431 vs. 432

TWolf · Post by **TWolf** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:45 am

In the never ending search for the elusive perfect mask I decided to try a few full face models. Up till now I've been using the Breeze with good results but since I get an occasional sore and I also mouth leak and use tape I'd like to have a back up.

I had the opportunity to try the F&P 431. It sealed well and I didn't have any major problems but I did wake up in the wee hours with the bridge of my nose hurting and there was a pretty heavy red mark there when I got up.

I've been presented with the opportunity to try the F&P 432. I know this model has an added foam insert. My question is since the 431 fit well can I expect the 432 to fit pretty much the same way and will the foam insert help to lessen the pressure on the nose bridge?

Thanks!

TW

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:58 am

I haven't tried the 431, but the last time I was at the DME they fitted me for the 432, they tried medium and small the medium was too big and the small was perfect. When I got home and tried it that night I felt that the inside foam seal was closing my nostrils too much, so I took it out and it fit just fine. I love it I have no problems with it, doesn't make my nose sore and doesn't leave marks. Maybe you are wearing it too tight, I put mine one then I pull it away from my face to adjust it, sometimes I do that several times till it feels just right, so I have it loose enough to pull up I can even stick a finger under to straighten the flaps. I don't know if the only difference between the two is the foam seal and on me it doesn't sit on the bridge of my nose it's further down.
Good Luck
Murhpy

TWolf · Post by **TWolf** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:22 am

Thanks for your reply Murphy. I managed two nights with the 431 and woke up after the second night feeling like I was punched in the nose. It's strange, when I put it on the mask is VERY comfortable and I have no trouble falling asleep but in the morning...oh boy. I did loosen everything up as much as possible, any looser and it was blowing air all over the place without me moving.

Anybody else out there that has used both the 431 and the 432 and can give some comparative insight?

Thanks.

TW

Lepeu63 · Post by **Lepeu63** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:58 am

I used a 431 for 6 months as my first mask (I now use a Quattro). With both masks I got red marks at the bridge of my nose the first week (the Quattro gave me a red mark and a huge, disgusting whitehead on the first night - blech). The went away as my face got used to it. My biggest problem with the 431 was leaking at the sides of my chin - but I've got a pointy chin and the 431 is pretty square at that point. I also found that air leaked where the seal met the mask - to the point I was using masking tape at the junction.

That being said, the 431 was pretty comfortable. Try it for a few more days and see if the red goes away. You'll be red when you wake up but it should be gone or mostly gone by the time you get out of the shower.

orcia · Post by **orcia** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:07 am

HI I started with the 431 and didn't seem to have that trouble with a sore nose the upperpice of plastic dosent even touch my nose. Perhaps yuou could try and adjust the upper head band a little more? I switched to a 432 after three months and found that with the foam insert it was just a liitle bit small and I couldn't maintain a seal as good. I took the foam insert out and with just the silicon mask it works fine. But then you are right back to the same as a 431. Don't know if this helps you much. just my experence. I am kind off a newbie only been on this therapy for 4 months so I hesitate to give any advice
orcia

TWolf · Post by **TWolf** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:11 am

Thank you both for your replies.

Lepeu63 this went a little beyond just a red mark. It was swollen and hurt like h#ll. My wife swears she didn't punch me. She said she hasn't been tempted to do that since I started CPAP and the snoring stopped. The mask seems to fit really well other than that little problem with pain (other than that Mr. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play? ).

Orcia, I've only been doing this for a little over four months too. This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I was wondering if the foam pad made any difference at all in comfort and if you took it out did you just end up with basically a 431. I appreciate the help.

TW

orcia · Post by **orcia** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:21 am

Hi (again)
I rotate between a 431 and a 432 with out the foam insert and I cannot tell much difference But since I started this therapy I sure feel different. But that is a story in it's self
orcia

roster · Post by **roster** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 12:03 pm

[quote="TWolf"]...
Lepeu63 this went a little beyond just a red mark. It was swollen and hurt like h#ll. ............
TW

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:23 pm

I started out on a 432. It sealed better for me with the foam insert, but I had chin leaks either way. I searched the forum for labratting tricks, and I tried out a few rolled up 4X4 gauze sponges between the nose & the forehead spike. It improved the seal, and I didn't get marks anymore. After My dog started trying to eat the gauze, I switched to folded up TP, and it worked just as well, and was cheaper

Limestone · Post by **Limestone** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:01 pm

I switched from the 431 to the 432 6+ months ago and had to modify the foam to get rid of the pinched nose feeling.My foam needed to be replaced a couple of weeks ago and I left the new one as is for a week to see how it felt and it was no better than the original.The only way this mask will work for ME is to trim the foam.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/71 ... IM0709.jpg

Lepeu63 · Post by **Lepeu63** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 8:03 am

[quote="TWolf"]Thank you both for your replies.

Lepeu63 this went a little beyond just a red mark. It was swollen and hurt like h#ll. My wife swears she didn't punch me. She said she hasn't been tempted to do that since I started CPAP and the snoring stopped. The mask seems to fit really well other than that little problem with pain (other than that Mr. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play? ).

Orcia, I've only been doing this for a little over four months too. This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I was wondering if the foam pad made any difference at all in comfort and if you took it out did you just end up with basically a 431. I appreciate the help.

TW

TWolf · Post by **TWolf** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 8:04 am

Thanks everyboby for the feedback. Sounds like the foam insert only really affects the fit (negatively, it seems) and doesn't do much for the comfort. Ah well...the search continues .

Thanks!

TW

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:59 pm

I have a 431 too, and had the same nose-bridge redness issues... but no more. Try what I did!

1. Your upper straps (the ones that connect to the post affectionately known as the "forehead spike") may be too tight. Try loosening them. If you can't find a happy medium between "irritated nose bridge" and "nose bridge air leaks", however, this may not work. But there's always #2 below....

2. I had nose bridge irritation, meaning the hard plastic part of the mask there was pressing into my nose. Logically then, moving the hard plastic out away from my face a little might prevent it. Also, the seal in that area is very generous depth-wise, and can extend quite a bit. Thus, if you find a way to move the mask out away from your face a little at the bridge, the hard plastic won't rub you anymore, and yet the big, deep seal should still "take up the slack" and maintain airtightness. The "forehead spike" was also leaving a square red mark on my forehead. I found a solution for both problems simultaneously! Here's what I did... get some toilet paper, maybe 3 feet worth. Fold it repeatedly until you have maybe a 2-inch square pad. Put this directly underneath the "forehead spike's" rather pathetic silicon "cushion". Presto... the force on your forehead is spread out a little more and there's no sharply-delineated edges where the pressure drops off, so no more red rectangle on the forehead. But ALSO, the couple of millimeters thickness of the toilet paper pad seems to move the hard plastic at the nose-bridge out away from the face slightly, and the seal there does indeed compensate... presto #2, no more irritated nose bridge.

Try one or both of those... they worked for me. Good luck!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 1:05 pm

Also, make sure when you go to sleep that the mask is CENTERED in the middle of the horizontal travel range of the "glider strap" (the gray pair of straps). Reach up and feel with your fingers, or look in a mirror.

If you fail to do this, it can cause your nose-bridge issues. If the mask has no further ability to "glide" horizontally in a given direction (left or right) when it has to due to your head movements during the night, the mask will not be able to auto-reposition itself... it will be forced to one side or the other, which can make its nose-bridge piece grind into one side of your nose bridge.

If the mask is centered in the glider strap's "range" when you go to sleep, then throughout the night it should have a decent amount of available travel in both directions, and can respond properly to lateral head movements.

Hope that helps!

Mask

Additional Comments: your getting old when you attend more funerals than weddings