Flexifit 431

[Kharris]

I started therapy last October. I used the nasal mask, because the folks
that are supposed to "know better than I do" said that was best for me.
I got tired of taping my mouth shut, so I decided to try a full face mask.
I am stuck with the Apria/Cigna insurance combo,,, I am pretty much
stuck with what I am allowed to have.
I had a feeling that the 431 was not a Caddilac mask, that there were
others that would be better.
But after trying all 3 sizes of mask, I am suprised and happy with the
results. No more taping. The head gear is confusing, and takes a bit of
adjusting, but once its right it is very comfortable. The mask is soft,the exhale ports are placed well. There was a whistle that was annoying
but strap adjustment got rid of it.
Don't give up on yourself.keep trying. I have had to downright annoy
Apria to get help from them. But now when I call, I don't hang up till
I have an answer from somebody.
I see alot of posts everyday from people that are ready to give up.
I know how bad, bad sleep is. I was sleeping at LESS than30% efficiancy
before CPAP.
DO NOT GIVE UP.

[Goofproof]

Treatment can be made better with a machine that captures useful data, and has software to show you what is going on.

You are basically going on how you feel, and you feel better, But you have no guage to see if you could feel even better.

I have used both the ComfortFull and the 431. As it turned out for me, treatment was better with the ComfortFull, without the software I would never have known. The 431 was more comfortable and the headgear was better, but the results came up poorer, not so poor that I couldn't use it though. Jim

[grumpygirl]

I am trying to get used to the FlexiFit but find that the headgear is very uncomfortable and I cannot seem to get it to fit right. It seems very large at the bottom and too small at the top for me. What is the secret to getting this thing to work??? I need to have a FF around since taping with the Opus is getting old and my face is irritated. HELP!!

[Kharris]

For me, I loosen all the straps a little, then put the mask on and fasten
the plastic clip.
Then tighten the bottom strap. I turn the machine on...at a pressure of
16 it doesn't take long to know where any leaks are.
then I tighten the middle strap. the little plastic piece at the bridge of my
nose doesn't always touch my forehead.
then the little straps on the very top are next. I just snug them a little.
For me the size of the mask was more important than strap adjustment.
The large was just too big, it kept getting in my eyes.
The small fit great, but had a loud whistle from the exhale port.
I used the medium for about 2 weeks. it was good, some leak issues
when I rolled over.
But for some reason, I went back to the small.... cleaned it good,
fiddled with the straps for a while.........suddenly it fit, the best
mask I have used so far.
Until my doc, and insurance decide I need a maching that is data capable
all I can go on is how I feel. I feel better with this mask than I did with
the nasal mask, and I feel much better with the nasal mask than I feel
with no cpap at all.
It's trial and error......it's frustrating....keep trying.