full face mask users-need opinions

[Vader]

Quattro, Quattro, Quattro by all means Quattro

I like the sound of that....

2nd choice UMFF

I'll second that.

also tried Soyala don't go there its a nose destroyer

Once I moved up to a large from a medium, I didn't have any problems with a good fit.

Also tried Comfort Full its a leaker

Yep. Ditto for the comfortfull 2. I hated it almost as much as the F&P 431 and 432.

The Hybrid gave me decent therapy, but drove me nuts with those dang nasal pillows!

Don't even think about the Mojo.
Mojo gel = junk

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Nasal Pillows

[Wyl]

Wow, lots of UMFF fans here. Goes to show that mask experiences are definitely an individual thing, I could not stand the UMFF. I've got a medium that is sitting in a desk drawer never to be used by me again -lol- I need to get around to donating it to someone who has a need for a FF mask and can't afford one, along with my Respironics Simplicity nasal mask and original Resmed Mirage FF.

[PaulGuy]

I never could get the F&P 431 to work for me without high leakage. However it was very comfortable. After trying various pillows and nasal masks I've gone back to full face with the quattro which has been a blessing for me. No high leak messages, quite comfortable. Your mileage may vary.

[DBoone]

Just started CPAP a week ago with the FlexiFit 405 and I'm having constant leaks. Anyway, I have occasional allergies and congestion and have been thinking about a ff mask for when my sinuses are acting up. My big question is how well do they seal for those with a beard? I've worn a beard for over 30 years and don't really want to shave to use a mask although good sleep would probably be worth it.

[roster]

13 months with a Hybrid. Properly sized and adjusted it just doesn't leak. Biggest advantage is there is nothing on the bridge of the nose.

I have a F&P 432 that works well for one-hour naps. Any longer than that and my sensitive nose bridge gets very irritated.

[papdaddy]

[quote="DBoone"]Just started CPAP a week ago with the FlexiFit 405 and I'm having constant leaks. Anyway, I have occasional allergies and congestion and have been thinking about a ff mask for when my sinuses are acting up. My big question is how well do they seal for those with a beard? I've worn a beard for over 30 years and don't really want to shave to use a mask although good sleep would probably be worth it.

[cwsanfor]

I think the UMFF is a good first choice: it's priced at what passes for reasonable for Resmed masks. The Quattro may be better to me, but it's a tossup that's probably determined by the shape of your face or the phase of the moon or whatever influences mask preferences.

Most people don't like the Comfort Full. It worked well for me, and still probably renders my lowest AHI's, but it presses on my lower gum line, and I find myself not using it, or the Hybrid, or the HC431/432. I've been rotating the Quattro and the UMFF.

[DBoone]

_______________
[quote="papdaddy"][/quote] Hello Dboone. I have a full beard and the Ultra mirage FF mask seals excellent for me , just have to leave forehead straps a little loose and straps snug on bottom. Best FF mask I have ever used IMO.
_______________


Thanks papdaddy. I'll be looking at that one very closely.

[richie]

this has been a learning experience for me. we should help each other realize that some masks don't work for people with certain face shapes. i heard that the ultra mirage ff mask was the best one but i found that i didn't have enough face for it. it's pear shaped and firm so no matter how tight i made the straps, i couldn't stop the leaks from the cheeks. i'm also tall with a big head 75/8 and a big nose. i got the fisher paykel hc431 and in 4 hours it really hurt my nose. to get it under my chin, it couldn't go far enough up on my nose. for people with a fuller face or who don't have such a big head and nose, either mask could be a good one.

[pastorgilbert]

I'm a mouthbreather normally, but with the Hybrid it puts just enough pressure on my lower jaw to keep my mouth shut usually. I've tried Comfortfull and it's uncomfortable and leaks badly, in addition to bruising the bridge of the nose if too tight.

My vote is for a properly adjusted Hybrid. BTW, I'm fully bearded and I have no problems with leaks. Also, I'm a side sleeper and the Hybrid profile works well for me.

Check with MASK ROULETTE and see if someone has one they're willing to trade.

[rested gal]

Quattro, Quattro, Quattro by all means Quattro

2nd choice UMFF

Here's a ditto vote from me for those two in that order.

[Wulfman...]

this has been a learning experience for me. we should help each other realize that some masks don't work for people with certain face shapes. i heard that the ultra mirage ff mask was the best one but i found that i didn't have enough face for it. it's pear shaped and firm so no matter how tight i made the straps, i couldn't stop the leaks from the cheeks. i'm also tall with a big head 75/8 and a big nose. i got the fisher paykel hc431 and in 4 hours it really hurt my nose. to get it under my chin, it couldn't go far enough up on my nose. for people with a fuller face or who don't have such a big head and nose, either mask could be a good one.

You can make your leakage worse by tightening the straps too much.

Den

[PaulGuy]

[quote="DBoone"]Just started CPAP a week ago with the FlexiFit 405 and I'm having constant leaks. Anyway, I have occasional allergies and congestion and have been thinking about a ff mask for when my sinuses are acting up. My big question is how well do they seal for those with a beard? I've worn a beard for over 30 years and don't really want to shave to use a mask although good sleep would probably be worth it.

[birdshell]

As Wyl points out, there is no accounting for individual preference--just in case you haven't already gathered that from the various posts!!

I am a mouthbreather and started out with masks that are somewhat classified as nasal (pillows):

Mirage Swift (original) with chinstrap
ADAM Circuit Nasal Pillows (forerunner of the Breeze) with chinstrap
ComfortLite (original) with Direct Seal with DIFFERENT chinstrap
ComfortLite 2 with Direct seal AND began taping mouth
Breeze with Dreamseal and mouth taping
Hybrid
Optilife
Mirage Liberty

Each has its virtues and less desirable attributes. I had major problems with slipping straps (including the chinstrap) on my hair. Had I known of the various fixes, it might have been a different story. For more on this, please see rested gal's list of mask fixes on her Lab Rat Awards:

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy Awards

The fixes will also give you some idea of which masks might be worth the trouble.

I am very glad to say that the Hybrid and the Mirage Liberty are both to be commended because they require nothing extra (although the Hybrid's chin flap is sometimes cut off by users). My current favorite is the Liberty, which is fairly new and has a minor tweak that I predict will be made by ResMed. Several of us have had the elbow that connects and disconnects the hose to the mask break. I was able to combine glue and tape to effect a fix, so the mask remains usable!

You may also want to browse the forum postings to see who uses any mask that you think is a possibility. Private messages to Forum Folk are quite often answered within hours, and usually quite cheerfully. Thus, if you have any further questions, they could easily be answered.

Another budget-saving consideration is checking for masks being auctioned: on eBay; Sleep Trader, another auction site-- http://www.sleeptrader.com ; or our own CPAP.com's auction site, http://www.cpapauction.com .

Best wishes with your search, and may the first mask be the best one for your husband--unfortunately that isn't ALWAYS the case! At any rate, even though the masks are not yet PERFECT for all of us, may your husband find one that is at least the most tolerable of the bunch--for him. Oh, yes--and for YOU!