cause I'd probably buy one of those too.

Okay, let's see who has owned the most machines, I know I'm well over 10 by now? Maybe I can get Johnny to do a dump of their database from my account, it would be much easier than typing all those out. Or I guess I could take a poll on those who bought them

[rested gal]

Evo Medical's Headrest nasal pillows mask. Been using it for over two years. That mask has had other names, but has always been the same mask with only a few very minor design changes (Aeiomed Aura, Invacare Twilight NP.)

I like it because:

1. the exhaust vents straight up and doesn't hit anything/anybody.

2. can sleep in any sleep position, including on stomach, without vent being blocked.

3. the nasal pillows are very soft -- no hard parts holding the pillows -- I've been using the same pillows for the past year.

4. no bulkiness at nostrils or sides of nose or at cheeks -- lets me lay the side of my face flat against the head pillow -- can snuggle side of face down against pillow like in the days before "cpap."

I can use that mask with or without its headgear. Either way, I have to use one or two homemade straps to steady the nasal pillows, but that's typical for me. I use an extra strap over the front of most any masks to keep them absolutely steady during my toss 'n turn sleeping.

It's not a quiet interface. There's a soft shussssh sound of air each time a person inhales. Almost exactly the same inhale sound one hears from the Breeze (my favorite before the "Aura/Headrest" came along.)

LINKS to HeadRest nasal pillows mask topics (this mask has several former names: Aeiomed Aura, Aeiomed Headrest, Invacare Twilight NP)
viewtopic.php?t=3098

[lummusc]

Thank you for your responses. I would like to try the Aura, but it is so expensive! I asked my DME about it, (I think it was listed as the Twilight on cpap...I printed it out for her) She said she had never heard of it and didn't act like she wanted try to order it. I am also unsure of whether I could deconstruct it without messing it up.

anyone else want to list their favorite mask?

[Bookbear]

Puritan Bennett Breeze.

Plus:
Excellent for side sleepers
Light weight
Comfortable
Minimal head gear
Does not obstruct eyesight
No leaks (for me)
Easy to clean.
One of the quieter interfaces available
Multiple adjustment points for fitting

Minus:
Vent shoots straight out, can be annoying for bed partner

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): breeze, Puritan Bennett, clean

[Guest]

I firmly second Snoredog on the Soyala nasal mask. I finally got my DME to order. I did the leg work and found that they didn't have to order tons of masks. MY DME wasn't so impressed with the mask but I told them it is the first time in 2 years that there is a mask that doesn't leave me with a face that looks like roseca, is comfortable, quite is an understatement, and that I have used it consistantly. Before I would keep switching.
The first one I order was a small as I have a small in all my other 8 masks. It ws too small. I called them and explained my problem, they promptly said to contact the DME and have them send it back and they will exchange it for a medium. I have been a happy camper ever since!

[RosemaryB]

Here are the masks I've tried:

SomnoPlus
Swift I
Swift II
Comfortlite II
Hybrid
Nasal Aire II
Bravo

For me it's a choice between the Swift (I or II) and the Bravo. If I had to pick it would still be the Swift II (which is quieter, but I'm still trying to figure out if my AHI is lower with the I or II).

What I like:
Nice and light
Easy to put on and take off
Headgear fits well
Can read in bed/good visibility
Can wear glasses

What I don't like
Side sleeping is possible, but not ideal
Strap marks on face (even with Padacheeks)

Though I've tried nearly all the masks listed for at least one night, there are various fixes I'm going to try and so they may turn out to be favorites.
I havent' used the Nasal Aire II yet because I didn't have the right size prongs, but plan to try it next weekend.

My best advice to you is to find a place where you can try on a bunch of masks. Luckily, I was able to try several when I first went to get fitted by my DME and found the Swift. Then I made a bunch of phone calls to hospital sleep clinics and found one about an hour's drive that offered mask fitting. I got to try 4 or 5 there for free. There were some I was eager to try that I discovered I didn't like after trying them. They may look ideal on paper or from the comments of others, but only trying them on will tell. It's worth the extra effort to find such a place.

I have to agree with the comments about Somnotech products. During my titration study I was given only the choice of 3 masks, all nasal masks. Now two of these were excruciating because of painful sinuses when pressed. The other one was bearable (just), though I still woke up with a sinus headache. This was the SomnoPlus by Somnotech and it was utterly quiet. If I didn't have painful sinuses, I'd give one of their masks a try.

[Elle]

Mirage activa nasal mask. I move around a lot and it stays in place and keeps a good seal. Hardly know I am wearing it.

After reading this thread i am going to try the soyola though. good reviews

[adjusting]

Swift II

super quiet
can sleep any way that I want
found to be the best pillows mask for me

[beegee]

Mirage Activa nasal mask - I agree with what Elle says. I find it's a very quiet and comfortable mask and with the hose over the head, the vented air is not an annoyance. I decided to try one after a similar survey to this one 12-18 months ago when so many people voted for it as a favourite (or second favourite), both sexes, all different shapes and sizes. I thought it must have something going for it.

I have tried the UMFF, Breeze, Hans Rudolph, Comfort Gel nasal, Comfort Curve, Optilife, Liberty, and various others I can't even remember now. Of these, I have only really used the UMFF, Comfort Gel and Breeze for any length of time. The others didn't really make it for even 1 night. Masks are not covered by insurance in Australia, and so are very expensive. I have only actually bought the Activa, Breeze, and the Hans Rudolph (which didn't suit me at all). Now I only use the Activa because of its quietness and stability, although I would really like to try some of the newer ones, especially when people say they are super quiet.

Good luck with your choices.

Barbara

[oceanpearl]

If you weren't confused about masks before you read this thread......................


Never trust anyones experience with a mask. A mask is an individual thing and the only way to find the right one for you is to keep trying.

[lvwildcat]

Fischer/Paykel Oracle 452 mask!!! It is my DREAM mask(that makes me in the 1% that like it )
It is quiet;I have a very low mask leak rate and it is much lighter in weight compared to my old Flexifit 432.
If for any reason F/P stops making the Oracle I will have to take out a small loan and buy it in bulk

[echo]

Another question in the same vein - has anyone use the cpap.com mask sizing guide, and do you think it's "reliable" in choosing a good mask for your face shape? My problem is that my face/nose is quite small and if I move my mouth even a little bit i start getting leaks - and the nurse said that the nasal pillows would also leak (though I didn't try them with the cpap on. (Sorry don't mean to hijack the thread )

Heh heh 5 seconds after posting this, I found this thread: viewtopic/t20053/Mask-Suggestions-for-p ... ied-5.html


Gosh, and I just found this thread as well
viewtopic/t22947/sizing-guide-on-cpapcom.html

Guess I gotta stop reading just the first 10 threads on a page. .. there are just so many posts! .

[RosemaryB]

If you weren't confused about masks before you read this thread......................


Never trust anyones experience with a mask. A mask is an individual thing and the only way to find the right one for you is to keep trying.

Yes, that's not the basis. Finding a place where they will let you try on masks is very helpful. It doesn't guarantee success, but gives you a very good first step.

However, if I find that a bunch of people who side sleep like a particular mask, that is very useful info. Or people with large nares, or whatever is an issue for you.