request for advice from full face mask users

[sharon1965]

hey nose
thanks for the review, and for bringing up the side sleeping point

and also lisa
i had been meaning to ask about the side sleeping thing, as that is of utmost importance to me, so thanks

[Artreyman]

Hey All you wanting advice on the full face masks.

Well all I can do is give an opinion of two masks. I am a big heavy set guy and I am a stomach sleeper which was a a big transition to get used to side sleeping as well as sleeping on my back. But with the full face mask it is possible due to the air flow being forced into your nose and for me I was and still am a mouth breather. So air also gets forced into my mouth.

I have tried 2 masks and actually am trying the quattro now. Before I was using the respironics comfortfull 2 full face mask and I could never really get used to it as it always seemed to leak around my upper nose and into my eyes making me wake with flakey crusty dry eyes. So that was a bummer. I then tried to get a bandana and wrap it around my eyes so I wouldnt get the air in my eyes. That was a no go..woke up freaked out cause I couldnt see at all and forgot about the bandana. So I came here and read about the different masks, and who was using what.

I did some reading and liked what was being said on the quattro full face mask and then did some internet searching and used the usual places that I buy stuff from. Ebay didnt have any and the usual cpap stores were too expensive then I found cpapauction and bid on one and was out bid at the last second while I was at work and couldnt check the auction. I had the high bid for several days. Then I thought to my self...Why not try the places where you buy your videos and books from so I did a search for the resMed Quattro mask on AMAZON...yes Amazon.com and low and behold there was one with a buy it now option of $75.00 and 8.00 or so for shipping and it was priority mail shipping. So I went ahead and bought one.

Well once I rec'd it I tried it and slept with it the 1st day and I kept hearing some leakage around the nose part. So I came back here and re read some postings on the quattro and read the part with the Teflon tape, Teflon tape is plumbers white tape. It basically sticks only to itself. It is used to seal the threads on pipe fittings. Anyway I put some teflon tape on the part of the mask that was leaking and walla!! Instant silent mask.

I havent slept any better then with this ResMed Quattro full face mask and I would recommend this to anyone wanting to try a full face mask.
If you need a sizer to see what soze mask you need do what I did, I visited the ResMed site and emailed them for a mask template and they sent me a sizer template in the mail. Luckily I had ordered the correct size I needed.

Sleeping now on my back and my side and cant fathom sleeping on my stomach anymore...

A very pleased Quattro user.

Art

[sharon1965]

wow, art
thanks so much for that comprehensive review...from the answers i've received (thanks everyone!) i think i'll be starting with the quattro as my first ff attempt (though the hans rudolph 2 that nose-to-the-hose told me about is very intriguing also, hmmmm)

monday morning i'll be calling my RT to get the ball rolling

thanks again!
sharon

[mothra7]

Just two cents more. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago...first given a Swift and then bought several other masks. I've been using the Flexi-Fit 431 for quite a while. Recently, cpap.com e-mailed about the Zzz Full Face Mask...I decided to try and have found it great! Excellent numbers, no leaks, unobtrusive on face, no deep mask marks in the morning. It's light, small, and cheap to boot! The Best!

[sharon1965]

[quote="Artreyman"]
If you need a sizer to see what soze mask you need do what I did, I visited the ResMed site and emailed them for a mask template and they sent me a sizer template in the mail. Luckily I had ordered the correct size I needed.

Art

[frapilu]

Hey Sharon,

Gotta give my 2cents since this is so close to my heart (or is that face?).

Over the past 5 years, I've been through pillow masks (nasalaire, nasalaire II, swift), nasal masks (HC407 - too big, HC406 - good but causing my nose to break out lately) and a FF mask (UMFF). I got the FF mask because my congestion was getting to me and I wanted it for when I couldn't breathe through my nose.

We have the same DME (different names but same company) so I know what you about being able to trial as long as you want (me too). I tried a few that I can't remember but hesitated between the HC432 and UMFF. I loved the feel of the HC432 but it leaked and farted whenever I moved. The UMFF seemed to do it less but it definitely leaks and farts too, especially when I move onto my back in the night. Sleeping on my side or stomach is a bit better since I jam my face into the side of my pillow and that seems to hold it but I usually end up sleeping with my hand resting against the mask to hold it closer in the hopes that it won't leak. I often also have to yank the top strap back down since it slides up my head. There are probably lab rat modifications for the UMFF but I'm useless at that kind of thing so I've never tried anything.

I think part of my issue with the UMFF (and the HC432) is that they're built for men with larger faces. I'm a fat woman but I have small features. That's why I loved the HC406 because it was made for petite faces & heads. I use the smallest cushion size in the UMFF (small shallow) but still the hard plastic part is too big.

I do use the mask when I have to but I use it as little as I can. Sorry to be so negative about it.

I can't say anything about numbers and stuff like that because my ancient cpap has no such information.

anyway, good luck.
France

[beachgurl_1988]

I have been using a Fisher and Pykel Flexi Fit 431 since May 2007. I use Apria Healthcare as a CPAP service and they requested that I come to a CPAP class to learn about my machine as I had never used one before.

The 'teacher' gave us different masks to try and I decided that I would rather use a full face mask. I said, I have no idea if I sleep with my mouth open, what if I do and found out I would have to use a chin strap. Well haveing a small nose type mask kinda defeats the purpose if you have to wear a chin strap with it. So I got the full face.

I love the full face mask. I can sleep in almost any position with it, and I am loving the fact that the particular one I have came with three size inserts for it. Large, Medium and Small. I switch between the small and medium. Sometimes I just sleep better with one or the other. Also it is just silicone, there is no grey foamy peice that you cannot submerse in water.

Only problem I have is that the FPFFM has a little bar that comes up and rests on your forehead. I have found that that can leave a mark in the morning, but is usually gone soon after waking up!

[Jerry69]

[quote="Goofproof"]I started with a ComfortFull "M", It promptly ate the bridge of my nose, from e using it too tight. A month later the lower clip broke, again from being poorly made and me pulling on it too hard.

That said: It worked well for me. I used the F & P 431, and I liked it better but my AHI was 3 points higher with it, and it slid around more the last part of the night. I would NOT try a hybrid, due to the high mask leak rate, I'd do better hookinh a hose to a trash can, and wearing that. Jim

[Wulfman]

I was reluctant to mention it, but I used the 431 last night and my AHI went up to 3.5, not a lot for many, but a lot for me; as mine is usually less than 0.5 with my Activa. And the Snore Index went from 1.2 to 109.7. I sensed some gasping and snoring last night, but I'm still surprised the indices were so high. I've recognized increased snoring with the 431 and so has my wife. It's a pretty good mask in that it doesn't leak. I wear it very tightly, however and it leaves marks on my face. I'm going to give up on it. I have a new large cushion (still in the sealed bag) and slightly used large and medium cushions. Anyone want to buy it for $40, including mailing? Not much of a selling job, I realize, but some may like the mask and use it regularly. While I'm at it, I've a Hybrid with large and medium pillows: $50. I don't smoke, so there isn't any smoking residue on them and they are in good condition. PM me if interested.

Jerry

Teach YOU to mess with your therapy when it's working good!

Good to see you again, stranger.
I went back through your posts to see how long it had been......you snuck in once last December and then last summer.

Sheesh.......that's what we get for helping some of these folks out......they get their therapy working and then they're gone like a fart in the wind.

Don't stay away so long! (or....don't leave....you can only play about so much golf)

Best wishes.

Den