Why can't i find just one mask that works????

[sososleepy]

Hi Everyone,
As some of you know i am saving to buy a new machine m-series auto pap and software. However, i am having a problem finding a mask that works.
My problem is i'm a mouth breather and i have long slotted nares. A chin strap seems to work to keep my mouth closed but every single nasal pillow or prong mask i've tried leaks. Also, tried the quattro and no matter what i do, adjustment wise, it kills my nose. I am starting to wonder if i should think twice about a new machine until i find a mask that will work. My most resent mask, just this week, is a comfort curve. I'm still playing with it but haven't been able to wear this one at all because it's the worst leaker yet.
Here is a run down of masks since November.
Optilife-moves around and leaks.
Opus-moves around and leaks.
Quattro-hurts bridge of nose, tried everythinh i found suggested on this forum to alleviate the problem but still wake up with bridge of nose hurting and red. Otherwise this one would probably work.
Nasal air 11- I thought this one was going to work but after going from a small to a size large and having sore nares i'm giving up on it. I also think it is stretching my nares. I'm sending this one back tomorrow since the ins i bought is good for another few days.
Comfort curve- Can't even sleep with this mask cause it starts out leaking. I own this mask (no ins), so any suggestions to make it work would be appreciated..
I know we all have mask issues but if there is anyone on the board who has long slotted nares and mouth breaths and who has found a mask that you like please share your opinions.
I really don't know what to order next. It's becoming a definite challange.
Thanks for all the continued support to my many questions.
Hugs, Sososleepy

[kteague]

sososleepy,

You're racking up quite a list of "been there, done that" masks. I ended up sticking with my 5th mask, though it seems others have tried more than that.

On the mouth breathing, you'll either have to go with a full face mask or resort to other means to keep your mouth closed (tape, denture strips, chin strap).

I have slotted nares, although I can't say they they are "long". It has seemed to me that using the larger pillows, they are so flexible they seem to adjust to the shape of the opening. I was able to reasonably keep a seal with the Breeze, CL2, and now my Headrest. Out of curiosity, I just went to the mirror to try to measure the length of the actual opening and it's approx. one half inch. To my surprise, after 2 years of using nasal pillows, they are not nearly as narrow and slotted as they used to be!!! My mask does not put pressure on my nose or pull it upward, but daggone if the shape isn't changing. And I'm the one who when others mentioned this didn't think that would happen to me. I'm not complaining though, because I like this nose. I always wished I could "flare" my nose - now I can.

But back to the subject - I haven't used a nasal mask yet that did not need a pantyhose tights strap (or other material) to help the mask stay in place and not leak. Are you counting on the original headgear to keep masks from shifting, or were the pillows failing to seal at all? Hey, maybe if you used the pillows for a while, you'd no longer have slotted nares to contend with (just kidding). Good luck in finding solutions.

Kathy

[momadams]

You haven't tried the Headrest yet?
Do.

[Unrested1]

sososleepy,

Have you tried the Mirage Activa mask? It's one I keep returning to. I also have decent luck with the swift, but like most of us we are ALL looking for that "magic" mask. All we can do is keep trying and trading until we find that one mask that fits us "just so". By the time I find mine it will probably be obsolete.

Good luck in your search.
Pat

[RipVW]

After trying many masks now (and I do still use some of them occasionally), I find my favorite is still my first mask, my Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask. I have a Quattro, too, but have that sore nose bridge problem sometimes with it. Don't have that with my UMFF. Good luck!

[suzymdavis]

I am on my 5th mask and still having trouble. My nostrils are 2 different sizes completely (my right nostril was bit off by my dog at a very young age), so the inside of my nose get's very irritated even when I wear the smallest size. I am also a mouth breather and my sinuses are congested most of the time. I think the full masks work the best for me, but then I have to contend with the bridge of my nose bleeding from the irritation. I wish I could be more helpful, but I just wanted you to know that you are definately not alone in your struggle.

I have read some stuff on this site about learning to adjust your own air flow levels. I'm going to try to lower mine, because I am having a lot of trouble with the noise and the air leeking. It wakes me up several times per night. Maybe your maching is giving you too much air and causing leaks...I don't know...I'm no expert, but it's worth trying.

Good luck to you...I"ll try to post if this helped or not...

PS to momadams...what do you mean by "The Headrest"

[BrianT]

Sososleepy,
For what it's worth
I'm still new to the Bi-PAP stuff, but since starting 4+ months ago I, like probably everyone else, have been struggling to find "the one that works" (mask wise). I have tried many of the nasal pillow type masks, but even with a chin strap and taping, I still get lots of leaks and very high numbers (AHI= 9-15). With the Quattro FF, I have a similar problem to the one you have encountered (sore bridge of the nose)., Although i am able to get it to seal sometimes and my AHI numbers go down below 5.
The only mask that I have had any continued success with has been the Liberty Hybrid. The nasal pillows have an inside and outside double walled design that is soft and comfortable (unlike most of the other single walled nasal pillows) and the part that goes around the mouth seems to seal fairly well at my pressures (14/9). It's not perfect and some nights it does leak more than on other nights, but my numbers (AHI) have gone as low as 1.0 and are usually well under 5. It is also the only mask that I become un-aware of as i sleep. All of the others so far are uncomfortable. I'm sure I'll keep looking for one that's better, but for now the Liberty is a keeper
Brian

[neverbetter]

The Bravo is great for two different size nares.Like the swift, but softer. My wife rubber bands the pillows together because her nares are too close together. It works great for her. She loves it.

[jomac30]

sososleepy:
I have exactly the same issues as you and my nares are long and slotted too. I think I might just go with a full face mask. I'm going to a mask fitting at my sleep lab next week to see if I can find something comfortable. I'll let you know if I do.

[BP]

I have slotted nares too. One thing that you MUST do each night in order for nasal pillows to work is wash the nose and nares thoroughly with a non-moisturizing soap like plain ivory soap. I find that my skin must be squeaky clean or the pillows will never seal. If you are not doing this then I would try it first. Larger pillows may also work.

-BP

[sososleepy]

Hi Everyone,
You guys are great and all of your suggestions are so helpful. I haven't felt well enough to post much lately. I tried the comfort curve last night. It pretty much leaked off and on all night. I think, after playing with adjustments i was able to start off with minimal leaks. When i hold the mask close to my face it doesn't seem to leak but just can't seem to adjust it to work. I'm going to keep working on it while considering all of your great suggestions. I really wish i could get my quattro to work. After looking at the picture of it on cpap.com i think i may have ordered the wrong size. I used the online size chart but maybe i didn't measure correctly. The reason i say this is because the quattro looks shorter in length on me then the picture. Mine only comes to just below my mouth. If i opened my mouth real wide it would slip into my mouth even with the forehead piece just above my eyebrows. If anyone is a quattro user, how long is yours? Where is it placed on your forehead and how far below your mouth does it sit?
I'm really wanting a ffm that works. Thanks:) Hugs, Sososleepy